AMIL's ANECDOTE

AA28

This morning, Amil was awoken not only by the smell of breakfast, but also loud music. Not the usual music Zion listened to in the mornings, but music that was only played for only one special occasion. A light chuckle fell from Amil's lips as she tossed the thick comforter off of her body, and sat on the edge of the bed. She skipped over her slippers, trailing out the room, using the sound of the ruckus as a guide to him. "What are you doing?" Amil questioned Zion once her eyes landed on him.

The living room was the furthest thing from quiet, as the world's standard graduation music filled presumably the entire one story home. "I made you a graduation—since I missed the official one." He announced, making Amil laugh in awe. Zion took it upon himself to go in the coat closet and retrieve both her cap and gown. He slipped behind her and guided her body into the gown, draping it over her body and fixing the hat onto her head as the finishing touch.

Amil's smile grew wider and wider as she studied Zion's faux ceremony set up. She slowly grew emotional at how much Zion's love for her was depicted through his actions. To be considered and remembered was a love language for Amil. For once Amil's life, she didn't have to be so strong. As someone who was usually the day saver, she now had someone that took that weight off of her shoulders. Zion's love was great enough to allow her to be poise.

"Amiliyon Magnolia Bledsoe." Zion announced before dashing over to the couch, so he could clap and cheer. Amil held a smile on her face as she played along. She walked across the living room, as if she was walking in a real ceremony. "Alright, do yo' speech now." Zion instructed.

"Speech?" Amil questioned, raising her eyebrow. "I wasn't valedictorian." She voiced while glancing at her degree, that Zion handed to her. It was her first time looking at it since she got it, and truthfully, it was looking like just another piece of paper, that didn't hold much weight, or at least that's how it felt.

"You can be anything you wanna be when you the only person in the graduating class of 2023 at Zion White University." He replied, making Amil lightly chuckle. "Well...I want to thank Mr White for my full scholarship and this nice ceremony. I don't remember attending this school, but I'm happy to be graduating without learning anything—and being valedictorian." Amil joked.

"Not sure why my degree says Texas Southern, though." She joked more, glancing down at the diploma. "It must be a typo." Zion quipped, causing them to laugh in unison.

"Ight—it's time to open your graduation gifts now." Zion announced as he stood up and grabbed the gold metallic gift bag from the side of the couch. Amil sat down, giving him the chance to place the gift bag on her lap before grabbing a spot on the couch that wasn't too far from her. Without looking in the somewhat heavy bag, Amil grabbed the first item that her hand grazed. She looked down and furrowed her eyebrows in confusion while opening the small white box. She looked over to see Zion sporting a giddy smile on his face, which made Amil even more eager to get to the box's contents.

At last, she opened the box and pulled out a small black device, with what appeared to be a cassette tape and microphone. "Is this..a tape recorder?" Amil questioned as she trifled with the device. Zion shook his head up and down, nonverbally answering her question. "For when you go do interviews—it's a nice lil vintage touch, and a little something to keep you motivated when it comes to the blog." He explained, making Amil's smile widen further and further as he continued to speak.

"Thank you, baby—that's so thoughtful and sweet." Amil replied. While toying with the device, she was able to hear a message that was already on the tape. "I love you, Amil." Zion voice came through the recorder.

"I love you more." Amil smiled as she sat the tape recorder down and sitting in his lap. She pecked his lips before wrapping her arms around his warm body. "I love you more." Zion echoed, embracing her back.