It's finally graduation day! Today is the day that Bri, Cam, and Bari are going to walk across the stage. All three individuals were ranked in the top ten of their class. Jabari was number one, Cam was two and Brielle was number four. The news was very shocking to Bri, she knew that boys were smart but not that damn smart. Jabari was valedictorian and Cam was salutatorian. Once they received their emails, they both immediately started on their speeches with the help of Bri.

Cameron is officially out of his cast and in a boot. He starts PT after Christmas. Only thing that didn't heal as fast his leg was his wrist, he still had the cast on that.

Brielle's house was currently chaotic. Once her family was aware that she was graduating early and not coming to Christmas dinner, they all made their way to Texas. Brielle's house was full of cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. They all wanted to head to the arena together. Bri was currently upstairs with her sisters and Cam. They had to be at the arena by ten and it was a little bit after seven.

"Kai! Keria! Come zip me up please! Somebody." Brielle hollered as she shimmied into her dress. It was a short white long sleeved ruffled dress with a overlap in the front, covered by a big bow.

Kai walked into the room and shook her head at her sister. She eased behind her and pulled the zipper up. Kai pulled at the bottom of the dress but it wouldn't go no where. Both of the sisters laugh as Bri swatted her hand at Kai. "Girl you know it's not coming down no further. Can you grabbed them nude pumps out of my closet from the top shelf?"

"The red bottoms?" Kai asked as she walked in to the closet.

"Yes." Bri pulled her robe on and walked towards the bathroom door—knocking on it. "Baby! Are you decent?"

"Yes!" Cam yelled from the bathroom.

Bri turned the knob and walked in. She looked at Cameron and licked her lips. He was standing at the sink in a wifebeater and his Calvin Klein briefs. He had a fresh cut and a crisp line around his beard. He sported a new pair of diamond earrings—courtesy of his girlfriend. He also had his signature gold chains around his neck, with his new addition being Bri's name and his two nose rings on both sides of his nose. Bri walked over and rubbed her hand across his print and gripped it in her hand. Cameron hissed, grabbing her wrist quickly.

He looked down in her face. "What you doing mama?"

Bri laughed lightly batting her eyes. "Nothing."

Cameron shook his head and chuckled. "Girl move around before you start something. Pass me my pants why you over here feeling on me. Nasty self."

"You like my nasty self." Brielle said as she walked away to retrieve his suit.

"I sure do." He gripped her neck and she stuck her tongue out causing Cam to bust out laughing. "Gir—get away from me."

Brielle shook her head as she unzipped his garment bag. She pulled the pants from the hanger. Cam limped towards the bench that Bri had sitting in the bathroom. He took a seat and removed his boot. Bri passed Cam his pants and he unbuttoned them sliding his legs in. Once he stood up, Bri handed him his dress shirt and he slid his arms through. Cam buttoned the shirt and tucked it inside his suit pants. After he did that, Brielle walked in front of him and wrapped the matching tie around his neck and assembled it. Bri made sure it was secure and not too tight. She pulled his chains out of his shirt fixing them. "Come on and let's go out of here."

Bri grabbed his hand and pulled him along. Cam sat on the edge of the bed and pulled his boot back on his leg. He adjusted it and strapped it back. Bri pulled his khaki suede shoe from the box and placed it at his foot without the boot. Cam slipped his foot in and stood up walking towards the mirrored dresser. He pulled his suit jacket on and buttoned the two buttons.

"Oop! I'm sced, so sced." Keria said as she walked in the room. Cam dusted his shoulders off and laughed doing the bankhead bounce. He was sporting a one piece maroon Armani suit.

"Come on Bri, let me take your pins out." Kai called out to her sister. Bri walked over and sat in the chair. Kai was working on her hair and Keria was messing around with her face. Bri had a twenty-eight inch unit in her head with a middle part—courtesy of her sister, Kailani. It was jet black.

It was now nine twenty-five and Bri was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. She slipped her crossed pendant around her neck, her diamond studded earrings that blinds you once you step into the light and a gold bangle onto her wrist.

"Come on baby we can't be late." Can stressed as he sat seated on the edge of the bed.

"Okay baby. Have you seen my duffle?" Bri asked as she sprayed herself with her Chanel Number nine.

"Your sisters has it. They got our clothes and everything. We really need to go mama." Cameron stood up.

"Ok ok." Bri grabbed the keys, graduation tickets and hightailed it out of the room with Cameron behind her. Once Bri made it downstairs, she eased off the last step and looked around.

"Y'all was waiting on us?" Bri asked as she grabbed the cords, caps, and gowns from the back of the couch.

"Yes!" Everybody shouted and she jumped back frowning.

"Excuse me then. Daddy here's the tickets. See y'all in a minute."

Cameron shook his head ass he walked behind Brielle out of the garage door. Bri tapped the garage opener and unlocked Cam's range. Cam climbed in as Bri placed her pumps along with the caps and gowns in the backseat. She climbed in the front and pushed the start button and pulled out of the garage. She shook her head at the three sprinters along of her driveway. She drove down and sped off taking a right.

