Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't.
~ ~ ~ ~
*Graduation Day*
"Ouch Mya geez." I whined.
"Girl calm down, this don't even hurt that much."
"Says the person whose done this before." I flinched again as she plucked more of my eyebrow hairs, "Are you done yet?"
Mya stopped and rolled her eyes in annoyance, "No I'm not done, unless you want these fur balls to be all over the place." I shook my head no and she smiled, "Good, now shut up wait until I'm finished." I hissed as she yanked out yet another piece of hair.
It's graduation day, and for some reason I agreed to let Mya do my makeup. I really just wanted her to do my eyes and face, but she insisted she'd do pretty much everything. She had already did her hair and makeup before she came, and she was dressed. My hair is already done, and I'm also dressed.
"I'm here bitches!" Kailah yelled as she walked in, "I brought food and Lana too!" I perked up when I heard that she brought food. I couldn't see, but tell that she brought McDonalds from the smell.
"Do you have a sausage McGriddle in there?" I asked, getting excited.
"I sure do." I hurt her dig in the bag and pull out something, "Here ya go." She squeezed passed Mya and handed me my McGriddle. I gave her a wide smile, and immediately opened it and started eating.
Mya was finally done with my eyebrows, and she moved on to eyeshadow. She pulled out one of her customized eyeshadow palettes, and got to work. I didn't even tell her what I wanted, but from the colors that she was picking out, I figured she knew what she was doing.
"Lana are you going to the graduation party with us?" Mya asked.
"Uh, I didn't know I was invited."
Mya stopped doing my makeup and looked back, "Of course you're invited. It may not be your graduation, but you're with us so you're automatically invited. Just like Kai ole uglass over there." She said.
Allana laughed, "Well is there a dress code or something?"
We all shook our heads, "Not really. I mean I'm wearing this," I pointed to my dress that I was wearing, "But you can wear anything." I said.
Allana nodded her head and mumbled an 'okay'. Mya got back to doing my makeup, while I continued to eat my food. I broke a piece off and lifted it up to Mya's mouth. She looked down and opened her mouth and I placed the food in her mouth.
Once she was done chewing she looked down at me, "That taste like syrup. What is that?"
"Sausage McGriddle." I said as I stuffed the last piece into my mouth.
"Hm. I'm getting that from now on."
*
"Okay one more picture!" My mom yelled. Mya and I groaned and we stood in front of the house again. We gave Kailah and Allana our phones so that we could have pictures as well. I heard multiple snaps coming from different phones, I didn't know where to look.
Mya and I did different poses each time. After taking a couple of more pictures, we finally piled in my dad's truck, and made our way to the school. Once we were all situated, I reached over the seat, and plugged up my phone to the AUX cord.
I scrolled until I found Drippin' by Young Thug. I nodded my head to the beat as I waited for the lyrics to come.
"He geeked on beat, two freaks I just geeked Sk Kel-Tech XPD" I rapped along to the song. My dad turned down the music and looked back at me.
"How the hell do you understand what he's saying? It sounds like he mumbling."
I snickered and shrugged, "Just listen closely, it's not that hard."
"It's really not." Kailah added on, "But there are some things that I can't understand, but most of it is easy to understand." My dad just shook his head and put his focus back on the road.
"What time are you guys supposed to be lined up?" My mom masked as she looked at her phone.
"I think like ten something-- maybe ten-thirty" Mya said, unsure.
"Well it's ten-fifteen, so hopefully we make it there on time." My mom said.
Once we got to the school, Mya and I rushed into the gym where everyone was waiting. A couple of teachers gave us irritated looks as we got into line. Mya made her way towards the end of the line while I was in the middle. I looked around and noticed everyone conversing with one another, while I had no one to talk to.
I pulled out my phone to keep myself busy since I was separated from my friends, and went to snapchat. I took a quick picture of the gym and putting the graduation cap emoji. I set it for two seconds before sending it to my story. I started watching other people's snaps, but I only ended up watching my friends' stories before exiting the app.
"Look who decided to show up." I look up to see Kado standing in front of me. We haven't talked since prom, and I'm surprised that he's standing here.
I raised an eyebrow and smirked, "Here I am." I said.
There was an awkward silence, but Kado quickly broke it, "Look I wanted to apologize about what happened at prom." I waved him off.
"It's fine, we aren't together so I don't know why I got so mad like that." Which is true. After a while I started to feel bad about how I left him, but I didn't call him back because I didn't want to ruin the rest of his night.
