Silence || Blake Richardson (1)

27

chapter twenty-seven

I look around, trying to find the one person who I was wanting here the most.

"She didn't show." Kennedy says as I stop walking.

"But-"

"I know."

She gives me a small smile before wrapping her arms around me.

"Anyways, congratulations!"

"Thanks."

She pulls away, looking at something behind me.

"I think someone wants to say something to you."

I turn around, hoping that it was Erin and that she hadn't sat with my family.

But it wasn't Erin at all.

"Mom?"

She smiles, handing me some flowers. There were a few stray tears running down her cheeks.

"I can't believe my baby's graduated."

"Mom, I'm not a baby anymore."

"I know that, but you're still my baby. You always have been."

"How's Erin?"

My mother's eyes widen. "She wanted to come. She really did, she just got held up with work and couldn't come."

I nod, knowing that I've heard that excuse before.

"I keep telling her that she needs to leave work one of these days. She misses every single holiday. She tried so hard to come."

"It's okay."

"No it's not."

"Not really, but I'm kinda used to it. I haven't seen her in years."

"Four years, and two since I last saw you."

"Yea."

"Is there anything new with you?"

"Actually-"

"We graduated!"

I hear Blake's voice only moments before I'm being picked up and spun around.

"No more school for me!"

When I'm back on the ground, he spins me around to where I'm facing him and begins peppering my face in small kisses, making me laugh.

"Blake-"

"Shh, let me enjoy this moment."

"I would like for you to meet my mom."

He stops, looking over at my mother who was standing there awkwardly.

"Blake, this is my mom. Mom, this is my boyfriend Blake."