Nights in Paradise: A Story of Travel & Love

Fresh Graduate, Fresh Start Part 1

"Thank God it's almost over." I said out loud. It was graduation day and I had never been happier. Leaving the bullies, annoying teachers and the "too good for everyone else" girl squad was going to be a dream come true. Looking at my graduation cap and gown hung up in my closet pressed and neat, I realized that it was going to actually be over. 12 years of my life going to school would finally be over. It was a dream come true. It was around 65 degrees outside already at 8:00 am. I opened my windows, threw my hair up in a bun, and dressed up in my soft as hell sweatpants. I sat on my bed doing stretches, when my stomach started to rumble.
"Cereal, pancakes, or nothing?" I thought to myself.
"You know what? Today sounds like a McDonald's breakfast kind of day." I said aloud. I leaped off my bed, put on my converse and headed out the door.

I came home around 1:30 pm after getting some groceries and dog food for my border collie named Thor. I walked in the door and there my baby was, tail wagging and all. I put the groceries away and fed Thor. I walked into my room and opened my windows and my blinds to let in the warm breeze.
I got out of my comfy clothes and into my cap and gown, as graduation was at 4:30. I applied my makeup and fish tailed my hair. I could not stop smiling as I knew how far I had come. I sat with Thor on the floor watching TV when I checked the time. 3:30 pm. I got up and let Thor out for a bit, brought him back in and left for graduation.
As I sat at a stoplight, I looked out the passenger window to see the mountains overlooking the clouds.
"You did it, Britt. You did it." I smiled and the light turned green. A few turns later, I arrived into the JHS parking lot and walked into the gym. Seeing old friends and other people I saw in the halls but never spoke to. The principal called students to the commons to give us a pep talk. We reached the commons and sat down. Our principal walked to the front of the room,
"My senior students. What a year it has been. I've watched you grow from confused and shy freshman, to mature, responsible seniors! I know school got touch and stressful at times, but you guys powered through and look where you are now! I'm proud of all of you and will be very honored to hand you your diploma. Now let's go get em!" He finished strong with a tear rolling down his cheek. We all clapped and walked out of the commons. We entered the gym where everyone's families sat with video cameras and bright smiles, getting ready to watch their children graduate. As we walked down the aisle, I sat down in a row of chairs closest to the front. "Let's get on with it then, shall we?" The principal stated up on the center stage. Graduation was finally about to begin.

Students arose in a straight line down the middle of the aisle. Names were being called and I watched my closest friends get their diploma in their hands. I could see the joy in their eyes, and I wanted to be next so badly. The principal kept going down the list until finally I heard my name. I walked up onto the stage where my friend Payton, got called up too, and we chest bumped and walked off stage. We hugged and we knew we were finally done. We sat back down watching the rest of the students get called, until it was finally over. I looked up into the audience, there I saw my dad looking at me with tears in his eyes, rolling down his cheekbones. I smiled and he smiled back. The principal closed graduation with a quote, and then everyone proceeded to leave. My dad ran down the bleachers and hugged me. "Oh Britt I'm so proud of you! Your anxiety and depression couldn't get in the way huh?" He laughed. I smiled. "I guess not! Want to get dinner? It's on me! I just got a raise at work!" I winked and he agreed. We left for dinner. We arrived at the restaurant, there where we talked and talked. It was around 9:00 when I told him I should be getting home to make sure Thor didn't rip up anything or pee in the house. So we hugged once more, and I left for the house.