Karera | [ Stacey x OC (F) ]

C31 - Graduation

Louise's POV

The weight of graduation day was something I had both dreaded and longed for. On one hand, it marked the end of a difficult chapter, a culmination of everything I had worked so hard to achieve despite the emotional chaos that had surrounded me. On the other hand, it was a stark reminder of everything—and everyone—I had lost.

Stacey. Her absence loomed over me like a shadow.

When I returned to the university after two weeks of being practically unreachable, I had caught sight of Sheena and Maloi. The moment they saw me, they turned and walked away, with their heads down. Hindi na 'ko nagulat. Sanay na 'ko sa mga pinag-gagagawa nila.

But today, of all days, I knew Stacey would be here. She had to be. Graduation lang ang hindi n'ya kayang iwasan. As I sat through the ceremony, watching my friends go up to the stage one by one to receive their medals, my mind was elsewhere.

Why? Why did she leave me in the dark? Why did her entire circle vanish as if they owed me nothing— not even an explanation? I replayed every interaction, every memory, trying to figure out what I could have done wrong. The questions gnawed at me, and the answers remained elusive.

When my name was finally called, I moved on quickly. Walking up to the stage, shaking hands, smiling for the camera. My mom stood beside me, her smile wide and proud as she placed my medal around my neck. I wanted to feel happy, but my heart felt heavy.

I returned to my friends, congratulating them and taking pictures as if nothing was wrong. But then her name was called.

"Stacey Sevilleja."

The sound of her name sent a jolt through my chest. I turned toward the stage, my heart pounding as if it had been shocked back to life. And there she was, smiling brightly, the way I remembered her, with her dad proudly standing by her side.

It was as if the months apart vanished in an instant. My heart ached, my hands trembled, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. I didn't care who saw. It had been so long since I'd seen her, and yet, all the longing I had buried erupted like a dam breaking.

Without thinking, I walked out. My friends called after me, but I ignored them. I needed to get away, to breathe, to cry. The sight of her smiling so effortlessly while I had been drowning for months felt like a knife to the chest.

I kept walking hanggang sa hindi ko na marinig ang mga speakers at mga hiyawan sa loob. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto my knees, sobbing.

"Why am I crying?" I muttered to myself, shaking my head. This wasn't me.... this weak, broken person. I hated feeling this way.

Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a comforting embrace. I didn't even need to look up to know who it was.

"Cry all you want, bub." Aiah's voice said softly. "I'm here."

The words broke me further. "Ai, it hurts." I whispered, clinging to her like a lifeline.

"Let it out." she said firmly, stroking my back.

For a moment, I let myself be vulnerable, crying like a child in her arms. For the first time in months, I let myself feel the full weight of my emotions. But then Aiah did something strange— she covered my ears, out of nowhere.