Waiting For Nick

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Lance in the media. Y'all know who... Zayn!

Cissy's eyes roamed as she searched for familiar faces. Actually, one familiar face - Lance's. The hall was extremely large and it was almost impossible to locate anyone in this crowd of people.

Cissy smiled, remembering when her brother had been called up to receive his certificate. He'd smiled so brightly and she'd clapped the loudest. Even her mom's claps and Iris's shouts of, "that's our brother!" didn't match hers. Nick had laughed at all their antics.

And now, the ceremony was over and it was time to party. But where the heck was Lance?

Someone's phone rang beside her and she turned to see her mom fidgeting with her purse. She got out the phone and with one look at it, said, "Its Lance!" then she picked the call.

"Hey, Lance! Where are you?... Okay...okay, hon. We're at the very end of the hall, huddled together by the left... Yeah, I can hear you. Oh, alright. We're waiting."

She hung up and turned to Cissy, Iris and Nick. "He's on his way. Says he's got a surprise for us!" She laughed. "Who's to surprise who, huh?"

Cissy turned to Iris and Nick, grinning. Nick winked at her. Iris had a very knowing look on her face. It was time. Cissy couldn't wait. She was meeting her future sister-in-law.

Iris was first to spot Lance from among the crowd. "Here he comes!"

With the speed of light, Cissy dropped her purse into Nick's lap and ran to her brother.

"Oh, my God, Lance! You made it. You really made it!" She hugged him. "Congratulations!"

Lance laughed. "Hello to you too, sis. Yeah, we made it." He pulled away and kissed her cheek. "Where's mom?"

"Oh, I'm right here!"

Lance looked up and grinned. Cissy moved away so he could say hi.

"Oh, my darling baby. Congratulations, L!"

Cissy was too happy to roll her eyes at the 'baby'.

"Thanks, mom. You look good!" Lance said, pulling away from the hug and looking her over. She laughed and turned around in a circle.

Iris hugged him and congratulated him, too. He kissed her cheek.
Nick came up beside Cissy. "Hey. Congrats, bro."

"Thank you...Nick." Lance said and smiled at Cissy, who blushed and looked away.

"So...what's the surprise!" Cissy's mom clapped her hands and looked expectantly at her son. "Where is it?"

Lance smiled and beckoned to them. "Follow me."

Cissy hooked an arm through her brother's as they walked.
"So...goodbye to bachelorhood, huh?" She whispered, so only he could hear.

Lance chuckled. "I guess." He whispered back.

"Oh, I bet she's a beauty." Cissy pinched his cheek. "I can't wait to meet her."

They got to a part of the hall, where a few graduating students were huddled together, saying their goodbyes. Cissy smiled. Was this how it was going to be when she finally graduated from high school? Teary goodbyes?

Lance stopped before them, said hi and asked permission to 'steal Lennon away for a few minutes.'

At first, Cissy didn't know which of the girls was Lennon but then, all the others turned to her and nodded. Cissy's jaw actually did drop.