Flesh and Blood

Pomp and Circumstance

"You look beautiful"

"No I don't."

"Stop it. Yes you do."

"No I don't. But thank you"

I smiled and blushed as Tristan put his hands on my hips and pulled me closer

"Yes...you...do" he whispered as he lightly brushed his lips against mine 

I put on the graduation cap and looked up

"Now what do you think?"

He playfully pushed me back "Now you're just hideous"

I laughed and backhanded him in the chest as he pecked my lips. We started walking towards the auditorium where everyone was waiting. We were a little late because Tristan and I stopped for lunch before we came. I don't get to see him as often as I'd like so any alone time I can sneak in while he's here is important to me. My whole family was there and my dad was supposed to be there but I hadn't heard from him yet. We crossed the street to the auditorium and quickly found my family. I patiently posed for picture after picture, but was really distracted by the fact that my dad wasn't here yet. He wasn't one to disappoint me or break a promise so if he was late he had a reason. It was either work related or his flight was delayed. I stuck as close to Tristan as I could. He could tell I was stressing about my dad and pulled me close. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist and laid my head on his shoulder. I looked everywhere I could and saw nothing. It was getting so close to the start of the ceremony and I didn't want him to miss it. I felt a tap on my shoulder from behind and I excitedly turned around thinking it was my dad

"Not who you were expecting huh?"

"It showed that much? Sorry Colby. I just don't know where my dad is. He said he'd be here."

"And he will be here. Don't stress kiddo I talked to him earlier and he was on his way. If he hasn't arrived yet it must be due to flight delays. Don't worry though he will be here. He wouldn't let you down on a day like today."

I smiled and hugged him. I was glad that Colby was here. He was like another dad to me. It was time for us to line up to file inside. I took one last scan around and didn't see him. Tristan kissed me and smiled

"I'll cheer the loudest for you"

I giggled "Please don't."

He smiled and followed my family into the building. We all filed in and took our seats. I turned and scanned the auditorium. I quickly found my family, Tristan and Colby all grouped together in one place but my dad still wasn't there. I turned back around as the ceremony started. I sat through awards, speeches, videos, a weird talent show that didn't belong, stories about faculty members who were retiring...I was bored. I picked at my purple nail polish and sighed. I wasn't going to win any awards...I didn't have an amazing talent...I wasn't going to give a speech and I didn't give a shit about old people who were retiring. One of those stupid giant beach balls bounced off of my head. I punched that thing as hard as I could in annoyance and it smacked the head cheerleader right in the side of her face. I bent over, laughing hysterically with the two other girls sitting next to me. Of course because she protested the beach balls were taken away. It was finally time to receive our diplomas and we lined up along the wall in the back

"Cassandra Irene Good"

I grinned from ear to ear hearing my name and walked towards the principal to receive my diploma. It was so loud in the audience. I knew Tristan was going to yell, but what the hell?  I paused and looked out to see my family, Tristan, Colby and my dad with about a dozen other people with him. I smiled and continued to walk and then back to my seat. I turned around to see Tristan talking to my dad and then the two of them sharing a hug...weird. I raised my eyebrow and smirked as they saw me and shrugged their shoulders. They were up to something sneaky. It felt like it was taking forever for this to end. I was so done with school. I was never much of a school girl. I was there mainly for the social aspect and even then I didn't socialize much with a lot of the people there.  They finished the final names, made the closing remarks and we filed out of the building. I quickly unzipped that horrible gown and went on the search for my family. I saw my dad in the distance and I made a beeline right for him. I jumped in his arms and he spun me around. He set me down