Ghost of You | a Twilight Fanfiction

5 - Graduation

One month ago

"Juliette Holt, Bachelors in Art History. Elijah Hoffman, Bachelors in Architecture."

I hold my head high, walking across the stage the validation I needed to tell me I made the right decision two years ago.

I make my way across the stage, shaking hand every individual's hand, before receiving my diploma. A big grin on my face, stopping to be momentarily blinded by the flashes of light on the camera in front of me.

"Go Juju!!" My dad's voice echoes through the quiet crowd. "GO JULIE!" A voice I don't quite recognize yells through the crowd.

I blush, shaking my head in slight embarrassment. Attending guests were asked to hold all applause till the end, my mom and dad, both so full of pride, decided I deserved my standing ovation.

I make my way back to my seat as the emcee continues to announce the names of my fellow students.

Eli's hand reaches over to find mine.

I smile, listening to my classmates cheer as we throw our caps in the air.
Eli is quick to pull me close as he places a kiss on my temple. "We did it." He exclaims over the crowd's excitement.

He's right. We did it. I did it.

I hold back the tears, as my eyes meet the face of my parents. Both are so full of joy that I can almost feel it radiating off of them from their seat in the stands. Giving them a slight wave, they both wave back as we continue listening to the emcee finishing the graduation announcements.

Eli leans over, "I'm gonna miss you Darling...you know if you decide home just isn't home anymore, I'll be waiting."

"I don't think one day is fair to you Eli." "For you, I'd wait all the days. Just call me if you ever change your mind."

He leans over pulling me close to him. I inhale the scent of his cologne one last time, he places a soft kiss on the top of my head.

We both knew when we started seeing each other months ago, that this would come to an end soon. He never planned to leave his home, and I never planned to call this place home. Although 'soon' came faster than we both realized it would.

"You're gonna do great. He doesn't know what he is missing out on." I sigh, "Why ruin the moment?" He chuckles, his chest rumbling slightly. "You can't say you don't agree that he is an idiot." I laugh, "Oh no I agree with that."

I no longer feel an ache in my chest talking about him. He no longer consumes my every thought. Eli allowed me to open up, to heal. We both knew it was not going to last forever, but he healed all the parts of me that he did not break. I will forever be in debt to him because I'm truly happy now.

Eli & I pull apart, each heading in different directions to find our family members in the crowd.

As I make my way through the sea of people, I spot my parents waving frantically, their smiles stretching from ear to ear. I can't help but feel a surge of pride and gratitude for everything they have done to support me throughout my journey. They have always believed in me, even during the darkest moments when I doubted myself.

Reaching them, I am enveloped in their warm embrace. My mom's eyes are glistening with tears, and my dad's proud grin is contagious. "We are so proud of you, JuJu," my mom whispers, her voice filled with emotion. "You've worked so hard for this moment."

I feel a sense of fulfillment wash over me. All the late nights studying, the sacrifices I made, and the challenges I overcame were worth it. Graduation day marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and I am ready to embrace it with open arms.

The atmosphere is electric, filled with laughter, cheers, and the sound of cameras capturing precious moments. It's a day of celebration, a day to cherish the memories we have made together. A heavy hand falls upon my shoulder, "Julie! You did it." I turned around to see the face that the voice belonged to. I was met with the face, although a very changed one, of my cousin Jacob. "Jake!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around his neck, the once short and awkward cousin now towered over me. "What have you been eating ?! You're huge!" He pulls me into a tight hug, I feel his chest rattle as he laughs at the comment I made. "I started working out after you left." "Is Uncle Billy okay?" He nods, "Dad would've loved to be here, you know how he is about planes though." I give a slight laugh, "If man was meant to fly, we would have been created with wings to do so." I adjust my voice to mock that of my dear uncle. Billy Black was my mom's older brother, I spent many nights at their house growing up. Listening to him as he retold the legends of our people used to be my favorite pastime.

"I can't wait to see everyone back at home. It's been too long." I haven't been home in months, due to getting the part time job at the gallery.

"We will have to catch you up on everything going on." My dad says with a beaming smile.

Amidst the festivities, I catch a glimpse of Eli, his eyes fixed on me. We exchange a knowing smile, silently acknowledging the impact we have had on each other's lives. Although our paths may be going in different directions, the bond we share will always remain.

This is the end of yet another chapter of my life. This is the start of my new book. I'm going home.