Atomic Love [2]

Chapter 36 - Graduation Pt. 1

Italics is translations

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TW: Swearing

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Chapter 36

June 11, Friday

Kathrin's POV

Finally, I have graduated high school. I remember thinking that school was so insufferably slow, and that I'd never make it out of there-- but now that I did, I might actually miss this place.

I grew up in this school, and also watched my peers grow up with me. I might've not had a lot of friends, or talked to a lot of these people, but it's safe to say that I see this place as my home, and leaving here wouldn't be as easy as I thought.

Looking around, I saw Leonard smiling wide (quite unlike his usual self), both of his parents congratulating him. I saw a happy Arthur, shocked he was even able to graduate with his low scores; both of his parents hugging him tightly.

I saw Nate and Jeremy just talking, probably not caring about school as much as they should-- but it really isn't my problem. I could see Sienna's parents praising her, giving her heart-warming hugs and kisses.

And then I saw my father-- the last person I expected to see-- walking up to me with a small smile on his face.

I haven't seen him since I went back to the house five months ago. The day where my so-called father drunkenly confessed how similar he and I really were. A part of me really wanted to stay angry at him for that, but I just couldn't help but pity him; and pity myself as well.

"Hey kid." The man spoke up after getting close enough to me. I fidgeted with my hands, refusing to look up at him as I just focused on the grass below me. "Hi." I finally managed to utter out, glancing up for only a split second.

This sort of silence fell upon us. But it wasn't awkward, or maddening, as it usually is. It was almost calm-- soothing, a feeling I never thought I would feel with my dad.

He eventually sighed, almost proudly, starting to speak again. "我 很 为 你 骄 傲. (I am so proud of you.)" He stated, slowly setting a hand on my shoulder.

Usually, I would've shrugged it away, told him to fuck off or something, but not today; today was different.

I looked up at the man wide-eyed, this sort of glee clouding my heart. This small smile started inching up my face, and I couldn't help not hating my dad.

I wanted to say something, but it felt as if there was a lump in my throat. So I just kept staring up at him in awe, my mouth gaping open from shock, my heart pounding rapidly in my chest.

"真 的 吗? (Really?)" I finally managed to murmur. The man chuckled under his breath at my disbelief. He and I both knew how bad he is at expressing feelings other than anger; I mean it is the very least that he realises how he really is.

I continued playing with my fingers behind my back, chewing on the inside of my lips nervously. "真 的. (Really.)" He replied, grinning down at me.

The smile only got wider as the bliss in my heart grew. I really thought I didn't love him anymore, that I didn't care for what he thought about me, and all of his expectations. But I guess deep down I'll always be daddy's little girl, even if I'm all grown up.

"嗯, 我现在得走了, 我有工作. (Uhm, I have to go now, I have work.)" The man spoke up again, his gaze quite shifty.

I nodded, biting onto my lower lip, but surprise overcame me once again when he uttered his next three words. "我爱你. (I love you.)"

He didn't wait for me to respond, he just turned around and walked away, as I stared at his shrinking figure, taken aback by what he said.

Some part of me couldn't help thinking that all of this was a dream. He's never told me that he's proud of me before-- he's never told me that he loves me before. I've never got more than a nod and a slight smile of approval from him; I've never thought that I would get anything even slightly more than that.

And at that moment, I felt like the happiest person in the world. Like all of the terrible moments and feelings have just gone away, because what more would I need? That's all I've been asking for, my father's approval... my father's love.

"Hey, what's good?" The sudden sound of Nate bursted out of nowhere. Though I wasn't fazed by it since I was still dazed from my sudden burst of joy.

"Hello? You there?" The blonde boy continued saying, snapping his fingers in front of my face. "Yes, hi." I mumbled, trying to muffle my smile by hiding my face.

"Can't believe we're actually graduating. Never thought I would be leaving this place." This time it was Jeremy who spoke up.

I finally looked up, this mixture of sadness and nostalgia running through me. Can't believe it's over, my childhood years. I mean, I'm still childish as fuck, but now as an... adult.

"And I thought I would still be hating the both of you." I sighed out, laughing to myself. "Yea, me too. Who would've thought we'd become friends?" Nate then answered.

"Wait, hold up-- hating the both of us. Why'd you hate me?" Jeremy playfully asked, while I rolled my eyes. "Ok-- uhm-- heh, well as a certified 'Nate-hater', I swore an oath to hate Nate and anyone associated with him." I responded, the two boys rolling their eyes at me.

"Wow, ok, you immature son of a bitch." Jeremy stated as I jokingly hit his shoulder. "Well I mean, isn't a child supposed to be immature?" I then retorted.

Suddenly, Nate put an arm around both the dark haired boy and I. "Okay, enough arguing, let's go do something fun." And with that, he started leading us away from the place.

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998 words (edited)