Loved But Broken

Chapter 18 Graduation and moving forward

The days all passed by in a blur and before I knew it was getting ready for my final graduation. I had achieved what I set out to do. I had finished all my final exams Year 12 was completed. Now it was a waiting game for my results to come back. I was currently sitting in the hair salon, my hair was getting styled, it had grown so long over the last two years it was trimmed a little and was currently being curled and placed into a royal ball appeal. My golden locks styled to sit comfortably on top of my head like a crown. I had subtle curls lying down along the side of my face, my fringe was straightened slightly to one side, I had a silver tiara with diamonds sparkling through it that was to be placed at the front of my hair when it was all finished.

Leaving the hair salon after being there for three hours I was truly feeling like a princess. Mrs Landon was there waiting to take me home. Anyone who asked her she introduced me has her foster daughter, I was graciously welcomed into her family. Everyone instantly fell in love me. I truly felt like I was home for the first time since coming back from Townsville. William still kept in touch with me. We called each other at least once a week he recently moved back too. We see each other every now and then. I was finally able to open up about our loss. Peter was there the day we talked about it.

I was now currently on my way to one of Mrs Landons’ friends who was going to apply my make up professionally. I was quite good at driving now too. In small trips I was able to change the gears in the little Hyundai Excel and was able to start and stop on hills without stalling it or rolling. This was the one night that was truly magical all about us few students that had made it the whole way through with success. I was still unsure of where to next.

Looking into the mirror a couple of hours later, I barely recognised the young woman looking back at me. My eyes had natural eyeshadow applied my sea green eyes simply popped, my lashes appeared longer with the mascara applied to them, my eyes were defined with eye liner, my cheeks were rosy from the subtle blush applied. I looked so much older than I was smiling I thanked the lady paid her for her job with a tip because she had done such a marvellous job, I could never have achieved what she had in only two hours it would have taken me a whole day. Returning home with the car it was time to finish getting ready, my dress was hanging in a garment bag in my wardrobe. Pulling it out it looked simply stunning, peacock blue, with a variety of sparkling gems through the bodice, the spaghetti strap criss-crossed half way down the back, it flowed gently to the floor covering my long thin legs, it zipped up along my side, my hips were defined in it, the skirt flowed outwards and down to the floor, my push up bra was held in place with double side tape and a thin clear strap was holding it in place.

My silver heels had diamonds running along the toes and along the strap near my ankles. When I was finished, I stood in front of the mirror and I truly did look like Cinderella when she was off to the ball. My fairy godmother came in the form of Mrs Landon, I truly would not be here today if it wasn’t for her. I would be sad to leave when the time came. I was more than welcome to stay until my HSC results came back and then things would be relooked at. I couldn’t help but wonder what if things had of turned out different. I wouldn’t be standing here today, not alone anyway. My mind drifted often back to my baby that never made it. Someday I would have to move on but I will never forget my bumblebee.

Leaving my room that night my foster family that I had grown to love were all waiting for me. We had to leave soon to make it out to the school and the hall that had been decorated to honour us. Being a small school, we celebrated with Year 10 students that were graduating into the senior years. Everyone was paired up with someone. Us year 12’s being only women were the last to enter after the Year 10’s had been seated. We entered through a silver arch decorated in white and purple flowers, our families were already all seated, even though I did not speak to my real family that much they had been invited, Mum had finally woken up to all the actions that Dad has caused it is amazing what a wakeup call can make when you take away the blinders. She had moved away about six months ago but was back to witness the achievements that her only daughter had made.

The dining tables were covered with silver table cloths and confetti was splattered over them. It looked magical the way a boring hall went from simple to fit for princess and princes for one night. Punch jugs were filled and placed on each table. Fresh strawberries and some had orange slices thinly chopped placed in them. Every person in the room turned their head as our names were announced. There was a not a dry eye in the room that night all the parents had tears seeing how well we had all succeeded. Taking our places at our table’s dinner was announced that it would be arriving shortly. We all chatted among ourselves taking photos together and enjoying everything that was given to us.

By the time dinner arrived we had all taken pictures together, commented on each other’s gowns and hairs. We all looked so much older than what we were. It seemed like yesterday that we only just starting school together. Now here we were celebrating the end of an era. When my meal arrived, I marvelled at the display it was chicken Kiev with steamed vegetables and gravy each item had its own place on the silver porcelain plate with gold trimmings. Other people had roast lamb with steamed vegetables. The chef did a lovely job, we ate until we so stuffed, we felt like we couldn’t fit anything else in.

Not that long after dinner was finished one of the many teachers announced that they would be giving out the graduation gifts to the students and then there would be the cutting of the cakes. I was so nervous waiting for the night to end when my name was called, I slowly walked up to the stage trying not to trip in my heels. I was never great when it came to wearing high heels, I tried to avoid wearing them like the plague. Everyone was looking my way smiles could be seen across all their faces and in the corner, I could see my real mother she did not seem very happy to be here at all for this. I didn’t let it worry me I received my gift a small pin with the school logo on it to remember the years I had spent it here. Thanking Mr Day, I turned and headed back to my seat.

Not long after I was called up to receive my gift, we were all sitting talking amongst each other before the cutting of our cake. I’m not much of a sweet’s person but as soon as I took a bite of the cake my mouth watered. It was cooked to perfection, fluffy, chocolate and vanilla layered with butter cream icing. Someday I hope to be able to bake something as delicious as this.

Later that night as we were leaving the hall for the planned after party, we didn’t have much planned just a few more pints of punch and movie night. We were driven back into town where our night was truly just beginning, Phoebe, Kat and I took random photos in the main street re-enacting The Beatles cover where it looks like, they are walking across a zebra crossing, followed by photos under a twenty percent off alcohol sign at the local Woolworths. The night was one of the best I had in a very long time. My mind often drifted off to the times I would goof around with William, my smiles lighting up my entire being and the familiar glow of that happiness could be seen tonight.

Never did I think that my time, and decision to leave Townsville behind would be one that defined the strength of the woman I was now becoming. Looking at my reflection in the windows of the closed stores late at night was enough to barely recognise the person looking back at me. My hair was still styled perfectly, I truly did look like a fairy tale princess. Just like a princess gets her happy ever after I hope that someday I would get mine. When we arrived back home the girls and I proceeded to find as many movies as we could to watch during the rest of the night. We changed out of ball gowns into casual pyjamas, set up the lounge area so we didn’t wake any of the younger kids, Mrs Landon stayed up with us for a little while longer. The proudness she showed all of us that night resonated off her for weeks to follow.