Fresh graduate

FRESH GRADUATE

I scramble out of bed, clutching the sheets to my chest. My legs feel weak as I reach for my uniform crumpled near the door.

The sound of running water startles me. My heart jumps to my throat.

Someone’s in the bathroom.

I freeze, panic surging through me. He’s still here.

Quickly, I grab my clothes, fumbling to get dressed. My hands shake as I pull on my uniform, tucking in the wrinkled shirt, trying not to make a sound.

I’m almost at the door when it opens.

He steps out, a towel wrapped low around his waist, droplets of water sliding down his chest. His eyes widen slightly when he sees me.

“Wait—” he starts.

But I cut him off before he can finish. “Don’t. You don’t have to say anything.”

He looks confused. I keep going, my voice sharp and trembling. “No strings attached. No names. And I don’t ever want to see you again.”

Something flickers in his gaze, like surprise, or offense.

“You asked for it,” he says finally, his tone cold but steady. “And I don’t want anyone twisting this into something it’s not. I have a reputation to protect.”

His words hit harder than I expect. A reputation? Who even is this man?

I swallow hard and force a small, shaky smile. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me. Even though…” I hesitate, “I don’t even know who you are.”

He watches me for a long second, then turns to the dresser and picks up his wallet. “Take this,” he says, offering me money.

I stare at it — then back at him.

“No,” I snap, anger burning through my embarrassment. “I’m not for sale.”

His brows lift slightly, but he doesn’t say a word.

“Enjoy your perfect life,” I mutter, storming out. The door slams behind me with a loud, bang, that echoes down the hall.

I hurry down the long corridor, keeping my head low and my steps quiet. My heart won’t stop racing. I just need to get out, before anyone sees me.

The elevator feels too slow, so I take the stairs, clutching my bag to my chest. My uniform is wrinkled, my hair a mess, but I don’t care.

When I reach the lobby, I glance around. Almost safe.

“Melissa?”

I freeze.

It’s Eva, one of my colleagues, staring at me with a confused look. “Why are you still here? I thought your shift ended last night.”

My stomach knots, but I force a weak smile. “Uh, yeah. I… I fell asleep in the staff quarters.”

She tilts her head, clearly unconvinced. “You look… tired. Are you sure you’re okay?”

I let out a shaky laugh and nod quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… need some air.”

She opens her mouth to say something else, but I cut her off before she can dig further. “Listen, Eva, I’m really late. I’ll see you later, okay?”

Without waiting for her reply, I rush past, my heels clicking against the marble floor.

Outside, the cool morning breeze hits my face, and I finally breathe again. I wrap my arms around myself as if it could hold me together.

Everything from last night feels like a bad dream — except it’s not.

I glance back at the grand hotel, the sunlight glinting off its golden crest at the top.

…the golden crest at the top, House of Drakonis.

The sight makes my stomach twist. That name sounds familiar, like something I’ve heard before in passing, but my mind is too foggy to think.

I shake my head, trying to push the thought away. “Forget it,” I whisper to myself.

Pulling my jacket tighter, I walk faster toward the bus stop, blending into the crowd of early commuters. Every step feels heavy, my body aching and my mind spinning with guilt and confusion.

Last night was a mistake, a huge one.

And whatever happened in that room… stays there.

***************

I stumble into my apartment, my head pounding and my stomach in knots. The moment I close the door behind me, the familiar scent of vanilla candles and coffee fills the air, comforting, but it only makes the guilt sting sharper.

“Where the hell were you?” Mia’s voice hits me before I can even take another step.

She’s standing by the couch, her eyes wide with worry and confusion. “You didn’t come back last night. I called, like, ten times.”

I can’t look at her. My throat tightens as my bag slips from my shoulder to the floor. “I—” My voice cracks. “I messed up, Mia. I messed up big time.”

Her expression softens immediately, worry deepening. She walks closer. “What happened?”

Tears burn behind my eyes. I press my palms against my forehead, shaking my head. “I can’t— I don’t even know how to start. It’s just… bad.”

She places a hand on my arm. “Hey, it’s me. Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

Her calm tone breaks me. The shame, the recklessness, it all comes crashing down. I sink onto the couch, my hands trembling. “I got drunk,” I whisper, staring at the floor. “And I… I hooked up with a total stranger.”

Silence. Just the soft hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. When I finally glance up, Mia’s eyes are wide, but not judging, just shocked, processing.

“Oh fuck!,” she breathes out, then quickly sits beside me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. “Hey, it’s okay. We all make stupid decisions sometimes.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s not okay. I don’t even remember everything, Mia. I feel sick just thinking about it.”

She pulls back slightly, brushing away a tear from my cheek. “Then don’t think about it right now. You need to rest.”

“But we have our last lecture today—”

She cuts me off gently, smiling. “Forget the lecture. You’ve got excellent attendance, and Professor Grey barely takes roll calls anyway. Take a shower, sleep it off. You look like you’ve been through hell.”

I nod weakly, too exhausted to argue. As I drag myself toward the bathroom, the weight of last night still presses on my chest, heavy, suffocating. I turn the shower on, hoping the water can wash away at least a little of the regret clinging to me.

**********************************************

Three weeks have passed since that night, since I quit my job at the hotel and swore to bury the memory somewhere deep, where it can’t reach me again.

Today, though, is different. Today is *mine.*

The sun is bright and golden over the university courtyard, the air filled with laughter, camera flashes, and the rustle of graduation gowns.

I adjust my cap, trying to keep the tassel from poking my eye, and for the first time in a long while, I let myself smile, really smile.

My parents are beaming with pride, my brother waving from behind his phone as he records everything. Mia’s beside me, squealing as we toss our caps in the air.

The sound of our cheers echoes like freedom itself.

“Finally! We are graduates!” Mia laughs, pulling me into a hug.

“I can’t believe it either,” I say, breathless with happiness. “After everything…”

She squeezes my hand. “We earned this, babe. We really did.”

The celebration rolls on, photos, food, laughter. For a moment, I forget all the chaos that led me here. I forget the guilt, the fear, the sleepless nights.

Until I see him.