Unexpected Love

Graduation

I hear some noise as if something or someone is moving stuff around. Opening my heavy eyelids, it reveals my mother is coming out of my closet, holding my graduation dress and shoes. She wore a red wrap dress with tan pumps. Her brown hair is pulled into a french twist to give her a classy lady look. I just laid there watching my mom, not wanting to get up. "I know you're awake, Serena." My mom says as she lays out my dress.

"Damn it," I mutter. All I want to do is lay in bed and forget about the world. I want to sleep.

"Get up so I can get you ready." She orders. I do what she commands. I slip into my new unicorn slippers and slowly follow her to my bathroom. I plop down on my vanity chair without a word. "What's wrong?" My mom asks concern.

"Nothing, I'm just tired," I reply. In reality, I was a little sad for today, marked the day when the squad and I will go our separate ways. Marisol and Dante will be going to a college in Chicago, Adolfo is going to stay here and work. Vicente goes back to Puerto Rico for college, Diane will be going to a college down in San Francisco with me, and then finally Hector; he will be going to Seattle. We talked about it last week after the barbecue about how we will work the long-distance relationship and all.

"Did you hear me, Serena?" My mom questioned, snapping me out of my daze.

"Yes?" I say, not wanting to get in trouble.

She sighed. "Forget I even said anything." She says as she untangles my hair. "Now close your eyes." I close my eyes and wait for her to finish my hair and makeup. I felt myself drifting off to sleep since it was taking forever. "Open your eyes now." My mom softly says. I slowly open my eyes. It looked like I was doing it for dramatic effects, but really it was because I was boarding the train to snoozeville.

I looked at brown smokey eyeshadow and nude lips. My hair is curled with the sides pinned up away from my face. "I look good." I playfully say.

My mom rolls her eyes, "go put on your dress before it gets late."

I quickly get up so I can put on my dress. My mom had to help me into my lovely baby blue dress that hit above the knees. Fixing the lace off the shoulder sleeves, I lift my feet, so my mom can put on my clear heels. I twirl around feeling like Cinderella before she goes to the ball.

"You're the most beautiful girl in the world. You could wear a trash bag and still look good." She complimented.

"Isn't it supposed to be a potato sack?"

"Why would you wear a potato sack?" She asked.

"Why would you wear a trash bag?" I added.

She shrugged.

"Is dad ready?" I ask my mom changing the subject.

She nods, "and Melody is ready to go. They are waiting for you downstairs."

I smile at her, "Let's go."

"Not without your cap and gown." My mother says, handing me the black cap and gown. I leave the gown unzipped and fixed the black and silver threads from the hat. "Look at you." My mother says. I turn to look at her to see she has the biggest smile on her face. "You're all grown up. Graduating High school." Tears build up in her eyes as her smile trembles a little.

"Mom, don't cry," I say, feeling the tears in my eyes.

She fans her eyes, "I'll try." She hugs me in a tight embrace. I smile as I smell in her familiar perfume scent, like flowers and vanilla mixed. "Mi Nena." She whispers to me.

"Emilia! Serena! Hurry up!" My father yells from downstairs.

She pulls apart and fixes my hair. "We're coming!" She shouts back. She shoos me out of my door. "Now smile. Your dad is going to take pictures." She informs me. I nod in understanding. "Te amo." She whispers as she kisses my cheek.