sober // s.wilk

(26) Graduation Day

Staring down at everyone at the end of the stairs, mixed emotions ran across all of their faces. Today was the day. After countless sleepless nights, mental breakdowns, thousands of papers of written notes, millions of words written across the screen as I typed pages of essays, the crying, the stress. It all led to this day, and although it's a small milestone, it's the beginning of my entire life.

My mom and dad, the ones who birthed me. Provided all that they could for me to ensure that I had everything I needed and more. Who has stuck with me since the beginning, even though we haven't really been as a full family until this day.

My brother, oh my clueless brother. All those competitions were worth it, to see who would overall succeed and I believe i fully take that the crown. Being able to graduate as Salutatorian with a 4.35 gpa. While managing high titles in numerous clubs. He won't be able to catch up, because I beat him.

Jack Gilinsky, was the like older brother I always wanted. Our close bond led us to be dependent on each other, even miles apart. He was there for me back when some people would bully me in school and he's here for the internet trolls with no life. I couldn't have asked for a better cousin.

Madison and Mallory, two people whom I seemingly got close with over the last two months. Two people I would never thought we'd be able to connect so much. As i venture on to my new life, I couldn't wait to see where our friendship takes us.

Matthew, Jack Johnson, Noah, his parents, and everyone else here to support me. I'm so grateful. So grateful to have friends and family that can take time out of their life to watch me move on to the next chapter.

Last, and certainly not least. Mark Anderson. My first love. The one who's helped me become the person I am today. The one who still continues to support me after everything. The one I know that through thick and thin, he'll be right next to me. I couldn't be more excited to be going to college with him. Sharing an apartment with him. I am glad to be his best friend.

But yet, staring at this big group of people as i'm walking down the stairs, I knew that I was still incomplete. The one person I always dreamed of being here, was not. Part of me, wanted to cry. But I held my ground.

"My baby." My dad coos, as I reach the bottom of the stairs. "You're graduating." A tear forms within my mother's eyes and I grab their arms. "Thank you, dad, for coming. You help make this possible. I did this so you guys can be proud of me."

"We're always gonna be proud of you baby." My dad tells me. "But wait, where's Sammy?" he questions. The sound of his name brings me to almost tears. "He couldn't make it." I fake smile.  With that being said, we turn to face that camera that has been taking pictures of me ever since I was seen.
My brother then joins us, the first picture of us as a full family in what feels like forever.

I move in from person to person, taking pictures with them and hearing their congratulations. Glancing at the time, I realize that the graduates have to be at the convention center in approximately 45 minutes. Mark, Mallory and I say our farewells as we part ways with the group assuring them we'd see them after the ceremony.

We make our way to the front of the center which similarly looks like a tall building from the front. It ultimately increased at least 5x the size but the side entrance didn't properly capture the true essence of the building. Stopping in front of the architecture, i force Mark to take a picture with me.