My heart is pounding, nervous of what will happen when my name is called up. Will I trip and fall on my face because I stepped on my robe? Maybe I’ll do something stupid like smile too widely until it freaks the headmistress out. And then, it happens.

“Kyra Jansen,” the host calls out with her formal voice, trying to be as professional as she could, smiling widely, and controlling it at the same time. I wanted to curse her for ever even calling my name, but instead I walked up the stage as formal and elegant as I can. I bowed and smiled and took the certificate and thanked at the headmistress. Then I walked off, just as ‘formal and elegant’ as I walked on stage. I sat myself on one of the chairs next to my mom, and she kissed my cheeks, eyes teary of (I’m sure) pride and sadness at the same time. She knew I wanted to move on and have my own life, and I’m happy she understands.

I waited for the announcer to call his name, so that the graduation part is over with and we could get back to where we left the last time we saw each other. And so I waited a few minutes later, it finally came.

“Daniel Joseph Freeman,” the announcer called. The tall eighteen year old walked up the stage, half grin on his face. He did the same routine I did, and walked down. I let him search for his family first, eyeing him as he walked to his mom and hugged her. She was braver then my mom - she wasn’t crying at all. In fact, she’s just full of pride. After a while, he caught my eyes. I didn’t pull back the gaze. We looked at each other from a distance for about five seconds, then he comes over, his grin wiped off.

When he came closer I stood up, ready to talk to him. We moved to the side so that the guests at the back could see the stage.

“I got good news and bad news,” he told me. Suddenly, I felt my heart lift up. This could be it. The moment I’ve been waiting for – him to stay and be with me forever.

“Good news first,” I said almost in a blink of an eye, excited to hear what he has to say.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he says with a big grin on his face, happy that he doesn’t have to wake up every day to milking cows. I almost screamed, but instead I squeaked softly of happiness, and hugged him as tightly as I could. I was so happy. He’s here to stay by my side.

“My cousin quit his office job in Chicago and would rather go out into the sun and have some physical activities. I’m so happy,” he finishes as he hugs me back. And then after a minute or so of happiness, he pulled me back with a serious face, still smiling though. “Now the bad news.”

I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, but I knew this must be as serious as a contract of handing over your baby to another couple because you’re not capable of taking care of it.

“My dad gave me two options - live with you, but take business, or live with him, and take architecture.” I immediately stop smiling. After our second year of dating, I already planned out how our lives are going to be when we grow up, when we get out of school. It has been a dream ever since I knew my guess was right – he was the right one. Now he has to choose. Me or his career.

“Oh,” is the only thing I could say.

“I want you to decide,” he told me.

I thought about it for a moment. I couldn’t even believe I did that. If I loved him as much as I act I do, I should let him be happy with something he wants. “It’s okay. I think you should go for the architecture.”

Suddenly, tears rolled down my cheek without notice. He looks surprised.

“Don’t cry,” he says. “It’s okay, I’ll still get to see you right?” My eyes widen.

“You mean we’re not breaking up no matter what?” That sounds weird.

“Yup,” he reassured me. “We’re still together. It’s just that I can’t live with you until we’re married.”

“And when will that be?” I asked flirtily.

“Soon,” he replied, big grin forming on his face. I laughed, my face wet of tears. When I stopped, the certificate ceremony ended.

“Graduates please huddle together to get a picture,” the host announced. Dan looked at me happily and I smiled at him back. We walked together, me in his arms. We huddled with the rest of the graduates, and when the photographer called the countdown, Dan leaned forward to give me a kiss, and it was a happy one, one that I will remember forever, even if I lose the picture.