28
It’s finally here, the day I graduate from college. It’s been two years that felt like four, but tonight it happens.
I walk downstairs and to the kitchen, where I find my mom making Dad his breakfast.
“Good morning,” I say after I kiss Mom on her cheek.
“Good morning, Jaden. I’m making oatmeal for your dad. What would you like on this special day?” She stirs the pot on the stove. The aroma of cinnamon and apples fills the air.
“I’ll have what Dad’s having. It smells delicious.” I reach into the cabinet that holds the coffee mugs. Pulling one down, I check to see if both Mom and Dad each have coffee already. Seeing as they do, I pour myself a cup and join my dad at the round kitchen table.
“Morning, son. I hear today is your big day.” He turns and faces me, his arms laying on the table.
“We’re very proud of you.” He pats my hand, then takes a sip of his coffee.
“Yes, we are,” Mom says as she places a bowl down in front of me and one in front of Dad. She shoulder hugs me and presses her cheek to mine. I pat her hand.
“Thanks Dad. Mom. I’m excited about tonight. You’ll be there, right?” I look at Mom, then at Dad.
“Of course we will.” Mom sits down with us, sipping on her coffee.
“Your dad will take an afternoon nap, so he’ll be good to go for tonight’s ceremony.”
I look at my dad and see him eating his oatmeal. His eyes shift to me, and he nods. The table is small and we’re sitting close, so he nudges me with his elbow and winks.
My heart fills with warmth, knowing my parents and Blaire will be there for me. I can’t wait to graduate and go get my girl.
Sitting in the crowd with my fellow graduates, I glance around the spacious auditorium, searching for where the faculty is seated. There she is–my future, Blaire Turner. She’s dressed in a white silk blouse and blue slacks with blue flats. I shift in my seat when her eyes meet mine. My damn cock throbs when she smiles at me. If only I could sweep her off of her feet in this moment and take her away, but I have to get through commencement ceremonies, then nothing will stop me from going to her.
I’m brought back to reality when Mr. Coble takes the podium and announces, “Welcome graduates, alumni, faculty, family, and friends to the 2024 Mid Florida College graduation ceremony.” He waves his arms wide open over the massive crowd.
“Let’s all give our graduates a round of applause.” He steps back and to the side of the podium, clapping his hands.
Moving back behind the podium, Mr. Coble begins his speech.
“To the class of 2024. Congratulations to each one of you. Your next step is the beginning of the rest of your life. Makes these degrees you’ve earned work for you to the fullest. Make your dreams come true.” A roar of applause comes from the student section.
He continues, “I won’t go on and on. Let me introduce the class of 2024 salutatorian, Miss Candace Dormand.” Mr. Coble claps as Candace stands and walks over to the podium.
She nods and smiles, shaking his hand. Placing her handful of papers on the platform before her. She bends the microphone down and waves to the student body.
“Hi everyone, and welcome to our graduation day. It took us all a lot of hard work. Study teams, coffee, and good partners in some classes to reach our final goals.” Her gaze catches mine and she smiles wide.
As Candace continues with her speech, I think of how I can let her down gently. I tried to talk to her several times. Always being honest with her about only wanting to be friends. I was sure she finally understood that my heart belonged to someone else. I hope not seeing me in class anymore will help her move on with her life.
Applause brings me back to the event of the day as I watch Candace take her seat on the stage next to Jonathon Riley.
Mr. Coble comes back to center stage.
“Thank you, Miss Dormand.” He nods Candace’s way, and she smiles.
“And now for your class valedictorian, Jonathon Riley.” Mr. Coble claps his hands, and the audience follows his lead.
Jonathon ambles across the stage, carrying a notebook. I sigh, knowing his speech will be long. He’s the most animated classmate I’ve ever met. We had two classes together, Business and Accounting. He always shared a daily joke with me. To say I’m surprised he’s our class valedictorian is an understatement. But I’m fucking proud of him. He’s a good guy and someone perfect for Candace.
“Is this thing on?” Jonathon taps the mic and laughs, causing laughter to come from the audience.
“Welcome everyone,” he calls out and pumps his fists.