Bri glanced at Cam. "Who phone?"

"Mine." Cam reached into his pocket and pulled it out shaking his head. He swiped the bar over and placed it on speaker. "Yes Jabari?"

"Where the fuck y'all asses at?"

Cameron licked his lips and shook his head. "Speeding down the interstate. Y'all done started lining up yet?"

Jabari smacked his lips. "I bet y'all gonna be late to y'all own wedding. A fucking shame and we're about to start."

"Here we come. See you in a minute." Cameron hung up the phone and sat in his lap. He looked over and Bri and shook his head. "Damn girl. You look good! I just might have to take that dress off you."

Bri glanced over at him and smirked. "Yea? I like the sound of that."

Cam shook his head placing his hand on her thigh rubbing it up and down it. Bri shook her head and weaver in and out of track. Finally making it to the exit, she pulled off and zoomed through the light. Bri made it to the school exactly at nine fifty. She pulled through the gate and zoomed the parking lot.

"Damn girl. I think I got whiplash." Cameron spoke as he rubbed his neck.

Bri laughed. "I'm sorry baby." She whipped through the school. Finally making it to the arena parking lot. She parked and killed the engine. She pulled down the visor and checked her face and hair. Once she felt like she was fine, she opened the door and stepped out. Cameron got out and walked around to her side. He pulled the backdoor open and grabbed her pumps. Bri kicked her left slide off and slide her foot into the nude Pigalle Christian Louboutin pump. She repeated the same step for her right foot. Cam picked her slides up and threw them in the backseat. He grabbed her grown and helped her slide it on. He zipped it up and placed her six cords around her neck including her high honors and HBCU stoles. The gold and blue cords are representing magna cum laude. Green was for her major. The brown represented her minor and the red was for ranking in the top five. The last one was for being in the Lamda Pi honor society. Cam placed her decorated cap on her head that said I'm done with this Biology BS. DSU 2020."

Bri grabbed Cam's gown pulled it on him zipping it up. He had three stoles, a medal and seven cords that represented: his ranking, one for being salutatorian, two for being summa cum laude, one for his major, one for his minor, and the last cord represented being in the honor society. His stoles simply represented being an student athlete, HBCU grad and his high honors sash. Bri pulled his decorated cap on his head. It read architecture in 3D form with 3D designed models.

"You know." Bri pulled at his cap and made sure it was straight, she looked up in his face. "I always thought I was going to graduate alone. They say you meet the love of your life in college and I was getting worried that I wouldn't meet mine. I like love and the thought of being in love. I would waste my time talking to guys that weren't for me. So, I said I was going to quit looking and let it find me. I would have never thought that I'll being graduating with my significant other."

Cameron licked his lips. "What are you trying to say Alaya?"

"I love you Amari and I'm loving you more and more every day. These four months have been the best four months of my life and I wouldn't trade them for nothing in the world."

Cameron reached up and gripped her face in both hands—being careful of her makeup. He rubbed his thumb over her bottom lip and smiled. "I cant even kiss you like I want because of your make-up but Alaya, I love you too. Thank you for trusting and allowing me to do so. Gir— you better not cry."

Brielle laughed and fanned her eyes. Cameron shook his head and locked the range. He slid the keys in his pocket and grabbed Bri's hand.

They made it inside the arena and walked off to their designated position. They didn't do a week of rehearsals for nothing. They lined up and stood in line for about ten minutes until they heard the music start. The graduates marched in and all you heard was hoots and hollers. Once they made it to their seat, they stood until the last line came in. Once everybody was seated the opening invocation was given and the president of the college took the stand.

"Goodmorning fellow bulldogs, alumni, parents, family, and friends. We are gathered here today to celebrate the class of 2020. As we begin the commencement ceremony, we will have a word from our Salutatorian, Cameron Hayes." Hoots and hollers from his family, Bri's family and the football team was unmatched. Cameron shook his head as he made his way up the stairs of the stage. He stood and the podium and survived the arena until his eyes landed on Bri, he winked and she blushed.

"Good morning classmates, administration, and professors. First, I would like to thank all of you, the professors, friends and family, for being in attendance this morning. You all have had a outstanding impact on today's graduating class, and I feel that it is safe to say that I speak on behalf of the whole graduating class of 2020, in thanking you all for your support and love that you have invested in us to this day.

When I received the email from administration informing me that I was this years salutatorian, a ton of thoughts immediately started flowing through my mind. As I was writing my speech, I thought am I going to reflect on memories that are important to me? How about significant events for the entire school? What message should I give out? Will I faint or just be loss for words, because I didn't think I had it in me to deliver this speech today.

My main goal was to create a speech that was completely different. I did not want to bore anyone or put anybody to sleep with the traditional "your journey ends here, but a new one begins" format, but instead excitement and new insight about this monumental day. However, it is more so about your accomplishments and the best way for me to craft inspiration and knowledge into you all.

