The Protection

Forty-Eight

The sky was cloudless and the sun was abusive, scorching down on me, mocking me, as I sat in the white plastic lawn chair. The ugly navy gown felt like a plastic trash bag holding in the heat, and I fanned myself with my flimsy program. Kyler smiled at me from his post to the right of the bleachers. He looked gorgeous. His slim fitting black suit and bright blue tie were impeccable, and his golden hair was combed straight back. He looked like he was straight out of a Calvin Klein ad. I tried my best to smile, but my stomach would not settle.  

My gut screamed something was wrong. I glanced frantically around the football field relieved to find everyone was sitting serenely, fanning themselves while Beth gave a rousing commencement speech. I was still mystified that Chancellor Stevens had crowned her the valedictorian of our class. She rarely studied, she was always running around with a variety of men, and she was usually out all hours of the night, but still, here she stood. Looking as strong and capable as ever. Maybe Chancellor Stevens was yet another member of Beth's personal fan club. My petty mind ventured. I gazed toward the balding overweight man behind her, with the perpetual look that something sharp was shoved directly up his ass, and thought better of the Beth, Chancellor Stevens, and his wife love triangle.

The overwhelming dread tore into my stomach again, harder, and I doubled over, clenching my stomach through the blue gown, turning to stare at Ben for the third time. He was very much alive, but I couldn't help but feel as if he was on edge. His large hands gripped the fabric of his dark blue graduation gown, and he scowled as we made eye contact.

I turned back to watch Beth as she won over the crowd, meriting laughter and scattered applause by her appropriate, yet slightly naughty humor.

"After all these years, years filled with victories and defeats, with patience and understanding and perseverance, we made it through. So, where do we go from here? After the classes are over and reality sets in, I urge us all to set our sights on the future. A future that will be full of passion and success and one where we will be the best and brightest versions of ourselves. One where we will be victorious at any cost. We will not give up. We will be cutthroat, and we won't stop until we get what we deserve, because with a Dallas Christian University education, we are more than ready. We are prepared for anything. We are prepared for the real world and whatever punches it may throw our way. Congratulations to us all, and now I think it's time that we say... let's party!" Beth received a rousing round of applause, perhaps the loudest that had ever occurred on this small campus.

I laughed and breathed a little easier. Surely, I was being paranoid. I only graduated college once and should be present for the festivities. I should enjoy this moment and look forward to my new job as a Protector. I would be protecting people like me from the wolves of the world, from the Peters who lurked in the dark spaces awaiting their prey. I swallowed at the thought. The dread swirled in my veins again. I glanced at my watch: 1:45pm. Probably only a half hour more until my name was called, I would walk across the stage, and everything would be over.