Double life

Chapter 20

Two years later – Graduation day

It was a special day today for all of the students in B.A. English at the University of Bristol. This day was finally here, but I couldn't help feeling a little nostalgic. Those 3 years were the hardest ones in my life but never once I thought about quitting. I was determined to finish what I started and never have second thoughts about my decisions.

I was dressed and ready to go to my graduation ceremony. I was so excited to finally hold my very own diploma. It was my biggest achievement at this point so when I got in front of the building, I almost pushed everyone in my sight just get it.

I found Barbara and Jane in the crowd – my two friends with whom I also worked for the group projects – and my parents took some photos of us before we entered.

The three of us sat at the front row as I didn't want to cross the whole room to get to the stage later. It was going to be a long ceremony! But I didn't care; it was really emotional by now.

"I can't believe we're here! Oh my God, it feels like yesterday when I thought that Professor Brown wouldn't let me pass. He was so severe!" Jane was an amazing writer but when it came to theory she was the worst! Professor Brown threatened her that she would never pass his exam 3 weeks before graduation. But Barbara and I helped her learn everything there was to know about Literature between 1830 and 1945.

"Me neither! It's so surreal, I feels like a dream. It's all I wanted for the past three years." We all laughed quietly since the room got silent already, I guess it was time for the big graduation speech from the Dean.

"Natalie Marine." It took me a few seconds to realize it was finally my turn but I quickly recovered and got up. Barbara and Jade smiled at me while silently applauding me.

I walked to the stage but took my time with the stairs because I didn't want to break my legs in those high hills on Graduation day. When I got to the Dean, I saw him holding my diploma and my eyes started filling with tears of joy. Three years of hard work were finally paying off.

"Here you go, Miss Marine." He handed me my diploma and I shook his hand. When I turned to the crowd with my diploma in my hand, I was hoping that my parents or Jane were taking a photo of the moment. But I wasn't prepared for what I saw.

He was standing in the back, with a camera hanging from his neck, smiling at me. For a moment there I froze, I didn't know if my mind was making up thing or it was real. A second later I decided to go see for myself but first I had to get off the stage, I overdid my moment.

While I was passing by Jane and Barbara, I saw the confused look on their faces, they knew something was up but just didn't understand what. And it was normal; I never told them anything about what happened on my first year in Uni.

All sorts of things were rushing through my mind as I was headed to the back of the room. I was seeing him clearer but I still couldn't believe it. It wasn't until I got face to face with him that I believed this wasn't a dream.

"Congratulation, Nat! I'm so proud of you." Jacks' voice laced admiration, his eyes were warm, and his smile was so sincere. Just like I remembered him, he was the same Jack I met two years ago.

"Thank you. But what are you doing here?" My heart was about to explode, it was beating like crazy; but my face was cool. That was one thing I learned after he left me – hide my feelings.

"I saw on Twitter that you're graduating today. So I wanted to see you with your diploma." He chuckled and looked down to his camera. He was probably about to show me some of the photos he made but when he moved towards me, I flinched and stepped back.