I woke up before my alarm, but this time I didn't move.
I just stayed there, staring at the ceiling, listening to how quiet the room felt.
Too quiet.
Like everything was waiting for me to catch up. "…It's today."
My voice sounded small in the room.
I sat up slowly, pulling the blanket off my legs, letting my feet touch the floor.
Cold. Real. I didn't rush.
For once, I didn't rush.
I walked to the mirror, picked up the gown from the chair, and held it in my hands for a few seconds.
It didn't look special. Just black fabric.
But somehow… it carried everything.
I got ready carefully.
Fixing my hair, adjusting my outfit underneath, taking my time like I was afraid the moment would move on without me.
At one point, I paused again and looked at my reflection. "…Don't cry."
I narrowed my eyes at myself. "…At least not early."
That felt like a fair compromise.
When I got downstairs, the house was already awake.
Not loud—just… full.
Mrs. May was there first.
Dressed beautifully, not overly formal, but elegant in a way that made it obvious she wasn't just "coming to watch."
She turned when she saw me.
Her expression softened immediately. "…You look beautiful."
I blinked. "…Thank you."
She stepped closer and fixed a small part of my hair without asking.
"…Today is important," she said gently. "Walk slowly. Take it in."
I nodded. "…I will."
Mr. Ronson was by the table, adjusting his cuff. He looked at me briefly.
Then nodded once. "…You've done well."
Simple.
But it meant something. "…Thank you."
Then the chaos arrived.
Jake walked in, already annoyed. "This thing is suffocating me."
Nena followed behind him, fixing his collar mid-step. "Stand still."
"I am standing still."
"You are moving."
Luca trailed in after them, not in a gown, just dressed nicely, looking way too relaxed for someone attending something this serious.
"I'm here as emotional support," he said proudly.
Jake didn't even look at him. "You're here for snacks."
"That too."
I smiled.
Mark came in quietly.
His curls were softer today, falling just slightly over his forehead. His glasses sat neatly, and his gown fit him like it belonged there.
He looked… calm.
But not distant.
When he saw me, he gave a small nod. "…You look good."
"…You too."
Liam and his parents arrived shortly after.
His mom hugged him immediately. "I'm so proud of you."
Liam laughed softly. "Thank you."
His dad shook his shoulder lightly. "Three years of stress paid off."
Emma walked in.
And then Ethan. He walked in with Seraphine beside him. She looked composed as always, helping adjust something on his sleeve.
"…Stand properly," she told him.
"I am standing properly."
"You're not."
I almost laughed. Then he looked up. Saw me. Paused. And smiled.
"…You look nice," he said.
"…You too."
It was simple.
But it felt like more. We all left together. The school was already filled with people. Families. Students. Voices overlapping. It didn't feel like school anymore. It felt like a place saying goodbye.
We lined up. Fixing gowns. Adjusting caps.
Luca stood with the guests, waving at us dramatically. "I will cry if anyone trips."
Jake pointed at him. "If I fall, I'm blaming you."
The ceremony started slowly. Names being called. Applause rising and falling.
One by one students walked up.
Jake went first from our group. He walked like he had something to prove then almost tripped on the step. I pressed my lips together.
Nena whispered, "Don't laugh."
"I'm trying."
He made it. Barely.
Then Mark. Steady. Calm. Like he had already accepted the moment before it even started. He gave his speech and I was honestly prouf of him I could remember the first time we met, I am always annoyed at them but now, they feel like family.
Emma. Walked out too as always Graceful. With a Soft smile. She also gave a very heartfelt speech about how she's happy because her parents, friends, are all proud of her.
Liam, got called a moment after, always Relaxed, even now. He waved dramatically like a celebrity, shook hands with some teachers, his favorite teachers, whcih were only two because he claimed they all gave him emotional suffering.
Then the next person was Ethan.
As always he was Quiet. Walking confidently like he owned the stage. But he had that small smile at the corner of his lips, that I could tell he was also excited for this day.
He looked happy tosay and that made me happier than ever.
