Everyone lined up as they waited to enter the auditorium. As the graduation song played, the students walked in, one by one, as they reminisced all their high school memories.
As the students heard their names called, alphabetically, they stepped up and received their diplomas, signifying their hard work over the past four years. The crowd roared as Sarah stepped up and took her diploma. But this wasn't just a celebration for her; it marked the beginning of a new chapter.
For Britney, this was a bittersweet moment. High school was her entire life. She never looked far enough into the future to consider her life, after high school. As she walked up and accepted her diploma, the crowd reacted and cheered more enthusiastically than she felt she deserved.
"I guess I still have some fans," she thought to herself, as she felt a glimpse of pride.
But as Britney walked off stage, she became sad again, thinking she might have wasted her high school career. With all her friends moving on to college, she was stuck with the emptiness of being alone. Even her archrival, Sarah, was moving on without her. It made her rethink what was important to her and what she could have done differently.
Once graduation was finally over, Britney walked by herself, lost in a trance of thoughts. Suddenly, Courtney burst through the crowd and ran up to give a hug.
"Brit!"
"Oh, hi Courtney. What's up?"
"Can you believe it? We finally graduated! How do you feel?"
"I feel...good."
"You SHOULD feel good! It's been a long four years!"
"Yes...it has been..."
Courtney could sense something was wrong but just tried to move past it. "I can't wait for your party tonight," she said, attempting to change the subject.
"Party?" Britney aked, with a confused look on her face. "What party?"
"I ran into your parents outside and they told me they are throwing you a graduation party at your house. Did they not tell you?"
"Maybe they did, and I just forgot," Britney responded. However, she wasn't surprised. Her parents liked hosting events and she figured this would be a good excuse to show off their house.
"Well I have to go now," Courtney said. "But I'll see you tonight!"
"Okay, see you then."
Britney continued to walk alone as she became lost in her own thoughts again. "My whole life has been about high school. What am I without high school? I'm not a cheerleader anymore. I'm not the popular girl in school anymore. I'm losing all my friends. I don't even have...her...anymore."
As she continued to walk, she spotted Mariah through the crowd and made her way over.
"Hey Mariah."
"Brit! Congratulations!"
As much as she enjoyed seeing her best friend, it almost felt like an insult for her to say congratulations. Congratulations for what? Coming from Mariah, who was one of the top students in the class, just felt like pity. She knew Mariah didn't mean any harm by it, but she just couldn't help but take it the wrong way.
"Thanks..."
"Your parents told me about your graduation party!"
"So, they told you too," Britney said. "Are you coming?"
"Of course, I am! What kind of question is that?"
"Just making sure," the blonde answered, as she gave her friend a hug before they went their separate ways.
As Britney got to the exit, knowing her parents were waiting outside, she took one last look back and noticed Sarah standing with her parents, hugging them as they congratulated her.
"Look at her. She's off to bigger and better things. She doesn't need little ole me holding her back anymore. Her parents actually have a reason to be proud of her."
"I wanted to say goodbye, but it's best we don't talk anymore. It was fun, but this is wrong."
"I hope you do whatever stupid thing you want in college. But just know that I will never forget you. Bye-bye, bitch."
She let out a deep sigh as she turned and pushed the door open. She was then greeted by her parents, who were waiting outside with big smiles and open arms.
Although she didn't feel that she deserved it, a congratulations from her parents would have been nice. But all they talked about with her was how excited she should be about the party that night.
"Aren't you excited?" her mom asked. "We invited your friends!"
"Yes, mommy and daddy. Thank you for throwing me this party."
She zoned out as she sat in the back seat of the car. She watched her school become smaller and smaller, as she realized her experiences were now just memories.
Once Britney got home, she was in no rush to get ready for the party. She usually liked events like this; any excuse to dress up or boast her family's wealth. But something was different this time. For some reason, she was no longer interested in gloating her family's success.
She was starting to realize the things she once cared so much about were not as important as she thought. All the possessions and trivial statuses meant nothing to her that night.
"Britney!" her father called out. "Are you ready?"
"No, daddy!" she answered, trying to snap herself out of the deep state of thought.
"Well hurry up and get ready. And make sure you put on that pretty black dress we got you."
"Yes, daddy."
Britney did as she was told and eventually made her way to the living room, where the first set of guests had already arrived. Unsurprisingly, it was just her parents' friends and none of hers. She just sat in the corner, playing on her phone as she resumed into her deep thoughts.
Eventually, Mariah and Courtney arrived, and Britney felt a little better now that she was with them. She spent the rest of the evening just chatting with them about old times in high school, realizing her experiences and relationships were more important that her possessions.
Once everyone had arrived and were enjoying food and drinks, Britney's parents stood in the middle and called for everyone's immediate attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen," her father called out, as he tapped his glass of champagne. "I just want to thank everyone for coming and celebrating our daughter's graduation with us. So, for those of us old enough to drink, please raise your glass as we toast to Britney."
She sat there feeling even more pity for herself as her parents and their friends clapped. Nothing felt genuine. She had nothing to be proud of, in yet her parents still wanted to show her off.
A few of her parent's friends also gave speeches, congratulating her for successfully completing high school. This didn't make her her feel any better. Nobody at the party could bring her out of her funk. She was just ready for the party to end so she could go back to her bedroom.
As her father was giving one final speech to cap an exciting night for him and his wife, the party was suddenly interrupted as a loud knock was placed on the door.
"Who is it?" Britney wondered, as she stood up and looked through the elder adults.
As the door opened, and the mystery person made her appearance, Mariah and Courtney quickly recognized who it was.
"It's Sarah!"
Britney jumped with a quick jolt of excitement but quickly collected herself, not wanting anyone to notice how joyful she was.
"Who invited her?" she said, trying to sound annoyed.
"I did," Britney's mother answered. "You two spend so much time together, I just assumed you were like best friends."
Courtney and Mariah both began to giggle, poking fun at the angered blonde from her mother's misunderstanding.
"Welcome to our party," Britney's father said, as she welcomed Sarah in.
