Yours Truly, Second Heartbeat

2

Nick:

The sun hits my face. The heat penetrates deep into my skin, I stare blanking at the passing students and parents, feeling lethargic since the beginning.

My mum, Kara and my dad, Eli are still fidgeting with their camera in front of me. Their mumbles that I can't even hear clearly must have been about how to use the camera. When they finally figured it out, the couple smiled proudly at their own discovery.

"Nick honey, put out a smile would be good now." Kara says, her lips never lack a smile.

"I think we have enough pictures since...like two hours ago. Is this really necessary?" I sigh, protest to her order, hopefully she listens. I can't remember how many times I said this since after the graduation ceremony which ended hours ago. My hands flap the graduation robe which I intentionally drop until exposing my shoulders, exposing my dress, allowing the wind touching my skin.

"No." Kara answers with her stern tone, her hands on her hips as the camera exchanges into Eli's hand. "This will be a good memory to remember, and...you promised us to do whatever we ask because you broke your promises many times before about you going to visit us on weekend. And...especially last weekend."

I sigh. She will never let me go with this.

"Yes, but...Eli doesn't mind at all. And...last week was," I pause, "Lexi needs me."

"Don't." Kara points her finger at me, but still holds on to her patience. "Don't bring Lexi into this. This is between you and us, Nick. If not for us, do it for Lexi." She is staring me down.

I glance at Eli, he gives me an awkward smile and gives signals to me with his eyes.

"Okay, okay, enough the two of you. Here is the solution, we promise this will be the last spot and your mum will happily take the pictures so we can grab lunch after this. What says you, milady? And you little one?" Eli finally has to interrupt because I don't yield to Kara.

"Two spots, last family photo at the fountain." Kara nods but with her terms.

I scoff at her demands and she shrugs at me. I look at Eli for help but instead he says, "Little one?"

I sigh. He always calls me like that if he wants to persuade me. "Fine. But... only three pictures, no more." I give in.

"Deal." Kara agreed almost immediately as she looked at Eli. I see her winning smile even if she tries to hide it, my face falls on my the palm of my hand. She trapped me. She always better at negotiating and I find myself kinda falling into her trap. Former Sheriff indeed, I give her that.

But of course, I know she means well.

"Right, better done with it as soon as possible, mum." I say, tidy up my robe and my hair.

Kara is clapping and Eli pass her the camera. "Alright, honey. I got you, just keep on smiling. You look great." She busy taking the picture I guess.

"Okay, Nick. You did great. Now, for the last...it's family photo," Kara pauses and looks around. I draw a long breath, a sigh of relief. Eli steps closer and holds up his hand to help me walk in the high heels.

"Hold in there, Nick. Your mum just excited since it's finally your graduation. She waited long for this." Eli leans to my side but his eyes never leave my mum. I glance at Kara before returning to him.

"I know." I whisper and it makes him smile. He pats gently on my shoulder as he nods.

As for Kara, she is stopping the passerby not far from us, definitely want them to be our unpaid photographer. I turn to look back at the fountain not far from the way we're standing right now. When Kara found someone, she walks up to us with her smile.