Strings and Schemes

Chapter 27

"You look like someone who's about to get a degree and cause international headlines in the same day," Louis teases, adjusting my cap for me.

I roll my eyes, but my lips curve. "You make it sound like I want to cause headlines."

"You are dating Zayn Malik, babe," Niall points out. "That's basically a headline generator in itself."

I don't acknowledge that, mostly because the idea still makes my stomach flip in a way I don't entirely know how to process.

Instead, I exhale, turning to look at my reflection one last time.

I do look good. I look... like me.

A version of me who chose this path.

Who owns it.

I swallow the lump in my throat and turn to the others. "Alright. Let's do this."

Louis sniffs dramatically. "They grow up so fast."

Liam claps a hand on my shoulder, grinning. "We're all proud of you, Raina."

I feel something sting behind my eyes, but I force myself to keep it together.

I just nod. "Thanks, guys."

And with that, we head to graduation.

The moment the ceremony ends, I exhale a breath I didn't even realize I was holding.

I did it.

The applause is still ringing in my ears as I make my way off the stage, gripping my diploma tightly, scanning the crowd for the familiar faces I know will be waiting for me.

Louis. Liam. Niall. Gemma. Zayn.

And—my parents.

My stomach twists at the sight of them standing stiffly near the edge of the crowd, their perfectly pressed clothing and sharp expressions setting them apart from the chaos of proud, teary-eyed families around them. They look more like diplomats attending a formal reception than parents at their daughter's graduation.

For a moment, I debate walking past them entirely.

But then, of course, Louis gets there first.

I barely have time to process before I hear his voice—cutting, unimpressed, and just loud enough to be polite.

"Ah, Ambassador Addams. Mrs. Addams. Fancy seeing you here. Thought you might've sent an assistant instead."

Oh, for fuck's sake.

My mother barely blinks at the comment, offering a diplomatic smile that no doubt she's used to giving politicians she'd rather not be speaking to. My father, however, levels Louis with a cool stare.

"Louis," he says in that clipped, unreadable tone of his. "Still making yourself comfortable where you don't belong, I see."

Louis smirks, unfazed. "Comfortable? Ambassador, I practically own my spot here."

Liam, ever the peacekeeper, claps Louis on the back, completely missing the tension crackling in the air. "Mate, let's not get into a sparring match on Raina's graduation day, yeah?"

Louis scoffs. "I'm not the one throwing the first punch."

My father doesn't respond. He doesn't have to. The sharp glint in his eyes says enough.

I finally force myself to step in, clearing my throat. "Everyone—can we not?" I glance between them, landing on my mother. "Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure you would."

She studies me carefully before responding. "Of course, we came."

There's no warmth to it, just a fact. Like it was their duty to attend.