Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The following day, I was rushing to get to my graduation which would be taken place in the football field of our high school. It was bad enough I was up late because I couldn’t sleep, but when I fell asleep, I couldn’t wake up. Making me rush to put on my cap and gown over my clothes. I didn’t even have time to do my hair so it was just straight as can be. When I got to the field for a pre-practice, I saw everyone was already in line. I searched all over to where I was suppose to stand but everyone looked the same in their royal blue cap and gown, it was hard to tell.
“Niki!” I heard a voice calling to me from the group of blue people. I followed the voice to find Ginny waving me over.
I silently thanked the heavens for such a great friend. I quickly got in line with her just in time when the Principal walked us into the stadium. “Thank you…” I whispered to her.
She smiled sweetly and my heart ached at the thought of not seeing that smile again. “Attention Seniors, I just wanted to say how proud I am of you guys!” the booming voice of our Principal talking over the microphone. “Your family are here to support all of you and remember wherever you go in life, I hope you will chose the right path for you and not anyone else.”
The group clapped their hands respectfully as the ceremony began with us walking into the field with the sound of the choir and band playing music in the background. I looked around for any other familiar face but everyone looked too similar so I gave up. The ceremony seemed to drag on forever until finally the Principal made his last speech and announced us as graduates. We tipped our caps off and threw it into the sky. I had on a smile the whole time eventhough deep down I knew I was losing more than just friends. I guess I came to my senses and talked myself into going on with my life. There was no use in worrying too much.
The seniors poured out of the stadium to the parking lot where our family awaited for pictures, gifts and flowers. My mother saw me first as she ran to hug me with tears in her eyes “I’m so proud of you, Niki.”
I smiled at her with sincerity “Thanks mom, where’s dad?”
“Oh, he’s here somewhere…let me go look for him.” With that she disappeared off into the growing crowd before leaving me with a bag of gifts that I had prepared for my friends.
I quickly spotted Ginny “Hey you…” I gave her a warm hug as I dug into the bag for her little gift.
“What is it?” she looked giddy and excited, without waiting for me to answer, she ripped the little box open. Inside was a silver chain necklace with half of a heart that said Niki. “Oh my gosh!” She gushed with tears in her eyes “This is beautiful!”
I smiled “I have your’s” I pulled my shirt down a bit to reveal my own half of a heart with the name Ginny imprinted on it.
“Thank you…” she was crying by now and it made me cry to see her so emotional.
“What is this? A crying session?” Daniel teased as he was the next to find us.
“Where are the others?” I asked.
“I think I saw Tammie and Marvin over there.” He pointed to mob group to his right.
“I’ll be back.” I whispered as I pushed through the crowd to my friends. Instead I found Lance talking and hugging with his other friends. I don’t know why he was wearing sunglasses eventhough there was not much sunlight. I didn’t want to bother him just yet so I squeezed passed him thinking that he didn’t see me.
Instead he stopped me with his hand on my shoulder “Where do you think you’re going?” he sounded almost hurt.
I turned around with a smile “I’ll come back when you’re not too busy.”
“Don’t be silly, I always have time for Niki!” before I had the chance to declined he pulled me in for a hug.
I happily took it in but I was a little shocked that he was practically squeezing the air out of my lungs. “I can’t breath…” I whispered with a bit of exaggeration.
He laughed and lighted his hug but still did not let go of me. “Remember, if you ever need anything don’t ever hesitate to call me.”
I nodded into the nape of his neck as I eventually pulled away and I suddenly remembered the gift “Oh here, this is for you.” I handed him a plastic see through ball with a few beaded necklaces. The same kind that he often wore for good luck during his games. “I made them myself.” I smiled proudly as if it was the first thing that I ever made.
“Aww….I can’t believe you did…” As he said this, I wondered if I heard his voice crack, was he crying? Nah, it couldn’t be. He couldn’t be that touched from my lame gift could he? I didn’t have time to think because he hugged me again, this time I heard him sniff back the tears. He hugged me even tighter than before. “Thank you.”
We tipped back a bit and I felt myself falling back “I’m falling…” I said a little nervous. I didn’t need the attention at that moment.
“I got you.” He whispered before letting me go.
I smiled warmly at him, but it was strange, I didn’t feel too emotional about the whole situation. I continued on and found the rest of my friends. Within an hour, most people had already disappeared except for my group of friends. We hung around to chat and hug some more. We were meeting each other for dinner at a hotel where they were holding a Luai, the theme of Hawaii.
“Wow, who made that for you, Lance?” I heard Tammie asking as she walked closer to Lance to take a better look at his necklace.
