String of Fate

Chapter Twenty Eight

She went quiet as I drove off, heading in the usual direction out of our driveway. I picked Shorna up and did wish that it would be possible for the string to appear between the two of us because she was such a great person and I actually wanted the two of us to be together. Sadly, it would be impossible. I mean, the two of us had long past our sixteenth birthdays and just because my parents didn't get their string until they were twenty-one didn't mean that it wasn't one time only thing. I had actually done some research and there had not been any other accounts of strings appearing between people within those age groups. It looked like my parents were the only case. I didn't even want to dream.

I left the girls to make small talk as I drove to the school, dropping Mia off at the school gates and then heading to the college car park while letting Shorna chat about things while I drove. Thankfully, it didn't take me long to find a decent parking space in the college car park.

"I can't wait until we graduate next week. We'll actually be able to have a cap and gown ceremony. You know I've always wanted one of those things. I just really hope that I don't trip whilst walking up the steps. Imagine how embarrassing that would be! It's actually going to take place on my birthday, too! It's going to be amazing!" Shorna rambled as we headed to lesson, falling into step with each other as we usually did. I couldn't help but smile as she talked.

The rest of the time completing the HND course seemed to pass quickly, not that we actually needed to be there because the assignments had all been done a few weeks ago so that we had our final grades for the course before the graduation. We really just showed up for the attendance and to just hang out together since the class had somehow turned out to be one big group of friends. It was unlikely that we would actually all hang out together once the course was over, though. The only person that I was likely to hang out with was Shorna. Most of the last lessons were spent watching videos on the projector, and none of us complained.

Finally, the day of the Graduation Ceremony, and Shorna's birthday, arrived. I was surprised by the red string on my finger when I woke up, but I hadn't planned on it appearing, so, I didn't have time to follow it. I needed to get ready for the Graduation Ceremony, which my parents would kill me if I didn't turn up on time. They had been really looking forward to it, and I wasn't about to let them down.

I got ready quickly, pulling on the suit that my mother had put on the back of my bedroom door. She'd gone all out with a full on suit jacket and tie. I couldn't wait until the ceremony was over so I could at least get the jacket and tie off. Once I was dressed, I headed down to meet everyone else in the living room, my dad in a suit and my mother and sister in some really nice dresses. Then, we all piled in the car to head to the hall at the college for the Graduation Ceremony.

When we got there, I let my parents go in and find their seats while I followed my string into the building to the room where the cap and gown company were helping the graduates to put their borrowed caps and gowns on. I was a little surprised that I had needed to follow my string into the building, and I was a bit surprised that the person would be here today. At least their birthday would be easy to remember since I always remembered Shorna's.

Where was she, anyway? I didn't see her at all while I was getting ready for the Graduation Ceremony. She hadn't been in the queue for the cap and gown, and then I hadn't seen her in there, and I hadn't been able to find her after that either.

Then, we had to go into the main hall and sit in our classes ready to be called onto the stage for our stupid handshake. I headed in and sat next to Shorna at the front of the group. We were the first class up, after all. We talked a little bit but she was way too nervous. "Happy birthday, Shorna. You're going to be fine."

"That doesn't actually make me relax, you know." She pointed out as the music started for the ceremony.

When the ceremony ended and we all headed outside for pictures, I had a picture with just my parents, then one with Mia. Shorna's mother then took a photo of the four of us for me. Then, both our mother's insisted on the two of us together. I wrapped an arm around her waist, holding my diploma in the other hand. I stood and smiled for a couple of photos. Still, I felt like I was out there for ages.

It wasn't until Shorna started walking off after the photo that I was the red string on her finger, it joining the two of us together for the rest of our lives. I couldn't help but smile and take her left hand to stop her going too far. "Shorna."

She stopped and turned to look at me, confusion on her face. Then, I glanced down at our hands, and she glanced down, too, noticing the string that joined the two of us together. Her face broke out into a big smile as she realised that we were together forever.

Then, I pulled Shorna closer to me and kissed her softly, my lips lightly brushing hers. I smiled down at her as her surprised face stared up at me. After a moment, her face also broke into a smile, and then her arms wrapped around me as she pulled me back in for a longer, deeper kiss.

It was that moment that I realised that my life was perfect.