"No it's not fine. You were my date and I completely ignored you, so I'm sorry. I just wish I could make it up to you."
"Are you going to the party tonight?" I asked.
Kado shrugged, "I dunno. I wasn't planning on it."
"Well you should because everyone is going, and it'll be fun." I said nudging his shoulder.
"I'll think about it. And besides, I'm doing to dinner with my family tonight."
I shrugged, "So am I, but the party starts at 11."
"Oh okay, I guess I'll go then. I thought it was gonna be earlier."
Right when I was about to say something, Ms. Ramos, my Calculus teacher came around doing attendance
"Mr. Kado Johnson! Why aren't you in line?" She yelled out. Kado flinched at the sound of her voice and mumbled a 'sorry' before he got back in line.
After waiting a couple of more minutes, the teachers told us that we were about to start, so we had to be quiet. I didn't talk to anyone I was around so that won't hard for me.
As we were waiting my feet started hurting. I shifted the weight to my other side to try to get rid of the pain, but my feet were still hurting. Not even caring anymore, I sighed and slid my heels off my feet.
"I feel you girl." Someone said. I turned to see a girl I've never seen before. I looked down and she had her shoes off as well, "My feet are killing me too."
I gave her a small smile, "Yea if I would've known Ms. Grier's speech was going to be this long I would've worn wedges or something, maybe even flats." I said.
"Same. I thought about that, but it didn't go with my outfit."
I chuckled, "True." We both chuckled, but all that did was create even more awkwardness between us.
"My name is Kennedy by the way."
"Isabella, but just call me Izzy."
"Oh I know who you are." She chuckled and I raised my eyebrows in surprise, "Yea, everyone pretty much knows you as the girl who hit Destiny in the face." I laughed as I thought back to sophomore year.
"I swear that was an accident, and I apologized to her multiple times, but I guess that wasn't enough."
"That girl is just always trying to start something someone." Kennedy said.
"Yea, but I try not to pay attention to what she does." I fiddled with the fabric as Ms. Grier started to wrap up her speech. Kennedy and I just started talking about a bunch of random things while we were waiting for our turn to be seated.
*
I sighed in annoyance as I listened to Valerie Montinez, the valedictorian finish up her speech. It should have been me. I'm in the honors program, and my G.P.A is higher than hers. She only won it because she has more community service hours, and she joined more clubs than me.
I'm sorry but I'm pretty sure the definition of a valedictorian is a person who has the highest academic achievements of the class. I wasn't even chosen to be the salutatorian. I swear this school is a freaking joke.
Once Valerie was finally done, Ms. Grier said some another quick speech before she moved on to us.
I clapped as she began to call everyone's name, "Alison Cook. She will be playing volleyball for the University of Florida.
"Woo! Go Ali!" I cheered. As much as I wanted to just sit back and say nothing, I couldn't. I even noticed Marcey and Miracle cheered for her as well. I guess she heard me because she looked so surprised, but I don't care; Ali will always be my friend.
After clapping and cheering for the rest of my friends, it was finally my turn.
"Isabella Hooker. She will be playing volleyball for Louisiana State University." I smiled and carefully walked towards Ms. Grier.
"Yaasss! Go best friend, that's my best friend! Go Izzy!!" I heard Mya scream. I laughed loudly as I tried so hard not to fall and embarrass myself. Once I made it completely off the stage and took I sighed in relief.
I sat and listened to everyone's name being called. Once we were finally on the T's, I slipped my shoes off so that I could be ready for Mya.
"Mya Thomas. Due to her tearing her ACL, she will not be playing volleyball, but she will be attending Howard University on a full ride academic scholarship." Ms. Grier said.
I stood up from my seat, "Wooo! Go Mya! Thats my best friend! You betta, you betta!" I shout. Everyone was laughing at my outburst, but I didn't care. I sat back in my seat once Mya was off the stage.
"How long have you guys known each other?" Kennedy asked.
"I met her sophomore year, but we became really close because were partners for this project." I chuckled, "It sounds so cliché though."
"Well it's okay. I met my boyfriend in the most cliché way too."
"Really? How?"
"He was the popular guy, and I was the quiet nerd. I had this huge crush on him of course, but he never noticed me mostly because he was a senior and I was a sophomore." My eyes widened and I waited for her to continue, "I never really had any friends either-- well, I still don't, I don't care.
