Opal's pov

"Smile!" There was a quick flash from mom's phone and everybody stepped apart. Mom smiled at the picture on her screen, crying a little bit.

"Are you okay, mom?" I asked.

"I'm fine, I just..." She hugged me tightly. "I'm so proud of you Opal." I hugged her back.

"I know you are mom." We finally pulled apart. I smoothed out the dark blue robe that I wore over my teal dress. Sugilite walked up to me and took my hand.

"I'm proud of us too baby." I was proud too. Graduation was a big step that had always daunted me, but now that I was there, I was beaming.

"Aw, I can't believe I'll be alone next year!" Sardonyx complained.

"Excuse me young lady? You are not going to be alone." I scolded. She looked up, confused.

"What?"

"You still have to look out for Ruby, and Pearl, and Amethyst, and-"

"Okay, you can stop before you list off half of the freshman class!" Sardonyx interrupted, laughing.

"Yeah, I guess we do have a lot of friends in that grade." I smiled at Pearl, getting her picture taken beside Ruby.

"I'm glad Pearl will have good friends in her class for years."

"Yes. Because Pearl is too amazing not to have friends." Alexandrite smiled.

"If I could have all the seniors report to the gym for a brief meeting before the ceremony?" Mrs. Diamond's voice called over the loudspeaker.

"Go get good seats!" I insisted, directing my family in the direction of the exit to the football field. Sugi, Alex, and I made our way into the gym.

"I'm so proud of everyone!" Mrs. Diamond cheered. "Now, after my opening remarks, Alexandrite will give her speech. Is everyone clear?" Everyone mumbled agreement. "Let's head out!"

Mrs. Diamond's speech was slightly longer than her usual speeches at assemblies, but nobody seemed to mind.

"And so it is with much pride that I hand the microphone over to the four year consecutive class president, Alexandrite!" Everybody cheered as Alexandrite stepped up to the podium.

"The past four years of myife have been the best. Growing up in the foster system, I never once dreamed I could graduate from a school as prestigious as Crystal Prep, so I would first like to thank the administration for providing me with a full scholarship." Everyone applauded. I had known that Alexandrite had grown up in foster care, but never that she was on a full scholarship.

"And secondly, I would like to thank my classmates. Specifically my good friends Opal Baroque, Sugilite Fuerta, and many others throughout the four grades whom continue to inspire me and support me in everything I do. Thank you, and I'm so lucky to have met you all before we go on to our separate adventures in life!"

The ceremony wasn't very long after that. Everyone received their diploma, and then we were all set loose to eat with our families

"Can I just get one more picture?" Mom asked, turning the camera to us as we ate.

"Mom. Really." I chuckled. Mom laughed along too.

"I know, it's just... You girls are growing up so fast! It feels like just yesterday I was dropping you off at kindergarten, and now I'm only a few months away from dropping you off at college..."

"That reminds me," Sardonyx interjected. "Have you decided on your major yet?" I nodded.

"I want to go into Clinical Psychiatry. I want to be able to help people." Sugi kissed me lightly on the forehead.

"That's my girl." Mom nodded.

"I'm so proud of you Opal. You really worked hard for all of your scholarships." I hugged her tightly.

"I'm going to make you even prouder, mom." Another flash of light came from Pearl taking a picture.

"I'm so proud of you too, Opal." I smiled, then hugged my sister tightly.

"I'm doing this for you too."

(A/N) Sorry, I haven't had WiFi lately but I swear this book will be finished by August if it kills me. School gets out on Monday.
Random Facts of the day:

1.Opal is going into psychiatry, Alex is going into social work, Sugi doesn't know yet, and Rainbow is going to major in Women's Studies

2:Tsaatr is officially entered in the wattys!

3:Big things are coming...