The Delivery Girl

54. Graduation

I stand by the side of the stage, anxiously waiting for my name to be called. I adjust my cap and gown, making sure everything's perfectly in place for that one precious photo – the proof that all of this was real, that all of it counted.

Proof that I did what I was supposed to do.

Julie Leong

I step onto the stage and walk along the soft, navy carpet that my heels sink into. The stage lights are blinding, but I hear a few distinct voices somewhere in the audience cheering.

Masters of Computer Engineering with honors.

I hold up the degree and shake the dean's hand, smiling for a photo. The camera flashes and I'm quickly escorted off the stage. It's over before I can really feel it.

As I walk down the steps, I feel something in me deflating.

It's the nerves fading. The constant pressure of deadlines and exams, the pressure to prove myself finally loosens its grip. It's finally all over.

It's over. You did it, I tell myself.

But I feel something beneath that relief. Something uneasy. Like I've reached the end of a path and don't know which way to head next. Like I'm standing still while everyone else keeps moving.

–

I weave through the dense crowd of graduates and their families in the courtyard, looking for familiar faces. I grip my degree in its cardboard folder, trying not to let it bend as I squeeze through.

I'm sure Jacob is in the vicinity, keeping an eye on me.

I easily spot Callen, taller than most of the crowd and impossible to miss. I stretch my arm upwards and wave, he smiles brightly when he notices me.

"Congratulations Julie." Callen hands me a giant bouquet of flowers and a teddy bear wearing a graduation cap. "You're amazing, you know that?"

I stand up on my toes and use my free arm to grip onto his shoulder, pulling him down into a long and tender kiss. One that I hope conveys how thankful I am for him.

"Hi Julie, congratulations."

I jump about ten feet away from Callen when I hear Dr. Kim.

She looks at me, then Callen, then back at me. She raises an eyebrow. "I... suppose this explains a lot."

"H-hi Doctor Kim!" I try to greet her cheerfully, ignoring how hot my face is getting. "Um... please don't tell the dean?"

She gives me a small, amused smile. "Well there's not much point now that you're no longer a student, is there? Anywho, I get it, I did some crazier things when I was your age."

Callen chuckles. "Thanks Andrea. I owe you."

She hands me a small congratulations card. "Please take care of yourself, Julie. You know how to reach me if you ever want to talk."

"Thanks Dr. Kim," I say gratefully.

She gives me a hug before quickly leaving to chat with other students.

"Congrats, Julie!" Mei, Casey, and Eliza come pushing through the crowd, carrying balloons and more flowers.

Mei pulls me into a hug. "I'm so proud of you, sis," she whispers into my ear.

We take hundreds of photos together. Eliza directs us into every pose, bossy and enthusiastic, joking she learned from visiting Sterling Studios throughout her childhood.

"So what now?" I ask, looking around. "Lunch?"

"Zhu Li."

My breath hitches in my throat.