CHAPTER SIX
CHARLIE
I woke up anxious and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because Graduation is tomorrow morning. I was planning on snuggling up with my favorite fuzzy blanket in my favorite comfy sweats and watching The Bachelor, and chowing down on some popcorn and Almond Joys tonight to relax, but Dom and a few buddies from his dorm decided to host a grad party tonight, so now I have to make an appearance at that.
It took me all day to figure out what I'll be wearing tonight. I don’t want to be too cold, but I don’t want to bundle up like an eskimo either. It’s May, so it’s hot, but Chicago at night can be bitterly cold. The wind eats through my cardigans but a fleece jacket is too warm.
We’ll be playing some Ultimate Frisbee and there will of course be beer kegs, so I decided on a pair of black fleece-lined leggings, a black t-shirt, paired with a dark green polo sweater and a black infinity scarf. I’m definitely going to wear a thicker pair of socks with my sneakers, because if my feet are cold, my whole body is cold.
When I texted Dom about the event earlier, I made it very clear that the only reason I would be going is because he asked me to.
After getting dressed, I make my way down campus and though I’m still a few blocks away, I can hear the music blaring a heavy base and the sound of college co-ed shenanigans. I roll my eyes and brace myself for the disaster that is about to take place tonight. I promised myself and Dom that I would stay for at least an hour to prove that I could. After that though, I am going back to my room to pack.
I walk up to some guy and grab a red-solo-cup, that I will not be drinking out of, but I will act like I am to fool everyone around me. I’ve never been much of a drinker. I have nothing against alcohol, it’s just never been my thing. Plus all those videos about how to protect your drink from being spiked scared me shitless before I even left for college, so I figure better safe than sorry.
I start to look through the crowd for Dominic who is nowhere in sight which is weird because this was his stupid idea. I wander around and look for a familiar face and head for a table I see out of the corner of my eye that has some snacks. I wait around for a few more minutes chatting with random people, then text Dom trying to figure out where the hell he is.
Charlotte: Dom, where are you? I swear if you aren’t here in five minutes, I’m leaving.
He usually responds quickly. I keep walking and mingling around the crowd so I don’t look as awkward as I feel. It kind of sucks that I didn’t make many friends while at college, but I was so focused on my dream that Dom is all I had time for. Plus taking time to research what happened to Yuri and his family. I make it back to the snack table right as I get a ping notification on my phone. I sigh and grab it from my back pocket.
Dominic: Sorry! Dad called, there’s an emergency with some big new deal at work. Be down soon.
Charlotte: I’m only giving you another five minutes before I am going back to my dorm Dom. I don’t want to be down here by myself all night.
Dominic: I’m sorry, C.C. Be down ASAP!
I roll my eyes and set a timer because I’m not kidding. I am not staying here any longer than I have to, and heaven knows how long his dad will have him on that call. I can only imagine how long he has already been held hostage by that conversation.
The music for my timer goes off and I send Dom a quick text.
Charlotte: I’m heading back. I’m not sitting out here alone. I can’t believe you right now! I’d rather be doing literally anything but sit here awkwardly waiting for you. See you tomorrow...
As soon as the text goes through, I start walking back to my dorm. I hate it when plans don’t go how they’re supposed to. Especially when they weren’t my idea in the first place.
I walk quickly because I still have some time to cuddle on my couch and watch The Bachelor. I get that he is going to be working with his dad after college, but I find it odd that he couldn’t come hang out tonight. It’s not like he is going to be able to help much.
I mean he’s just getting out of college, how much help can he really be? Maybe I’m just being petty and selfish, but with tonight being our last night before graduation, I thought we’d get to spend it together.
I reach my dorm building quickly and decide that maybe this is for the best. I’ll see Dom tomorrow, he’ll apologize, and all will be well again.
I’m tossing and turning in bed, sleep eluding me. Then, I startle awake to the deafening sound of my alarm going off on my phone. “Yes, Yes, I know! Now, shut up,” I tell my alarm like it has a mind of its own. I swear sometimes it goes off on purpose just to make me mad. I roll over and hit snooze.
I stay in bed with my eyes closed for a few extra minutes before slowly getting out of bed and taking a shower to get ready for graduation. I do a quick hair touch up and apply a natural layer of makeup. I don’t want to go overboard. I’m just happy this day is finally here.
I grab the green dress that I have out just for this occasion because even though I will be wearing an awful graduation robe I know mom will be taking a thousand pictures and I want to look at least halfway decent in them. I am almost ready when I hear a knock on my door. As I open the door, I’m rushed by my mother who is laugh-crying and squeezing me so hard I can barely breathe!
“My baby is a college graduate!” she squeals
“Oh! Goodness mom, if you squeeze any harder you’re going to collapse a lung,” I laugh and hug her back.
“Are you ready for breakfast?” Mom asks, “I can’t wait to see you cross that stage with your diploma!”
“I’m ready. Where’s dad?” I ask looking around her just in case he planned to pop out and jump-scare me.
“He’s waiting for us in the car. It was difficult to find parking, so he’s sitting down there with his hazards on.”
“Ok. We should go then. I don’t want him to get a ticket,” I say as we make our way out the door.
After breakfast, mom and dad drop me off at the Arena and I head over to the spot where we all line up. I gave my parents a quick hug before they went to park the car. Once I get to my spot, I can see them making their way inside to find their seats. There are so many people here it’s insane, but the one person I wish was here, isn’t. I run my hand through my hair and smooth out my gray gown as we start making our way inside.
I look around for my parents. It takes me a few minutes to find them, but once I make it to my seat, I can see them. Mom is already crying. Scanning the crowd, I take in all the different sights and sounds. There are younger siblings fighting and a mom tossing an iPad at one child while making another kid sit on her other side. I chuckle thinking about what life might have been like if I’d had a sibling.
I continue to browse while the Master of Ceremonies welcomes everyone and introduces our “inspirational” speaker. As I look toward the middle of one section, I have to do a double take. Is that? No, it can’t be. I shut my eyes tight and take a deep breath. Opening my eyes, I take a tentative look back to the section and I see a man who looks so familiar. I know I haven’t seen Yuri since we were kids, but this guy could honestly be his twin. Could that actually be him?
“I swear I am losing my mind,” I say under my breath as I try to focus on the speaker, but can’t help to look back where I just say Yuri’s doppelganger. Nothing. I look around a bit more hoping to lay my eyes on the stranger again but can't seem to find him. I take a deep breath to steady my now frantic heart rate and try not to swivel my head around like a chaotic toddler.
I take a moment to find my parents again. Making eye contact with my mom and giving her a small smile. They’re close to where I’m sitting which means they will get a good shot of me walking across that stage. As an only child they are way more excited about this day than I am, but at least I have them here, right? I sigh and try to focus on all the speeches and not look all over the area for the stranger that is making me wonder if I saw him or just imagined the whole thing. That dream is really messing with my head. I take one last look around before giving up and just think to myself:
I really wish Yuri was here…