Page 132 of Romeo

My attention narrowed until the rest of the gym seemed to fall away.

She rose and walked toward the stairs, smoothing the front of her gown before climbing onto the stage. The principal handed her the diploma, shook her hand, and said something that made her smile.

I knew what today meant to Fiona.

School had been more than a plan since the first time she told me about becoming a social worker. She wanted to take every ugly thing that happened to her and make sure some other kid had someone standing beside them when it happened.

And now she was one step closer.

She turned toward the audience.

Her eyes moved briefly over the crowd before she headed down the opposite stairs and returned to her seat.

The smile spread across my face.

Damn, I was proud of her.

The thought came so naturally I didn’t bother questioning whether I had any right to feel it.

By the time the last name was called, everyone around me had started shifting with impatience. Cameras came out. Parents moved toward the aisles despite repeated requests to stay seated.

Then the principal announced the graduating class.

Caps flew.

The gym erupted.

Within seconds, the neat rows disappeared beneath families rushing forward to find their graduates. I stayed against the wall and watched the chaos.

I could have left.

That had more or less been the plan. See Fiona graduate. Let her have the day with her family. Text her later and tell her how proud I was.

It was a good plan.

Then I saw her.

She stood near the edge of the crowd with her cap gone and her gown hanging slightly crooked from one shoulder, rising onto her toes as she searched over the people around her.

I watched her turn.

Her eyes found mine.

She froze.

For a heartbeat, I wondered whether I’d made a mistake coming without telling her.

Then her face changed.

The smile hit first.

And she ran.

Not walked.

Ran.

She slipped between families and graduates, barely slowing when someone stepped into her path. I pushed away from the wall just before she reached me.