Page 199 of Treacherous

My heels click along the stage, as I walk towards the Dean to collect my diploma. College has been a wild ride for me, yet I’m still here, graduating with my best friend and boyfriend.

Jaz and Jayden are back in the crowd–they were two of the first people on the stage, clapping for me.

My parents and sister next to them, along with Ashley and George Allen, who have become second parental figures to me. I couldn’t imagine celebrating the end of this chapter with anyone else.

I shake Dean Adams hand, before exiting the stage and making my way back to my seat.

The ceremony continued for another thirty minutes, which I’m thankful for because I was beginning to be bored out of my mind.

“We will see you all for dinner tonight, right?” Ashley asks.

Everyone nods, waving goodbye to our parents. I look at all my friends, who are laughing and chatting amongst themselves.

My thoughts turn bittersweet. After today, most of us are going our separate ways.

Jaz and Theo are moving to San Francisco after Theo was drafted to the NFL team there. I’m excited for Jaz though, because she is beginning her dream job with Cooper and Byrd–a company focused on the effects mental health and injuries have on athletes.

Austin was also drafted to an NFL team, with him and Athena moving to Philadelphia. Athena was brimming with joy when she told us her next book had been sent to her publisher, while Sofia is moving the furthest away, earning a job with Cassidy Emeralds in Chicago.

Colton and Cami are remaining in Arizona, along with my younger hockey teammates who still have a couple years before they finish their degrees.

College has been a treacherous journey, but it has taught me lessons along the way. All I know is my future is fucking bright and I can’t wait to see what it holds.