“Welcome everyone to our 2019 graduation. It’s been a long four years with this group of young people and I must say that I can’t be more proud of this group. A talented group ready to take on the world whether that be taking the next step in their education or joining the work force. No matter what choice they make I am sure that it will be a great one.”
Clapping filled the auditorium like a thunder. Dazed Dick shook his head back and forth and felt his phone buzzing a few times. Laughing he knew his friends, split up, were definitely going to be on their phones and talking about this. Glancing down he caught up on the chat.
SuperStar: Can he hurry this up.
TheWhite: Seriously he’s just hearing himself talk.
Halfsie: Will you both chill out.
N.E.R.D: Can you guys behave at least until we get the diplomas
Captain: How some of you made it this far I’ll never know.
TheWhite: Some of us earned our way here
SuperStar: Sure Gav
Halfsie: Uh huh. Not buying it Gav
Captain: Names are getting called.
SuperStar: See you on the other side.
TheWhite: The graduated side
Scattered across the rows upon rows of seats the five of them stifled their laughter. Dressed in dark green gowns and wearing their square caps the auditorium echoed with the voice of the school’s principle. Dick looked around, raising his cap to look at the parents and loved ones seated in the bleachers. Glancing forward he looked at the podium in front of all the chairs. One by one names were being called and the students stood up.
He couldn’t believe he was here. Four years went by like the blink of an eye. Then again, the last two years were especially exciting. He’d met Samantha, learned he was a Geist Warrior, killed the Geist that killed his family, and found out his brother was still alive. Oh and he and Samantha were dating. Lots that he didn’t think was possible.
Suddenly his section started standing and making their way toward the podium. Shuffling along he looked around at those seated. He could see Lisa waving her diploma at him. Gav was still sitting down and making faces. Lily opened her diploma and showed it off as he passed. Samantha beamed his way and gave him a wink.
“Richard Rhodes,” the principal called.
Startled Dick walked up the stairs slowly, making sure not to trip over them. This gown was definitely strange to work with. Couldn’t imagine how people made these things work. Didn’t help that he wasn’t wearing his preferred type of shoes underneath it. Had to look good even when people couldn’t see.
Stepping up to the principle he took the diploma and shook the principles hand. “Well done son,” he said and they turned toward the camera. Putting on a smile as the camera flashed he blinked away the daze and quickly walked out the other side. Opening the folder, he looked at it and raised his eyebrow. It was a really basic thing, something anyone could have printed. The paper was nice though, not typical printing paper. The good thick almost card board like. The font and designs were good at the very least.
“Certificate of graduation for ‘Richard Rhodes” he said to himself and laughed. Touching the leather of the folder he closed it and looked toward the stands.
It didn’t take long for him to find Keenen who was taking several pictures with his phone. Raising the folder, he grinned wide and his uncle pumped his fist with him. Walking back to his seat he sat down and just laughed to himself. His phone went off again and he checked it assuming that it would be the group talking. Seeing the number attached his heart skipped a beat.
Rey: When the ceremony is over give me a call.
Dick read this over several times before running his fingers through his hair. He blinked and then grinned at his phone and quickly typed back to him.
Me: Yeah.
Me: I’ll figure something out.
Letting out a deep sigh he leaned his head back and laughed softly. The ceremony kept going without any interruptions and though they were told not to, they all tossed their hats into the air. It was a giant wave of squares and cheers. Dick watched them all go but used that commotion to slip away early.
Pushing open the doors he stared at the empty hallway and it seemed to suck out all of the noise. Walking toward the locker room. Sneaking out the back door He could see just how damn packed the parking lot was for this thing. Made sense. Kids, hopefully, only graduate high school once.
Still wearing his totally non-conspicuous gown and cap while carrying his diploma. It was cooler outside with the sun setting but this thing still felt way too hot. Going around the gym slowly he frowned. There were a bunch of dumpsters and discarded boxes. A few of them were definitely used for holding balloons.
Getting his phone out he picked out that text and then dialed the number. He hadn’t spoken to his brother in God knew how long. It rang a few times and then finally he picked up with a click and a rush of air and then silence.
“HelloRichard.”
“Hey Hermano,” he said and leaned against the wall feeling the wave of emotion just crash into him.
“So, you really went and did it.”
“Did what?”
“Graduated what else?”
Dick laughed looking down and shook his head. “Yeah I guess I did. Everything just ended. Principio likes to talk a lot.”
