Ella Sullivan is an 18-year-old high school senior with a sharp wit and a penchant for sarcasm. Her life revolves around her close-knit group of friends and the love for her dog. But her world is thrown into disarray when she encounters Ms. Catherin...
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———༺✵༻——— POV Ella ———༺✵༻———
I wake slowly, first feeling the warmth of Catherine beside me before my mind fully registers the day: it's graduation. A surge of nerves, excitement, and disbelief floods me all at once. Today, I find out if everything I've poured into my classes, all the late-night studying and last-minute cramming, has paid off. A knot of nervous energy twists low in my stomach as I blink up at the early morning light trickling through the blinds, softening the room with a warm glow.
Next to me, Catherine is still asleep, her blonde hair spilling over the pillow. She looks so peaceful, and for a moment, I just watch her, the steady rise and fall of her breath grounding me, a quiet moment of calm before the day takes off. I wonder what she'll think when I get my results; she's already told me so many times how proud she is of me, but there's something about today that feels like proof—not just to her, but to myself, that I've done it.
Careful not to disturb her, I slip out of bed, padding softly toward the bathroom. I splash some cool water on my face, trying to shake off the drowsiness and wake up fully. Staring at myself in the mirror, I let out a slow, measured breath, hoping it will calm my nerves. "You've got this," I whisper to my reflection, hoping the words will sink in.
As I dry my face, my gaze flickers to the clock on the wall. There are only a few hours before I'll know for certain if I passed or not. The nerves bubble up again, and I place a hand on my stomach, willing myself to stay calm. I return to the bedroom, hoping for a little more reassurance.
Catherine's awake now, propped up on her elbow and looking at me with a soft, sleepy smile. Her eyes are warm, and she reaches out a hand, motioning me to come back over. "Morning," she murmurs as I sit on the edge of the bed beside her, instantly feeling the warmth of her presence. "You've got that look," she adds with a gentle tease. "What's on your mind?"
"Everything," I admit, letting out a half-laugh. "Finals are over, but I feel like everything's riding on today. I mean... all those months of stress and cramming, just to get here and see if it paid off."
She shifts closer, reaching over to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "You're going to do amazing. I've seen how much effort you've put in this year, and it's incredible. Just remember that you're so much more than one test, one day, or even one result."
I take a deep breath, feeling some of the tension ease at her words. Her confidence in me feels steady, unshakeable, and even though I don't want to admit how much I need it, I know it makes a difference. "Thank you," I say quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "It means a lot to hear you say that."
Catherine's smile deepens, a look of pride in her eyes that makes me feel like maybe I can let go of a little bit of my own worry. "You don't have to thank me for the truth," she says. Her hand slips into mine, and she gives it a reassuring squeeze. "You've done more than enough to be proud of. Whatever happens today, I'm already so proud of you."
