Loving the Game

Graduation pt. 3

• Brianne's POV •

"Did you hear who the guest speaker is?" I asked tugging on Ds arm. "Yeah, Drake right."
I nodded with a big smile," I love him." "Trust me I know," he laughed," I bet you would chose him over me in a quick second."
"Whatever. Are you ready?" I asked Deshawn whilst standing on my tip toes. He took a deep breath," I never thought we'd get to this point. I don't want to graduate Bri."
"We have to. Can't stay in college forever you know?" I said holding on to his arm as he escorted me to my seat. Everyone had to sit in alphabetical order according to the major you were getting your degree in. Deshawn was going to be sitting in the section across from mine. "I know. It's just too soon. What I'm gone do?"
"You are going to become a basketball legend," I smiled trying to cheer him up," NBA baller doing big respectable things."
"And you?"
"I'll be right beside you. Doing my little nursing thing and cheering you on all the way."
"Why do you believe in me so much anyways?" He asked with a half laugh.
I stopped in the middle of the corridor as people pushed by us to their seats," Because...you haven't given me a reason yet not to."
Deshawn grabbed my face into his hands," And I won't." He kissed me softly on my lips and I returned the gesture. "I love you," I told him.
Deshawn stood there as if he was caught of off guard. He gulped and licked his lips. "I love you too," he finally replied back. No stuttering this time. Maybe he was getting used to the saying.

"Will all students, faculty, and parents please take your places and seats. The ceremony will be starting in ten minutes."

"Time to go," I said pushing Deshawn away. "Yeah," he sighed as if he still felt as if today wasn't as magnificent for him as it was everyone else.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"...I, myself, have never been to college, but students like yourselves have inspired me and people like myself that education is key. Careers like mine can only take you so far and believe me it has been the best experience I've ever had, but what is already here. Here in your mind can't be taken away. As I mentioned before, you've made the right decision to be here, stay here, and finish it out here. Focus and the hands of God have brought you this far. You've made your parents proud, teachers, and those who look up to you. We appreciate your hard work it will surely pay off. I say this all just to wish that you continue to have your success and focus as you leave here today and enter a new stage in life. A stage that one day you can look back on and see this slightly smaller stage and reminisce on how it made you, you. And the people you met here that influenced you, encouraged you, challenged you, and loved you for you. Thank you Chicago State for having me, Aubrey Drake Graham, as your Honorary Speaker this evening. I'm more than honored." The entire coliseum applauded Drake for his speech. Many of the students including myself stood up and chanted his name.  As he left the podium he bowed and warned us to continue to 'Bless Up'.
"Class of 2016, will you please stand," President Calhoun announced. "You may now take your tassel on your hat and switch to the right side. Because as of now, you have become Chicago State Univeristy Alumni." The crowd cheered once more as they watched us. I looked over at Deshawn who seemed to be already looking at me with a small grin. I smiled back. We were now officially graduates. "We thank you for all that you've done to contribute to CSU over the years. We pray  that you only prosper from here on out. May God bless. Please travel safely on your way out."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"We're so proud Bri Bri," my dad said squeezing me tightly. Then my mom took a turn at doing the same. "Thank you so much," I thanked. "Of course," my mom smiled as a few years dropped, "Omg I can't do this." I laughed and a tear fell from me too. Starting tomorrow I was out in the adult world. It was jobs, bills, work, bills and more bills. I felt someone's arms wrap around my waist from behind. Deshawn. "Hi, Deshawn," my mom greeted once she noticed his presence. "Hey, nice to see you...and you too Mr. King," he added. My dad glowered at him but then smirked," Hey youngin. Good game the other night by the way." "Um...yea thanks for the fifty too. Preciate it. Even if it did get...awkward...I enjoyed it."
My dad nodded. I could teller was easing up a little on D. Soon Rakeem an Brooklyn joined us. My parents stood and talked to Keems grandma as we all walked away. "I'm so excited," Brooklyn squealed," I feel invincible." "I'm so looking forward to summer," Keem chipped in," What you guys gone do?" "I'm going to visit my folks in Cali for a bit," Brooklyn answered," They couldn't make it to graduation. Money is hella tight but I'm able to fly out for a few weeks." "I got the Draft in June. Then it's off to the court," Deshawn answered taking his graduation cap off. "I'm going to begin my internship at the children's hospital downtown. See where it goes. Nurse King doctoring up the kids," I explained. "Me too. My internship begins in two weeks. I'm so ready to get into the kitchen and fix foods for people of all kinds. Eventually I'll be so renowned even you can't find me," Rakeem joked pointing at Deshawn. "You know you gone need a nigga like me to put my face on your restaurant."
"Whatever."
"I'm going to miss you guys," Brooklyn pouted.
"Girl boo," I said rolling my eyes," none of us are going anywhere. By the end of the summer we will all be back together right here in the Chi."
Everyone nodded in agreement. "Yeah and you guys are all invited to my Draft. I would like the support."
"We will be there nigga you already know," Keem said dappin Deshawn. "Si," Brooklyn agreed. "You know where to find me," I joked causing Deshawn tickle me on my side.
"Deshawn! Come take a picture with Destiny!" Ds mom hollered at him. D sighed. "I'll catch you guys later," he said as he kissed me once more and went to see his mom.
I grabbed Brooklyn and Keem by their arms. "You guys have kept me sane for the past four years. Thank you guys. I love ya."
"Aww, tears," Brooklyn cried," I love you too. "Your my girl ma. You know what it is," Keem laughed as he put me in a head lock. 

As we walked out the doors of the coliseum I thought to myself:

This was really it. College was over. I still had my same two best friends. I got the guy of my dreams and he turned out to be better than what I excepted. Even if we did go through some hot water, I enjoyed doing it with him. I was now a graduate. Pretty soon a Pediatric nurse along with Brooklyn. Keem would be up the road becoming the next Bobby Flay, and Deshawn would be on the big screen TVs in man caves doing what he loves most: playing basketball. We all would be here. Right here, in Chicago, together where we started.  Life couldn't get any better. Could it?