Khadijah ✔️

• 27 •

• Ramadan is approaching guys! I'm so excited yet not ready at all. Is anyone ready for Ramadan? •

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It has been months since Louisa and Luke moved back to London. Spring break went by and left and it was finally time. Graduation. Khadijah has been waiting for this moment for as long as she can remember.

Ava and Mia came over to her house the day of graduation to get ready and head there together. Her parents were thrilled to have her friends over.

Khadijah and Lou talked all the time. Thanks to the lack of time zones, there was no trouble with communicating. As for Luke, Khadijah didn't hear from him since that eventful day at the school cafeteria. But even though she hasn't talked to him in person, by the way Louisa talks about him, Khadijah can indicate that he's fine.

And at this point, this is all she needs to know.

The ceremony has started and the principle was giving the speech before she could give her speech. Khadijah was playing with her fingers. Suddenly applause took place as the principle stood back in place as her name got called.

"And now with our Valedictorian, Khadijah Bassam," Khadijah heard applause one more time before she took a deep breath and got up on the stage.

"Today, we are graduating. Today, we look at the buildings that we have been walking through for the past four years. Today, we bid our goodbyes to a chapter of our lives," she paused. "I hope that the chapter was pleasing for when you look back. But even though we didn't all always get along. We had our stereotypes, the name-calling, and we had our issues with one another and our own dilemmas. Today, none of this matters. Because even though we will part our ways. Maybe never see each other again. Maybe some friends who thought they were never to be separated, are going their different ways. Maybe you coincidentally meet people you have never noticed in high school in university. Who knows what would happen. But what I know for sure and I can assure you, we're all on the same boat. We're all saying goodbye to the place that let's be honest, thought we would never leave," laughter shakes the place. "We're all hopeful eighteen-year-old kids, itching for what they wanted for as long as they can remember.

"But at the end, we're all scared. We're all terrified of what is yet to come. Especially the ones who have their entire lives planned. What happens if those plans fall apart in the middle? When everything is starting to look up? Since I might not be able to tell you this later, I'm going to tell you now. Take it easy. Believe me, I would know. Everything is going to turn out fine. If not now, then when the time is right. And when it's not what you wanted exactly, I can assure you, it's better for you than what you wanted. Congratulations everybody. Thank you," she finished.

Khadijah sat back in her place as names were being called on the stage to receive their diplomas. As her turn approached, her nerves tugged harder inside her body. It was time. She was finally going to receive her diploma and go to university. She can finally do what she always wanted to do. She can become a veterinarian.

As soon as she heard her name being called, she took in a deep breath and got up from her seat and received her diploma. From standing on stage, she can see her dad taking a picture of her, smiling at the screen. While her mom waved at her, tears stinging her eyes. Khadijah waved back softly and sat back in her place.

"I would like to welcome to you, class of 2018!" Everyone threw their caps in the air. After everything was over, Khadijah walked up to her friends as they laughed together before she saw her parents approach her. She excused herself before hugging her mom.

"My baby graduated," her mom said in a muffled voice.

Khadijah chuckled, "mom. I still have university. I'm not going anywhere," she replied.

"We know that kiddo, it's that you're growing up so fast," her dad explained.

"Yeah well. Time flew by," her mom told her.

And even yet, she still had a long way ahead.