Graduation

Hours later, everyone was assembled in the school auditorium for the graduation ceremony. The graduates were up on stage while the guests took up the rest of the room. It was mostly silent as the names were called out, then a short round of applause as the student got up to go and pick up their diploma.

Since we were arranged alphabetically by surname, I wasn’t sitting with Liam or any of my friends. I only vaguely knew the people I sat with, but none of it mattered because very few of us even bothered with talking. We all had the same objective, after all; to get through graduation as quickly as possible. Even for those that hadn't exactly hated high school, we were all relieved to have it over with.

Finally, it came to my name. I got up from my seat nervously and made my way to the stage and to the podium. It was a pretty short walk, but the whole room was quiet at that time, and I was the center of attention, so I worried.

All sorts of things went through my mind, then. I could hav