Anyways, I bumped into him and he asked me if I was a new student. It was embarrassing, but we started talking after that. And the rest is pretty much history."
"Awwn." I cooed, "How long have yo guys been together?"
"Two years and three months." She smiled. She them pulled out her phone, "This is him." I took the phone from her and I nearly choked on my spit.
"Ho ma gawd." I mumbled as I looked at the picture, "What's his name?"
"Benjamin. But everyone calls him Ben."
"Does he go to LSU and is an Alpha?"
Kennedy frowned and nodded, "Yes and yes. What's with all the questions."
"I-He--" I scratched the back of my head trying to get my words together, "We met at prom. He was one of the waiters, and was really cool. And he somehow got my snapchat, and we started talking-- not like that." I quickly clarified before she jumped to any conclusions.
"At prom?" She scrunched up her face, "Oh yea. He did say he was doing something like that."
"Did you not go?"
"Nope. I had already went to junior prom, so I didn't want to go this year." Kennedy explained.
"Ohh okay. Well when we were talking, he told me that he went to LSU, and since I was gonna be attending he just said that he'd be able to show me the around. My friends also thought that it was weird that he only got my snapchat and not all of theirs." I looked at Kennedy, and it looked like she was trying to figure out what to say. I just sighed and continued, "He also didn't mention that he has a girlfriend. I can stop talking to him if you want. I mean we're going to the same school, but I can avoid him if this makes you feel better." I'm trying to compromise with her because I really don't want her to hate me. We just met, but she seems like a really cool person.
Kennedy sighed, "No it's okay. I'll just talk to him later before the party to see what's up. Thank you for telling me this though. I know other bitches like Destiny would try to make a move on him or something." She said.
"Yea I would never do that even if he was single, I'm not looking for a boyfriend I'm just trying to focus on my volleyball." I explain to her, she nodded and we both turned our attention back to Ms. Grier.
Kennedy and I were talking for so long that we didn't even notice that Ms. Grier was finally done handing out the diplomas. I'm not even gonna lie, after they call Mya's name, I didn't even care about the rest of the students; I barely talked to them anyway.
"Now. May the students please rise." On cue, everyone raised from their seats, "You guys have came a long way with all the homework, big research project, and even college applications and essays. But you were able to succeed, and now we have one hundred percent of you were accepted and will be attending a four year university."
We all cheered when we heard that. It's pretty amazing that everyone from my senior class was able to complete their senior year even with all the struggles that we went through.
"We love you Ms. Grier!" Someone shouted.
Ms. Grier's smile widened, "I love you too sweetheart." She choked out. Everyone cooed once they saw that Ms. Grier was starting to cry. Hell I was tearing up just looking at her. She wiped the tears that fell, and continued her speech, "Of all the years I've been principal at De La Salle High School, I've never witnessed one hundred percent of the students going to a four year college. And I can honestly say that I am so proud of the class of twenty sixteen.
Now without further ado, seniors. You may now move your tassels from the right to the left." I smiled widely as I moved my tassel to my left, "Congratulations class of twenty sixteen. You are now high school graduates." Ms. Grier announced. We all cheered and threw out graduation caps in the air.
*
"I can't believe my baby graduated high school!" My mom squealed as we walked towards the restaurant.
"Mom." I whined.
We're currently at Longhorn Steakhouse for my graduation dinner. Everyone was with us; Mya and her family, Rodney, Kailah and Allana. The rest of the girls went to different restaurants with their families.
Once we were seated, the waitress immediately came to get our orders. Everyone ordered steak except for me; I ordered their chicken fingers with fries.
"How does it feel to be a high school graduate?" Rodney asked.
Kailah cleared her throat, "I have never experienced that emotion." She said, mocking Joanne the Scammer.
Rodney laughed, "I wasn't talking to yo biscuit head ass."
Kailah scrunched up her face, "Ion why yo light bright ass always tryna treat somebody."
"Don't mind him Kai, he's always doing that." I say and I turn my attention back to Rodney, "And to answer your question, I feel free even though I graduated just to go right back to school."
"I know right! Sometimes I contemplate on dropping out and becoming a stripper." Mya said.
Mya's mom stopped her conversation with my mom and looked at Mya like she was crazy.
Mya's eyes widened, "Girl you must be crazy if you think you gon' be stripping while you still under my roof." Ms. Thomas chuckled as she took a sip of her wine.
