A Thousand Times by E Janetulip

Chapter 23

"노을이 지는 저녁도 캄캄해진 밤하늘도, 내 맘엔 너로 가득 차 있어."
"[On a sunset evening, even when the night sky is dark, my heart is full of you]."

⭐

I'll miss you.

-Aurora (오로라)

2018. 02. 15.

February 9th, Friday, the day of our graduation. The 90 days finally came to an end. I already graduated last week. I'm not a high school student anymore. I'm finally out of high school almost a week ago.

I remember waking early to get ready for our graduation. I loosely curled my hair and did my make up, putting more than what I usually wear. It was also the last day of me wearing our school uniform. Our uniform is actually really pretty. It's white long sleeves with a black necktie and small khaki pleated skirt. I also wore our school jacket because it's cold outside. I'll definitely miss wearing it.

When we arrived on the campus, after a long set of stairs, we finally made it. We went to our different classrooms, only for Seonghwa since he was not in our class but his classroom was just beside ours.

"우리는 오로라를 졸업한다 [We're graduating Aurora]," San mentioned while helping me make the tie of our graduation gown look good after I did his.

MInutes after waiting, our teacher came and started what she needed to do.

I played with the bracelet pendant with my fingers as I was waiting for my teacher to call my name. Since when he gave that to me, I always found myself playing with it.

"이오로라이브 [Lee Aurora Eve]," I walked in front of the class and our teacher handed me my diploma. The one I worked hard for years.

I remember walking back to my seat, San, and I shared looks and smiles. We could see from each other's eyes that were both proud of ourselves. We graduated middle school together and we're still here for each other until our high school graduation. We've known each other for five years now. I'm lucky I have met someone like him. He is not just my best friend, he's my family.

After giving our diplomas, we watched videos, the activities, the tasks, projects we made in school... I teared up a little. Watching and looking back to what we went through made me sad but at the same time, I was also happy. I couldn't believe we passed through all that.

We stayed in our classroom a little longer, taking pictures and videos with our classmates before we proceeded to go to the auditorium with the diploma in our hands. It was our last time being in there, our classroom.

There was a large balloon arch in the entrance and when we entered, seats were aligned straightly. They decorated the stage pretty well. It seemed like a paradise, full of beautiful flowers and bright lights.

We performed for the last time, dancing, singing, and last, we sang the graduation song. Our parents were there, watching us from the second floor but I couldn't spot our parents. There were too many of them that it was impossible to see your parents.

"2018년 수업, 사랑한다 [Class of 2018, I love you]," the ceremony, it ended with our principal's last words.

"선생님! (Seonsaengnim!)," I called for Teacher Jung when I saw her passing by. She is one of my favorite teachers when I was still in 11th Grade student. I've told you this before, she reminds me of my grandmother on my father's side in Busan.

"오로라씨, 졸업 축하해 [Aurora, Congratulations on your graduation]."

I bowed thanking Teacher Jung, "감사합니다 (Kamsahamnida)."

"대학에 갈 때 늦지 마라 [Don't be late when you go to college]," I laughed, remembering I was always late during my 11th Grade.

"네, 부인 [Yes, Ma'am]," I said with a small smile.

San, Seonghwa, and I, the three of us approached our old classmates, friends, our teachers and took pictures with them. I'm surely going to miss them. The time we spent together. I'll miss those.

We went outside to meet our parents. There were our families outside, standing, waiting for us.

"축하해 (Chukhahae)," my mom congratulated me while hugging me once she spotted me after giving me a bouquet of carnation flowers.

I looked behind my dad's back and there was my grandma. She came with my parents on my graduation day, "할머니 (Halmeoni)." There was a big smile plastered on her face as I was hugging her.

"주럽축하해 [Congratulation on graduating]," that was the thousand times of greetings I received that day. I could listen to those words over and over and I still wouldn't get tired hearing it.

We had lunch with everyone after that. I was sitting beside Seungmin unnie and San. Seonghwa was sitting on my opposite side. I was so happy that I ate the amount of what I usually eat. They ordered too many foods. I thought we wouldn't be able to finish them all but I was wrong. I got surprised when I saw the plates all emptied.

My high school was full of memories, both happy and sad. High school years are the best but also the worst with all the things you needed to do. But still, to my high school days, you'll be missed.

It's been 6 days after our graduation. We just got back from our three days trip to Jeju Island. We celebrated it two days after we graduated and stayed until Valentine's day with Park and Kim's family. While we were so busy talking with one another, waiting for our foods after our graduation. Little did we know, our parents were already planning for our trip.

For those three days we spent in Jeju, we climbed Hallasan. Since it is still winter, a beautiful blanket of snow-covered the mountain. We also went to visit a museum, a traditional tea house, and we explored one of the villages.

We had an amazing time in our stay in Jeju. That place has a lot of amazing places, cozy cafés, restaurants, and all the things you need to refresh. The sunsets and sunrises are the best to watch, they are mesmerizing. Because we were on a trip, I always got up early. Not trying to waste my time I spent there. It's been so long since I went to Jeju Island with my family. I want to go back again with them.