Today is my final day. I get to walk out of these gates and never look back. A heartwarming ceremony, saying my last good-byes to my teachers, my friends, and everyone else. 

Looking up at our principal he called out the names of each student, cheers of their families and friends filled the stadium. 

I’ve made plenty of memories to keep with me in my upcoming college life. It’s hard not feeling sad finally leaving high school.

I opened up an insulated metal bottle and took a large gulp of the green tea inside. Decorated with my favorite characters from the games I love to play. It was given to me just before the ceremony by my best friend, Aisaki. I call her Isa for short.

“Ariki Kuin!” 

Hearing my name I set down my bottle and proceeded up the stage towards the Head of Education. Taking the view of my peers, as I walk across the stage to receive my paper, I see the proud faces of my family. They all wore flashy cheerleader uniforms. Even though it was cute to see my mom and younger siblings dress up, seeing my dad in a frilly skirt and crop top while waving around pom poms was a sight I never wanted to see. Loud and somewhat organized they cheered for me from the back of the stadium.

“Congratulations, Ariki! We love youuu! Go Go Goooo, Ariki! A- R- I- K- I!” 

Oh My Gosh! This isn’t an American Football game! 

Feeling the heat of my face rise I tried glaring daggers at my family to pop their balloon of joyfully clowning about, while holding the sweetest smile I can muster. In the wave of students waiting in front of the stage, I saw Isa happily waving to me. In her hand she held the same insulated bottle I had, but decorated with her favorite characters. The smile she held was a crescent moon in the night sky. Since I nicknamed her she started calling me, Ari. Oddly enough, she hasn’t talked to me since our recent falling out. It happened after I told her about my upcoming date with my long-time crush a couple days ago, but her giving me a cute gift and seeing her genuine smile put my worries to rest. With the sight of my family and best friend cheering for me, I wave and yell out to them in appreciation. 

"Thank you so much! I love you too!"

I notice that I seem to have the attention of everyone while I stride through the stage. Because of that I couldn’t help but accentuate extreme pride in my looks.

I’m probably being too full of myself, I’m graduating though so I’m allowed to strut my stuff! 

Despite my confident stride I was shaking, suddenly I felt a growing fire in my heart. In mere seconds, I began coughing violently, choking, and gasping for air desperately gripping my chest. 

This burning pain... is so damn unbearable..! 

Before I knew it, things were moving at a snail's pace and feeling weak, I fell. All I saw was the shocked faces of my family and everyone else as I gradually fell, but one face stood out to me. Isa still smiled brightly, her lips were curled up even higher than before. Blood trickled down her lips as she happily watched me. Losing my consciousness, the world slowly faded away along with the excruciating pain.