Beep. Beep. Beep.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I let out a groan as I slammed my hand down on my alarm clock.  

Today was my twenty-second birthday. 

My college graduation ceremony.  

And my sixth year of living in Cosava, hearing nothing from my childhood best friend. It had been so long since we talked, so long since I saw his face, that I was starting to forget little things about him. Like the exact shade of blue his eyes were and just how blonde his hair really was. And I’m sure he’s changed, just like me.   

I rolled out of bed with my head full of a laundry-list of things to do before my ceremony. Typically, graduation was held in May, but since I had to stay almost a term longer for my triple Communication major, Cosava University made an exception and was holding a small ceremony for me and forty other students. 

I still lived with my parents.

I wasn’t complaining. 

College had been more expensive than what we first thought and living off campus was the logical thing to do. I hadn’t really gone out of my way at school to find or make friends. The only connections I had were those that went through my communication major.  

I managed, in four and a half years, to obtain a Broadcasting, Journalism, and Public Relations Bachelor’s degree with a minor in French. Since communication was my life, the only people I ever interacted with on campus were always in relation to my major. I had no desire to live the typical college life. 

I did go out on a few dates here and there, but it never seemed to work out. Either I was too focused on school or the guy only wanted one thing from me. I wasn’t looking for fun. I was looking for commitment.

After many failed dates, I had finally given up on the idea of romance. I knew it was out there, somewhere. But school and work were more important. 

Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I frowned at my appearance. My hair was still at my waist. I couldn’t bring myself to cut it any shorter, so I only got a trim every time I went to the salon. My face had become narrower in the six years since I had lived in Cosava. I looked more grown-up and lady-like. 

According to the few friends I had in this overly large city, my looks were exotic. Apparently, green eyes and black hair were uncommon traits to have. Add that to my strange name and I’m something to be valued. 

It was all pathetic. And a complete waste of time.  

People shouldn’t praise me on my looks. It was hard work and dedication that paid off. Looks shouldn’t matter where skill is involved. 

I decided to wear the fancy, dark blue dress my mom bought me the other day. It was a cute, strapless dress that fell just below my knee. Since I was five foot six, I didn’t think I needed heels. I slipped on a pair of nice blue flats. I piled my hair up in an elegant bun, leaving bits of hair here and there to give it the proper ‘messy’ look as my mom liked to call it. 

I put on the watch my father got me for graduating and the necklace my mother got me. They weren’t extravagant gifts, and that made me even happier. The watch was simple in build and my necklace was nothing more than three hearts interwoven strung on a silver chain.  

When my parents explained that it represented us and our family, it took me a moment to speak. It was all the more special to me because I knew we had no other family left. My last grandpa died four years ago. This necklace was pretty much my everything. I didn’t know what I would do if my parents were no longer around. 

By the time I made it to the kitchen in our apartment complex—we ended up going with a smaller place when we moved—breakfast was already lined up and ready to go. 

“Morning, sweetie. I made your favorite.” my father said as I picked up a plate. 

I looked at the chocolate covered, homemade doughnuts and smiled. These were perhaps my favorite dish for breakfast. I knew how to make them myself now, but nothing quite beats the taste of food cooked by your parents. 

I eyed the bacon and eggs, smiling when my mom entered the kitchen. We all poured out a large mug of coffee and stood around the very tiny island in our kitchen. 

“This came for you, dear.” my mom said. She tossed an envelope at me. 

I glanced at the address and my eyes widened, full of excitement. “It’s from Ross Industries!” 

“Well open it!” my father boomed. 

Ross Industries was this really top-notch communications corporation. I applied for the Public Relations opening since it’s my favorite line of work. I had gone through the tedious interview process while finishing up my last few classes over the summer. I hadn’t expected such a quick response. 

With excitement in my eyes, I quickly opened the envelope and took out its contents. “Dear Ms. Harrison, we are pleased to inform you that, after careful review, you are now a valued worker at Ross Industries…” I laughed, happy. “I got in!” 

Congratulations and praises were spoken from my parents as we stood around our kitchen island and ate homemade breakfast. It was my favorite meal of the day. 

After breakfast, my parents left for work. My graduation ceremony wasn’t taking place until one o’clock and they both had to settle a few things at work before coming. We hugged goodbye and I waved my parents off.  

“Love you!” I yelled out. 

“We love you, too!”  

I loved when my parents said the same thing at the same time. It was a nice sound. 

I was truly a lucky woman. 

I spent the rest of my morning tidying up the house and checking over the last few boxes I still had left to pack. Since I was about to enter the working world, my parents and I decided that it would be best if I started to live on my own. 

A savings account had been set up for me so I had a means of paying rent as well as other bills. My ultimate goal was to touch that money as little as possible. I might need it for the first few months I was out on my own, but I wanted to earn my money and pay for everything myself.

Once I finished up inside, I gathered together my things and put on a light jacket. Cosava was further north than Oakville and we’ve been catching the cold waves from the north winds.

I locked up and headed to the train station. My university was a short, fifteen-minute train ride away and tickets and train passes were relatively cheap. 

By the time I hoped on, I was feeling the true excitement of graduating, moving out on my own, and starting my new job. It was so overwhelming and new that I was bouncing in my seat the entire train ride. 

When I arrived, it was almost twelve o’clock. A few professors ushered me inside a grand building made out of clean-cut glass and steel. I spent the rest of the hour making small talk with my teachers and fellow classmates. 

I kept glancing at my watch the closer it got to my ceremony. My parents had said they would come see me off before they found their seats. I also kept checking my phone.

I hadn’t received any missed calls or texts. 

I figured they were just caught in traffic and would barely make it. That’s just the way the world worked sometimes. 

I caught my reflection in one of the glass walls in the building and forced myself to ease the worry lines creeping on my forehead. Everything was okay. My parents would be here soon. 

“Ms. Harrison, it’s time.” Professor Yin called out to me. 

I met his kind expression and nodded. 

My parents must be in the reception room.  

I, along with my fellow classmates, was herded into a giant room filled with rows of elegantly made chairs for us to sit in while the ceremony was conducted. The sleek marble floors and sharp gray glass made this building look elegant and beautiful. This was a newer building and was more modern than everything else in the surrounding area. 

As I made my way to sit down, I glanced up at the sparse audience in a vain search for my parents. My heart ached in an odd way when I noticed their absence. 

Something didn’t feel right. 

This ceremony meant nothing if my parents couldn’t be here to see it. I hadn’t been too thrilled to do the ceremony because I wanted to celebrate it quietly, with them. But they talked me into it, saying I wouldn’t get another experience like this again. I agreed because of the joy that had sparkled in their eyes when they talked of watching me cross that stage. 

I did another frantic search around the room. 

Before I jumped to the worst conclusions, I tried to rationalize why they weren’t here. I ignored the entire ceremony and mechanically stood and received my college diploma. When I was on the stage, I looked out to the audience. 

I couldn’t find my parents anywhere. 

Maybe it was just that they had arrived a little too late and had to stand outside to watch the ceremony. 

Yeah, that had to be it. 

They wouldn’t have missed this for the world. 

I forced a smile on my face as the photographer snapped my picture. I was congratulated by my university president and then…suddenly it was over. 

The ceremony had concluded and I couldn’t remember a thing about it. Not what was said, not what was seen—I could only think in short, frantic thoughts as I searched the reception area for my parents. 

Why weren’t they here? 

I quickly went to the back room reserved for graduating students and checked my phone.