A girl in a world like, but not, ours. After 15 years of depending on others to make her decisions and obediently following the path that had been laid for her, Desiree must make a choice that will drastically change her life, leaving everything tha...
There is a picture of my idea of what Declan Soto Senior (Desiree's Father) would look like in real life at the bottom of the page, just warning you in case you have someone else in mind and don't want to see him as anyone else.
The ceremony took about an hour because they gave out each diploma separately and for students who were in the honors classes, which I was, they gave special speeches about their achievements, when I had been announced the top of my class my parents looked so proud, the honors classes where the top students so to graduate at the top meant I graduated at the top of my whole age group.
I had been completely caught off guard and was absolutely dumbfounded when they announced it in my achievements, It left me kind of in a daze for the next five minutes, I barely even remember being handed my diploma all I can really remember is the loud applause ringing in my ears and I could see when I found my father's face that he was ten times happier about it than even I was.
The sun is now just an orange smudge on the horizon, the curtains are open allowing the little light left to gleam through the clear pane and create shadows on the walls of the otherwise desolate room.
Standing in the doorway I look over it one last time, with its emptiness it's hard to believe there are still memories left here, the bed and desk had even been removed during the ceremony, no papers, folders, or stacks of textbooks and I'm still hesitant to leave, I want too, I won't miss this place but it was still a huge part of my life and when I walk out the door I will never see it again.
I stare out the window where most of the crowd has dispersed and only a few people, including my family, are waiting. I notice Gordon's bike is also still there, I didn't have a chance to see anyone again after the ceremony and I was afraid he left without saying goodbye.
I had to go straight to my room and grab my bag, which is small mostly containing letters and pictures, I get to keep the dress, which I am happy about because the only other clothes I have here are ones that I had worn here when I was ten and I don't think I would be able to squeeze back into those.
Finally with one deep breath I turn around and just walk out the door not looking back. The farther I get the worse my butterflies get, I don't know what it will be like living at home again. I haven't made any plans yet so whatever happens, it's going to be unexpected.
Down at the main entrance the only one there is Gordon waiting at the door. "I'm staying here on vacation for a few days, I want to get you a present for your graduation-"he begins but I stop him *No, I don't want a present, I'm just happy you made it, and I'm leaving this school, that's already more than enough* I say and he sighs.
"Please, at least let me take you to the expo sometime before I go and you can look around, then if you see anything you like, I can get it for you, besides it'll be fun, they have lots of cool stuff there." He suggests and I contemplate it. I haven't gone to an expo since I was 6 and it was so exciting. It seems like a good idea and we could catch up before he has to leave.
*Okay* I agree at last and he looks excited, kind of like a kid when he gets candy, I smile. "Good! Are you planning anything for the day after tomorrow because I think there is supposed to be a real panda bear there?" He is beaming now and my smile gets bigger. *Actually I have nothing planned at all yet, but I'll make sure to keep that day free, where is it and what time should I get there?* I ask.
He reaches into his pocket, and hands me something, "All of the information is in there." he says as I unfold the tiny piece of paper into a large flyer. "It's not too far from the estate and it opens at 10:00am so if you want to meet at the entrance at about 11:00am we won't have to wait in the crowd and we'll still have plenty of time to look around." I nod in agreement.
We say goodbye and I walk out to the others; he of course waits inside for us to leave. Most of them congratulate me one last time before starting their travel home again, although Brant and Muriel were invited to stay at the estate for a few nights. My parents were very happy for the newlyweds; although they did elope my parents knew they were going to beforehand. Muriel had a good diploma and came from a well off family so they approved.
As I ride in the back of the limousine with my mother and father begin telling me about what they have planned. They had set up an important interview for tomorrow to start a carrier for me in business. I didn't like the idea too much because I don't like that kind of work at all, but they are very persistent. Besides that is the whole reason they sent me to this school, to invest in my future.
By the time we got home it was dark out and I was so tired, almost ready to fall over. I'm used to going to bed so early but we still have to eat dinner, at this point I'd rather skip it but I can't be rude. Besides I also have no idea where I will be sleeping, last time I visited I stayed in a guestroom, as usual, though mother said they would be setting my own room up for when I graduated but it was also a surprise.
On the walk from the parking space to the door everyone was very silent until my mother spoke. "We are having a special dinner for you; if you like, you can see your room first." She says and I really want to. *Yes, thank you* is all I can think of saying.
My father unlocks the door and to my surprise all of the maids and butlers are lined up, it is a little old fashion but my parents are very traditional, like many other rich families, they even all have the classic black and white uniforms on. We have about 8 maids and 6 butlers, I feel a little self-conscious when my mother moves me to the front of them as we walking down the center.
It only gets worse when my father announces proudly "My daughter has graduated today, top of the honors class, I would have expected no less from a Soto." Everyone starts clapping and as I walk down the row one by one they each congratulate me, my face is completely flushed and I start to sweat. I don't like so much attention I try to focus on moving as quickly as possible, only I don't know exactly where I'm going.
I reach the end of the line and just go up the huge main stairway. My mother follows along with two maids she selected as we walked by. As we move farther away the commotion fades my mother takes the lead until we are standing in front of a familiar door, it used to be Declan's room, it's the second biggest bedroom in the entire house, the biggest being my parents master bedroom. I definitely was not expecting this, my mother opens the door and I hear music playing in my brain.
Declan Soto Senior - Played by; Robert Downey Jr
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