The sun felt a bit warmer that day as we stood outside of the hotel waiting for our bus to arrive. I would occasionally sneak glances at Angel as he playfully grinned at the ground. He knew I could not contain my happiness.
Yesterday felt like a dream. I had to pinch myself five times just to make sure it was real. After the firework show, we made our way towards the front entrance. Angel made sure to never let go of my hand.
As soon as we found ourselves with the rest of our classmates, we had to let go.
"Camellia, Angel!" I heard Tulip call us from afar. Iris and Poppy stood beside her, they all ran up to us.
Iris started, "We looked for you two for a long time! But then the firework show started, and well, we just ended up watching it. I'm so glad you two were together though!"
Angel and I shared a smile. "Wasn't the show brilliant?" He said in a soft tone.
Everyone began to gush about how marvelous the show was while I still had butterflies swarming around my stomach.
"Camellia, are you okay? You're so red," Poppy asked as she got closer to analyze my face.
Flustered, I took a step back. "I-It must be the heat!" I nervously laughed.
She tilted her head to the side and seemingly shrugged it off. I wanted to tell them about how I just kissed the boy of my dreams but, unfortunately, could not. It didn't bother me, though, as I felt like nothing could ruin my mood at this moment. Absolutely nothing.
I still felt that way even at this moment. Angel made sure he saved me a seat on the bus ride back. We had to sneak Poppy on again and we did so seamlessly.
Before I sat down beside Angel, I felt a pair of eyes intently staring at the back of my head. I turned around to find Magnolia staring at me, face to face. Her face was vacant of expression. Her eyes, however, were menacing. In my mind, something told me that she knew something was going on with me and Angel. I simply ignored this thought and sat down. She could never know about our relationship or else she would go off and tell his mother.
"Have you ever heard of escape rooms?" Tulip suddenly inquired behind us.
I shook my head as I turned to look her. "No, what are they?"
She then pulled out her phone and handed it to me. "They're like these brain games, where you're locked in a room with a group of people and solve puzzles to get out. It seems like so much fun!"
I took her phone and studied closer. Angel leaned in closer to me so he could get a better look. My face warmed and I couldn't help but turn away with a smile.
"You two seem closer," Tulip said as she peered over us.
"Yeah, I noticed it too--when we were getting on the bus!" Iris added.
We both looked at them with crooked smiles. "I-I'm not sure what you mean," I quickly blurted.
Tulip sneered, "Did you two share your deepest and darkest secrets?"
I rolled my eyes as they both started to playfully laugh. Angel didn't say a word, instead, he looked out the window with a small smile. I smiled to myself too. We couldn't hold hands, but he would occasionally nudge his knee with mine, indicating that he wanted to be closer.
°°°
Going back to school meant we had to go back to reality. But it wasn't all bad. The week we had off before summer school began to felt like eternal bliss. Instead of going home, I decided to stay behind with Angel. It wouldn't feel right if I were just to leave him here all alone.
Staying behind also meant I would get to say goodbye to Chyrs and Zinnia. Their graduation ceremony was at the end of the week and the sadness started to flow through me as the day arrived.
Angel and I made sure to have front-row seats in the school's theatre to see them properly. Suddenly, students in crimson red gowns and caps streamed through the front entrance. Their golden pendants of the school's insignia glistened under the lights. They all then promptly took their seats. The ceremony went on as usual–the headmistress gave a riveting speech and so did the valedictorian of her class, Chrys.
Everyone cheered as she made her way onto the stage and she welcomed everyone with a warm smile.
She started, "Headmistress, trustees, faculty members, family, friends, and fellow graduates, today is a marvelous day to be thankful for we have reached a grand milestone in our journey in becoming who we want to be. These past four years have been nothing less than fulfilling as I have been given a wonderful education at one of the best schools in the country. Often on graduation day, we look outside for heroes but I see them right here among us. I have seen in my years at Luncrest that we don't have to look far for inspiration and that we each have the potential to make an inspiring contribution to others, by being true to our values and committing ourselves to lofty goals.
When you leave here today, celebrate what you have accomplished, but look forward with an eye toward how you, too, can be the inspiration for others.
Congratulations Class of 2021!"
Claps thundered through the entirety of the theatre and Chrys received a standing ovation at her awe-inspiring speech. She made me feel like I could do anything I set my mind to, hoping that one day, I could be just as successful as her.
