I was unable to wrap my head around what had happened outside in the smokers' area, but thankfully I was able to finish the school day without any further incidents. I had no work left so spent the night relaxing, sketching a few subjects, and eating snacks while dad worked late.
Friday went by easily enough, with no work left to hand in, the teachers mainly just let us do whatever we wanted and chatted with students about their future plans.
The only parting that got me was my final art class with Mrs. Lambert, she was the only teacher that cared enough to stop other students from bothering me in class. Mrs. Lambert was always very supportive of my art, encouraging me to never give up, and always offering constructive criticism when required.
She may be a human, but she has a big heart and my respect. When the hour got close to the end she came right to my desk and sat down with me.
"So Janna, any news?" Her hand flew to her mouth as it often did when she was nervous.
"Yes, dad said it came in the mail the other day, but I haven't opened it yet. I wanted to wait until the school year was done." I smiled back nervously and we both let out a sigh.
"I must know if you are accepted to L'Institut des beaux-arts de Paris, you will read it before tomorrow's ceremony, no?" The plea was evident in her voice and it forced a smile to my lips.
"Of course, I will! How could I not tell my favorite teacher?" I smiled and she patted my hand and wished me luck in my future endeavors, then shooed me away to my next class.
x-x-x
The next morning I slept in and dressed in a cute white sundress with a purple floral print as well as a neutral cardigan and a bit of makeup before joining my father downstairs.
He obviously heard me upstairs getting ready, because he was standing by the stove with a mug of coffee in his hand and the letter that held my future sitting beside him on the counter.
His eyes twinkled and darted between me and the letter a few times before and urged me to open it.
"Weren't we going to have breakfast first?" I let out a nervous chuckle and my father grinned down at me.
"We were but I was too excited to make breakfast, shall we take this show on the road? " Dad downed the remnants of his coffee mug, placing it in the sink as he does and pulling his truck keys from his pocket.
"I could eat, and I don't feel like cooking so let's go!" I grabbed the letter and put it into my purse as we climbed into the old red Ford truck my father spent so much money fixing that he could've had two trucks, but it was one of the things he held dear from his own father.
After settling into one of the old booths at Roxanne's Diner, we ordered double orders of breakfast platters, pancakes, and coffee for dad, I, however, got black tea. We laughed and ate until our bellies were full and I hesitantly pulled the envelope from my bag, placing it on the table between us.
A large sigh was let out as I tore it open and stopped to look at my smiling father, and he placed one of his large hands on my shoulder. I pulled out the contents and my eyes scanned over the pages. I froze.
"Well?" dad urged. "What does it say, Janna?"
"I have been accepted, I start this spring..." I calmly uttered, unable to take my eyes off the page.
"I knew you could do it! That's my girl!" My father let out a thunderous laugh and threw his fists in the air! But I just continued to silently stare at the page.
I'm going to Paris, to the art school of my dreams…
Slowly, it began to sink in that it was truly happening and I Yelled out excitedly as well. The waitress and cook started laughing from where they were once chatting in the corner of the diner and an old man that had been quietly sipping coffee at the counter clapped a few times.
I felt like I was riding some kind of high as I walked across the stage of my graduation ceremony, my father was watching me proudly as my honors status was announced, and I heard him cheer when they informed the crowd of the two scholarships that I'd hidden I was revealed to him.
After taking my diploma I walked to shake the hands of my teachers, winking at Mrs. Lambert, and she beamed back at me. Then I returned to my seat to daydream as the rest of the students continued to be handed their papers.
When the ceremony came to a close Bea and I got together before rushing to find our parents, and after we were all together we decided on a place to dine before separating and heading there. Thankfully it seemed that we arrived before the rush, so they were able to hastily seat our group of six before other groups showed up.
The meal was great except for Eric, Dani's eight-year-old brother whose favorite activity was annoying her. Typical little brother stuff like talking over her, stealing her food, and by the end of the evening, he dropped the remainder of his juice onto her jacket, claiming it to be an accident.
We all laughed and had a good time until the food ran out and it was time for Dani and me to get ready for the party, so we all filed out of the building and I grabbed my overnight bag from Dad's truck.
Dani's parents left quickly as they were dropping Eric off at her grandmother's for a date night of their own, but dad stayed to give me a big hug and a stereotypical "Be safe" dad talk before allowing us to drive off.