Photo by Tai's Captures on Unsplash Levi felt like he’d already been standing for hours. There was a line of people behind him as far as he could see, though that didn’t say much. He could hardly see over the heads of the two people directly behind him. His best friend, Olivia, had been in front of him.
In fact, she’d been talking to him while they’d been waiting. The two of them had grown up neighbors and became friends out of convenience more than anything. A few years ago, that changed and the pair quickly became closer than ever. Before the first five people had crossed the stage, she’d turned around to him. “You think this’ll take more or less than three hours?” she’d asked. “With Leo giving a speech? Easily over. We’ll be lucky to get out of here by two.” Olivia had gotten into her second choice of colleges, University of Michigan. She would be hours from him for the first time since they’d met. They had called her name a moment ago, and he watched as she walked, curls bouncing behind her. “...Levi Johnson!” As he ascended the steps to the stage, Levi took a breath. The old wood creaked under his footsteps, barely audible over the cheers and claps that had been echoing through the building for at least an hour now. He’d stood in front of the mirror for nearly half an hour before he’d left that morning, watching his reflection. Despite the matching caps and gowns they all wore, he’d considered dressing up. Nothing I do today will change their opinion of me, he thought bitterly. Unless it’s for the worse. After all, he’d known these people since before he could read or write. Levi had seen all of their embarrassing childhood photos. They’d seen him grow from an awkward child into an anxious teen. The people in this room knew nearly everything there was to know about him. Levi’s hands shook as he reached out to take his diploma. Because in all honesty, he was scared of this exact moment. Last year, he’d watched his older friends walk at graduation. He’d only spoken to one of them since. In a few short months, that would be him. He would leave his family behind, leave the small stores he’d grown up with. It was terrifying. It was thrilling. He shook the hands of the school staff members, and looked out into the sea of parents and siblings. It was easy enough to find his sister, dressed brightly. She clapped as he crossed the stage. Just last night, they’d talked about their futures. “You’ll be okay without me?” “God, Levi, yes. You don’t have to worry about me.” she’d said. “That won’t stop me.” “Just… try. I’ll be fine on my own.” And Levi was trying. He tried to pretend his fear of leaving stemmed from a place of concern. That he couldn’t leave until he knew his family would be okay. But it was purely selfish. He wanted to find an excuse in them, pretend his reason to not leave was anything other than his own fear. How many people had walked this stage before him, wondering about their own futures? He saw Olivia’s gentle smile waiting for him. Levi stepped off the stage and into his future.
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