Chapter 7|The Graduation Day

The women's dormitory was very busy. Girls were prancing about the area trying to find the supplies they need to get ready for the big day. Today was the day everyone was dreading, graduation day. Where everyone finally leaves the University with pride in one hand and a diploma on the other.

"No, I did not leave that there." Evelyn said.

"UGH! WHO HAS THE EYELINER!" A girl called out.

"RIGHT HERE!" Another girl answered.

"HURRY WITH THE CURLER, PLEASE!"

Anais wasn't a make up type of girl so she had a simple lip tint, blush, mascara, and eyeliner. Threw on her favorite dress and let her natural curls flow. Jesse snuck to the girls dormitory and wrapped his arms around Anais without her noticing.

"Hey!" She said, shocked. "What are you doing here? You're not allowed here!"

"I know. I just wanted to give you this. Happy graduation day!" He opened the velvet box to show a sparkly necklace with the a shape like a star twinkling in the sky.

"Wow!" Her eyes sparkled with the gem of the necklace. "It's really beautiful!" Jesse took it out of the box and clasped the necklace around her neck.

"You are all the light I need, baby." He whispered into her ears and she chuckled.

***

"Jesse Cochran.....Anais Cooper.....Evelyn Parker....." The MC continued on with the names until everyone in the class was called.

Everyone threw their graduation caps up into the air and Evelyn hugged Anais. Jesse was busy being congratulated by his peers and his mother. Anais's grandparents also came to congratulate her. They were the only parents she'd ever known ever since her birth parents died when she was very young.

Pictures were taken, congratulations were said, people laughed and cried. Jesse pulled An aside from all the craze of emotions and frenzy students.

"An, this is my mom. Mom, this is Anais Cooper."

"Nice to meet you Mrs. Cochran."

"None sense, dear. Call me Sharon." Jesse's mom said brushing off formalities and An smiled back at her. "So, dear, where are your parents?"

"Actually my grandparents took care of me my whole life." She looked behind to search for her grandparents in the crowd.

"An's parents died when she was young." Jesse whisphered to his mother.

"Oh my..." Mrs. Cochran gasped and placed her hand on her chest.

"It's a tough topic for her so don't bring it up." He warned.

"Here they are!" An said finally beside her grandparents. "Grandma Maya and Grandpa Luke."

"It's so nice to meet you, young man!" Grandpa Luke said shaking Jesse's hand eith his strong grip.

They exchanged formalities and congratulations. Soon after only the grown ups were left talking so Jesse and Anais sneaked to their favorite spot in the campus park.

"Happy graduation day, Anais!" Jesse declared. "I wanted to make this moment unforgettable so....." Jesse took a few steps further into the park and found the tree where they carved their initials AC + JC. "Pulled a few strings to pull it off but it was worth it." He pulled a string and a banner came down with the words written "Marry me?" Jesse got down on one knee and started. "I'm not really proposing but I kinda am." He brought out another velvet box and opened it to reveal a ring with gems forming a circle with a hollow space in the middle. An was trying her best to contain herself. She was about to cry but also shout at the same time. "Will you make me the happiest man by promising to marry me someday?"

"JESSE! YES! YES YES YES! YES!" Anais screamed at the top of her lungs, tears of joy started streaming down her cheeks like an open faucet. Jesse slid the promise ring into her finger and stood up and gave her a long kiss.

Evelyn was on the far end of the park waiting for them then Jesse waved for her. She came over and took pictures of thrm without An seeing. Then after awhile An spotted her and waved her over.

"Lyn! You knew?" An said shockingly.

"Of course I knew!" She hugged her bestfriend. "Let me see it!" An reached out her finger to show Evelyn the ring.

After the graduation, there was an after party in one of the the student's house and they all went and spent the rest of the day there.

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"I remember the way you were so surprised. How the love in your eyes twinkled with joy and excitement. That was the best day of my life." He said holding the pair of ring on his hand.