Page 65 of With This Mask
"Thank you," I shoot back, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions churning inside me—a tempest of pride, relief, defiance. I've earned this, every fucking letter of my name inked onto that certificate.
I hold it high in the air, shaking my hips for a second. The flash of cameras is satisfying, knowing this moment will be captured forever. And then I make my exit.
Alec is waiting for me at the bottom of the steps. And the grin on his face could cure the world of depression for forever. He wraps his arms around my waist.
“I’m so fucking proud of you, Salem,” he beams, right before he kisses the life out of me.
We stand together, as the last four students get their two seconds to shine. And finally, the last name is called, the last degree handed out. The dean shares a few closing words, and it’s finally done.
I’m fucking done with college.
Around us, the air buzzes with chatter and the snap of camera shutters. And just a few moments later, a squeal sounds through the air.
“Congratulations, Salem!" Mom engulfs me in a hug that threatens to choke the life out of me. Danny’s right behind her, a warm smile plastered on his face.
"We’re so proud,” he says humbly. We’re still getting to know each other. But the fact that he’s here means a lot.
"You should be,” Alec say. “She gave me a fucking run for my money.”
“Language, Alec,” Mom scolds. “But thank you.”
“Sorry, Heather,” Alec chuckles. He hasn’t had to filter himself around anyone in… maybe ever. But Mom never was one to tolerate a potty mouth.
The buzz of my phone against the silk of my graduation gown startles me. I slide it from the pocket, hidden beneath layers of academic regalia, and my thumb hesitates over the notification—a moment's pause before the inevitable swipe.
"You good?" Alec's voice cuts through the hum of celebration, his eyes curious—hawk-like, never missing anything.
"Uh, yeah, one sec." My focus narrows to the glow of the device in my hand. It’s an email alert. The sender's name sets my pulse racing.
I tap the message open, eyes darting across words that build a crescendo inside me. Offer. Position. Pay. Benefits. Congratulations. The letters blur into a symphony of 'fucking finally.'
"Holy shit," escapes my lips before I can reel it back, an instinctive reverence for what this means.
Alec quirks an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth threatening a smile. "Well, that's either catastrophic or brilliant. With you, it's a coin toss."
"Brilliant," I confirm, breathless with a joy that's almost vicious in its intensity. "We’re locked in, Alec. The job in Italy. They want me to move over next week!"
"Let’s go!” he cheers as he rushes forward and wraps me in his arms. He picks me right off the ground, spinning us around.
After all the hard. After all the work. After all the struggle. It all works out in the end. You chase your dream, eventually you’ll catch it.
Life is pretty damn good.
The evening breeze brushes against my skin, a soothing caress after the day's scorching sun. Walking back to our tiny dorm, Alec's hand envelops mine. Graduation's buzz still resonates within me, a blend of excitement and a deeper sense of accomplishment. "Did you ever think we'd get here?" I speak softly, almost drowned out by the shuffle of our steps on the pavement.
"Hell no," Alec chuckles. "I thought you'd off me in my sleep before sophomore year was up."
"Still an option," I retort playfully, but I hold onto him tighter, grounding myself in his presence. Our building looms closer, its brick exterior a silent witness to our shared struggles and passions—hours spent studying or entangled in heated arguments and tender embraces.
“Hey, we should go watch the sunset,” Alec suggests when we dump our graduation robes on the bed.
“That sounds amazing,” I say, excited at the suggestion. It feels like forever since we had two seconds to do something as simple as watch the sunset.
Alec guides us to the stairs that lead up and onto the roof. The town sprawls beneath us like a tapestry of lights and darkness. Leaning against the ledge, Alec steps up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. "Look at this view," I comment as he rests his chin on my shoulder.
"I can't. Too busy looking at you," Alec says.
"You're quite the smooth talker."