Half Blood Revenge

Graduate

My dreams were anything but sweet. I am usually not a vivid dreamer, but my dream was so STRANGE! It started off in the woods. I didn’t recognize anything around me. I was trying to figure out where I was, so I started using the stars to find constellations to determine north, south, east and west.

Another strange thing was that I had a backpack and bow and arrows. In the backpack was a map, a small wooden flute like instrument, fruit, water, and change of clothes. I was trying to find something, but in the dream I couldn’t see the map clearly. I also had this weird feeling of confidence and strength in my dream. These are things that I am not, so I knew I must be dreaming.

As I am walking, holding onto the map, I hear a branch snap behind me. Next thing I know, Alexander Cirillo is running towards me, screaming to run. As he gets closer, he grabs onto my arms and pulls me with him. I am not sure what we are running from. I turn back to look, and see a Cyclops chasing us.

I wake up, panting. “What was that?” I ask myself. I go into the bathroom, splash water on my face and head downstairs for some warm milk. I look at the clock and it is 3:30am. I drink the milk and head back to bed.

I toss and turn unable to fall back asleep. So many questions are running through my head. Why was Alex in my dream? Probably because he ran me over like a freight train today. But why did I have those items in my backpack in the dream? The clothes and food make sense but why an instrument?

Finally, around 5:00am (I think), I fall back asleep. That didn’t last long because my alarm goes off at 6:00am to wake up. My mind still in a haze, I head to the bathroom and shower. I finish up, dry my hair and get dressed. I am not dealing with my hair today, so I throw it up into a messy bun. It’s warm out today, so I grab shorts, t-shirt and head downstairs.

Mom is waiting for me and greets me with a “Good Morning.” Still in my tired stage, I moan and head over to the coffee pot. Mom started letting me drink coffee this year and man I need it today!

“What’s wrong honey? Didn’t you sleep well?” she asks.

I tell her about my dream and I actually can feel a sense of concern come from her. I am not sure why, it was just a dream, right?

She was asking for specific details about my dream, which she never really did before. Saved by Sophie she comes running in to grab me for school. Today is actually a half day, as the last day of school. I grab my breakfast and bookbag and head out the door.

As soon as we reach Sophie’s car, she screams with excitement, scaring the crap out of me. “What’s wrong with you?” I tease her, laughing.

“It’s your last day of highschool….. EVER!” She shouts and gives me a huge hug. She hands me a small bag and tells me she couldn’t wait until official graduation or my birthday to give it to me. I open the bag and inside is a box.

Sophie is always so thoughtful. I open the box and find a gold necklace with a Lyre attached to it. 

“It’s so beautiful!” I cry.

“Since I consider you the goddess of music, I thought it fitting to get you the symbol of the god of music,” Sophie explains.

I am overwhelmed with emotions that I actually have tears coming down my face. Sophie pulls me in for another big hug. I take out the necklace and put it on. It looks even better than I could imagine and it goes with my outfit perfectly today.

We head off to school and the day passes by without any difference from any other day. I am thrilled to be officially done with school. I don’t have to go through moving around anymore and switching schools because I am officially done!

I met Sophia and Max at the car and we head home.

It’s Friday night, but as my life is always boring, I won’t be doing anything. Mom and I plan to go out to dinner and talk about graduation that will take place in the morning. She lets me know that my “Aunt” Shelly is coming too. She is driving in tonight from NYC and should be here before 9pm. I love my Aunt Shelly. Although she is not my aunt through blood, she treats me like I am. She calls me frequently and is like a sister to my mom.

We enjoy dinner and wait at home for Shelly to arrive. We chat until about 11pm and my mom scoots me off to bed to be rested for graduation tomorrow.

I wake up in the morning around 8:00am. It is nice to sleep-in! Graduation starts at 11:00am, so I go down to hear Aunt Shelly and my mom whispering. They must have heard me coming as they great me and begin to cheer. Mom tells Alexa to play “Pomp and Circumstance” which is the typical American graduation song. I giggle, receive my big hugs and we all enjoy breakfast. At 9am, I head up to shower and get dressed. My Aunt Shelly offered to do my hair and make-up. Mom has surprised me with a new dress and heels for graduation. I also put on the necklace that Sophie gave me yesterday.

My moms sees the necklace and admires it and tells me it is fitting. She rubs her fingers across it and I find her lost in her thoughts. I hug her and bring her back to reality and ask to take a look at the finished product.

I don’t even recognize the girl in the mirror. She looks strong and confident, but underneath it is still underwhelming me. I put on a big smile for mom and Aunt Shelly and they begin to cry which I tell them to stop or I will cry and ruin my make-up. This makes us all start to laugh and lighten the mood.

We leave around 10:15 to get to the school at 10:30. I head off to join the other kids while they go to find a seat in the stands. Our graduation is outdoors at our football field. I meet with Abby and Lily and we all talk about how good we all look.

To my surprise Alex walks by and gives me a compliment as well. I wish he would have realized I was alive more than 1 day before graduation. 

Sophie and Max are on the other side of the fence and I can hear them yelling. I run over to get hugs from them and tell them where my parents went to sit.

“Girl, why have you been hiding those curves!” Max yells. I blush and give him a big sister push.

“Mel, Max is right. You look hot!” Sophie says.

I thank them both and send them on their way. I head back with Abby and Lily and we officially put on our cap and gowns. It’s time to walk.

It was time to announce the Valedictorian and Salutatorian. They call both Ava and I up to the stage. I am starting to sweat from my nerves. Ava of course looks cool as a cucumber.

They announce that Ava is this years Valedictorian and I am the Salutatorian. In a way I am relieved because the Valedictorian has to give a speech and I would be miserable at that. I am pleasant as I congratulate Ava and sit in the seat by the podium while she gives her speech.

The graduation took a couple hours to complete and when finished we met up with our family and friends.

“Congratulations” they all say to me about my accomplishment. While I wasn’t first, I am proud of what I have been able to do since coming to the school later than everyone else. I take their praise and we head home to celebrate.

As we reach the house, mom made a fun snack tray for us all to enjoy. Around 4pm, Sophie and Max leave and remind me to be ready around 8pm.

I tell mom I am going to take a short nap before getting ready to head out for the evening. I head up stairs and drift off into la-la land.