Page 31

Graduation day was a sunny and hot day in early June. Terri and I were nervously pacing the school’s gymnasium, waiting to be told to line up before we headed out into the football stadium where the ceremony would take place.

“Are your parents out there?” Terri asked me, already knowing my relationship with my parents was rocky at best.

“I don’t know,” I said, not wanting to think about it. It was depressing to think that my parents probably weren’t in the stands, despite the fact that I invited them. “Are yours?”

“Yeah. They got a hotel room last night.” Even after moving to Florida, Terri’s parents made sure to both be their when she walked across the stage and graduated.

My heart clenched at the thought. It made me upset, so I forced it from my mind. My phone pinging in the pocket of my Graduation gown, pulled me from my thoughts. I pulled out my phone and saw the notification of a text from a group chat.

Assuming it was my friends talking about our plans for dinner and dancing that, I opened the group chat only to freeze when I saw it was from Marcos, Nico, and Jason. And it wasn’t just one message; it was multiple messages. Each one of them sent me an apology after apology, and congratulations on my graduation.

Marcos:

Hey Maya, I never apologized for my actions that day back in December. I am so sorry that I hurt you and that I wasn’t the man you deserved. I’m sorry that I was petty and childish, and not able to see past my own selfish desires. You were right in everything you said to us that day. We don’t deserve you for a moment, and probably never did. I’m sorry I forced both Nico and Jason to listen to me that day and invite those women. It was my own selfishness that hurt you, and for that I’ll never forgive myself. I just want to tell you how sorry I am, and that even now, months later, I can’t stop thinking about you. Good luck today, and congratulations on graduating.

Jason:

Hey Darlin’. I know you asked us to stay away, and we have. But I wanted to apologize again and let you know I still care about you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you at all in the last six months. Good luck today. Hopefully next time you see us, you won’t completely hate us.

Nico:

Hey Little Dreamer, I just wanted to say how much I miss you, and how sorry I am that our actions drove you away from us. You deserve so much better than us. You deserve the world. I just hope that oneday you can forgive us. I’ll always miss you. Good luck today and congratulations.

I choked on a sob as I read through their messages. I tried to get myself together, as not to mess up my makeup, but it was hard. Terri took one look at my face and wrapped her arm around my shoulders. “What happened?”

I showed her the phone and let her read the messages herself.

“Well, damn.” Terri huffed out a breath and handed me back my phone. “What are you thinking?”

I shrugged a shoulder and wiped my eyes.

Terri shook her head slowly. “Maybe it’s time to forgive them?”

I jerked my head up, my mouth falling open in shock. Terri had been my biggest supporter in the last six months, but she’d also been the most vocal against me ever getting back together with either of the three men. She’d been vehemently against the veryideaof Marcos, Nico, and Jason.

“Look girl. I know things have been hard for you the last six month. Their betrayal really hit you. I’m not saying to jump back into their arms, but I guess I’m also not saying not to, either. You and Hunter broke up, and you guys were good together, but you never had that same spark, you know?”

I nodded, wiping my eyes.

“And you are about to be back in Mourningside again. It’s practically Creekton. You’ll probably run into them a lot.”

Again, all I could do was nod.

“I say give them a run for their money if they make an effort to try again.”

A whistle blew, signaling it was time to line up, saving me from answering her. There was a scurrying of activity as everyone in the gym formed our lines to walk outside. Then we were on our way, walking into the blazing sun and heat to march across the stage.

Two hours later, the ceremony was complete and I was joining my friends in a circle, knowing I didn’t have any family in the crowd. I was too happy and excited to be done with school to be upset that my parents hadn’t shown up.

“Maya!” a female voice yelled for my attention.

I whirled around to find the beaming and smiling face of my older sister, Jenna. Bright blond hair and my same curls, Jenna was as beautiful as ever. “Oh my god!” I cried and jumped at my sister, hugging her tightly. “What are you doing here?”

“You really think I’d miss my only sister’s college graduation? Are you out of your mind?” Jenna’s matter-of-fact tone was like aloe on a sunburn, healing my heart after my parent’s blatant dismissal.

“Thank you!” I cried, hugging her tightly.

When we pulled apart, both of us with tears in our eyes, I turned and introduced my big sister to my group of friends. Even Kara and Stephanie had showed up to celebrate with us, despite the fact they had moved out of the dorms the week before.