One night changed everything. How it was possible I don’t know but it has. I’m not blind by the life he leads, yet he’s the one I think about every second of every day. He’s the one I crave when he’s not around. His touch is the only contact I could survive on for the rest of my life. I finally understand Clare’s absence since she met Tariq. I could quite happily be sucked into Darius’s life and not care for anyone else. Even though I know it’s not right, and life isn’t all about one person, the addiction to him is overpowering and most of the time it’s an addiction I don’t care to get better from. He has stayed over every night my dad is away and I go to his on nights my dad is home, telling him I’m staying over at Clare’s.
As I stand in line to receive my diploma, I don’t have the same anxiety about my future as I did before. Darius is pulling my world into focus and while I still don’t know what I want to do in life, I do know having Darius at my side, nothing is impossible.
I don’t want to say life is perfect but it’s pretty damn close. Clare’s name is called up to the stage and Tariq claps the loudest and puts his fingers to his mouth to let out the loudest whistleI’ve ever heard. Mr. Burley scowls in his direction and my father watches the two. I was shocked to see Tariq here today, I’m starting to believe he likes her a lot more than I first judged.
Darius isn’t here. I didn’t expect him to be. Tariq falls back in his seat and kicks his foot up on the chair in front of him. He’s really not helping himself where Mr. Burley is concerned, but Clare waves her diploma, beaming a huge smile his way instead of her father’s.
It’s not long before my name is called and I step onto the stage, shaking Mr. Diplo’s hand, hearing my dad in the crowd. Having my diploma as I leave the stage has me smiling because it means this part of my life is done.
I take my seat and listen to the rest of Diplo’s speech and do the whole tossing my cap in the air along with my classmates before Clare seeks me out and throws her arms around me.
“We’re finally free!”
Laughing, I hug her tightly and a sombre wave of finality washes over me. It’s fleeting but leaves a mark in the back of my mind.
“Come on, our dads are waiting,” I say.
My dad is the first to see us coming, Mr. Burley is more interested in keeping his eye on Tariq lingering close by. Dad comes toward me, collecting me in his arms.
“I’m so proud of you, Amelia.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He pulls away but keeps one arm around my shoulders. He turns to Clare in between her father and Tariq.
“Congratulations, Clare.”
She smiles and then my dad backs up as Mr. Burley grabs Clare’s arm.
“Tell your friend to leave, or I will.”
“Hey, get your fucking hand off of her,” Tariq hollers slithering closer to them like a snake about to strike its prey.
“Clare,” her dad warns but she shrugs his hand off and steps closer to Tariq. He’s quick to put his arm around her waist.
“Come on, sweetheart, let’s leave them to their business.”
I have no choice but to listen to my father and we head for his car.
“I thought we could go for something to eat, celebrate before you no doubt have parties to go to?”
“Sounds good, Dad.”
Once I have my belt on, he hands me a gift box.
“Just a little something to say how proud of you I am.”
Opening it, a diamond necklace rests against the velvet cushion, and I hug my dad.
“It’s beautiful, thank you.”
Turning the engine on, he asks, “Where do you want to eat?”
“I’m not fussed.”
I fasten the necklace around my neck and check it out in the mirror. It’s beautiful.
“I’m sorry your mom wasn’t here.”
