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"STUDENTS," the speaker started, "would you please turn your tassels from right to left?" following the instruction, Erin and Rudy do so.
"And now for the moment we have all been waiting for," the speaker announced in the giant stadium, "It is my pleasure to introduce the University of Florida graduating class of 2020." Rudy and Erin threw their graduation caps into the air and began to hug the people surrounding them. After that, Rudy swam through the crowd of students to find his best friend. There were hundreds of students in that field, but Rudy could spot her from a million miles away, and after a few minutes of pushing and shoving, he spotted her in a huddle with their classmates.
"Hey, Erin!" Rudy yelled through the crowd, unsuccessfully "Erin Kate Addison!"
Erin hearing her full name, smiled and turned, seeing through the crowd the blonde hair of her best friend. She ran to him and jumped into his arms. During the all to familiar embrace, the two laughed and smiled at each other.
"We are done with college forever!!" Erin cheered as she pulled away from the hug.
Rudy matched her enthusiasm, "Hahaha, I never thought I would see the day!" the pair carried on as they walked to the entrance of the stadium to find their families. Erin's mom, Kate Addison, was the first to spot the two best friends.
She ran over to hug the duo, "Sweeties!" She pulled them both into a giant group hug. "I'm so proud of you two!"
"Thanks, Mom!" Erin said as Rudy chimed in, "Yeah, well, we couldn't have done it without the wonderful cookies you sent us every week, Aunt Kate."
Right about then, the rest of the group walked over to the graduates. The rest of the group consisted of their dads, their younger brothers, Rudy's mom, and Erin's on-again and off-again boyfriend, Jarius. While Rudy walked over to hug his parents and younger brother, Jairus came over to congratulate Erin.
"Baby, you never cease to amaze me," Jairus said while placing a kiss on Erin's forehead. "Well, I've had a pretty amazing support system," Erin shrugged, looking at her family, "speaking of, I should probably go thank them." Jairus and Erin walked hand-in-hand back over to the families. Erin hugged her mom again, then her dad, then both of Rudy's parents.
"I can't believe our little RuRu and Air Bear are all grown up." Rudy's dad, Andy, said, pulling both of them into a side hug.
Erin laughed, "Dry your tears, Uncle Andy, I don't think your little RuRu will be leaving the nest anytime soon." Since Erin and Rudy basically grew up as siblings, they always referred to each other's parents as "Aunt" or "Uncle" since Mr. and Mrs. always seemed to be too formal.
Rudy glared at Erin, one, for using the hideous nickname that they swore they would never mention again, and two, for poking fun at his still lack of a job after graduation.
"Hey man, who needs a job when we will be cruising in Europe for the next month." Rudy retorted back. He was referring to the once in a lifetime trip that the two families would be going on in a few short days. This trip was a 15-day cruise over to Europe. Once they got over there, they would be staying in Amsterdam for one week, Spain for the last week, then fly back home to Flordia. The parents had been saving up for this trip to surprise their kids since Erin and Rudy started high school.
Needless to say, everyone was super stoked to go on this trip. The only person who was not stoked about this trip was Erin's boyfriend, Jairus, who unfortunately was not invited. Erin doesn't mind, though. In fact, she is a little relieved. She had been looking for a way to finally call off their relationship, and not just for a month, for good. Rudy was relieved too. He had always hated the way Jairus treated Erin like the scum of the earth, only being there for her when it is convenient for him. Erin was not blind to it either. She knew Jairus never truly cared for her. But she looked the other way, perhaps it was because of his looks or maybe just maybe every once in a while she thought that Jairus really could love her. But we all know that's just wishful thinking.
Erin held out her phone for Jairus to take a big family picture. "Hey Jairus, would you mind taking a picture of us?"
"Uh, yeah, sure." Jairus grabbed the phone from Erin's hand and held it up, "Okay, everyone ready? 1...2...3..." The two families smiled as the flash on the camera flash turned on and then turned off.
"Now funny picture!" Rudy's mom, Michelle, chimed in. Erin and Rudy put bunny ears behind their younger brothers, Oliver and Dylan. The parents just made funny faces and gave a thumbs up.
The families huddled around Erin's phone and laughed at their picture. At this point, the stadium was pretty empty, so the families and Jairus start walking toward their cars.
"Okay, party back at our place, right?" Erin's dad, Peter, yelled across the parking garage while unlocking his car.
"I hope I know the way, Pete!" Andy joked at his best friend, knowing that the two houses are right across the street from each other.
"Hey Mom and Dad, I'm gonna drive with Jairus and Erin, I'll meet you back at the Addisons." Rudy kissed his mom on the cheek and ran to catch up with Jairus and Erin.
"Don't pull something, buddy," Erin laughed as she watched her friend run up the hill to her and her boyfriend.
"Like you could do better?" Rudy challenged, "Race you to the car?" Rudy and Erin looked at each other before bolting off at top speed towards the car without another word.
"Hey! That's no fair. I was in a dress." Erin complained as she sat in the front seat of Jairus' 2015 Honda Acord. Right about then, Jairus pulled Erin into a kiss, obviously trying to mark his territory and make Rudy jealous, his plan succeeding.
Rudy half laughed, "My God, get a room at least."
Erin pushed away from the kiss and laughed trying to ease the tension, "Oh, you sure you don't want to join, Rudy? Two is a crowd three is a party" Erin pretending to make-out with the air, making Rudy laugh and Jairus extremely jealous.
