Foreign

Chapter 20

I stand in front of the Atrium, the building where I had most of my classes. I look up and take a deep breath. Today is my final day as a student. My final assignment. I am so nervous for the screening! I hope they like the film! When I knock on the classroom door, Mike's voice answers. I spot all my professors in the room. I have to do a quick introduction and then we'll watch the film together. Afterwards I have to talk about the production process and they will ask me questions. I'm so nervous my voice trembles during the introduction. Not so professional. During the screening I'm constantly looking at their faces. Some of them aren't giving away anything but Mike's face has a broad smile. After the screening, they all smile and congratulate me. I let my breath escape (I didn't even realise I as holding it!) and when I talk them through production, my voice isn't shaking anymore.

"Congratulations, Charlotte! Well done!" Mike says with enthusiasm after it's over.

"Thank you Mike!" My cheeks hurt from smiling, this is such a good day!

"I've really enjoyed the film. You have a promising future."

"Wow, thanks!"

"I'm not supposed to say anything but since you won't be here for graduation, I'll tell you anyway..." He pauses dramatically and I'm not sure what will follow.

"You've graduated with honours! We were all very impressed!" I'm speechless for a second. With honours, really?! My family will be so proud!

I was the last one so my classmates are waiting downstairs. We're all going to the pub for a drink because it's probably the last time we'll see each other. We've all come from different countries so the chances of meeting in the future are very slim. Of course, they're all very curious about the film I'm working on now.

"You need to sit still if you want me to curl your hair!" Lizzie says.

"Hey, you were the one who wanted to do it!"

We're in Lizzie's room and it feels like we've gone back a year. Us in her room, getting ready with some music on and a glass of wine.

"Remember last year? We did this all the time!" I look at Lizzie.

"Yeah, I miss that! Living with boys isn't exactly the same."

"I bet! I miss this too. I don't miss the parties though."

"God, you and Hero were the worst! Secretly staring at each other all the time, getting on each other's nerves."

"Ugh, he was so annoying!"

"He just wanted to get your attention and it totally worked!"

"Well, yeah, I mean, he is very sexy!"

After putting on a simple, strapless black dress and heels, I'm ready to go to Bunker. Killian and Jack are coming with us. Give me some good music and a dancefloor and I'm the first one to be on it! We had the best night. Drama free for once, very refreshing! This brings back so many memories of when I first met Hero. The memory of our first dance together makes me blush. God, I was so into him and so scared of him at the same time. He was like blank page to me, I couldn't read his face. I could never tell what he was thinking or feeling. I know him now and I've gotten better at it but Hero is an actor, if he doesn't want me to read his feelings, he can easily hide them. I guess I'm the same though, I'm very good at hiding my feelings. I take out my phone. No messages, no missed calls. I ignore my gut feeling and text Hero I miss him anyway.

On my final night in Cardiff, we go to a new Thai restaurant. Lizzie made the reservations weeks ago because it's so hard to get in. Before we go to the restaurant, we go to my favourite cocktail bar. They have a happy hour from 5 to 10 which is amazing! We usually all order two different cocktails (so we end up with four glasses) and we all taste the different ones. I've picked Piña Colada (obviously!) and Bloody Mary. The rules are that the others can't pick the same ones. We particularly love this bar because they also have Game of Thrones themed cocktails.

"To Charlotte, who graduated with honours!" Killian says before raising his glass, he got a King Slayer.

"Gee, thanks guys," I say with red cheeks.

"I can't wait to visit you in America next month," Jack says. "That'll be so fun!"

"Oh, Hero will be so excited to see you!" While Jack and Lizzie tell Killian about their upcoming trip, I look at my phone. My heart leaps when I see I have a message.

"Sorry, I've been very busy. Safe flight tomorrow." My heart drops again.