“Did everyone make it? Graduate I mean?”
“Lily would have killed us if we didn’t. So yeah. Lo logramos.” Rey chuckled and Dick sighed, “How are you? Are you safe? Haven’t been getting attacked or anything like that?”
Rey coughed before answering which made Dick furrow his brows, “Relax Richard. I’m safe for the time being. The other wraiths in the city have been pretty dormant. Giving me space.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yeah. It comes with the territory. I can sense my own kind and vice versa. Things were hectic last week but I’m okay now.”
The line went quiet for a moment and Dick had to ask because it would bother him. “Have you been. You know. Eating?
“Yes, I have to feed or else I’ll probably die. But I’m careful about it,” He coughed again and Dick couldn’t stand.
“Are you okay? Seriously?”
“Yes. Just a cough. I’m okay.”
Dick opened his mouth to speak but looked up at a sound and could hear voices growing louder. Everyone was coming out from the ceremony. A beeping of his phone told him that there was a text coming in.
“Mierda,” he mumbled.
“What?”
“The ceremony is letting out and I think someone just text me.”
“Go. Your friends and tio are probably looking for you.” Dick frowned hard but Rey continued, “It’s fine. I’m safe. We can talk to each other tomorrow or something like that. Today is for you and your friends. Go. Enjoy yourself.”
Nodding he sighed, “It’s good to hear from you hermano.”
“Likewise brother.”
Hanging up, Dick moved along the side of the building to hurry and meet up with everyone. There were so many people and families together it was difficult for him to find everyone. Especially since the greater majority of people were wearing the same thing. His phone buzzed angrily and he checked it only to realize it was a call. It was Samantha.
Accepting the call, he put it to his ear, “Yeah I know. I’m looking for you guys.”
“Where’d you slip off too?”
“I left a few minutes early. Had a phone call to take.”
“Who?”
“It was Rey.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.”
“Everything okay?”
“I think. He had a cough but he wanted to congratulate me on graduating.”
“Weird. But that’s nice.”
“Yeah. Where are you guys?”
“We’re over by the flag pole. Keenen wants to get some pictures before we go to dinner.”
“Everyone else already with their parents?”
“Yeah. They talked a lot of shit about you in the chat,” she laughed and he rolled his eyes.
“Whatever capitan.”
He could see the face she was making and he laughed. “You’re never going to stop calling me that huh?”
“No capitan. Is Betty there?”
“Couldn’t make it. Something going on with the Legion. So you’re stuck with me.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way. I see you already.”
Samantha turned around slowly but she saw him and waved him down. Hanging up Dick jogged over finding some space between all the other graduating students. Keenen turned around to face him and then wrapped his arm around his neck laughing.
“There you are mijo. Running away during the middle of the ceremony. Thinking just cause you graduated you run things now huh?”
Dick laughed and struggled to break his grasp and look up at his uncle. “Relax tio, I still have to hang the thing up in the apartment, right?”
Dick turned the folder around to show off the diploma and Keenen whistled. “Now that’s impressive. All that hard work paying off. How you feel?”
“Feels good. Though I definitely feel tired,” he smiled and over at Samantha. She smiled back and he reached over squeezing her hand lightly. “And you? Feeling great having finally graduated?”
“I didn’t have any doubts about it. Thankfully my credits transferred over.”
“If they didn’t you’d have definitely have words with them. You and Betty.”
“Damn right.”
“Alright you two come on,” Keenen said pulling his phone out. “Stand together and pretend you like each other.”
“Come on tio,” Dick groaned. “Haven’t you taken enough?”
“Not on your life mijo,”
Dick pretended to get close to Samantha but ended up wrapping his arm around her and grinning wide. Samantha smiled, pulling him close and Keenan snapped a picture. He got a picture of each of them with their diplomas individually, then one with them together with them and then he had Samantha take a few pictures of the two of them together.
“Alright I think that’s enough for now,” Keenen said and sighed going through them. “God you’re growing up fast mijo. I can still remember when you were barely coming up to my waist.”
Sighing Dick smiled at his uncle and handed him the diploma. “Yeah I can remember that too. But I haven’t forgotten that I hate these robes. Can I change out of my yet?”
Samantha fidgeted with the zipper at her neck and then groaned, “I agree with him and second that.”
Keenen laughed, checking his phone again then looked at the pair of them. “Okay let’s head back to the car, get you out of the stuffy clothes and get dinner.”
The Harlequin Library 