Bandmate ||Ricky Garcia||

《f o r t y - e i g h t 》

The long wait to be called had started with the A's first. I saw a guy who had Biology with me trip on his way up the stairs only to pull himself back up using the gown in front of him. Slowly the line got shorter until I saw Liam. My mind had completely discarded that fact that he was graduating with us. The rosy color on his cheeks dimmed with the light and his eyes squinted as he approached the principal.

I could see Ricky lift his arm and wave at Liam. The corners of my lip twitched at the sight but quickly went back to a straight line. I had to remind myself why I had to stay away, the promise I made for him to even be seating feet away from me.

To which Peyton clearly took advantage of and crawled her way next to him. I sunk in further into my seat, the rows of people getting called only got closer and I just wanted to walk out. Parker was talking to me but all I heard were incoherent mumbles.

''Audrey!'' My eyes lose focus on the green dry gum peaking from below the seat in front of me, only to look up see Parker shaking my shoulder. He points to the stage where Ricky is 3 students away from getting his official diploma.

''Are you two still not talking?'' He asked me and I just shook my head. ''How come? I thought you liked him?''

''And that's why we're not talking.'' He gave me a confused stare.

''Jenni Gara... Ricardo Garcia..''

A part of me was expecting for him to leave after hearing his father's name or lash out and fill the place with vulgar language. But he's better than that. The sight of his cheeks sucked in with tension later released to form a partly genuine smile made me realize how it didn't affect his as much.

Everyone around me mechanically clapped as they did for everyone before, but I just sat there staring into him. He shook hands and started to slowly walk back as his eyes scanned the room for his family and hopefully me too.

For the rest of the time till my name was called I felt like my neck would unscrew itself. I had kept looking back in forth between him and his family so many times. My time was coming up so I followed my row to the stage and took 1-inch steps until our names were called. Parker went first and I was looking at his steps memorizing them.

''.. Audrey Jackson..''

One of my fears, since I started high school, was to trip on my own gown. Now as I walked to get that piece of paper I've come to realize that I never considered the fact that half my family wasn't going to see me. They saw Andi get his diploma but they will never get to see me.

''You can get off now.'' The principal said through clenched teeth. I looked into his gray eyes and just started to cry, and not the cute tears more like the snorting sniffling kind of tears. I knew everyone was watching me but I couldn't contain myself.

I could feel him pat me in the back, ''Someone?'' He turned to look at the line of teachers before one finally came to me and lead me down. I kept on rubbing my nose and the blue of the gown started to mix in with tears and nose junk.

_._._

''You could literally become a meme.'' Vanessa kept on laughing as she showed me the video on her phone.

''What even happened?'' Parker asked as were released to our families.

''I just got sentimental, okay,'' I see my mom waving at me. ''See you guys later,'' I told them and started to make my way to them. The puffiness under eyes and red nose are still visible. I can't believe I just embarrassed myself in front of hundreds of students. I could see my mom giving me a smile, and even though neither us will say it out loud we were both thinking the same thing.