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The ceremony was finally over, and it was official; I graduated high school. Everything seemed like it paid off. I paid no attention to the people in my grade who wanted me gone, nor did it bat an eyelash to the teachers that didn't want to teach 'my kind'. It was all over and I was ready for the real world. It was funny really. How different you can stand out in a bad way for everything to hit them in the face at the end. I'm an Asian-American-British who grew up in Canada, who looks more like her British father than her Asian-American mother so to speak, but it was obvious what my roots were. People would be surprised as their face turned sour to realize that. But that didn't matter to me, because their 'outlaw' (they called me) was given the chance as a valedictorian. But why do I care so much? I asked myself. It's the feeling of not fitting in. I thought they didn't fit in, but it was their standards I ultimately chose to ignore once I stopped trying to follow them. It's debatable on both sides to decide who's the outlaw now huh?
As the photographer took the last photo of the graduating class of 1962, everyone else split into their families; the air hanging with smiles and 'congratulations'.
I walked over to my family standing off to the side, and to my surprise one more extra guest on their side. My mother smiling like she's seen the world, my father, with a small smile and a tear threatening to fall from his proud face and surprisingly enough, my uncle George. I would see him every Christmas, as he would come and visit the once Britain-governed Country when the snow rained from the sky and the temperature decided to reach a freezing point. The last time I heard from him, he was helping produce music, which I frankly adorned so much. Music is my life and it's something that I wanted to do after high school. My oversized graduation robe had practically wrapped my mother in a blanket as I hugged her tight. "I'm so proud of you! My Juliette is all grown up now!" She said with happiness and sniffles. I gave her a warm smile; everything in that smile read 'thank you.' Next, my father. He practically engulfed me with his tall figure. Unlike him, however, I kept my petite stature my mom has. "My precious sunflower is all grown up! Who knew!" He said. Although my father might look tough, he was a real softie with big emotion. His piercing blue-green ocean eyes had passed on to me though, as tears ran down his wise eyes. "Dad," I say with a hint of humour. I didn't want him to get emotional. I'm not good with that stuff. Emotion and all. "I'm so sorry sweetie." He let go of me, feeling free from his giant features compared to mine. Lastly, I faced my uncle, George. I met him with a small smile as I gave him a longing hug. We were quite a small family and my uncle was one of the only favourite people amongst the rest, so I'm actually quite glad he was here to hear my speech. "Hey, uncle George." I say with a golden smile. "Your father's right. You are all grown up! Time flies!" He said in the embrace. I let go, asking how my speech was and if everything was okay. Thankfully, they replied with positive reviews. I always think I'm mediocre at best, only because I know someone is always better at me, or better at everyone at something. It gives me some form of ego-check. Even I didn't think my speech was that great, but nevertheless, I have humbled for the position anyway.
"So, Juliette we have a gift for you." My father's voice snapped me out of my inner conversation and brought me back to attention. "What is it?" I asked, already expecting something, odd. My family is quite odd, so some things are just regular while others think it's completely and truly alien. "Well, since you said that music is something you wanted to pursue after high school, we made some arrangements and made some ends meet." My mother said, keeping her voice suspicious. "And that's why you're uncle George is here." My mother continued, pointing at George to tell me. Surprises usually don't faze me. I'll be happy, but now this one, in particular made me itch. "Juliette, you're coming with me to Liverpool. I've gotten the chance to become a producer and I want you to come with." He finally said. I can see why it itched. I felt my breath hitch in my throat, the excitement hit me like a bus. I screeched in happiness, feeling the bright emotion making me jump off my feet off the ground. I hugged my uncle George for the second time and my mother and father for the millionth time, followed by many 'thank yous'. "You'll be packing your things around March. That gives you plenty of time to tie the knots around here before heading out of the country." My uncle said. I was going to Liverpool. I've never travelled internationally before, and to Liverpool nonetheless. My father always said he would sell his kidneys to visit home one last time. I love my parents, and a fresh new start in life after the same old rotten glances towards me every morning. This is the new world. Juliette Elizabeth Marie Martin going to Liverpool. How exciting.
