Four Elements Book 3 - Sacrifice

Part 54

Several months had passed, and it was finally there. Graduation day. Andie and her friends had been waiting for this day for weeks. It was the perfect day for a graduation, too. The sun was illuminating the campus, which was covered in brightly colored flowers, shiny banners with "Congratulations Graduates" painted on them with the school's emblem. Everyone else was just as excited as the girls, though probably more about the graduation party Vicki was hosting in her huge house than the actual graduation ceremony.

"Stop fidgeting, I'm almost done!" Andie grinned.

She was trying to button up Isabelle's cream strapless dress (which Jessica had insisted she buy and did, in fact, look great on her). They were getting ready for the ceremony, which would be followed by a private celebration at Bane's house.

"Sorry," Isabelle sighed, standing still at last. "I'm just so nervous..."

"You've been rehearsing your speech for a week, now. You'll be fine." Andie assured her.

"Yeah, and look sexy at the same time," Jessica assured her.

She was wearing an electric blue dress with a single strap. Andie had gone for a simple white backless dress, while Emily had gone for an emerald green, cap-sleeve dress.

"It is a shame though to hide these awesome dresses under those god awful gowns..."

"Come on, they're not that bad," Andie argued as she pulled hers on.

"Ugh, this shade is terrible on my skin tone," Jessica complained, ignoring her.

"It'll only be a few hours," Isabelle told her with a smile.

Soon, they were all ready and made their way down Andie's stairs.

"Oh, girls, you look amazing!" Lauren exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Ooh, let me take a picture, please!"

"Mom..." Andie grumbled, flushing.

Soon, Lauren was back with a camera, taking pictures. Andie was trying to smile but her unease made it difficult. Isabelle seemed to sense it, because she poked her lightly in the sides, tickling her and making them all laugh.

"All right, Lauren, that's enough pictures," Hank grinned. "Now go, you'll be late. We'll be right behind you."

"Okay. Love you Mom, love you Dad," she said and followed her friends out.

She came out to find Bane waiting for them, leaning against his car. He grinned at them and stepped away from the car to greet them. When Andie reached him, he looked around, as though searching for something.

"Bane, I'm right here!" Andie laughed.

He turned to her.

"Oh, there you are!" he teased. "I almost didn't see you under all that blue."

"You idiot," Andie giggled and kissed him.

"Come on, let's move! Ben and Michael are waiting for us," Jessica ordered.

Andie rolled her eyes, but didn't comment. Soon enough, they were all heading to St Martin's Pavilion, where the ceremony was to be held. Isabelle decided to ride with Bane and Andie, worried that Jessica would only make her even more nervous than she was already.

The sight of the crowd did little to help. She had been texting her parents from the back seat, and didn't look up until the car had stopped. Bane and Andie got out, glancing at the already crowded entrance. Isabelle poked her head out timidly, then shrank back into the car.