Not So Delicate ||18+|| ✔️

Brooklyn ~17~

"Brooklyn Elisa." The principal called from above the stage, making me grin as my fellow graduates clapped for me. I was careful not to trip over the cloak, the heels I wore were a little too high.

I walked to the stage with a grin, whistles, and applause sounding out throughout the garden where the ceremony was being held. My stomach flipped and I couldn't hold back my grin. I walked up the stairs with wobbly legs, praying I didn't fall.

My prayers were left unheard. As I stepped up the last stair, my heel caught in the back of the graduation gown. Sending me falling to the ground. Embarrassment flushed over me and I felt like rolling up into a ball and crying. Just kidding, I was rocking this stage. I walked towards my principal with a smile.

"Congratulations." My principal said, shaking my hand with a grin. He handed me my diploma, shaking my hand again for the picture. I walked down the stage and shook all my professor's hands. Reaching Professor Everest, I felt my heart pound against my rib cage.

"I have to admit, I might miss our tutoring sessions." He grinned, shaking my hand and smiling at the camera that took our picture.

"We still have our milkshakes." I grin, walking away. I heard him exhale softly, greeting the other student. I walked down the stairs and back to my seat, Milo grinning at me from his seat. I shake my diploma with a grin, feeling happy that I am free of school now. Though I have to admit, I was going to miss it a little.

After all the students got their diplomas, the principal moved to the microphone again, grinning at us all.

"These are the students of Lavender Arts University. It has been an honor and a privilege to teach and guide these young people. We are glad to say that from the ages of 17 up to 64, our students have shown their true art skills. No matter the category or the age. Art is the beauty of our world." He spoke with a grin. Everyone clapped and cheered for him. He waved towards Prof. Everest, calling him to the microphone.

He walked with strides of power. A small smile on his face. "Thank you all for allowing me to be your substitute for Mr. Lee. I have only known you all for two months. However, Mr. Lee has known some of you for almost 4 years. And I'm here to deliver a message. He says," Prof. Everest pulls out his phone and presses the recording, holding the phone up to the mic.

"My children. I deeply apologize that I could not have been there to see you all look pretty and handsome with your cap and gowns. But unfortunately, I have to admit that in the years that I've taught each of you, more and more of my cold, brittle heart has chipped away and been replaced with joy." Mr. Lee's voice came through the phone, his message making some of us tear up.

"After today, you're your own person. You make your own decisions and you don't back down." A muffled cough comes from the phone, my heart aching. "Don't look back on the past when the only thing ahead of you is the future. And as Shakespeare once said; 'Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit.' Congratulations, kiddos." The message came to an end, the whole student alumni rose to their feet and clapped. Cheers and whistles flowed with the wind.

Prof. Everest smiled softly, making eye contact with me. His smile grew a little more before he stepped back.

"Okay students, Take off your caps, and on the count of three, toss them up." The principal smiled, watching us all remove our caps. "1, 2, 3!"

The sky was filled with graduation caps, and the atmosphere of the campus was filled with grins, tears, laughs, cheers, and colorful confetti thanks to those who snuck confetti poppers into the ceremony.

Peeling off the graduation gown, I draped it over my seat, as did the rest of the students. We walked off to find those who came to support us. I searched for Milo in the crowd, seeing him with Ethan. I began walking in their direction but my name was called. Turning around, my eyes widened at the sight of Mr. Archer making his way over to me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked with a confused grin. He chuckled and waved me over, opening his arms a little. I let him engulf me in a hug, the smell of his cologne calming my racing heart.

"You didn't think I'd miss this, did you?" He chuckled, pulling away and looking down at me. "Congratulations. I make a great study buddy, don't I?" He grinned smugly, joking. I laughed and nodded slowly.

"You do. Thank you, Mr. Archer." I grin up at him. He subtly licked his lips as he grinned back at me.

"CAS is gonna miss you working there. Also, I feel like now is the right time to tell you this. I talked with the person who made those claims about you and she fessed up and admitted that she was just trying to get you fired." He said, smiling down at me. "So... I'm sorry I doubted you. She's fired now so that's good news."

I chuckled and nodded. "Who even was it?" I ask curiously. He rubbed the nape of his neck and chuckled.

"Macy. The old lady." He bit back a grin. I couldn't help but gape at him, looking over his shoulder to space out but my eyes were met with Prof. Everest's.

"I knew she hated me," I murmur, looking back at Mr. Archer. "Thank you for apologizing, Mr. Archer." I smile sweetly.

"I'm not your boss anymore, angel. Call me Callan." He said softly. My eyebrows jumped for a second but I nodded.

"I'll see you later... still on for tacos?" I ask hopefully. He grins and nods. "Great. How does Saturday night sound?"

"Sounds perfect. See you then, angel." He took my hand in his and pressed a kiss to my knuckles, staring intently into my eyes. He walks away, leaving me standing there alone.

Luckily, I wasn't alone for too long. Prof. Everest walks up to me and grins. "I should be hearing a thank you." He said smugly,

I quirked an eyebrow at him and looked him up and down teasingly. "What for? Giving me grey hairs?" I grin. He rolls his eyes.

"Rude. You should thank me for being an incredible tutor and study buddy." He grins. I scoff playfully and roll my eyes.

"Thank you so very much. What would I ever do without you?" I say dramatically, my voice laced with sarcasm. He grinned and bit the inside of his cheek.

"Crash and burn." He said playfully. "So, when are those milkshakes happening?" He asked, changing the topic. I looked away for a second to think but not before I caught him looking me up and down slowly.

"I'm free for the rest of the week and next week." I say, looking back at him. His eyes snapped up and stared into mine.

"How does Saturday sound?" He asked softly. I winced slightly and shook my head. He quirked his eyebrow and chuckled.

"Minus Saturday." I chuckle. "How about Friday?"

"Sounds even better. I'll see you then, sweetheart." He winked subtly then walked away. This time, I turned around to go find Milo. For a brief second, I swore I saw metal eyes staring back at me. My heartbeat picked up a little, my eyes scanning the crowd for the set of eyes, only to find nothing.

I was probably imagining stuff. I walk towards Milo and Ethan. Milo grins at me and hugs me, Ethan quickly swooping in and taking away both of our diplomas before we damaged them. Milo squeezed the living light out of me, shaking me in his arms.

"Oxygen, Milo." I wheezed softly. He let me go and laughed, combing down my hair. "We did it! Oh my gosh, I can't wait to not worry about getting a bad note!" I joke. Both boys laugh and shake their heads.

"You know what we're doing Sunday? We're going back to the club and getting our brains blown-" Milo groaned when both Ethan and I slapped our hands over his mouth.

"You're unbearable." I groan, laughing softly. "All right, let's go get stuffed! With food, Milo!" I clarify after seeing Milo give me a look. He rolled his eyes with a grin and Ethan led us to the car.

This time, I could feel three sets of eyes burning into my back. However, when I looked over my shoulder, the eyes were nowhere to be seen.