04 | Another Graduation

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Cheers and claps filled the stadium as students in James' graduating class walk across the stage to retrieve their diploma from Mr. Higgins. I work the different angles, making sure to get a picture of every student walking across the stage.

A while back Mr. Higgins had asked me to take pictures of their graduation, hence why I'm here besides James.

When it's James' turn to walk across the stage, he grabs the diploma and smiles at me. I snap the shot and look at it, smiling to myself. Mrs. Torres, James and Olivia's mom, will love this photo.

After the graduation ceremony comes to an end, I make my way back to Olivia and her family. When I spot them, Jaden has his arm around her and they're talking to James.

James spots me first and pulls me in for a side hug. "Thanks for coming, V!"

I smile up at him, again realizing how tall he is now. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. Wait until you see the shot I got of you."

"Can I see now?" he asks me.

Nodding my head, I take the strap off of me and hand the camera to James.

"Where's the rest of your family?" I ask Olivia, noticing that her sister and parents aren't with them.

Jaden smirks. "You know Olivia's parents. Social butterflies."

Olivia swats at Jaden's chest, but she smiles knowingly, knowing it's true. Plus, Olivia is exactly like them when it comes to talking to people. Her eyes widen when she spots someone behind me. I turn to look and spot Katherine, James and Olivia's older sister.

She walks over to us into her high heels, grinning. "Congratulations!" she squeals, pulling James in for a hug. He awkwardly hugs her back so the camera doesn't get sandwiched between them. "I'm so proud of you!" She continues to squeeze him, causing Jaden, Olivia, and me to laugh.

Katherine eventually releases James and come to hug me next. Between her squeezing the life out of me and her overwhelming vanilla perfume, I start coughing. "It's been so long, Vienna!" she says.

I nod my head while Olivia pulls on her sister's arm. "Katherine, you're choking her."

Katherine's mouth forms an 'o' as she releases me. "I'm so sorry! It's been so long though."

She wasn't wrong. I don't remember the last time we saw each other.

"So." Katherine eyes me and wiggles her eyebrows. "Any guys in the picture?"

My jaw drops. "Uh-"

Katherine, seeming to see my discomfort quickly talks again. "Oh, well, um." She runs a hand through her hair. "I just assumed you had a boyfriend because look at you. You're gorgeous."

Before I can respond, Mr. and Mrs. Torres find us, telling us they're ready to leave. As we're walking out of the building, Katherine throws an arm over my shoulders. She towers over me because of the heels she's wearing.

"I'm sorry if I overstepped in there."

I smile at her, meaning it. "Don't worry about it. You'd didn't know."

She smiles back, giving me a knowing look. "Whoever the stupid idiot is though messed up big time."

I can't help but laugh, finding the humor in her talking about Axel even though she doesn't know him.

Olivia, who's walking in front of us, looks over her shoulder at us. Her eyebrows are narrowed as she watches us, confused by what's going on.

Katherine, just as talkative as the rest of her family, continues. "So, how's your brother? Is he single? I know he's a couple of years younger than me, but I've always thought he was a gentleman."

Olivia's eyes widen. She mouths, "I'm so sorry," to me.

I stifle my laugh as Katherine keeps talking about Hudson, shooting Olivia a look.

She laughs and turns back around so her sister can't see her.

******

"Vienna Conley, don't you dare!" Mrs. Torres yells at me as I take a piece of fruit out of her fruit bowl.

She swats her hand rag at me as I chew on the grape. "Hey!" I hold up my hands defensively, trying to dodge the towel. "I thought it's for everyone?"

People were starting to show up for James' graduation party that was taking place in the Torres' ginormous backyard. I'm here early to help them set up.

She glares at me with her hands on her hips. "It is, but I'd like it to make it outside before someone eats it all."

Smiling at her, I reach for the bowl. "I can take it outside for you."

"Mhm," she mumbles. "Go ahead."

As I grab the bowl form the counter, I take a piece of cantaloupe and eat it.

"Vienna!" Mrs. Torres starts swatting her towel at me again. She misses as I race to the back door. "Don't eat it all!"

"No promises," I call as I open the door, grinning at her.

She huffs as she goes back to what she was doing before I interrupted her.

Kicking the door shut behind me, I walk to the table that's covered in chips, dips, drinks, and thing else you'd need for a party. A bunch of kids from James' class are already here, along with a bunch of his family members.

I don't spot James, Olivia, or Jaden amongst the crowds outside, so I decide to take a seat in a chair near the table. The fruit bowl is in my lap as I people watch eating fruit as I do so.

A group of girls, who I recognize as graduates from the pictures I took earlier today, are staring at something. They're practically drooling as they giggle between the five of them. One of them points and I realize why they're behaving the way they are.

James is standing with Jaden, Caleb, and a couple other guys. My body freezes as it comes to a conclusion. If Caleb's here, does that mean James invited Jaden's station buddies? If so, Axel is either already here or going to show up.

That though causes my heart to start pounding in my chest. I stand up quickly, needing to find Olivia and ask her.

With the fruit bowl still in my hands, I start making my way through the crowds while staying away from Jaden, James, and Caleb. Last thing I need is for them to see me.

I find Katherine and decide she's my best option. "Katherine!"

She looks up at me and smiles, waving me over even though she's talking with someone.

"Sorry to interrupt." I breath, trying to regain my breath from my frantic searching. "Have you seen Olivia?"

Katherine frowns. "No I haven't. Maybe she's inside?"

"Thanks," I say, smiling at her and the man she's talking to before taking off towards the house.

The backdoor comes in sight as I get closer. It opens and a guy, maybe a little older than me, steps out. Following him is the guy who broke my heart, Axel.

I freeze in place, not knowing what to do.

In the corner of my peripheral, Jaden, James, and Caleb walk towards the guy and Axel. They're all laughing as they shake hands, giving me the perfect opportunity to get away before Axel sees me.

My feet seem to be working again and carry me to the side of the house that's covered in trees and out of view from anyone.

What surprises me the most is when I see Olivia sitting at the picnic table that's in the shade. Her back is to me.

It's not like her to not be talking to people. Especially at a party.

"Olivia?" I call softly, not wanting to startle her.

She turns around and smiles shyly at me. "Hey."

"What are you doing here?" I ask, taking a seat on the opposite side of her.

"You know, avoiding people."

I smile at her.

"What about you?"

"Avoiding people as well."

She smiles back at me. "Good thing you brought a snack."

I place the fruit bowl between us. 



A/N: Sorry if there's any mistakes! Didn't have time to edit it, but wanted to get it up as soon as possible. I've been working a lot and been doing school work so that's why there hasn't been any updates lately...I'll try to get back on a schedule.

Anyways, any ideas why Olivia's avoiding people?

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