Try Me

Chapter thirty-one

"Akia Taiden Mercer"

Akia walked across the stage with a smile on his face. Despite the many people that were attending the graduation, he could clearly hear the people who came to cheer him on. This new journey was going to be interesting. He got accepted to his first-choice university. He decided to go to school for something else, with a minor in physical education. Over the past couple of months, he has been getting multiple model opportunities, and he has found more interest in those. The money is good too.

After the whole graduation was done, Akia first found Aria before they went to find their families that were sitting together. "Aki!" Rory shouted, getting her son's attention. Akia looked to his left before he grabbed Aria's hand to lead her to the group of people.

"Congratulations! We're so proud of you!" Rory, Damien, and Shayla all embraced their son in a tight hug that Akia had to tap out of because he couldn't breathe.

Aria, too, received hugs from Akia's parents. Over the last few months, the two teens have really grown closer. You could say they're best friends now. They're often called 'double A' by Akia's dad. He's getting popular for his choice of nicknames.

"You did good up there, son. You were saying words I ain't never even heard before. You did your shit." Damien said this while patting his son's shoulder.

Akia thanked him and looked at Shayla. She wasn't the type of parent to cry over things like this. Akia doesn't recall ever seeing Shayla cry over something, but here she is crying and embracing her son in a hug.

"You're getting so old, and I don't know what to do, Aki. Next month, you'll be nineteen."

"Mom, I'm not going to go anywhere yet." He looked over Shayla's shoulder at Rory, who was also crying. He'd have to prepare them months in advance before he even thought about moving out.

"I know damn well you are not crying." Khalan mumbled to Arian, who was currently looking away from his younger sister.

Arian quickly wiped his face. "Crying? Never that. I'm happy the little demon is growing up. Now she can leave me the hell alone." All he said was a bluff. He did not like seeing his younger sister grow up at all. This was heartbreaking for him. His parents are standing next to him, balling their eyes out as well. They are truly a sentimental family.

"Stop crying! I'm not going anywhere." Aria laughed seeing them all cry.

At some point, Akia was able to make it past his parents and to his boyfriend, Khalan.

"Hi." A smiling Akia said, wrapping his arms around Khalan and embracing him in a big hug. Ever since the two started to officially date, he has been doing whatever he wants. He found it fun to be able to hug Khalan whenever he wanted.

"You looked fine as fuck up there." Khalan mumbled in Akia's ear, only for him to hear. He was referring to Akia's speech for the graduation. The top 3 students got to say something, and since Akia was number two and Aria was number one, they went up together.

Akia blushed and shook his head. He doesn't think he'll ever be able to get used to Khalan's unhinged comments about his appearance. Khalan pecked Akia on the lips twice before attempting to pull away, but Akia decided to go in for a third time, and he was successful

"I thought that Akia was Ty—" Kamari started, but CJ covered her mouth to get her to stop talking. "Mari, sometimes you need to just be quiet! And they look better together anyway." He said this to her while trying not to ruin Khalan's and Akia's moments.