The last diploma is passed out on stage. Soon, the air is filled with graduation hats and the hopefulness of everyone gather. Confetti floats in the fresh scent of the crisp night wind. He holds my hand through our robes. Everyone disperses and he lets go of my hand. I follow behind him with a smile. This is the end of high school. Four long years finally over and I can taste the freedom.

   He turns around and gives me crooked grin at me in just the way he did last night. His hand softly traces my naked back. We made so many plans. We finally get to be together out in the open. The last of the slow confetti drops in the gentle wind. It touches my face than floats to earth slowly in a multicolored mess.

   His mother runs up to him grabs hold of her only son like a lifeline. All the love in the world can be seen in that one hug from such a small woman.

   I stretch my hand out to his mother. With a big smile on my face, I wait for my boyfriend to introduce her to me again.

   The love of my life turns to his mother and says. "Mom, you remember a friend of mine from school Isaiah."

   A friend.  

   I realized in that moment, I graduated from him.