The Brightest Stars

Julia

Today is the day to graduate for several of my friends. It was supposed to be my day, but I prefer to stay as a junior so my dad doesn't use me.

And I'm staying for Diego, too.

The day of Senior Ditch Day when the cops came, he held my hand and guided me to his car. We raced out without thinking twice. We forgot our anger. Our arguments. It all faded away with a single touch of his hand...

Then we stopped near a parking lot where the local library stood. He parked the car and we stayed silent as we awkwardly exchanged looks. We would look at each other's eyes and then look away quickly.

That was the perfect moment to talk out our differences. I tried. I really did. We both started to look at each other and it was as if we were ready to speak up at the same time. But the moment our eyes did not look away, all that came out was laughter. We started repeating the scene we were just in while laughing together.

Once we finally calmed down, we stayed silent but smiles were on our lips. He was the first to start the reconciliation. I insisted that this was all my fault but he shook his head; making his curls bounce. After a chuckle of peace knowing that we were okay, there was that moment where we should have closed the distance. Our lips urged to meet, but Diego then moved the handle to drive and took me out to eat at a surprisingly good taco place. Who would have known that street food can actually be better than the rich meals I tend to eat?

Now I look at myself in the mirror. I told my parents about graduation night and they shrugged at me. They don't insist with James anymore since my father sent his men to teach his father "a lesson." Either James or his father must've ended up with a black eye for not agreeing to join my father's business.

I put on a bit more of lip gloss and fix my hair with the image of Diego's smile. I'm almost as happy as a graduate should feel knowing that Diego will not be uncomfortable with me anymore.

I look back at my door when I hear it open. A young woman smiles at me. She's the replacement for Ophelia. My heart turns heavy at the thought that I might never see her again as the young woman asks if I need anything. I shake my head with a small smile and she quietly steps out. With a sad sigh, I put my things away and make my way down the large stairs.

It's quiet today. I tend to hear my father on the phone or my mother saying commands to her maids. Today, it is completely silent. I stop in the middle of my mansion and wonder if I could ever become into the woman they see in me. I've tried. I really tried to see that woman every time I look in the mirror, but it also results in looking and running away from that mirror. I have all the talents that a business person should have, I just don't have their arrogance.

Maybe next time...I'll try to be that. After saying goodbye to the group of friends I've never had before. After saying goodbye to Skyler. To Diego...... All for their sake.

I drive in my old car and park among the so many cars. Families and students in red cap and gowns stand in line to get in their seats. My eyes catch a handsome curly-haired boy in line with his family. I quickly walk up to them and his eyes shine at my arrival.

"Julia!" Hannah says with a wide smile. "I'm so happy to see you again!"

I give her a tight hug and run a loving hand through her little baby's hair. "I'm happy to see you all, too! Hi Zack."

He shakes my hand and nods. "Hi Julia. Great seeing you again."

I smile at Diego and he gives me a blushy smile that makes him look down. A young woman runs towards us and does a sigh of relief. A young man about the same age as her calmly comes over with his hands shoved in the pockets of his suit pants.