“We made it! Can you believe it?” Athena burst into the bathroom through the open door, appearing behind me in the mirror. “I can’t believe the last four years have gone by so fast.”
I paused doing my makeup to meet her eyes through the reflection. “They really have. I think I’m going to miss it. But I’m also kind of looking forward to what comes next.”
Athena reached around me to grab her own makeup bag, digging around inside it until she produced her favorite eyeshadow palette. “I’m mostly looking forward to summer. I plan to enjoy myself for a few months before getting serious again.”
I envied her ability to take the summer off before finding work. Since I got out of the facility, I’d been sending out resumes, trying to find a decent job to start after graduation.
Being in the facility had inspired me. I decided I wanted to work at such a place. Maybe not as anything as serious as a nurse or counsellor. Not yet anyway. Maybe an orderly or an intake worker. Something that allowed me to be close to those I could relate to. I wanted to make a difference.
“The party tonight should be fun.” I resumed blending the pale gold eyeshadow I wore. “I haven’t done anything like that in a long time.”
“Last big one of the year. It’s going to be a blast.” Athena squeezed in at the counter next to me, sharing the space while we both got ready.
The big grad ceremony was this afternoon. Even though I’d invited my mother, I didn’t expect her to show. She’d barely spoken to me since I walked out on her. Not once had she reached out to me about my stay in the facility. Going no contact was probably for the best.
I kept expecting to feel sad about it. I started to suspect that I’d made my peace with not having her in my life a long time ago. Like I’d always known it was coming. That was fine with me. I had my friends. I had Auryn. They were all like family to me anyway. I didn’t need someone who didn’t give a shit about me.
After some mascara and a touch of red lipstick, I was finished. My hair fell just below my shoulders. I’d done it in soft curls that bounced when I moved.
I did plan to wear the red dress that Auryn loved to the party tonight. I figured it would be fine for the ceremony too since it would be under my grad robes anyway.
When both Athena and I were ready, we waited for Auryn to pick us up. He would drive us to the ceremony where we would meet up with the rest of our friends. When he drove up in his black Porsche and got out to get my door, I had to do a double take.
With his platinum hair combed back and a white dress shirt with black pants, Auryn looked like my favorite dirty dream come to life. He was absolutely gorgeous. Breathtaking even. I had to take a moment to drink it all in.
“You clean up nice,” Athena remarked, adjusting her skirt as she got into the car.
“Thanks.” Auryn ducked his head, like he didn’t know how to respond to the compliment. “I feel like an idiot dressed like this. It’s so not me.”
“It could be though,” I said, flashing him a smile. “If you actually decide to pursue a law career, you’ll have to dress like that all the time.”
“Just another reason to stay a criminal instead,” he quipped. After closing my door, he rounded the car to the driver’s side.
I knew that he was joking, but I also knew there was an incredibly strong chance of him doing exactly that. Running this black market business with the rest of the Kings long-term.
The thought definitely scared me. I worried that something would happen to him. I didn’t want him to get hurt or end up in prison. Yet I also knew that this was part of who he was.
I wasn’t going to try to change him. Auryn would have to make his own decisions regarding his future. I knew who he was when I got into this relationship. Once upon a time, it would’ve been a dealbreaker. Now I just wanted him. No matter what that meant.
The grad ceremony was being held at a large conference center downtown. A place large enough to hold the graduating class without issue. As we approached the front entryway, there were several graduates mingling around. Smoking and talking before heading inside. Seeing everyone dressed in their robes made it all so real.
I had really done it. I was graduating.
Athena, Auryn, and I had donned our robes when we got out of the car. A nervous flutter filled my stomach. This was a big day. The odds had been stacked against me, and somehow I’d overcome. I felt giddy with the possibilities that lie ahead.
On our way inside we met up with the rest of our friend group. Athena and I took a moment to hug it out with the other girls, all of us squealing about making it to the end of this chapter in our lives. When it was time to enter the main hall, we all sat together in one of the large rows. Auryn to my left and Athena to my right.
Everything went well. We sat through a few speeches, knowing that it wouldn’t be long now. Soon we took our turns crossing the stage, accepting our diplomas. Once I had it in my hand, it all became real. Undeniable.
Then it was over. We threw our hats in the air, cheering and celebrating the end of a long four years. Four years that had shaped us in more ways than we yet realized. I had to blink back tears, wishing we had more time. A little bit longer to discover our ourselves and strengthen the bonds we’d formed.
The graduation song played as we all filed out into the large lobby. Mingling around as we congratulated one another on our success. Visiting—in some cases for the last time—with our fellow students.
Then our tears were dried and it was time to party. It didn’t take long for everyone to gather at the graveyard where the Kings did most of their business. There were more people than I’d ever seen at one of their parties. Almost like the entire graduating class had come.
As the evening went on, the party grew. Soon the graveyard was overflowing with people. Drinks were being had. The scent of marijuana filled the air. I decided that I didn’t want to drink, even though it was the party of the year. I was determined to do life with a clear head now. It felt like the right thing to do.
I still had a great time hanging out with my friends. Us girls split off from the guys, taking some time to ourselves. Congregating in a circle while we gossiped and laughed.
