Chapter 16 Graduation Is Getting Closer
761 Words
The closer graduation got, the more chaotic school became.
Teachers kept talking about final exams, university applications and life after school. Every classroom discussion somehow ended with someone asking what they planned to do after graduation.
For most students, it was exciting.
For Lily, it was a little scary.
It felt like everything was moving too fast.
One minute they were starting another school year. The next minute everyone was talking about leaving.
One afternoon their class teacher stood in front of the room holding a stack of papers.
“Graduation is only a few weeks away,” she announced. “There is still a lot to prepare for, so I need everyone to cooperate.”
Immediately the room filled with noise.
Some students cheered.
Others complained about the extra work.
Daniel dramatically dropped his head onto his desk.
“I am not ready to become an adult.”
“You’re not even ready for tomorrow,” Ethan replied.
The class laughed.
Lily smiled quietly while watching them.
Everything felt normal.
But every time someone mentioned graduation, a strange feeling settled in her chest.
Because graduation meant change.
And change meant people leaving.
Later that day, students were divided into groups to help prepare for the ceremony.
Decorations.
Photography.
Music.
Programs.
Almost everyone ended up with friends.
As usual, Ethan somehow found his way into Lily’s group.
“I think you’re following me,” Lily said.
“I think you’re lucky,” Ethan replied.
“That’s not what luck means.”
“It is now.”
Sophie rolled her eyes from across the table.
“You two are impossible.”
For the next week, preparation became part of everyday school life.
Students stayed behind after classes.
Teachers rushed around carrying lists and schedules.
Everyone seemed busy.
One afternoon Lily sat on the floor of the school hall helping arrange graduation invitations.
Ethan was sitting beside her.
Supposedly helping.
Actually doing very little.
“You’ve folded exactly three invitations in twenty minutes.”
“I’m working.”
“You are staring into space.”
“I’m supervising.”
Lily laughed.
Ethan pointed at her immediately.
“There it is again.”
“What?”
“That laugh.”
Lily looked away.
She knew exactly what he meant.
Ethan always noticed things about her.
Little things nobody else paid attention to.
And somehow that never became easier.
A few minutes later Sophie appeared carrying a box.
“I need help.”
“No,” Ethan said immediately.
“You don’t even know what I need.”
“I still said no.”
Daniel walked over and grabbed the box from Sophie.
“I’ll help.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Then Daniel looked at Ethan.
“You should learn from me.”
Ethan nodded seriously.
“I would if you were worth learning from.”
Daniel looked offended.
The group burst out laughing.
For a moment everything felt perfect.
Simple.
Easy.
Like it would always stay this way.
But later that evening, after most students had left, Lily and Ethan found themselves sitting alone in the hall.
The chairs for graduation had already been arranged.
Rows and rows of empty seats.
The sight made everything suddenly feel real.
“We’re actually graduating,” Ethan said quietly.
“Yeah.”
“It feels weird.”
Lily nodded.
It really did.
For years school had been their whole world.
Now it was almost over.
Ethan leaned back in his chair.
“Have you thought about what happens after this?”
Lily already knew what he meant.
The future.
Again.
She looked down at her hands.
“Sometimes.”
Ethan was quiet for a moment.
Then he smiled.
“Whatever happens, I think you’ll be okay.”
Lily looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because you’re stronger than you think.”
The words hit her harder than they should have.
Because Ethan always seemed to believe in her.
Even when she didn’t believe in herself.
For a second she wanted to tell him everything.
The feelings she had been hiding.
The fear she carried every time she thought about graduation.
The fact that she wasn’t scared of leaving school.
She was scared of leaving him.
But she said none of it.
Instead she smiled softly.
“Thanks.”
Ethan smiled back.
“No problem.”
Outside the hall, the sun was beginning to set.
Neither of them knew it yet, but this was the beginning of the countdown.
The final weeks before everything changed.
The final weeks before goodbye started becoming real.
- Writer
