I walked up to the podium when they called my name and got my degree, a chorus of cheers about halfway through the crowds of people caused several to turn their heads while I laughed to myself. The rest of the ceremony passed by in a blur and I was soon moving through the crowds, trying to find my brother and friends.
“Yo! Andy!”
I turned around and saw Dillon leaning against one of the tents for the food. I ran over and gave him a hug before asking him where everyone else was.
“Um, they’re just over here, you’re still short so I’m a have to show you.”
I followed him excitedly, ignoring the short comment, and soon found my brother standing with the rest of the band. I watched as my brother covered his ears, anticipating the loud scream I was about to let out, and slowly walked over to me. When he reached me he gripped me in a tight hug.
“I’ve missed you Andy. How have you been?”
“J, I talked to you a week ago.”
“I know but I haven’t seen you in four years.”
“True dat!” Matt piped up, mouth full of food.
“Yeah, and you’ve just answered the why part.”
It went the same way with the rest of the guys until I noticed the missing person and my heart leapt into my throat. I was scared to ask why he wasn’t there. Something told me that I wasn’t going to like the answer.
“Jorel, where’s Aron?”
I turned to see the guys with sad looks on their faces and Jordan came over and gripped my shoulders from behind.
“Jorel! Where is Aron?” I asked again.
“Andy, I’m sorry, we came home about six months ago to find him on the couch with some old high school friend of his. I’m sorry Andy… they’re pretty serious…”
I put my hand up to make him stop. Although I wasn’t left feeling numb like the last time, I just felt angry. I had waited for him. I’d met loads of hot guys during my time at college but I just told them that I was in a relationship.
“Can we just go back to the hotel now?”
“Yeah, we’re leaving tomorrow and we’re driving so charge your iPod. Okay? Andy, please don’t block us out this time.”
I looked into Matt’s eyes and saw nothing but concern. I nodded my head and gave him a hug.
***********************************HU******************************
Around half an hour later we finally got back to the hotel and I just went to lie down on the couch, I didn’t want to talk to anyone right now.
“Jorel, are you just going to let her retreat into herself again?”
“No Matt, but just give her a couple of days to let her calm down. Okay?”
