𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞, 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲│ 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐢 𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐳 ✔

𝟏𝟎. 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Julia woke up to the sound of someone breathing in her face. She lifted her head to see who was stupid enough to do that and found Pedri passed out beside her. She observed his chest rising and falling. He looked adorable and seemed so innocent when sleeping. She turned to look down at her phone, and that was when reality set in. Today was her graduation. She stumbled off the couch, arousing a sleepy Pedri.

"Shit shit shit," she said, panicking as she realised she only had one hour to prepare for her graduation.

"What happened?" with his raspy morning voice, Pedri spoke. She missed hearing that voice in the morning. 

"My graduation is in an hour!"

She sprinted into her closet to retrieve her graduation dress and cap and hurried into the bathroom to shower, put on makeup, and style her hair. Pedri's eyes widened. He stood up and went to the kitchen to prepare something for them. Fortunately, his clothes from the day before didn't reek of sweat and booze. After checking himself in the mirror, he decided he looked presentable enough to attend a graduation. Pedri heard Julia's phone ringing across the room. He yelled for her, and she told him he should pick it up because she didn't have time to talk to anyone. Swiping right, he grabbed the phone and saw "Mamá" on the caller ID.

Julia's mother shouted anxiously: "JULIA SOLER GAVIRA! Where are you? We were supposed to meet at our house at ten o'clock to take pictures. I've been trying to reach you all morning. Why is it taking you so long to respond right now? What are you doing?"

Pedri took a short breath. 

"Hola, má. Julia is in the restroom. I'm answering the call because of that. She's rushing late since she forgot that today was graduation. However, mama, I'll ensure she arrives in time for the graduation."

"Pedri? ¡Ay Dios Mio! Can you please remind her to hurry up and bring her cap? I have to go now. We can take photos before or after graduation and tell her I have her honour cords. Bye." She said, hanging up, stressed. 

Julia appeared in a yellow two-piece set with finished hair and makeup. She was stunning. His heart hammered in his chest when he saw her. 

"You look beautiful." He stammered, looking intently at her as her eyes roamed the kitchen. 

"Thanks. What are you making?" She mumbled, blushing, trying hard not to meet his eyes as she looked away. 

"My famous Bocadillos." He boasted excitingly. 

"Can we... talk after the graduation?" He asked calmly, and her heart melted as she looked into his pleading eyes. 

"Sure. We should hurry up, though, so we don't arrive any later." She said, nodding as she looked away from those eyes. If not, she might do something she would regret. 

A half-hour later, Julia and Pedri arrived on time at the university. She recognised her family across the street and waved to them. They all took pictures quickly. Julia received her honour cords from her mother and said she would meet them after the ceremony, kissing them all on the cheek. Without even realising it, she did it to Pedri too. She became shocked and covered her mouth with her hand immediately. Pedri blushed and wished her luck as her relatives began to laugh.

Julia and her friends were waiting in line to be separated into their faculties and programs, where they all lined up alphabetically. She placed her cap gently on her head to keep it from ruining her hair. Her eyes darted around the room, taking in all graduating students. This was insane. She could've sworn they had just begun yesterday. A long-held dream had become a reality, and the primary reason behind it was her family, particularly her mother and father.