Chapter 22: Graduation Celebration
The graduation ceremony went well, pretty much as expected. We all sat for a long time while dignitaries made speeches and deans read endless lists of names. Of course, relatives screamed loudly for their particular graduate, while most people barely clapped politely for the ones they didn't know. Soon enough it was all over, followed by hugs and pictures. It was bittersweet: some friends were moving away, a few still had another year or two of college, and too few would be staying in the same city. Of course, we all promised to stay in touch, and though we meant it, we were all doubtful that it would actually happen for very long, aside from social media.
During the endless picture-taking, our families met. Of course, it was awkward, but everyone was formal and polite. There was some degree of sizing up the significant other and their family, but apart from parents looking the boyfriend or girlfriend up and down, there was nothing cringeworthy. Even my little sister gave me a surreptitious thumbs up while nodding toward Chris, to let me know that she approved of him. Then the families separated, heading back to their respective hotel rooms to rest, with reservations to meet that evening in the hotel restaurant.
At dinner, the parents sat at one end of a long table, while the kids—as they called us—though the youngest (my sister Cassidy) was 19, sat at the other end. Chris was an only child, but Ty had an older brother, Malik, who was 25. Alexis' brother, Mark, was 21. The grown-ups seemed to enjoy each other's company, and there was even some authentic laughter. I could tell that my parents approved of Chris, and it seemed like the other parents also approved of their kids' respective significant others. We were toasted for our accomplishments, but luckily, no one roasted us. All in all, the dinner was a success.
At the end of the evening, the parents all retreated back to the rooms to go to bed. The kids decided to have drinks at the hotel bar. Being the only minor, my sister had to order a Shirley Temple, but she snuck so many sips of my Kalua and Crème that I had to order another. After a few rounds, it had gotten late and the other patrons at the bar had cleared out.
"Let's go swimming in the hotel pool!" Alexis blurted out, apropos of nothing.
"I didn't pack a bathing suit. I didn't plan to go swimming at your graduation," said my sister.
"That's okay, we can just go in our underwear. It's the same thing," coaxed Alexis.
There was an awkward moment where we all pondered, each person trying to guess what everyone else thought of the idea. Finally, Malik broke the ice, "I'll do it." He smiled at Alexis.
"Cool," said Alexis. "Who else?"
"I'll jump in. I don't mind getting wet," I said.
"No, you don't," joked Ty. I slapped his arm at the innuendo spoken in front of my baby sister.
"What about you? Are you afraid to strip in front of us?" I teased. "Don't want the girls to see you in your undies?"
"I'll go in," he answered, too proud to back down. "I'm not scared."
"Okay, let's go, then!" I stood up, followed by Alexis, then Ty. The others followed, though I could tell that Cassidy and Mark were feeling more reluctant.
When we got to the pool, it was vacant. It was late, after all. There were signs posted about quiet hours and we noted that we only had a half hour left to swim. Alexis quickly pulled off her top while the boys stared at her in her bra. Not wanting her to feel alone, I stripped off my blouse too and then removed my skirt. Alexis followed my lead soon thereafter. All of them checked us out as we stood on the edge in our bra and panties.
"Wheee!" squealed Alexis as she jumped in. As she came to the surface, wiping the water out of her eyes, we all awaited the verdict on the water temperature. "It's warm!" she reported, "though I think I've ruined my makeup for the evening."
"Who cares anymore?" I called out as I plunged in. I popped up and made my way to Alexis' side. "It's nice! Isn't anyone else going to join us?"
"Well, I'm not going to leave them there all alone," said Malik with mock chivalry. He unbuttoned his dress shirt and slipped off his pants. I immediately noticed a substantial package in his briefs, but I tried not to stare too obviously. I felt Alexis squeeze my hand underwater. I knew what she was trying to convey to me—that she had seen it too. Before I could respond, Malik jumped in and splashed us thoroughly.
After a little teasing, Ty and Chris jumped in as well. We tried cajoling both Mark and Cassidy, but they were hesitant. I called Cassidy over to the edge of the pool to talk to me. "What's the matter, Cass?" I whispered. "Are you embarrassed?"
"I don't know any of these people except for you."
"That's the beauty of it. You probably won't see them again. You can do what you want without fear of having to face them again at later"
"I'll see Chris again, if you stay together."
"True, but he's cool. I promise. He won't judge you. He might even like you more."
"I'm wearing a skimpy thong underneath this dress. It's rather revealing."
"Then you really don't have to be the one to be worried. It's the boys that will be embarrassed if they get boners from looking at you." She laughed at the thought. "You've got a hot body and have nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, I've seen you looking at Mark. You should show him what you got."
"Layla! Shush!" She slapped my hand. "Be quiet." She glanced around to see if he had heard. He hadn't. "Okay, I'll do it. But you can't tease me, okay?" I put one hand over my heart and raised the other, miming being sworn to loyalty. She stood up, pulled her dress over her head, and tossed it on the chaise lounge. She was right, she was wearing very skimpy panties. The material barely covered the crack in her ass. I raised my eyebrows at how sexy she was, and she glared a stern warning at me. Then she jumped in with a squeal.
"Come on, Mark," pressured Alexis.
"Nah, I'm good. I'll just stick my feet in." He removed his socks and shoes and rolled up his pants. He walked over to the edge and sat down.
Alexis frowned. I saw her thinking. Then she came over to me and my sister with a conspiratorial look in her eye. She whispered to us, "Go over to my brother and convince him to join us. Flirt with him; he won't be able to refuse two scantily clad babes begging him to have fun with them."
I winked at Alexis. "We got this." Then, turning to Cassidy, I said, "Come on, let's get this boy in the pool." I grabbed her hand and pulled her with me. She was reticent, but she allowed herself to be dragged toward Mark.
"Mark," I said in a saccharine voice, "won't you please come in and swim with us? It feels so good." I made a pouty face. I scooped up some water and poured it over his leg. "See? Doesn't it feel nice?" I pulled Cassidy closer with my other hand. She copied what I did on his other leg, but didn't say anything. I did it again, but purposefully got his pants wet. "Oops! I'm so sorry! Here, let me get that for you." I patted his leg, as if that would dry the fabric. Of course, my hands were wet so it only served to exacerbate the problem. He looked slightly exasperated. "Oh, don't be mad, Mark." I grabbed his hand, and held it in mine. "I only wanted you to join us. Right, Cass?" I kicked her under the water.
