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My ass is sore from sitting in the hard bleachers of the auditorium for the last three hours after the entire graduating class of spring twenty twenty-five walk across the stage, but it was worth the wait to see Elise in her gold-and-blue cap and gown, accepting the diploma she’s worked so hard for.

Though she did try to convince me that neither of us had to come since she had no plans on using her degree. Obviously, I wasn’t going to let that slide.

As the families pile out of the auditorium in search of their students, Coach stands and faces me with an inscrutable expression on his face. “You want to grab dinner with us?”

I shake my head, waving off the suggestion.

It’s actually a miracle he accepted my explanation that I felt I needed to be here for all of the girls on the team.

The glances he shot me when Elise was on stage, or when I obnoxiously cheered for her but was slightly quieter for Letty, Adhira, and Chelsea, make me think we might not be fooling him either.

“Oh, no, I don’t want to impose. I’m just here to, to uh, show my support for the Blaze.”

He smirks, giving me a small nod as he assesses me, a breath stuck in my lungs as I wait for his response. “Those girls must’ve made quite an impact on you, considering you hadn’t even wanted the position a few months ago.”

“Yeah, you could say that.”

“Alright, then, have a good night,” he says, heading out to the parking lot, where Elise is now hauling ass in her tiny black heels toward his coup.

Mi Vida

Thanks for coming today.

I meant it when I said I wouldn’t miss it. Proud of you, mi vida.

Mi Vida

Our flight is at six tomorrow, right?

Yep, I’ll pick you up at four.

Mi Vida

Can’t wait. Goodnight 3

Goodnight 3