Kelly gives each group a once-over, seeing who she can recognize.  Her classmates dot the crowd, their families close by.  Strangers excited for something to celebrate, or eager to get some free food, make up most of the others in attendance.  Not far from where the crowd thins out, teachers and soldiers are putting the final preparations on a stage— which is really just an outlined square of grass with some decorative pillars and draped fabric.

As soon as they are at the edges of the crowd, Robert has his hands on Kelly’s shoulders and is gently ushering her forward.  “There’s still some time before the ceremony,” he says when she looks back at him.  “Go find your friends.  Tonight is about you guys.”

Kelly offers him a half-smile and plucks at the hem of her black dress.  It’s a simple strapless number with a light cardigan, accompanied by a pair of wedges.  She doesn’t remember the last time she wore it, or the shoes for that matter.  “You sure?”

Robert nods and motions for her to get going.  “Yes!  Go have fun!”

Kelly offers him a playful salute and turns back to the crowd, disappearing into the throng.  She glances into each group, looking for her classmates.  A few catch her eye and offer waves or greetings and she returns them, but doesn’t stop, not until she sees Cassandra standing with Jenna and Brent.  Cass’s laugh fills the air and Brent grins, proud of himself for causing it.  He notices Kelly first, waving.  “Hey, Kells.”

Kelly takes the empty space beside Cass and shoves her hands in the pockets of her cardigan.  “Hey, guys.  We’re finally here, huh?”

Cass giggles and drapes an arm around Kelly.  She’s wearing a gray A-line skirt with a white blouse, a chunky turquoise bangle on her wrist the only pop of color in her outfit.  “We’re finally here!” she repeats.

Jenna and Brent are both dressed in slacks and button-up shirts, the latter wearing a tie and suspenders.  Jenna’s dimples are on full display as she smiles, Brent’s expression more subdued now.  “You excited to get your ass kicked?” he asks, looking at Kelly as he crosses his arms over his chest.

“I’m excited to see you get your ass kicked,” Kelly replies, grinning as she pulls her hand from her pocket and swings an arm around Cass’s waist in return.

Brent scoffs and rolls his eyes, but one side of his lips tweaks up into a half-grin.

“You’re both going to be great,” Cass chimes in.

“You know I finished reconstructing my gun before her,” Brent comments.

“I have better aim than you,” Kelly counters.

It’s Jenna’s turn to roll her eyes.  “Can we not?  We’re supposed to be happy and celebrating, you know.”

“Yes!” Cass exclaims, pulling her arm from Kelly’s shoulders to slap her in the middle of her back.  “So play nice!  You’re probably going to have to live with Brent in boot camp, you know.”

“Gross,” Kelly retorts, but she grins anyway.

Brent chuckles under his breath and relaxes his stance.  “Because you asked nicely.”

Kelly is about to make another comment when a loud clapping gets her attention.  The chatter begins to die down as more hands join, guests looking to the empty square for the source of the noise.  Mr. Ramsey is in the center of the square, his colleagues flanking him in two groups, one the other civilian teachers and the other soldiers.  “If all today’s graduates would join me at the back of the stage, please.”

Cass practically squeals at that and grabs Kelly by the wrist, yanking her along as she hurries ahead of Brent and Jenna.  They’re two of the first students to join the teachers and are quickly ushered to the empty space behind the marked square serving as the stage.  As they get corralled into place, the audience begins coming together, forming one unified group in front.  A few people continue to whisper and mutter to themselves, but most of them have gone quiet.

Once the modest array of students have taken their places, Mr. Ramsey gives one more clap, keeping his hands together as he looks over the audience.  Behind him, the sky begins purpling as the first signs of dusk settle on the horizon.  “Welcome, one and all, to graduation.  I have the esteemed honor of officiating this ceremony today.  Like many of you, I have watched these individuals grow into exceptional members of our community, and I am proud to be bidding farewell to them today as they take their places in society.”  The audience claps when he pauses.  Mr. Ramsey clears his throat and continues.  “Without further ado, please welcome the class of 2050.”

