Japanese Blossom and Vanilla Brown Sugar

Graduation

   "Are you ready?"

   "Definitely not."

   "Yeah, me either." 

   Taking a deep breath, Kotomi smiled and gave Ebony a small side hug. "Well, let's do this thing!" 

   The two girls joined the rest of the class of 2017 and walked out into the bright sun to take their seats. Rows and rows of black-covered folding chairs were placed across the grass and a temporary stage had been set up at the front. Most of the student's families were already in the bleachers and Kotomi scanned the rows of khaki-clad fathers and t-shirt wearing moms for her own parents. 

   She waved slightly when she saw them and they waved back, her dad already wiping his eyes while his wife patted his shoulder gently. 

   A loud yell disrupted the shuffling quiet a few minutes later as Ebony's dad shouted to get her attention. Ebony laughed and waved back to her own parents. 

   The graduation ceremony itself was incredibly long and rather boring. Speakers gave speeches, teachers faked liking their students, and kids were called up one by one to receive their diplomas. Ebony poked Kotomi about halfway through and pointed out Jason Washburne, who was taking large swigs from a bottle of vodka he'd had under his robes. 

   Jason had been waiting to graduate much longer than any of the other students, and he was now taking the opportunity to celebrate. Washburne was living proof that coming from a rich family did not always guarantee you immediate success. 

   Finally, 'Lewis, Ebony' was called up and she was given the little roll of paper that would help decide the way society viewed her for the rest of her life. 

   It took a bit longer for 'Nakato, Kotomo' to roll around, and sometime after that the entire stadium stood up yelling, and then left quite a bit faster than they'd come in. 

   "See you at six, okay?" Kotomi shouted to Ebony, who was being swept away by the crowd. She put up a thumbs up before being attacked by a couple of her cousins in their excitement. 

   Kotomi made her way through the crowd and found her parents waiting by the exit. They wrapped her up in a big hug and then the three of them held hands to make it back to their car without being separated. 

   The rest of the day was a quiet family celebration. Most of her dad's side of the family still lived in Japan, and her mum's side was across the country, so only Gamma came over with her fat tom cat, Mochi. But that was perfect, and they all enjoyed more cake than is probably safe for four people and a feline to consume in one sitting. 

   At about six they all packed up to go meet Ebony and her family for a big dinner. When they got to their house Kotomi flung open the door and they were greeted by Ebony's three younger siblings who quickly relieved them of the pot of soup and appetizers they'd brought to share. 

   Ebony's mom jumped up and pulled the Nakata's into a group hug, talking loudly over the excited crowd inside. "Come on in, sugar, come on! We're just tossing the dessert in the oven and gettin' the kids calmed down so y'all can eat!" 

    Kotomi spotted Ebony surrounded by her family in the living room and plopped down on the floor next to her. 

   "Koto! Koto! Koto!" Ebony's little twin sisters came up and asked to play with her hair, just like they did all the time. 

   "Go ahead." Kotomi smiled at them as they both pulled out brushes and hair ties and got to work. 

    Dinners with the Lewis' family were always amazing. Delicious food, happy atmosphere, sassy great aunts complaining about men and their husbands just laughing it off and teasing them back... coming from a small family herself, it was Kotomi's only time to experience that kind of togetherness. 

   Besides, ever since Ebony had first befriended Kotomi when they were both about seven, their families had become so integrated that everyone just accepted the Nakatas as even more cousins. 

   "Hey, Uncle Taka, wanna play some football?" Tony, the little six year old who practically revered Mr. Nakata because of his athletic talents, tugged at Taka's jacket. 

   "Sure, maybe after dinner." 

   "Speaking of which, it's time to eat." Aaliyah and Kanako started shooing everyone into the kitchen to grab plates of food. "And you two..." The moms caught Ebony and Kotomi before they went in. "We are just...we're so proud." Tears flowed once again as another round of hugs commenced. The girls shared a look of slight exasperation and laughed. 

   "Aight, come on ma. I'm hungry for some of your lasagna." Ebony pulled the group towards the kitchen while Kotomi wiper her mom's tears away. 

   Once everyone was served and had found something to sit on, the awkward questions started. 

    So when y'all getting jobs? How about college? What are you majoring in? Any boyfriends gettin' serious? Have you decided where you're going to live? And, "you sure you even have enough food? Don't worry honeys, Auntie Tina's gotchu covered." 

    "Well, still figuring some of that out, but we have a couple apartment's to check out tomorrow and as for careers..." Kotomi trailed off and looked to Ebony for assistance. 

   "Koto's gonna be a model and mathematician, and I'm looking into law school. Already sent in a couple applications actually." 

   "Yeah, exactly what she said." They each took big bites of food to avoid speaking for a moment. 

    "Whatchu mean 'model and matha-metishian?" Uncle Derek joked. 

   Mrs. Nakata spoke up. "She's working on becoming a part-time model and studying math and science on the side to keep her brain working hard." 

   "And law school, huh? Kotomi didn't mention that." Taka turned to Ebony, a familiar sparkle in his eye. "You gonna have to have us all sign 'non-disclosure' forms every time we have a phone call now?" 

   Ebony rolled her eyes, laughing. "Nah, just means I'll be able to advocate for the safety and well-being of others. Specifically domestic abuse or rape cases. I'm going to protect the victims and make sure they are able to find the justice and peace they deserve."

   "Daaang, Ebony, get it!" Cousin Milan laughed. "You gonna rule the courtroom." 

   "Would you look at the time..." Mrs. Nakata looked down at her small, elegant mother of pearl watch which had been her last anniversary present. 

   "Ah y'all gonna head out now?" Mr. Lewis asked.

   "Yes, I think we should, Taka is performing in a concert tonight. Thank you so much for dinner!" Kanako grabbed her family's' dishes and began washing them. 

   Mr. Lewis stopped her. "Go ahead, we got the plates." 

   "Drive safe!" Ebony hugged Kotomi as she walked them to the door. "See you tomorrow for the apartment scouting thing." 

   "See ya." Kotomi smiled and closed the car door of their little red mini cooper. She sighed. 

   "You okay?" Her father looked back at her in the mirror. 

   "Definitely. Today's been a good day." She smiled and leaned to the right so she could see out the window easier. 

   "And tomorrow will be even better." Kanako turned on the radio, smiling.