The Tuition Fee

Chapter 36: May, Graduation

Alina 

I shift my weight on the grass outside the basketball arena, looking around the sea of emerald green caps and gowns for one specific head. I went through my graduation yesterday, but Reese and Nathan graduated this afternoon. 

"They said they'd meet us, stop fidgeting," Marissa says. She nudges me and I grin sheepishly. I know something she doesn't, and it's been making me giddy all week. "It's not like they're going to lock Reese out of the stadium for pictures they asked for." 

"I know, I know." I glance around, using the paper program to fan myself in the humid, hot air when a pair of arms sneak around my waist and lift me. I laugh and as soon as my feet hit the ground I spin in Nathan's arms, grinning from ear to ear. "Congrats, Nate! You did it!" 

He's smiling probably wider than I am and leans down to kiss me. "Couldn't have done it with you, love." 

I step back when his brothers approach, his mom right on their heels. They shower him with hugs and claps on the back and I watch, still smiling, my heart full. It took us so long to get here, but I'm so happy it did. 

Mrs. Crane walks over to me and pulls me into a hug that I return eagerly. "Congratulations to you as well, Alina. I was talking with your mom earlier, we're all set for dinner tonight." 

I nod, fidgeting with the sweater in my arms. Since my father's passing, my mom and Mrs. Crane have become best friends. They have lunch once a week, call each other almost every other day, and text through all the others. They spent more time talking to each other yesterday when they came to our townhome than to Nathan or I. I don't really mind though. I'm glad my mom has a friend as awesome as Mrs. Crane.

"Sounds good. Nathan and I love their burgers." 

His arms slip around my waist again, pulling me to his side. "What do I love?" 

I turn my head and bat my eyelashes. "Me." His cheeks flush and I laugh, shaking my head. "The burgers from Phil's. We're going there for dinner." 

"After the pictures?" He glances to Reese and Marissa who are talking with his parents and Stephanie who plans to follow in her brother's footsteps and attend Britton.

I nod, fighting back my grin. "Yeah, after the pictures." 

Reese looks our way and jerks his head toward the baseball stadium at the other end of the massive parking lot. The four of us plus the photographer are the only ones going into the stadium to get some shots of Reese in his cap and gown and official Red Sox jersey. It started as a way for the school to use him for publicity, but we found a way to morph it into something more personal since Reese is going to get all the proofs for free. 

"Okay, I'll catch up with you guys later." Nathan kisses his mom on the cheek and waves to his brothers, James' sous chef boyfriend, and Amber. Taking my hand, he laces our fingers together as we stroll across the parking lot. 

Things between us since the lake have been, well, incredible. There's no more tension or anxiety between us, no pent-up anger or petty acts of aggression. Just cuddles on the couch and getting to fall asleep in Nathan's arms every night-- sometimes clothing optional. I kicked myself for one day about missing out on this much with him for the past four years, but I genuinely don't think we'd be as strong as we are now without all the shit we went through. I know I can trust him down to my soul, and I love him unconditionally. We aren't perfect, but we're perfect together, and that's all I need. 

I lean my head on his arm as we walk, contentment filling my chest. "I'm really proud of you, Nate," I say softly. He glances down at me and I smile the way I do only for him. "You worked so hard for this, for Boston. I'm really proud."