Sandy’s Graduation Day
A short story by Bryan Paul
Capped and gowned, I sat in that hard plastic seat watching as all my friends went up. After years of suffering anxieties because I had an essay due in or because I had an Algebra quiz.
It was over now.
Well, I guess, not quite yet. I was kinda hoping it would be all over, but I knew it wasn’t.
How could I not know?
After I applied to almost every college you can imagine and had been accepted at a few good ones, I found the one that was right for me.
So, I’m not quite done yet.
I’ll have to do it all over again. The book reports, the long lectures, the essays, the quizzes.
(Calm down, Sandy. You should relax. You’re finally graduating.)
Oh boy.
I was sweating. It was a hot June week and we were outside in our long gowns. You wouldn’t believe how hot it was that day. It feels even hotter when you’re nervous as all hell. My ass felt like it was glued down tight to the chair.
I heard some of the names being called out.
“Bennet, Christina!”
Handshake.
Applause.
“Berry, Jefferson!”
Handshake.
Applause.
“Bingford, Cassandra!”
Little miss Cassy Bingford. Damn Show-off. She did a somersault right on the stage.
What a reaction she got. The spectators went wild.
(A perfect 10 for Cassy Bingford!)
Then came the C’s.
“Caine, Molly!”
Handshake.
Applause.
Soon I would go up there. They would hand me my diploma. I would shake their hand and that would be it. Four years later I would have to it do all over again. Then it would be all over, hopefully.
“Cline, Sandra!”
There it came. Time for my glory.
(Should I do a somersault?)
I got out of that chair. Boy was it great to finally be standing up. My legs felt kind of tingly and my pits were a little damp.
(At least my hair looks good, haha!)
I tried to look casual as I walked up, even though I felt like I was a wreck.
As I got my diploma, I heard someone shout-
“I Love you, Sandy!”
It was my little brother. It was at that moment that I thought about how much I would miss my family when I go away.
*****
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