"I know ma dang, I was just playin."
I narrowed my eyes at her, knowing that was a lie. Even though Mya is super smart, and does an outstanding job in school, she just doesn't like it. I'm pretty sure if it was up to her she wouldn't even be in school.
"Anyways, my graduation is next week!" Allana exclaimed.
"We will most definitely be there!" I said, "How many tickets do you get?"
"Ten."
"Oh okay, well just cover your family first--"
"Oh I already got it covered. Since it's only gonna be my parents, sister, and grandma I have enough for the rest of you guys." Allana said smiling.
"Okay good."
Our waitress finally came with our food. My stomach grumbled at the sight of my chicken fingers.
Once she handed everyone their plates I immediately dug into my food, and so did everyone else.
*
Nobody felt like changing their clothes for the party, so we just went with our graduation outfits on.
We made it to the house at 11:15, and it was already packed with people. My face was hit with the stench of sweat. I grabbed onto Mya so that I won't get lost, and because I'm still not used to the party scene yet. Kailah and the rest of the girls had already went their separate ways.
March Madness by Future was blasting through the speakers. People where dancing in one area while others were just chilling on the couches and other chairs that were there. I felt Mya tug me towards the kitchen; hopefully because it's less crowded in there.
She pushed the door open and I sighed in relief once I was able to breath. I looked around, and Kado was leaning against the table with a cup in his hand, talking to a girl. She was smiling in his face, he he was smiling in hers. I nudged Mya and told her that I'd be back. I guess she caught on because she just smirked and wished me luck. I rolled my eyes and made my way over to Kado.
"I didn't think you'd actually show up." I smirked as I stood next to him.
"Hey, yea I wasn't at first but--"
"Excuse me, but I know you saw us talking." The girl snapped. She was short compared to me and she was brown skinned with honey blonde hair. Not gonna lie; she is very pretty, but I can honestly say that I've never seen this girl a day in my life.
I shrugged and looked down at her, "So. Kado is my friend so I'm gonna talk to him." The girl rolled her eyes and stormed away. I smirked and turned my attention back to Kado.
He frowned, "What was that?"
"What? I didn't do anything." I folded my arms across my chest and rolled my eyes, "I can't talk to my friend?"
"I'm not saying that you can't, but you caught and attitude with my friend for no reason."
I grabbed a red cup, and filled it with the punch that was behind me. I took a sip and I frowned once I felt the burning sensation of alcohol going down my throat. I looked up at Kado and he was laughing at me.
"Haha, very funny." I mocked him and continued to drink the spiked juice, "Anyways, who was that girl you were talking to?"
"She's a freshman at Duke, and she cheers." He said smirking.
"Ooh okay. Is she from here or something?"
"Yea. She went to some school named Kenwood or something like that."
My eye widened, "Awe so she went to a CPS." I chuckled, "She must be a hoe." I mumbled.
I looked up at him and it didn't look like he heard me, so I continued to sip my drink. My eyes wandered around the room, and they landed on Kennedy. I was about to go over there, but it looked like she was arguing with someone. Once she moved out the way, I realized that it was Ben who she was yelling at.
I didn't realize I was staring at them so hard until I saw them staring back at me. I smiled and waved, and Kennedy waved back; Ben just looked at me. Kennedy then waved at me to come over there. I nodded my head and refilled my cup before going over there. I have a feeling that I'm about to be dragged into some stuff.
"Hey Iz." Kennedy greeted me, "You know Ben right?" She asked pointing to him.
I gave him a small smile and waved. "Hi." I mumbled.
"So. You wanna tell me how you guys met again?" Oh lord.
I cleared my throat, "Um, well he was our waiter at prom, and we just became cool ever since." I explained. Before Kennedy could say anything else, I stopped her, "Look I know that you're mad about this whole situation-- I mean I would be too, but just talk to him about this later. Have fun now-- I mean it is our graduation party." I said smirking.
Kennedy sighed, "Fine." She turned back to Ben, "But we will be talking about this later." She scolded, and walked away.
Once she was out of sight, Ben let out a breath of relief, "Thank you for that." He tried to give me a hug, but I stopped him.
"Don't thank me. You shoulda told me that you had a girlfriend in the beginning instead of flirting with me all the damn time." I snapped, "See, niggas like you is why I stay single."
With that, I brushed passed him and made my way to the living room where everyone was at. I just wanted to have a drama-free night, but I guess not right?