Pennyroyal Tea [k. cobain]

one.

Kelsi

The day of graduation, it rained. I don't know what the college was thinking, holding a graduation ceremony outdoors in Olympia, Washington in Spring. The gentle falling of light raindrops slowly soaked my cap and gown.
Underneath, I felt the uncomfortable fabric of my black dress rubbing against my skin. My heels weren't even that high, but they killed my feet. I wished to be home—for this to be over— so I could go back to being dressed in my usual jeans and t-shirt.
Mercifully, there was a lull in the rain during the series of speeches I failed to focus on. My mind wandered. I thought about my journalism degree that I was earning today. I thought about the new job I'd been offered to write for The Rocket, the coolest new magazine for underground music. It was a dream come true. I couldn't believe my luck. I was incredibly fortunate.
Someone had started calling names. I was in the third row, so it wasn't long before we stood to line up and wait for our names to be called.
I drew in a deep breath as they called the guy in front of me. I waited nervously, holding my breath.
"Kelsi Ann Lewis." I swallowed and took my first step onto the stage.
Receiving my degree happened in a blur. Before I knew it, I was seated again, and the ceremony droned on.
I cheered loudly when they called my best friend, Michelle Langley, who had majored in English. Michelle and I had met our senior year of high school and instantly became best friends. We went to college together and had been roommates ever since. She was like a sister to me.
I thought about my mom, in the audience. I knew she was so proud of me. I couldn't wait to hug her. For a few years now, it had just been me and my mom. We lost my dad to colon cancer my sophomore year of high school. It was really difficult without him, but I think it made Mom and me closer to one another. I knew my dad was here today too, watching over me, smiling down on his little girl. I wiped a stray tear from my eyes as they continued calling names.
I cheered myself up by thinking about the fun Michelle and I were going to have later that night. There was a show with a bunch of local bands happening. I couldn't wait to go and just let loose. My graduation was cause for celebration. Plus, I had been so busy with school that I had been ignoring my passion for underground music. Not anymore though. My new job would merge my love of music with my love of writing. That was a reason to celebrate too.
Finally, every name had been called. We were congratulated as the class of 1989. We switched our tassels and tossed our caps. Soon, I was making my way through a crowd to find Michelle and my mom.
"Kelsi!" I heard Michelle's voice and spotted her red hair in the sea of people. I made my way over to her.
"We did it!" She shouted, throwing her arms around me. I hugged her back.
"We did!" I answered. "Have you seen my mom?" I asked.
"Kelsi!" My mom's voice caught my ears. I turned to see her right beside me.
"Mom!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around my beautiful mother who was a few inches shorter than me.
"I'm so proud of you!" my mom cried.
"Thanks, mom," I answered. She turned and hugged Michelle too. Michelle's large family lingered around with us too. Her younger twin brothers, both redheads, stared around, bored. Her younger sister who was still just a kid ran back and forth across the pavement near where we were standing, her pigtails bouncing as she frolicked.
Michelle's mom and step-dad talked to my mom. I turned to Michelle.
"Are you ready to get back home and get ready for tonight?" I asked. I couldn't wait to get back to our apartment to shower and change. Not only did I feel like a drowned rat, I was sick of my dress clothes.
"I honestly cannot wait," Michelle answered. "There are so many good bands performing and it's going to be so much fun!"
"I know. I'm so excited," I answered.

An hour and a half later, Michelle and I were back, looking through our clothes for something to wear. I pulled on my favorite pair of jeans.
"Whatever I wear has to go with these," I said, digging through my shirts. I ended up choosing a t-shirt I had gotten from my new employer, The Rocket. It had their logo on the front. I grabbed a sturdy flannel and put it on over top. I finished the outfit with my Converse high tops. I sat down on my bed, marveling in the comfort of my outfit.
"What do you think of this?" asked Michelle. She was wearing a tan corduroy skirt with a Mudhoney t-shirt and some black combat boots. Her long red hair was pulled into a simple ponytail.
"That looks almost perfect," I answered honestly. "You just need one more thing." I tossed her another flannel from my closet. Michelle slid it on.
"I think I like it," answered Michelle, modeling in my full-length mirror. "Let's move on to makeup."
Michelle's makeup took longer than mine. She was an expert and winged eyeliner and a deep red lip. I went light on makeup. I put on some dark eyeshadow, more than I'd usually wear, and left my lips neutral. I examined myself in my mirror.
My long blonde hair fell loosely around my face. My baggy outfit hung on my slender frame. I was more comfortable that way. I liked my dark eyes and neutral lip that I had done with my makeup.
"I think I'm about ready to go," I told Michelle.
"Me too," answered Michelle. "I'm so excited!"
We gathered our belongings and stepped out of our apartment building into the street.
The venue wasn't far away, so we were walking to it. The warm night air was invigorating. I felt the energy all around me. It was going to be a magical night. It had to be.