The Ecstatic Life Of Sofia

Chapter Nine: Graduation

Graduation was finally upon them. Sofia curled her hair into tight ringlets and put on her cap and gown. She caught a glance at herself in the mirror, she didn't look happy. She felt happy, but the years of sadness must have etched her depressed look onto her face. She continued to glance at herself sideways, she looked cold, irreproachable, and far behind her eyes there was deep sadness. She threw a sheet over the mirror and walked out of her house to her car.

When she arrived she met up with Matt and Elliot. They turned to look at her and a slightly worried look crossed their face, they instantly hid it when Sofia offered them a smile.

"Are you mad at us?" Elliot sort of belted out and Matt's eyes went wide, he elbowed him. "I mean, how are you."

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"No reason." Matt said quickly.

Elliot just nodded.

Sofia sighed. "If this is is about that whole Professor thing, no I'm not mad at you."

Elliot let out a breath, Matt hid his relief a little better.

Sofia gave them both a quick hug. "How could I be mad at you two."

They continued chatting, then Sofia felt a tap on her shoulder. "Brad?"

He gave her a hug. "It's great to see you, Sofia."

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to make sure I saw your graduation. I came out here and read it was today. How could you think we'd miss it?"

"We?" At that moment Sara and Sydney both stepped out from behind Brad and they smothered her with a hug.

"Omg this place is so cool!" Sydney squealed.

Sofia looked surprised. "You like it here?"

"Of course we do, oh my gosh did you see the memorials?" Sara asked everyone.

"We've been with you since we arrived." Brad said.

Sofia laughed. "I missed you guys. Let me introduce you to two of my very best friends. Matt and Elliot."

The six of them sat and chatted for awhile. Before too long the graduates were called up to the stage at the front. Sofia watched Cameron, Taylor, Jackie, and Matt go up before her. Then heard her name called. She smiled accepted her diploma and moved to the group of valedictorians. She looked out to the crowd and saw Brad gazing back at her with admiration in his eyes. She offered him a smile, then turned back to watch the rest of the students receive their diplomas. She couldn't help but remember Freshman orientation when she'd imagined this and how many students she thought would be here, there were only about 50 students graduating, and back then, there had been almost 200 at orientation.

Jackie gave the valedictorian speech, it was down to either Sofia or Jackie and Sofia had gladly turned down the honor. Jackie told her back at the beginning of Freshman year that she wanted to give the speech at graduation. After it was over they all threw their caps. She remembered a couple of weeks ago when they had decorated the caps and she had to smile at the memories that she would hold onto in her new life. She had exciting news for her friends and couldn't wait to tell them about it.

After the ceremony most of the graduates stayed to chat and say goodbye before they moved to their new lives. She chatted with her friends and laughed and hugged them and wished them good luck chasing their dreams. It was strange, at some point in time their dreams that had once seemed impossible to reach and almost ridiculous were coming true. Matt was off to New York to attend school to become the Broadway actor he'd always dreamed of. Elliot was chasing a similar dream, but instead was heading to LA to strike it there as a TV actor. Jackie was going to a nearby university where she wanted to major in special education, to work with diabled children. Kacey was going to art school to further her skills as a sketcher. Ana would be heading to Chicago to attend a university and major in criminal justice. Taylor was choosing to enroll in the army instead and complete her education through their study programs. Sofia even managed to catch where Cameron and Alana were off to. Cameron was realizing his dream of being a filmmaker at Colombia. Alana was going to California to begin her modelling career. Sofia was happy to hear it, Alana had talked of modeling since seventh grade and Cameron had wanted to attend Colombia since Freshman year. Sofia had also decided what to do with her future.

"I'm going to Meadow View to major in nursing!" Sofia said excitedly.

Matt paled, but Elliot seemed happy. "Great, when are you leaving?"

Sofia smiled. "You seem in a big hurry to get rid of me."

Elliot laughed. "Yeah, no one likes you."

Sofia rolled her eyes.

"When are you leaving?" Matt asked still a little pale and worried.

Sofia looked down, her excitement fading. "I leave tonight."

Elliot's mouth dropped. "So soon? What about our after highschool friend time thing?"

"What?" Sofia laughed.

Elliot laughed. "I'm kidding, but do you really have to go so soon?"

Sofia nodded. "I'm done with this town and this state, at least for a little while."

Matt spoke up. "Can we talk Sofia?"

Sofia nodded and followed him away from the crowd.

"Be careful." Matt said.

"What?" Sofia asked.

"I know I joked a lot about that Professor, but right now I'm being serious. If there's a town smaller than this one, like you say, I guarantee gossip travels fast. Don't act on those feelings, whatever they are. Otherwise you risk your future and the Professor's."

Sofia's mouth dropped. "You know I wouldn't do something like that."

Matt smiled. "You can't rule over the heart. Listen to me, please, Sof I'm worried about this whole thing."

Sofia gaped. "Matt I promise that those feelings hardly see the light of day, they're locked so far down. Don't worry." Sofia turned away. "Oh, and if you ever call me Sof again I'll ring your neck."

Matt gave her a faint smile and they returned to the others.

The rest of her time was spent saying her goodbyes to everyone she'd miss. At long last it became time to leave.

"So I guess the only people left are your parents?" Brad asked.

Sofia looked slightly uncomfortable. "I've already said goodbye."

Sara and Sydney both looked confused. "You did?" They both asked.

"Yes." Sofia said. "Let's get to the airport."