Bittersweet

"Yeah me too, I'm not going to risk falling on stage" I say.

"Me neither man, I'm just going to wear a simple skater dress" April says.

"Yeah I'm doing the same" I agree.

"What time do we have to be there again?" April asks.

"It starts at seven so we have to be there at six."

"God it's going to be so boring, I just want to throw the damn hat"

"That's like the only thing I'm looking forward to" I groan.

"I have to go, I guess I'll see you tomorrow" April says.

"Alright bye" I say and wait for her to hang up.

Tomorrow is convocation, meaning Austin's last day. He hasn't said a word to me since his intoxicated state a few nights ago. I don't even know if he'll show up to convocation. All I know is that it's his last day and I'm feeling more sick as the hour passes. I want to see him one last time, but if he's not there tomorrow then it will be clear to me that he's gone, and it wasn't meant to be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Caitlyn are you ready?" My mom asks knocking on my door.

"Almost, come in" I call out. My mom slowly opens the door and walks in. She is wearing a black elegant dress that ended just at her knees. Her hair was loosely curled and fell around her face perfectly. She looked me admiringly.

"You look great mom" I smile.

"Thank you" She smiles. "You look great too" She says standing behind me and looking at me in the mirror.

"I love the dress, thank you" I say smoothing out the maroon skater dress she bought me.

"Oh I'm so excited to see you in your robe and hat" She gushes squeezing my arms.

"I'm excited too"

"We should get going though, its almost six" my mom says giving me a pat of the back. I nod my head and walk out behind her.

"You look great peanut" My dad says we reach downstairs.

"Thank you" I smile.

"Oh awkward, I was talking to your mother" He jokes around. I shake my head giving him a little slap on the arm.

"Come here" Rachel says walking up to me and pulling me into a hug. "So proud of you" Rachel murmurs pulling away.

"Thank you" I smile.

"Let's get this show on the road" My dad says leading us out of the house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My heart beat quickens as I step out of the car. This is really happening. I'm graduating.

We step into the big building and hear peoples happy chatters. There are parents, siblings, friends all walking around smiling and taking pictures.

"I'll see you guys soon" I tell my Rachel and my family before heading downstairs where all the students are supposed to meet.

I walk down stairs to see some kids already walking around in their robes and hats. My heart beats in my chest as my mind wanders off to Austin. I hope he's here.

"Cate!" I see April running over to me in her robe and her hat in hand. I meet her halfway and we pull each other into a hug.

"You look great" I tell her pulling away.

"So do you" she smiles. "Let's go get your robe and hat!" She says taking my hand and directing me towards a line.

"Is everyone else here?" I ask looking around. Mainly for Austin.