And then me. I wasn't expecting to get summoned so quickly. My name echoed. And everything slowed down for me. I calmly stood and walked through the aisle.
I walked up. Step by step. I climbed on the stage. Feeling every movement.
The certificate was placed in my hand. I shook hands of my favorite teachers to because, why not?
I Smiled. That smile that's genuinly real.
And for a moment I looked out. Mrs. May, My mother was smiling. Mr. Ronson watching steadily with a proud smile. Luca waving like he was at a concert. Honestly cute.
Nena clapping loudly. Jake nodding like he did something great. Mark calmly looking at me with a fond smile. Liam and Emma smiling and shaking each other out of excitement.
And Ethan just watching, But I could tell that he was proud too.
I walked down. Heart full.
After the certificates the speeches began.
Jake went up first. He stood there for a second, looking at the crowd. "…I didn't think I'd make it here."
Laughter. "But I guess… I had people who didn't let me fail completely."
He shrugged slightly. "…So yeah. Thanks for that."
Short. Honest.
Nena followed.
"I don't believe in waiting for the perfect time," she said. "I believe in taking it—even if it's messy."
She smirked slightly. "And if I fail… I'll just try again louder."
The crowd clapped. Loud.
Mark stepped up next.
"Not everything makes sense when you're going through it," he said calmly. "But confusion doesn't mean you're lost."
A pause. "Sometimes it just means you're growing."
Quiet. But it stayed.
Emma's speech was gentle.
"We're all afraid of something," she said. "But we still showed up."
Liam's was lighter. "If we made it here, we can probably survive anything."
Laughter.
And then Ethan. He stood there. Hands steady. Voice calm.
"I think… we focus too much on where we're going," he said. "And forget to notice who we're becoming."
He paused. "But I think… we did okay." Simple. But it stayed.
After everything students lined up to greet Mr. Rick. One by one. Shaking his hand. Some stayed longer. Some said thank you. Some just smiled.
When it was my turn he looked at me. "…You've grown."
I nodded. "…I think so too."
Outside the noise returned. Photos. So many photos. Families pulling their kids. Friends grouping together.
Nena dragged us into a cluster. "Everyone. Now."
Jake groaned. "I just stood for two hours."
"Stand again."
Click. Another one.
Luca jumped into one mid-shot. "I belong here."
"You don't," Mark said calmly.
Gifts came after. Small boxes. Notes.
Things that felt bigger than they looked.
And then Ethan walked toward me. He held something carefully.
"…This is for you."
I blinked. "…You didn't have to—"
"I wanted to."
He handed it to me. A bracelet. Simple. Clean. It's a beaded bracelet with my name written, Well, almost it was spelled wrongly as AIANA. Instead of with a Y.
Ethan laughed slightly embarrassed "I didn't realise till I was finished."
I smiled "It's Okay, Even though, My Name literally changed. But I love it."
It's simple Something I could wear every day.
And flowers Soft. Carefully chosen.
With my favorite flowers, Lilies, White roses and star jasmine.. I sniffed it.
"Ethan this.. this smell nice." I smile genuinely grateful for all of this.
Ethan nodded.
I looked Down at the bouquet of flowers in my hands. Then Back at him.
"…This is really sweet."
My voice softened. "Like… really sweet."
He watched me. "…The bracelet is so you remember me."
That made something in my chest shift. "…I will."
And for once I didn't joke immediately.
I held it closer. "…Thank you."
Then before I could overthink he leaned in. And kissed me.
Oh my gosh and this was my first kiss. It was Soft, and Gentle, Like he was holding on to something fragile.
His hands slowly reached and cupped my face.
Not rushed. Not loud. Just… there.
When he pulled back I blinked. And then Blinked rapidly again.
Then I smiled, soft wide smile. "…That was also really sweet."
He laughed quietly.
And then of course I started talking, Just to hide how flustered I am.
"That was actually so sweet—like the bracelet was already enough—but then you added that—so now it's like double—no triple sweet—"
"Ayana—"
"No wait—I'm explaining—"
He shook his head, smiling. And I smiled too.
Because for a moment everything felt like it was ending And somehow, also beginning.