Daydream Believer

cxxiii. graduation and moving forward

cxxiii. graduation and moving forward

 

Finally, graduation was here. I wasn’t particularly excited for the ceremony, but I knew that it would mean that I was done with high school forever. I couldn’t wait to get to college.

 

I looked out into the audience. There were so many faces that I couldn’t find my family members. Aaron and Justin were somewhere among the other graduates, but I couldn’t find them either. I was truly on my own for this.

 

The principal started calling names. I slumped back into my chair and waiting for her to call me up. It took a while, so I studied the crowd while I waited. Practically everyone there was related to one of the graduating seniors. Our class was big, so every seat was taken.

 

“McKenna Gregory,” the principal called, and I stepped up to receive my diploma. I walked across the stage, took my diploma, shook the principal’s hand, and sat back down with my diploma. I watched everyone else do the same, and applauded when Aaron and Justin received their diplomas.

 

Aaron, Justin, and I met up after it was all over. “So this is it,” Justin said. “We’re done.”

 

“I can’t believe it,” Aaron said. “I guess all of that hard work did pay off.”

 

“Time flies, doesn’t it?” I said.

 

“It really does,” Justin agreed.

 

“I’m going to miss you guys when I’m at college,” Aaron said.

 

“Me too,” I said, and I had decided that was a fact. I would miss Aaron and Justin, if nothing else.

 

“Me three, but we’ll still see each other in college,” Justin said.

 

“Not as much though,” I said. Aaron, Justin, and I all did a big group hug. I noticed my family waiting for me. “I have to go,” I said.

 

“See you soon McKenna,” Aaron said.

 

Dad, Shonali, Brooklyn, and Noah were all waiting for me. “Congratulations McKenna,” Shonali said.

 

“We’re so proud of you,” Dad said.

 

“Thanks,” I said as I hugged each one of them. “There’s not going to be a graduation party, is there?”

 

“Not if you don’t want one,” Dad said.

 

“Great,” I said. I was tired and I didn’t want to do anything, as usual. Summer was here, and I needed to relax.

 

I spotted someone else that I knew. I didn’t think she would come, but I decided I might as well talk to her anyways, even if I didn’t really want to.

 

Mom was here.

 

“Hi Mom,” I said.

 

“Hi McKenna!” she said. “Look how much you’ve grown!”

 

I shrugged. I hadn’t grown at all since middle school, so I was still ridiculously short. “I guess so,” I said.

 

“I can’t believe you’re graduating already!”

 

“Me neither,” I said.

 

“I’m so proud of you McKenna,” Mom said.

 

I grinned. I never expected Mom to say that. “Thanks Mom,” I said.

 

“You’re welcome honey.”

I hugged Mom and went back to Dad and Shonali, and I waved to Aaron and Justin as I left. Finally, summer was here and I was going to take advantage of it.