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I didn’t graduate. Instead, I dropped out again. But I still take classes with Dr. Ann—though now she’s just Ann—but the lessons are private and at the gallery, in a studio off the back room. The pressure is finally off my shoulders, and I’m happier now. Painting and learning, but in a way that works for me.
Bennett isn’t graduating either. He changed his major and is staying an extra year. Sadie is in the same boat, taking another semester to finish out her classes.
And then there’s Holden, who can’t stop talking about how he’s going to drop out since we’re all leaving him behind (which is a blatant lie considering the two people of our group I just mentioned). He’s a dramatic friend though.
Bennett’s dad and a pretty woman who introduced herself as Alessia—a friend of Paloma’s—are both behind us, alongside Max and Anna Koteskiy with Sadie, Oliver, and Liam. Sahara and Mr. Harris are on my right, the latter with a Waterfell Wolves hockey tie.
We got here early, thankfully, and got really good seats, which means I can see them.
When the ceremony starts, I watch everyone carefully. Paloma is the first one we find, who is also seeking us out, waving to me and Bennett. Well, maybe—it’s the right general area, but it could be to anyone.
Toren is next, making my heart happy as I see him in the black cap and gown, a few colorful cords draped over his shoulders. Not nearly as many as I saw on Ro’s, but still, a good many more than some others.
It’s actually Rhys right beside him, a sight I think a lot of people around me never thought they would see. But they’re decent friends now. Sadie and Toren seem to get along a bit more, though. They talk about music a lot—but Rhys and Toren definitely have a mutual respect for each other.
And they both love two of the same things: playing hockey, and Liam Brown.
Waving probably too enthusiastically, I’m able to gain Toren’s attention and blow him a kiss like I saw Sadie send to Rhys.
Freddy and Ro come out near the end, and Freddy argues with someone right next to Ro, before Holden snickers.
Bennett rubs his hand on his head. “You have to be joking. It’s graduation.”
“What happened?” I ask.
Holden leans into my side. “Freddy is supposed to be in alphabetical order, but he’s messed everyone up because he wants to sit with his girlfriend.”
Everyone is laughing, Ro is blushing deeply while Freddy grants everyone his usual charming smirk, but the professor who is helping guide everyone looks a little pissed off.
I think it’s cute.
The ceremony drones on a little long, and I find myself growing a bit bored with some of the speeches, though the speakers seem bored giving them.
But eventually, the graduates do their walks across the stage and we clap for everyone.
As I see Toren inching closer to the stage, a memory stirs.
Our high school graduation, four years ago. I remember sitting as close to Toren as I could get. We were close alphabetically, anyway, but he’d made the two guys between us switch so we could hold hands. It was a good day because we had each other, but I remember the bad too. That we were the only ones there to clap and yell for each other, just offstage both times, but embarrassingly quiet.
Now, as they call out, “Toren Kane,” it isn’t just me who claps and yells. It’s everyone around me—and even more I don’t know.
I’m not alone in my love for Toren Kane anymore. He’s got a whole team of friends and family behind him.
• • •
“This entire spread is very impressive, Lily,” Dr. Ann says, smiling widely. “I love the inspiration behind it as well.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you need anything else before it starts?”
I shake my head, rocking on my heels. “Thanks.”
Looking over my collection again, I take in each one.
I’d spent weeks talking to the guys and the girls, asking them questions, pushing myself out of my shell. Trying to get to know them, enough that I could paint them.
In the corner, there’s a rectangular work of a girl breaching the water of a pool like a mermaid, her hair like shades of cold and pale yellow with flecking dots of white.
