Basic

Chapter 16

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the sea of graduating students gathered in the vast auditorium. Among them stood Ace, his heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation. As he scanned the crowd, his eyes fell upon Jared and Lily, two familiar faces in the sea of caps and gowns. A smile spread across Ace's face as he approached them, exchanging heartfelt congratulations and shared excitement for the journey ahead.

Taking their seats among the throng of graduates, Ace felt a sense of camaraderie wash over him. Yet, as the speaker's voice filled the air, Ace found his attention drifting, his gaze drawn irresistibly to Lily. Despite the words echoing around him, his focus remained solely on her, his heart beating in time with the rhythm of her presence.

As the ceremony progressed, Ace felt a flutter of anticipation building within him. With each passing moment, the distance between them seemed to shrink until, at last, their eyes met across the crowded auditorium. In that brief, electrifying moment, time seemed to stand still as the unspoken truth passed between them, a silent acknowledgment of the feelings they had long harbored in their hearts.

As the final accolades were bestowed and the crowd erupted into applause, Ace made his way up to the stage to receive his award. Despite the cheers and congratulations ringing in his ears, his mind remained fixed on one thing: finding Lily. Yet, as he searched the sea of faces, she was nowhere to be found.

A sense of panic rose within Ace as he pushed his way through the throngs of people, his heart racing with each passing moment. Outside, the cool evening air enveloped him as he scanned the gathering crowd, searching desperately for any sign of her. But amidst the sea of faces, she remained elusive, her absence a gaping void in his heart.

Frustration and fear gnawed at Ace as he retraced his steps, his mind racing with a thousand unanswered questions. Had he missed his chance? Had she slipped away without a word? The uncertainty clawed at him, threatening to consume him whole.

But then, just as hope began to wane, a familiar figure emerged from the crowd, her eyes searching until they found his. In that moment, everything else faded away, the world around them falling silent as they stood locked in each other's gaze.

Without a word, Ace closed the distance between them, his heart pounding with a newfound sense of purpose. And as he reached out to take her hand, he knew that, whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, bound by a love that defied all odds.