Eli Torres just wants to go through her last two years of high school without making any real connections. She's convinced herself that she's moved on at least from the majority of her past. But life has other plans for her. And being a natural flir...
Time really is a curious thing. Some days go by so slow while others go by in a blink of an eye. My time with Sam has been the best part of every day. When I'm with her, I feel the world pause. I feel every second and every minute until the hour comes when we have to part ways. Those seconds when we're not together are the most nerve wracking moments of my life. The need to see her again and the anticipation until that time comes... It's both painful and magical. Knowing that a person can have so much effect on someone... I don't understand it. But I don't have to. Because I have her.
However, with time comes space. And each one of us will reach a time when space must be given attention too. Willingly or not.
Graduation marks the time of another chapter gone past. It also marks the time of a life anew. Sam and I may not be going to the same university but I know the space between us will be no match to the time we've spent together. Two years may not be much in terms of quantity. But quality-wise... I know we're secure. Plus, it's not like we'll be that far apart from each other.
"Okay one more photo!"
"Tita, you've practicaly taken a hundred already." I complain at my Aunt. We haven't even left the apartment yet.
"Shush. I need one at every angle." Aunt Tessa ignores me and continues to snap more pictures. At this point I've given up actually posing. I scrunch up my face into a goofy look.
"Alright, alright. That's enough for now. But I'll be getting more later of you with Sam." Aunt Tessa says, patting my head like I'm a child.
"Hey, don't mess with the do!" I pout and fix my hair. My aunt just laughs at me, while picking up my toga and heading for the door.
"C'mon, wouldn't want to be late."
"And whose fault is that?" I mutter under my breath.
***
Now at the football field, we're-- you guessed it-- taking more photos. I don't mind as much this time though. I can just distract myself with the beauty beside me. Sam is wearing a simple white lace dress that cuts mid-thigh. On her though, it's anything but simple.
"Stop looking at me and look at the camera." Sam laughs while holding my chin to turn my face to the camera.
"I'm taking my own photos here." I tap a finger to my temple. She rolls her eyes and continues to laugh at my cheesiness.
"Oh my gosh, you two look so cute!!" Kate and Jane walk up to us, their parents following behind them and easily greeting Sam's and my aunt.
"You look like you're getting married." Jane says, looking amused at us.
I look at myself. I'm wearing black slacks, a black blazer, and a white t-shirt underneath. Then I look at Sam in her white dress.
"Too bad our surnames are far apart or we could've walked down the aisle together." I smirk at Sam.
"Ha! You wish. I want that rock you were talking about first." She smirks back at me.
I pout at her. "Do you know how hard it is to find graves to dig?"
Sam tries to suppress her laugh while Jane and Kate just full on roar, earning some stares from our classmates.
"You could always just find a corner and stand there with your guitar." Sam raises an eyebrow at me. She's been trying to get me to sing for her again. I just stick my tongue out at her.
"Alright you four, let's get some photos in quick before the program starts." Tom says motioning for us to stand closely together and giving me a look that says 'you owe me one'. I give him a small nod in thanks. Tom's been saving me from awkward situations and cute but slightly annoying nagging from Sam these past few months. It's honestly nice to have someone like him again-- someone like a dad.
Photo-taking ended and the program shortly followed. I'm gonna save you from all the details and just say that it was boring but also kinda fun because of the knowledge that our high school lives were finally culminating to this moment.
Diplomas were given. Speeches were made. Caps were thrown.
More photos were taken.
Now we're nearing the end of our celebration. Sam's family, my aunt, Jane's and Kate's families, and a few more familiar faces all having dinner at one of the restaurants in town. I look through the window, having stepped outside for some air, and watch all the smiles being shared. I can't help but smile myself.
"What's got you smiling like a fool?" Sam asks as she exits the restaurant and walks over to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
"You. Them. Us." I smile back at her.
"Someone's sentimental." She jokes.
"I'm just savoring the moment. In a few weeks, we'll each be going our own ways. I know we won't be that far apart but I just..."
"I know what you mean." I rest my chin on Sam's head as she leans on my chest.
"I love you." I hug her closer.
"I love you too."
In that moment, under the light of the moon and the gentle night breeze wrapping around us, time stops holding us in one space.
A/N: Better late than never I guess. Turns out my headache was just from work and not the vaccine haha. Stay safe y'all!
Eli and Sam's outfits:
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