The day finally came, today was my graduation. Although I was happy for myself that I got to graduate, I was also pretty nervous.

What if no college accepted me? What would I do then? My mom would be so disappointed. I don't want to disappoint her.

As I'm sitting here with my other classmates,I can't help but think of the future. I had no idea what I wanted to do or what I should do. I just know I didn't want to disappoint anyone with my decisions.

I look around the crowd of families and loved ones but I couldn't find the two people I was looking for. I waved at my dad who sat in the front row, he's my number one supporter. He wanted to get here early so that he'd have the perfect seat to watch.

He gives me a genuine smile and waves back. I look around at the people but my mom wasn't among any of them. Maybe she was stuck in traffic. Or maybe the twins were throwing tantrums again and she was busy calming them down. I hope one of those reasons were true.

But I knew I was just making excuses for her. I look around for the other person who I looked forward to being here. There was no sign of him either.

I sigh in disappointment as I turn around. I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up, especially with my mom but I really thought that maybe she would show up. I don't maybe I'm just holding on to false hope.

I did think at least Heath would show up. I guess I shouldn't be too upset about it, they didn't have to come anyway. Once the principal was done giving his speech, one of the teachers finally called my row as we got ready to walk the stage.

I was behind some guy as I waited for my name to be called. I patiently wait my turn and applaud at the other students whose turn it was to walk the stage.

"Thalia Kennedy" I hear my name being called and I bite my lip as I walk across the stage for my diploma.

I suddenly hear a cheer and look into the crowd to see my dad in the audience. He was the only one standing up in a seated crowd as he clapped his hands and cheered for me.

"That's my daughter!" He shouts and I laugh at him. I wasn't embarrassed at all, I was happy that I had someone to even do that for me.

I shake the principals hand and once again look out onto the crowd. Someone catches my attention and I stop walking. Heath.

He did come after all.

I make eye contact with him and he gives me a sly smirk as he participates in the applause with my dad. I smile and walk off the stage, taking a seat where I was before.

My mood slightly bettered at the sight of him. He does care, he showed up. I couldn't help the smile that crept up on my face.

I forced myself to sit still through the rest of the ceremony and cheered extra hard for Lola and Mateo. Eventually the principal gives another speech and tells us to switch the string thingy of our caps to the our side, whatever this means.

The crowd applauded and cheered at our final moments as graduates and soon enough everyone separated their own ways to their families. I rush over to my dad and hugged him, feeling a little emotional.

"I'm proud of you, kid." He says as he hugs me tight. I hug him extra tightly because I was in my feelings.

"Thank you dad, I love you." I smile at him as I let go and he smiles back.

"I love you too. I want you to know that I'm so so proud of you, and I'm sorry your mother wasn't here. She missed out on one amazing kid." He puts his hands on my shoulders and I nod, hearing him out.

After speaking with my dad, I made my way over to Heath who leaned against the fence as he watched the families interact.

He looks at me as I walk up to him but doesn't say anything. I couldn't help myself and lean in to give him a hug as well. I needed some really good hugs today.

"Hi" I said, looking up at him. I gave him a soft smile and he relaxed into my hug, finally hugging me back.

"hi." He says back and his arms wrap around my waist. He surprises me when he nuzzles his head into my neck, hugging me tight.

This was new.

"I missed you." He blurted out and I back away from his hug. Watching as he stumbles to stand on his own.

"I missed you too" I admit and watch him, his eyes were squinting and he looked like he was having trouble walking.

"Are you drunk?" I ask softly, holding his hand to keep him steady.

"What? No. I don't know." He nods and shakes his head at the same time. That alone told me that he was.

"Are you still mad at me?" I question and he immediately shakes his head no.

"No, No. I wasn't mad at you-" He shakes his head and reaches for my face.

"I'm, Im sorry" He apologized and I take his hands away from my face, reaching for his hand instead.

"It's okay. Are you feeling better?" I ask, trying to make him relax. I could feel him shaking just by holding his hand.

"I don't know." His words sound mumbly as he speaks and I wonder why he was drunk.

"Are you mad at me for yelling at you? I didn't mean to hurt you, I was just mad. Please don't be mad." He leans forward and reaches for my face again.

I could tell he meant what he said and he looked sorry. I was never mad at him. I guess I just want to understand why he got mad.

"I'm not mad at you, Heath." I shake my head and he nods.

"Promise?" He says gently and holds up his pinky. I smile at him, he remembers that.

"I promise." I nod and connect my pink with his.

"I don't want you to ever be mad at me." He whispers and leans in to kiss me but I push him away only because he was still drunk.

"And I don't want you to ever be mad at me either." I replied and he takes a deep breath, shaking his head.

"I won't " He stumbles and I wrap my arm around his waist to walk with him.

"Thalia, there you are. Oh, Hi Heath." Lola waves at him.

"Hey Lola, I think I'm just going to spend time with him today, is that alright?" I ask because I knew we made plans for after.

"Yeah that's fine. I was just going to tell you the same thing, my grandparents flew in from Miami and I want to make the most of it. I'll talk to you later. Bye guys." She smiles as she leaves.

I walk over to my dad and sigh, hoping this approach went well. Here goes nothing.

"Hi, dad" I greet and he glances at Heath who I was still holding on to.

This wasn't the best way to introduce Heath to my dad but I gotta do what I gotta do.

"Thalia Blaine Kennedy , who is this?" He asks and I quickly put Heaths arm around my shoulder.

"Oh this? This is just my pen pall, he flew in all the way from Canada. Can you believe it?" I joke and giggle.

Heath clears his throat and tries to stand on his own but still has trouble with that. I hold onto his hand to keep him grounded.

"No, I'm not." He says and I shake my head at him for ruining the joke.

"Anyway, Can you give us a ride dad?" I ask because I wasn't about to let Heath drive right now.

"First of all how old is this guy? And secondly where?" Dad looks Heath up and down.

"He's 53 and a ride to his house." I answer smartly and dad averts his eyes back to me.

"Why are you going to his house?" He questions and I shake my head.

"I'm not, I just want to drop him off." I explain and Heath tenses before leaning down to my ear.

"No. I want to take you somewhere" He whispers and I think about it for a second before agreeing.

"Are you sure you're in the right mindset to be going out right now?" I raise a brow because he could barely walk straight. He just nods and I give in.

"Never mind his house. Tell him where you want to go." I gesture over to my dad and Heath walks towards him telling him.

"Alright let's go. I really didn't think you had other friends. Especially ones that look like that." Dad says once he's closer to me and winks.

I look Heath over and of course he looks as good as always, expect a little messier. And he was never messy. I wonder what he's been doing the last couple of weeks. Is that a leaf in his hair?

"You have something in your hair" I poke him and he leans down for me to reach his head, I take out the small leaf, wondering how it got there.

"Let's go this way." Heath walks towards the other exit and I look at what he was walking away from.

Just the security man and other people leaving, nothing bad. Nonetheless we follow him and dad eventually drives us to wherever Heath requested.

I figured he would just come back for his car after. I get into the car with Heath following behind.

I took off my cap and gown showing off the white dress I had underneath it. I lean my head on Heaths shoulder and wait as we arrive to wherever he was taking me.

I'm glad he showed up for me.

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A/N

Thanks for reading

Hope u enjoyed ☺️

7/24/22