Squeeze the Day

🍋O N E🍋

A SERIES OF mixed emotions coursed through me as I walked out of the building I called home for the past four years. Students ran past me, cheering and running to begin the rest of their lives. We were officially done high school.

The warm summer sun hit my face, and I couldn't help but smile. It was a long four years, but I made it. Now it was time to begin the rest of my life.

"Max!" the familiar voice of my best friend rang in my ear as she came up beside me. "How'd your final go?"

I grinned at her, the feeling of relief washing all over me. "Who cares? We're done, Raven."

She rolled her eyes, a smile appearing on her face. "Let's find Jordan and go celebrate!"

I was so ecstatic to be done school, I didn't even let the dread of Jordan's incoming lecture ruin my mood.

He was leaned against his car, typing away on his phone. His lips curved upwards when he caught a glimpse of Raven and I. "How are my newly graduated adults doing?" Raven threw her arms around his neck, both of them rejoicing over our newfound freedom. I waited for them to finish and I came over to Jordan, giving him a hug. "That's it?" he joked before leaning in to kiss me.

"Okay, guys, please save this for your personal time," Raven scoffed.

We got into Jordan's car, me in shotgun and Raven in the backseat, and he began to drive. The ride was going fine until Jordan asked the dreaded question. "How'd your exams go?"

"Biology was a breeze," Raven said proudly.

Jordan glanced at me before focusing on the road. "What about you?"

I shrugged. "Could've been better."

He let out a sigh. "I told you to study harder."

"You know I'm not good with numbers," I muttered, unwilling to discuss any more details of my calculus exam.

"Maxine," Jordan said in the typical disappointed parent voice.

"Max," I cut him off. Jordan knew more than anyone how much I hated my full name, yet it always slipped his mind and he'd say it anyway.

"I forgot." He paused. "Look, you need to fix up these habits for when we go to Mount U in the fall."

Raven leaned in the space between my and Jordan's seats. "Guys, I can't believe we're all going to the same university! I can't wait to be with my best friends for another four years."

Jordan smiled at her through the rearview mirror. "I get to have my favourite girls by my side."

I rolled my eyes. "Summer just started, and you're already talking about school?"

Raven laughed. "Max is right, we need to celebrate liberation."

"Why don't we do something later?" Jordan suggested. "I'll pick you both up at seven."

"Sounds good," Raven confirmed, speaking on behalf of us both.

Jordan peered at me expectantly. "Well?"

"Do I even have a choice?"

"That's the spirit!" Raven said.

~*~

Jordan said to dress nice, so I slipped on a sleeveless peach dress and curled my hair. I was just finishing applying the final touches of my mascara, when my little brother burst into my room.

"Max, can you try this?"

I eyed my five year old brother suspiciously as he held a plastic cup in front of me. "What's in it?"