The Graduation List

1 - The Graduation List

Anna

I let out a yawn while rubbing my eyes as I proceed to stare at my computer screen, knowing that I need to keep working on my engineering assignment. "Anna you gotta take a break, you'll work yourself to death" I look over my shoulder at Gwen, my best friend and roommate, "I don't think my professor cares, especially if I don't finish this for the due date". The blond comes over to me, "is this saved?" I nod and watch her close the laptop, "we are taking a break and getting out of this house, for both of our sakes" I open my mouth to plead but she glares at me so I don't speak. Once we have both grabbed our purses and slipped on our shoes the two of us leave the house that we share with our two other friends. In the Wisconsin sunlight I take a deep breath of fresh air and smile, "I think you're right, we need this break" Gwen laughs and tugs me to her car.

As we sit in the car my gaze veers outside my window where I see a couple walking hand-in-hand as they walk somewhere. "Hey Gwen" she turns her head for a second, "yeah?" I lean my head against my window, "do you ever feel like we missed out on the typical college stuff?" she flicks her gaze towards me before watching the road again. "I mean i'm pretty happy with how these past three years have gone" I sigh, "I feel like because i'm studying engineering I wasn't able to fully experience things like sporting events, parties and even dating" she shrugs, "I didn't think those things mattered to you, what changed your mind?". We stop at a red light and Gwen looks at me, "I guess the fact that this is our senior year got me reminiscing and wondering what if we did those things, would things be different or the same" my best friend nods and turns her gaze back to the road when the light is green, "well if you really want to get those things off of your bucket list i'll do it with you" I smile at her, "really?" she laughs at my disbelief, "yes, it's only October, we have tons of time to get a little wild before we graduate" I laugh and Gwen parks the car in one of the lots on the University of Wisconsin campus.

We step out of the car, meeting at the sidewalk before she locks the car, "so why are we on campus, I thought we were trying to get away from school?" Gwen links her arm with mine, "well you said sporting events, the first thing we need to do is go get some team gear at the bookstore, we can't go watch a game without showing our support" I nod, "you have a good point, also have I told you that I love you for doing this with me" she smiles, "I love you too Anna, I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't" I pull her into a quick hug before we resume walking towards the bookstore.

In the store we make our way to the fan gear section, "okay well lets go the women's section and go from there" I nod and we find the right section. My gaze stops on a colour blocked hoodie that dons the signature W logo, I smile and approach the rack to find my size, "oooo that's a great hoodie" Gwen interjects as I hold the sweater in front of me, "I'm going to get it" she nods and looks around to find something for herself. A few minutes later the two of us are at the checkout counter with several things in each of our hands. Before we purchase our stuff Gwen speaks to the employee, "what and when is the next sporting event for our school?" the girl smiles, "the women's hockey team has a game in two days at 7" my best friend thanks her and goes on the buy the gear she chose out. Once we're back outside I sigh, "lets go get coffee we deserve it" Gwen exclaims, I laugh but don't object as we make our way to the on-campus Starbucks.

At Starbucks, we order our drinks before finding a spot to sit. "Okay lets plan how to accomplish all the things you want to get done before graduation" I nod as I tie my long brown hair up into a bun. Gwen brings out her phone, I see her fingers typing, "do we want to see a game for every major sport?" I think about the commitment that would require, "I don't think we would have the time for that many sports" she nods, "true, how about we also go see the men's hockey team since we're already going to see the women" I sip my drink before answering, "sounds good to me" she smiles and types something on her phone. "What are you typing?" She holds up a finger so I drink more of my coffee as I wait, "I'm writing all of this down in my notes, like a list of sorts" a look of realization crosses my face at her explanation, "gotcha" she nods.

"Okay number one on your list is all planned, what about two and three?" I bite my lip as Gwen watches me from across the table, "I have no idea dude, I've never been to a party, and I have no clue how to find one" my best friend looks down at her phone and typed something before bringing it up to her ear, "I know someone give me a second" I nod and watch her talk on the phone while I finish off my drink. "Thanks so much G, I owe you one" she hangs up her phone and smiles, "okay so there's a party a week from today, it's hosted by one of the fraternities" I cringe at the idea of frat parties, "babe you wanted this, i'm merely making it happen" I sigh, "you're right i'm sorry" she shrugs, "no biggie I understand". I grin at her, "soooo who is this G guy?" she blushes making my eyes widen, "he's no one, I know him from my math class" I scoff, "it's not no one, you're blushing, you totally like him" she mumbles something that I don't hear, "sorry what did you say?" she huffs as she looks at me, "he plays for the hockey team, his name is Graham Marshall, we're friends but that's it" I smile at the information. Before I can ask any more questions Gwen talks, "okay one and two are set, I don't know what we're going to do about three" I pout, "I have no idea, it's not like we can do a speed dating thing, that would be weird" she sighs while finishing her own coffee. "I think for that one we'll just have to suck it up and talk to guys when the opportunity comes up" I shrug, "I guess" she sits up suddenly while smiling, "the party! we gotta go all out and make our move on some of those frat boys" I groan, "that sounds like a lot of effort" Gwen shoves me, "we're going to need to put in the effort anyways, might as well take it up a notch." I put my elbow on the table and hold up my head, "why are you always right" she laughs, "no clue Anna" I roll my eyes at her before getting up to throw my cup in the trash. "I think we've had a long enough break, lets hit the books" Gwen stands up and we grab our stuff from the campus bookstore before going back to her car to get back home.

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The Graduation List:

1. Go to sporting events

2. Go to parties

3. Start dating

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