Unexpected Love

Graduation Pt. 2

I looked at the stage where we all will cross. A tear runs down my face. All these memories I have here is with the squad. A hand touches my shoulder, looking up I see Hector looking at me. "Everything will be okay." He squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.

I buried my face into his chest. He rubbed circles on my back. I just laid my head on his chest, taking in his scent. I had a feeling that I was meant to be here with him. The smell of vanilla mixed with his cologne calmed me down. "Let's get back to our friend," I say, forcing a smile.

Hector kissed my forehead. "Let's go."

Walking together, I recollected myself and smiled at all my friends. Marisol and Dante laugh as Diane holds Adolfo in an armlock.

"Maybe we should turn back around?" Hector suggests.

I chuckle, "no, I think we should stay with those weird people we call our friends."

They all soon turn their heads to look at us. Diane and Marisol face light up with just one look at me. Looking at each of my friends, I remember the first day I met them. Diane in a bright yellow cardigan, Dante in his beat-up shoes, Hector with his spiky hair, Marisol in her pigtails, Vicente with his two front teeth missing and Adolfo with his mother's lip stains on his cheek.

Walking over to them, I feel my spirit lift again. Happiness swelled my heart up. I wrap an arm around Diane's shoulders and sigh. "What did Adolfo do now?"

"He told me I looked like I was going to the club rather than graduating." She says as she lets him go.
I look at her emerald green dress with its square neckline and short skirt.

"I think your dress is fine," I reassure her.

"Mrs. Grant is calling for us." Dante notifies us.

"Showtime." I sarcastically say. Holding Hector's hand, we walk inside the gym.

While inside the gym, I spot Adolfo immediately flirting with two different girls who look uninterested. Diane talks to Mrs. Grant about something that's most likely unimportant. Marisol is in the corner, helping Dante fix his black tie while he just stands there staring at her with love in his eyes.

"Serena," Vicente says.

I turn around to face Vicente. "How did you get in here? Only students can come in." I ask him.

"I snuck in." He says as if it was nothing.

I roll my eyes at him. "What is it, Vicente?" I ask him. I knew him too much, and he wants something.

"Just to wish my little sister luck, that's all." He says.

"Thank you, Vicente." I smile at him and hug him.

He kisses the top of my head. "Love you, Serena."

"Love you too, Vicente." He shakes hands with Hector, who joins us.

"It was nice meeting you, Hector." Hector nods at him. After they bro-hug, he walks away but not without playfully winking at me and walks towards Marisol, who he also hugs but doesn't wink at her just pinches her cheek. High fiving Dante, Vicente goes and talks to Adolfo.

"Are you ready?" Hector asks me.

"Yup, I'm ready to walk across that stage," I say happily.

He smiles at me.

A loud 'Mi Perro' catches my attention. I turn to see Vicente hugging Adolfo. I realized Vicente was the one who said that. The teachers escorted him out for using bad words out loud like that. "Oye Tigre, I'll be in the front row; just remember to pose for me, okay!" Vicente shouts as the teachers try to get him out. "Hey, watch where you're touching! I am a minor!"