The teacher at the head of the line ushered the first student forward and they began their measured walk up to Mr. Ramsey, facing the audience.  “William Edgar,” the student announces before taking a bow, as is custom for civilians.

“Welcome, William,” Mr. Ramsey says as he straightens, holding out his hand for the young man to shake, holding out his other hand to the woman beside him.  She hands him a thin coin the size of a silver dollar, which he then holds out to William.  “Keep this coin close to your heart and let its iron protect you.  It will bring you luck as you traverse the world, and travel on to the next phase of your life.”

William nods in thanks as he takes the coin, pressing it to his chest before saying, “Thank you.”  With that, his turn on the stage is over and he walks to the end, where another teacher is waiting to take his photo.

Cassandra is next.  Once the stage is clear, she approaches and faces the audience.  “Cassandra Jefferson.”  She curtsies.

“Welcome, Cassandra,” Mr. Ramsey says, then shakes her hand and offers her one of the iron coins, giving her the same message, albeit slimmed down for time.  Cassandra accepts it with thanks, then walks across the stage.

Kelly is next.  She takes a deep breath, then approaches the front of the stage, facing everyone.  Her father is in the front row, a smile threatening to crack his face in half.  He motions like he’s going to clap, but his hands don’t meet.  Kelly returns the smile before announcing herself.  “Kelly Cullman.”  Unlike her predecessors, she stands at attention and salutes.  Everyone claps, but Robert claps the loudest, throwing in a holler than earns him a few glances.  Kelly’s smile widens a touch at that, and her eyes linger on her father for a moment before turning to Mr. Ramsey as he presents her coin.  She shakes his hand and offers a small thanks, then walks to the other side to stand for her photo.  Once it is taken, she pockets the coin and joins Cass and William to the side to wait for the others to make their way across.

Once each student has walked, the entire group is ushered back into the square to stand in a line and offer one last collective bow and thanks to those who came before them.  The crowd claps and cheers, and finally they are dismissed to mingle into the others again as the ceremony quickly shifts back into a party.  Kelly makes a beeline for Robert, who holds up a hand.  She grins as she slaps hers into his with a loud clap, their fingers curling around the other as their high-five turns into a hug, their clasped hands caught between their chests.  Robert gives Kelly one clap on the back before backing up and letting her go.  “You did it, kid.”

Kelly flashes horns with her pointer finger and pinky and laughs.  “Sure did.”

Robert chuckles with her, then reaches into his pocket to produce an envelope.  He holds it close to his chest, hesitating a moment before extending it to her.  “Here, before I forget.”

Kelly’s smile falls slightly, but she takes the envelope, pulling the flap open and peering inside.  At first she thinks it’s empty, but a spot of red makes her realize that the contents are as thin as paper and clinging to their receptacle.  She reaches two fingers in to grab it and pull it out, revealing a ribbon.  It’s slightly frayed at the ends where it was originally cut, but someone took the time to hem it so it would stay intact.  Her gaze lingers on it for a moment before she turns her attention to her father.  “What’s this?”

A sadness makes its way into Robert’s eyes that is reflected in the way his smile falls ever-so-slightly.  “You might not remember, but your mother wore that ribbon.”

Kelly’s gaze darts from her father’s face to the ribbon, the image of her mother forming in the back of her mind as she recalls flashes of her, the red ribbon tied around her neck.  Kelly could only remember one time she ever saw her without it, the night she disappeared.  She hadn’t thought anything of it at the time, but seeing it here now, knowing she’d left it behind, it stirs something in her chest that she can’t quite name.  A memento of a life gone.  “Are you sure you want to give this to me?”

Robert nods.  “I think your mother would’ve wanted you to have it today.”

Kelly offers the empty envelope back to him, taking the ribbon in both hands once he accepts it.  She reaches behind herself with it to wrap it twice around the base of her ponytail, tugging it until it’s close and tight, then tying it off.  The ends of the ribbon drape down unevenly.

Robert’s smile returns, but the sadness in his gaze grows darker.  “It looks good.”