He’s fussing with his robes and graduation cap, his curls making it fall lopsided anytime he moves.
“To graduation? No way.”
“Here, let me,” I say, taking over adjusting his cap and using one of my spare pins to keep it in place—curly hair problems and all that.
“Thanks,” he says, “we really did it, Beth.”
“Yeah we did.”
“I just wish I knew what was next for me,” he says, his gaze lowering to the floor.
Ever since he’s been home, he’s been like a ghost of his former self. I was without Angel for a week, and I barely coped, I don’t know how Donovan is still getting up every day.
“The future will sort itself out,” I say, “for now, all we need to worry about is not face-planting on the stage when we get our diplomas, then surviving a club BBQ with both Sofía and Miguel in tow.”
“Oh my god,” he groans, “please don’t, I swear I’ve had anxiety dreams about both of those things.”
“What, you don’t think Miguel and Walrus are gonna become best buds? He might invite Walrus to join him for a round of golf.”
“Christ, can you imagine?” He smiles and shakes his head.
I know it didn’t fix anything, but at least I’ve made him smile, which is something.
“Come on, they’re calling us to our seats.”
I link my arm with his as we make our way over, before giving him a kiss on the cheek as we separate to find our places.
“Elizabeth Reilly.”
The President of the university calls my name and an usher directs me to the stairs. When I walk across the stage I’m met with the second loudest set of cheers we’ve heard all day—the loudest being for Donovan. I guess we’re the only people that have a motorcycle club rooting for them in the audience.
I look out over the sea of people and my eyes instantly connect with Angel, the look on his face full of pride and genuine happiness. Even from here I can also see the tears in Sofía’s eyes as she claps along with Miguel; while Tank, Pretty Boy, and Slim, all holler and stamp their feet. I give them a wave as I collect my diploma and make my way off the stage; my cheeks sore from smiling so much.
I’d always imagined going through this alone, with no one here to witness my achievement. Instead, I’ve got both a real family and a found family, all of whom would be willingto do anything to help me, and what’s even better is that I trust them enough to let them.
Angel finally convinced me to quit my job at the diner, which I did, on the condition that my position was given to Señor Perez. Brian wasn’t thrilled at the idea, but when Angel and I visited a few nights ago it all seemed to be going well. I won’t lie and say I miss it, because I don’t, but I’m grateful for my time there. It helped me survive, and my wages made a dent in my parent’s medical bills.
I’ll be able to continue paying them off with the money I’ll earn as a TA while I study for my master’s and get my teaching qualifications. I loved studying literature and creative writing, but I know now that what I really want to do is teach. Agreeing to let Angel support me financially while I do wasn’t an easy decision, but what can I say, he’s stubborn.
As the ceremony comes to a close, I rush to greet them all, running into Angel’s arms… yeah, I’m that girl now.
“I’m so proud of you,” he murmurs against my neck as we wrap ourselves around each other.
“Thanks,” I say, giving him a chaste kiss on the lips, still wary about showing too much intimacy in front of his mom and Miguel.
“Congratulations, mija,” Sofía says, after she’s finished hugging Donovan.
“Thank you,” I say, and I grin as she pulls me into one of her mom hugs.
It takes Donovan and I some time to hug everyone, not only the guys from the club but our college friends as well, before I manage to escape and return to Angel.
“Take me home, please?” I ask, reaching my arms around his neck and standing on tiptoes to kiss him properly.
“Anything for you, princess.”
Diablo
I’m sitting on the sofa in our new apartment, waiting for Elizabeth to finish getting ready. She’s done an amazing job on this place; it’s a converted loft, and she’s kept the distressed brick walls and painted the others slate gray to match my old room at the clubhouse.
