Reality Bites - Wattys 2018 Shortlist

Chapter 96 - And All in Four Inch Heels!

"Come on Roza," Dimitri said softly, giving me the sweetest kiss. "It's time for you to graduate!"

I nodded, turning to see everyone watching us.

I grabbed Lissa's arm. "I'm so sorry, Lissa!" I gasped. "I'm just kind of really freaking out right now!"

She laughed. "Rose – I knew you would eventually. I've been waiting for everything to catch up with you. It's good. You're good! Let's go graduate," she said lovingly. I was lucky to have such a wonderful best friend!

So I let her lead me down to the auditorium, Dimitri next to me in near guard position, Kirk following as far guard. Mom, Baba, and Pavel came too. It was funny - Mom was doing near guard for Baba, and Pavel far guard. Mom and Pavel kept looking at one another, nervously trying to work things out between them. It was funny seeing two such experienced Guardians acting like complete newbies. I wonder if this meant Mom was going to accept Baba's offer? Honestly – there was just too much going on for me to even think about that right now!

We arrived and found Christian and Eddie amongst the graduates milling around. Christian was charming, admiring Lissa and then me.

"You look beautiful, Rosie," he said kindly. He's lucky I was still freaking out about Graduation, else I would have punched him for calling me that!

"He's right – you look hot!" Eddie confirmed.

"Right back at you Castile," I said. He did look hot. The girls were going to go nuts when he took his shirt off to be tattooed.

We all lined up to get our caps and gowns. Thankfully Moroi and Dhampir were treated equally in that respect – so Lissa and I were side by side as we were fitted. Lissa was dressed first, and I swear I nearly cried. When we'd returned from Portland, I could never have seen this happening. Of course, I was gowned minutes later, and Lissa actually did cry!

"Rose – I can't believe we made it through! I would never have if it weren't for you," she gushed, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. "Even though I know you won't be named as my Guardian today, you still are really."

"Lissa?"

"Yes, Rose?"

"Please shut up! I am so freaking out about the Promise ceremony. Just hold my hand?" I gasped trying not to run away in terror.

"Of course," Lissa said, standing next to me and quietly stroking my hand soothingly until they sorted us alphabetically.

Once they did, I stood between two Royal Moroi. We were all mixed together alphabetically for this part – our academic graduation. Honestly, it kind of helped to be around Moroi. They all expected me to be a badass – and that kind of helped me to BE one. I stood there, pretending not to give a shit, looking towards my parents and surreptitiously looking towards Dimitri who was sitting beside them. He intentionally wasn't looking at me, but in a way that let me know he had his attention 100% on where I was. Hard to explain – it was a Guardian thing, but I knew he was watching me. And it helped.

Breathing in and out, I was soothed. I listened to the trumpets that announced the arrival of Queen Tatiana. She would be sitting on the stage as we all crossed and received our graduation awards from Kirova.

Thankfully once she arrived, it was all on. She gave a speech (I heard none of it) and then they called Graduates across the stage alphabetically by surname. I clapped for everyone – but 'Castile' then 'Dragomir' got the lion's share from me. I'd dutifully walked across and taken the scroll when 'Hathaway' had been called. I vaguely recognized cheering but looking out to the audience there were only three people I wanted to see. And I did – Dimitri's huge grin, Baba looking like the proudest father in the world while he was snapping off photo after photo and Mom - who was unashamedly weeping with happiness – even though she was in her Guardian uniform!