“We’re finally done with college. Now comes the real world and a huge dose of reality.” His cheeks puff out when he lets out a long breath and swipes his forehead. More laughter ensues, then he presses the air with his hands to quiet the crows.
Once the hall is silent again, Jonathon stands tall and says, “Congratulations class of 2024. We did it!” He closes his notebook and begins to walk away from the podium. After he’s four steps away, he turns and rushes back.
“Did you think I was done speaking?” he asks with a grin.
“Sit back and relax, folks.” He opens his notebook again and begins his speech.
“As I was saying, congrats y’all! I’ve been here for four years, and I know some have only been here two.” He glances toward me. How he found me in the group of students is beyond me.
I only needed to take two years of college since I came in with two years of college courses I’d finished in high school, giving me my associate’s degree in business. I zone out the rest of Jonathon’s speech and find Blaire in the faculty section.
Our eyes meet after several minutes of me staring at her. She smiles and tugs on her earlobe. I drift off, dreaming of my future with her by my side, as my wife.
I don’t know how long I’d been off in my fantasy, but the extreme hoots and hollers from the student body brought me back to the ceremony.
Mr. Coble walks toward Jonathan and shakes his hand, then pats him on the shoulder as he walks back to his seat beside Candace. I watch as he touches her hand lying in her lap. I let out a sigh of relief, hoping they may be seeing each other.
“It’s time for our students to receive their diplomas. Please come up onto the stage when your name is called.” Mr. Coble begins to announce the names beginning with Carla Adams. She stands and walks up the few steps and to the center of the stage.
I fiddle with my graduation gown and the tassel on my cap. It takes several minutes to get to the L’s, then finally I hear Mr. Coble call me, “Mister Jaden Michael Lugo.”
I stand and look at my parents first. Mom dabs her eyes with a tissue and Dad gives me a thumbs up. I wave to them, then catch Blaire’s gaze. She smiles wide. My body warms with intense heat as I make my way up the steps and over to Mr. Coble.
He hands me my diploma and shakes my hand.
“Congratulations, Jaden,” he says.
“Thank you, sir.” I want to run to Blaire and sweep her off her feet, but I control myself and take the walk to the other side of the stage and down the steps. I return to my seat and watch the rest of the graduates receive their diplomas.
After the graduation ceremony ends, I find Mom and Dad still in their seats. I wave as I walk toward them.
Mom stands and waves back. She nudges Dad, and he slowly stands next to her, using his cane to steady himself.
“Congratulations, Jaden.” Mom’s arms embrace me tightly, patting my back.
“Thanks, Mom.” I glance at Dad. “Are you okay, Dad?”
“Yes, son. I’m good. Congratulations. I’m proud of you.” Dad takes my hand in his and squeezes it.
“Thank you, Dad.” I shoulder hug him, then we all walk toward the exit.
After dropping my parents off at the house, I drive back to the university. I’m on a mission and I won’t fail.
Parking my car in the student lot, I get out and scan the area. No cars at all. I stand tall and take long strides back onto the college campus I just graduated from. I check the corridor leading to Blaire’s classroom. It’s deserted. Relieved, I head toward her door.
I draw in a deep breath and stare through the window of her classroom door. There she is. The most beautiful woman my eyes have ever gazed upon.
Her blonde hair falls perfectly on her shoulders, spreading across her white silk blouse as she checks through the final papers. Every day I was in her class, I’ve wanted to run my fingers through it to feel the softness again since our last secret getaway.
My heart hammers in my chest, my cheeks ache from smiling so wide. I grip the doorknob to turn it when suddenly my stomach flutters, my knees buckle. The last two weeks of class were nearly impossible to get through as I sat staring at her. I tried to hide my obvious love for her, but I couldn’t. I barely paid attention to anyone else around me. Blaire is my perfect match. I can’t wait to share a kitchen with her, making all her favorite dishes and surprising her with a few of my own. I want to share it all with her and no one else.
Before entering the classroom, I glance to my right, then to my left to make sure the hallway is still deserted. I quietly open the door to Blaire’s classroom.