Today is no small feat. It perhaps is the most significant and life altering achievement most of you can claim to this day. Never hesitate to recognize how proud each and every person here today is for you to complete such a difficult task. I will conclude my speech with a favorite quote of mine from the lovely Serena Williams, "A champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall." Thank you again to all administration, family, and friends for your contributions. Greatly appreciated! Congratulations, Class of 2020. I wish you all the best of luck. Thank you."

The president made her way back to the podium. "We will now have a selection from the school's choir."

After the choir song Oh Happy Day, it was now the Valedictorian's turn to speak. "We will now have a word from Jabari White, our valedictorian."

Jabari made his way up the stairs and to the podium. He smiled. "How y'all doing? First, we have much to be thankful for. Here at Dallas State University we have received a great education thanks to our fine administration and professors. We are prepared to move on and to take on whatever challenges come next in our lives. Fellow graduates, I want you to know what a great gift it is to be as prepared as we are, because not all schools offer such an advantage. Here we have had a high degree of academic excellence and whether you intend to continue your education or not, you will benefit from what you learned here.

We can also be thankful for our families. These past four years have presented us with a lot of ups and downs and it is good to know that we had our families in our corner, supporting us along the way. Thanks Mom and Dad. I would not be here today without you. Finally, we can be thankful for each other. The friendships that we have made here will last a lifetime. In the same way we have supported each other and helped each other succeed in these years at DSU. I hope we will continue to provide support and encouragement for each other in future endeavors.

Now, what can we be inspired by today? Personally, I am inspired by our classmate, my bestfriend, Cameron Hayes who has overcome so much adversity to be here graduating today. Cameron, you have been tenacious and have had such a great attitude in the face of so many setbacks. Whenever I get a little down about something that didn't turn out just the way I wanted it to, I remember some of the talks we have had and it gives me the perspective I need. Thank you for that, congratulations, and all the best!

Often on graduation day we look outside for heroes but I see them right here among us. I have seen in my years at DSU that we don't have to look far for inspiration and that we each have the potential to make an inspiring contribution to others, by being true to our values and committing ourselves to lofty goals. When you leave here today, celebrate what you have accomplished, but look forward with an eye toward how you, too, can be the inspiration for others. Congratulations Class of 2020, from your Valedictorian, Jabari White."

Applause and screaming was heard throughout the arena has Jabari made his way back to his seat. It was now time for the presentation of graduates. Starting with letter A. They were calling the names out fast. We were now at the letter H. "Cameron Hayes, Bachelors of Art in Architectural Engineering."

"WOOOOO! THATS MY BABY!" Bri jumped and hollered.

"I SEE YOU BOY! That's my son!" Cameron parents yelled as he walked across the stage. "I see you binky!"

Cam walked across the stage and received his diploma covering with the right hand and shook hands with the college president with the right hand again, being that his left hand was covered in a cast. He paused and took a picture with the president. He waved and made his way back to his seat. After the many H last names, it was now time for the letter J. They zoomed through the Js and finally. "Brielle Jones, Bachelors of Science in Biology."

"You better walk girl!"

"I see you baby!"

"Let's gooo muffin!"

"THATS MY SISTER!"

Bri's family made a bunch of noise as she walked across the stage and took the diploma covering with with her left hand and shook hands with the college president with the right hand—pausing to take a picture. She waved and smiled to the crowd making her way back to her seat. The rest of graduation was honestly a drag. The Jones, Hayes, and White family were waiting on Jabari.

Finally made it towards the end of the alphabets. "Jabari White, Bachelors of Science in Biology."

"LETS GO BOY!"

"I see you Bari!"

"WOOOO!"

Jabari being the goofy person he is, he pimped walked across the stage. He laughed and grabbed the diploma covering, shook the president's hand, paused for a picture and jumped off stage. The arena went into a uproar! Applause and screams was all you heard. Cameron shook his head at his bestfriend. Bari eventually made it back to his seat and the commencement service continued.

It was now the end of the ceremony. There was a total of four hundred graduates. The keynote speaker spoke and concluded the ceremony with his speech. "Congratulations Class of 2020! You may now stand and move your tassels. I wish you all the best and luck! Now go be great!"

The graduates threw their caps up and screamed. Bri picked her cap up and made her way out of the arena. She figured Cam and Bari would stop and take a few pictures with their teammates—she didn't want to intrude. Pushing through people and waving as she walked through. Bri finally made it outside. She held her hand up blocking her face from the sun and looked for her family. She nodded her head once she saw her tall father over looking everyone.

"Hey family!" She eased her way up and everybody turned around.

"Stop playing with my sister! Her price just went up! Here you muffin." Keria placed a money lei around her neck.

"Oop! There goes the graduate! Let me get some pictures miss degreed!" Kai said as she lifted up her Nikon camera that was hanging around her neck. Bri removed her gown and left her cords around her neck. She stepped back and held up her diploma in the front of her stomach—showing all thirty two. Kai took at least twenty pictures. She looked over Bri's shoulder and shook her head. Cameron and Jabari were approaching. They held their fingers up against their lips—signal Kai to be quiet. They wrapped their arms around Bri and Kailani snapped the picture.

"Congratulations you three!" Ashley pulled them into a hug while crying, which caused Dakari to shake his head.