“Niki did, isn’t it cool?” he gladly showed it off while I stayed quiet. I almost felt embarrassed that he was giving it so much attention.
“I think you’re family is calling you.” Ginny nodded to the group behind Lance.
“Okay, I gotta go. But I’ll see you guys later okay?” He gave everyone a hug and when he got to me, he hugged me tightly and before pulling away he kissed me lightly on the cheek.
I was in shock for a few seconds after Lance had left with his family until Marvin spoke up “I think he kissed me!” he wiped his cheek with a gross face.
Everyone chuckled at the situation as we began scattering off to our families. “Seven o’clock tonight right?” I asked everyone.
They all nodded in agreement “Yeah, see ya later!”
When I got home, I had a chance to rest a bit before I changed into a light blue dress with dark blue flowers all over it. I slipped onto my white sandals and waited for Ginny to pick me up. She came on time with Daniel driving his car that he borrowed from his parents. We headed to the Sun Hotel, it was a decent looking place with a big hall where the party was being held.
Inside there was a buffet style table filled with food and fruit. The place was decorated with flowers and fake palm trees. We were the first ones there and within half an hour everyone slowly came in. We saved our group a huge table at the front of the hall so we would have a better view of the hula dancers. They were putting on a whole show for us as well. I sat next to Ginny while Lance sat on my other side. He looked casual and ready for the beach in his green flowered Hawaiian shirt.
“You look very nice tonight.” He whispered to me over the music.
I smiled “Thanks.” My eyes moved away from his gaze as I noticed the necklace, it was the white beaded one that I made for him.
He touched it when he saw me staring at it “The other ones are hanging on the hook of my bed.”
“Are you sure you haven’t lost it?” I was kidding but he looked at me with a sincere look.
“No, of course not!” he shook his head vehemently.
I laughed as I shook my head “I was just teasing you, don’t be so serious.” He didn’t have a chance to respond as the dancers began to come out as they started a show for us. For the rest of the night, we enjoyed each other’s company for the last time. When it finally ended, reality finally hit me. It would be the last time we all got to be in the same place. Everyone was going to a different school and a different place. I was the only one staying in Hong Kong. We all said our goodbyes and most of the girls had tears in their eyes as did I. I hugged everyone goodbye leaving Lance out, I didn’t want to say goodbye to him and I had a feeling that it would not be our last time we would see each other.
When everyone began leaving and Daniel pulled the car to the front so Ginny and I wouldn’t have to walk, I lingered back with Lance. I sensed that he wanted to tell me something because every time I turned to him, he would give me a look like he expected me to say something. Even until that moment I didn’t want to tell him the truth of my feelings. Instead I held out a hand for a handshake “Good luck, Lance.”
He looked down at my hand like it didn’t make any sense but he slowly took it “Thanks…” His eyes were dodging mine and I felt bad about giving him a hand shake so I pulled him closer to me and gave him a hug. I felt him ease up as he hugged me in return.
“I’m going to miss you Lance. Take care of yourself, okay?”
He nodded over my shoulder “I’ll miss you too. I’m just a phone call away, remember.”
I nodded as we slowly pulled away “I know.” I knew that I would never call him. It was just too strange, from my feelings towards him to the fact that I was betraying everything that I had promised myself. I wanted to be true to my feelings and by saying that he was a brother I never had was against everything that I felt about him. It made me sad to know that it could be the last time I would see him but my instincts told me that I would see him some time in my future. Maybe I was still holding onto something, hoping that a miracle will happen. I knew I had to let go of him one day but a part of me didn’t.
He held my hand before we parted but he didn’t see that I was crying due to the dark night. Suddenly I felt cold all over and somehow with my daze eyes I made it to the car with Ginny and Daniel as we drove away.
*************
The next morning I said my goodbyes to Daniel and Ginny at the airport. Their flight was booked in advance so there was no changing their dates. “I’m gonna miss you so much!” Ginny whimpered like a little baby as she hugged me over and over.
I wiped my tears as I smiled, trying to be strong in front of her. “I’ll write everyday.” I promised. It was something that I would do too but I doubt she would have that much time on her hands.
“I will too!” she promised in return.
“Last call for flight 188 to Los Angeles, California.” We stopped when the announcer called for the attendants to the plane.
“Go on, you’re gonna be late. Good luck and Daniel, take care of Ginny for me.”
“Don’t worry, I will.” He smiled at me sincerely as I saw them disappearing into the hall leading into the airplane.
“Goodbye…for now.” I whispered to myself.