Langour ・❥・Joost Klein・❥・

20.

'The following students maintained a score of 70 or higher throughout the duration of their studies'

From beside Hanna and Fenne's parents, Joost perked up in his seat. He peered over the heads of friends and families of the graduates to see the stage. He had spent the entirety of the ceremony slouched in his seat and fidgeting with his earphones. The wire had hung out the collar of his shirt without the buds ever sitting in his ears. In the presence of Fabian and Anna, Joost didn't want to seem like he wasn't delighted to be in the grand hall.

'Fenne Meer,' the announcer said into the microphone.

Claps echoed just like they did for every other student, but the middle row applauded louder than any other. Fenne walked across the stage in her royal blue gown and with her motarboard on her perfectly styled hair. The walk was long in front of the many eyes, but Fenne told herself that enough students had walked across the stage to bore most of the audience.

The headmaster of the university smiled at her despite Fenne being the 100th student to approach them. Fenne shook their awaiting hand and turned to the cameraman for a photo. She held one end of the degree and smiled, trying not to tremble at the rows and rows of people staring up at her.

'Woohoo, go Fenne!'

'That's mijn vriendin!'

Spots of laughter hummed throughout the hall. The flash of the camera went off just before Fenne cringed in embarrassment. She could see the two members of the crowd shrinking back into their seats. The headmaster chuckled and handed over Fenne's degree, motioning towards the stairs for her to exit the stage.

The next student was called and Fenne lowered her head with flushed cheeks. She should have guessed that Hanna and Joost would make a scene. She dreaded to think how her parents reacted when the two yelled out in pride. They were probably sat with their lips pursed after clapping politely.

As she took her seat, Fenne looked down at the paper in her hands. She had dedicated three years of her life to something that was now in her lap. Her qualification was printed in black Baskerville and the university's red crest sat in the corner. If it wasn't for the announcer's final address and the call for the graduates to stand, Fenne would have stared at her degree for hours thinking to herself,

Was it all really worth it?

After the ceremony, Fenne saw Joost's smile and her question was answered.

Her motarboard was in her hand with her degree as she ran into his awaiting arms. Her heart thudded against her chest when Joost's hands rested on the small of her back. The silky grown against her backless dress made her shiver and she could feel Joost smiling against her shoulder.

'You were, by far, the prettiest girl on that stage,' Joost said while pulling away and eyeing her degree. 'Let me see that. I want to know what all the hype is about.'

He slid the pair of sunglasses from his eyes down his nose to peer over the top. As he read the official document, Joost looked dashing in his black blazer and matching chinos. Fenne liked seeing him in smart clothes that he usually put his own spin on. A scarf was tied around his neck, which he had been wearing around his head at one point. But at Fenne's mother's comment on how Fenne's grandmother used to do the same, Joost had slid it down when no one was looking.

'Did you hear us in the crowd?' Hanna questioned, hugging her friend afterward.

'How could I not? You two made it loud and clear who I was.'

Fenne looked between Joost and Hanna who stood without an ounce of regret. They were as proud of themselves almost as much as they were proud of Fenne for her achievement. While Joost looked over the thick piece of paper, Fenne turned to her parents who stood in their best attire.