Finding Truth

Chapter 2

 Wow, I forgot how much I hate finals. All this studying, writing essays, and making sure all my assignments are turned in is so annoying but it's making the week zoom by. It's already half way through Wednesday and I officially graduate and turn eighteen in two days. Hopefully I'll graduate with the 4.0 I've been working on for so long too. If I survive that long.

I haven't really had a chance to hang out with Aden at all since this past weekend but he understands it's finals week. We FaceTime a few times throughout the day and he's keeping up with my daily memes. Sometimes I get jealous that he's over and done with school and that he chose not to go to college. He's been working at the docks in our local harbor ever since graduation last year. I don't know how he manages to do all that physical labor day in and day out during the week. Just thinking about it makes me want to die. I do have to say though he's always been the active type of person so props to him for that. Realizing I've been in my own thoughts for the past thirty minutes I come back down to reality and go grab a snack before my next exam in an hour.

Staring at an open fridge for five minutes isn't going to help you make a decision on what to eat I tell myself. So I go with the simplest option. Bagel and cream cheese. While I sit at the counter eating my mom comes in to ask me how finals are going.

"I think they're going okay," I say. "I'm struggling with Pre Calc right now but once I figure out one or two more things I should be good to go for my exam tomorrow. Then I just have my physics exam left for today."

"That's good to hear! I know you're going to do great." She encourages.

"Is dad going to be home today or tomorrow so he doesn't miss my graduation?"

"He said he'll be home tomorrow night and not to worry. We'll both be bringing you to graduation Friday. Gotta see our baby girl walk across that field. I actually got something for you now that we're on the graduation topic."

"Oh god mom. You know how I feel about surprises."

"I promise this time I did good and you'll like it. At least I hope. I'll go grab it. Wait here! It'll only take a few minutes" she promises.

As my mom runs off towards her room down the hallway knowing I have to go back to the office for my next exam soon I'm trying to think what my mom could've possibly gotten me. I'm not a very materialistic person and my parents let me buy whatever I need which is why when it comes to gifts I give my parents a list. So it's really confusing me on what she could've gotten that I haven't already gotten myself or asked for. A few minutes goes by and she comes back into the kitchen with a big plain white paper bag. Sneaky, I see. No logo or anything. She must have put it in there so I wouldn't think to look if I saw it around the house. I can be kinda nosy like that.

"Do you like it?" She asks while pulling out a long black form fitting dress with gold trim.

"I absolutely love it!" I squeal. Taking the dress from her to hold it up. "How'd you know I haven't gotten a graduation dress yet?"

"You would be talking about it nonstop if you already got one sweetie."

"Okay, that's fair." I laugh at the fact I just got so excited for a dress and my mom knows it. I'm not a dress person but I do enjoy dressing up for special occasions.

"Also, I got you one more thing," she says, pulling out a smaller bag. "It's a matching mask to go with your dress. One that also doesn't have makeup on it. So no wearing it before graduation. You have to look sharp for pictures."

"Got it mom, and thank you for this. It was a needed mood booster dealing with all these finals."

"Of course, now go get set up for your exam. The dress isn't going anywhere. You can try it on after you finish."