When the ceremony came to end, Angel and I found Chyrs and Zinnia conveniently conversing together. We ran up to them and congratulated them.
"How does it feel to finally be leaving this place," Angel inquired the two of them.
"It feels great!" Zinnia shouted, a bit too loudly as everyone turned around to look at us.
Chrys nodded. "I just can't believe how quickly time passed. It feels like only yesterday that I walked through the gates of Lunacrest for the first time."
We talked until the sun began to set, indicating that the time we had together was coming to an end. There was a deep, uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach that wouldn't go away. Like as if once they leave, something bad would happen.
Zinnia took me by surprise as she took me aside and handed me her pendant. I stared at it for a while, a bit shocked by her gesture. "Are you sure you want to give this to me? Giving your pendant to someone means..."
"You're special to me," Zinnia finished. She smiled as she wrapped her arm around mine. "I only knew you for a short amount of time, Camellia, but you made this place just a bit brighter."
Tears started to well up in my eyes. I wiped them away as I clutched her pendant close to my heart.
"Never lose that spark." As she said that, she let go of my arm and slapped me on my back, making me lose my balance. When I glanced back up she was now with what I assumed was her family in the distance. She turned back around and waved me off. A tear suddenly streamed down my cheek as I waved back to her.
I then looked towards where Angel had been with Chyrs and he was waving her off. I walked up next to him as I waved to her as well. She then yelled, "Good luck you two!" And left alongside her family.
I didn't know at the time that these goodbyes would only be the start of my eternal sadness.
°°°
We spent the rest of our last two days of the break in the garden, in his secret place, talking about what we would do once we graduated high school.
"I would like to study at a college that's beside the ocean! That way, I could go and study the marina whenever I please."
Angel nodded. "I wish I was as passionate about something as you," he turned away to look at the roses beside us, "I don't know what I want to do after high school."
He sighed. It was something that I had never known about him before. We had never really talked about what he was interested in. But I felt like that was because of his current situation, he didn't give his future much thought.
I took his hand and smiled. "That's okay! You don't need to know what you want to do right away. I'm sure you'll find something you love as time goes on."
Angel smiled back. "I already found something I love."
Heat rose to my cheeks and I felt myself blush. He knew just what to say to fluster me.
We continued to talk about an endless amount of things before the sunset. I told him that the escape room that Tulip mentioned sounded like a lot of fun and that we should all do it someday. He didn't say anything for a while.
Then he started, "What do you think they'll say if they find out about me? Do you think they'll hate me? I know I would..."
I fervently shook my head. "Of course they won't hate you. This isn't your fault, remember that. You didn't have a choice."
I knew this was a burden he had been carrying for quite some time now. The idea of all the people you've come to know hating you was something to be scared of. But Tulip, Iris, and Poppy would never hate him for it. At least, that was what I was hoping.
Angel took my hand in his and intertwined his fingers in mine. "I'm happy I met you, Camellia. I really am."
His words brought tears to my eyes. I wiped them away and said, "I'm happy I met you too, Angel."
Dear mamá,
I don't think I've ever been this happy since... since you were still here with us. Angel and I got off on the wrong foot in the beginning—he was arrogant and rude (he still is arrogant but I love that about him haha!) but we gradually became friends and I learned so much about him. He learned a lot about me too. I think we both help each other grow into better people. That's all I could ever want in a partner. He's so loving and kind now. And he's great at cuddling! Sorry, you probably didn't want to know that...
But anyway, I'm starting to believe that you placed him in my life for a reason, mamá. And if you did, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I can't wait to see where we go from here!
With all the love in the world,
Camellia
°°°
Summer school began and so did an endless amount of heatwaves. The girls, Angel, and I would typically spend most of the time in the library where it was nice and cool. However, I found myself all alone that particular evening.
Perhaps they're all getting some snacks. I hope they got me cheese puffs. Mmm.
I set my things down on one of the many tables in the study area and began to work on calculus III homework. It was something I despised if I was honest.
Forty minutes had gone by and still, no one came. I wondered what was taking them so long. Maybe the vending machine got jammed? Or maybe they ran out of-
"Camellia!"
The silence of the library had been broken by the yell of someone I did not have expect. My face immediately shot up from the table and my eyes widened in horror.
Poppy stood a few feet away from me, seemingly out of breath. In her right hand, she clutched firmly onto a blonde wig.
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