Discretely, I pulled at my gown then shifted in my seat. I’d been sitting for way too long, and it was starting to get uncomfortable. I glanced up at the pale blue sky and sighed. The heat from the sun was just a bit too overbearing today.

“Couldn’t we have done this inside” I mumbled.

“Relax man, you don’t even have to do anything” Rion said next to me.

“I know, I know. It’s just hot” I said adjusting my cap. “Seriously, who decided this was a good material for our graduation gowns”

Rion chuckled to himself, then glanced around as others whispered amongst each other as another name was called to the front.

“Hey, I can see your sister from here”

“Really?” I said, glancing back. I spotted the others, sitting in the stands along with parents of all the other students.

“Let me wave”

“Please don’t” I said.

“It’s rude to ignore them you know”

“I’m not ignoring them. I’ll talk to them afterwards”

“Well, I’m not. I’m gonna wave”

“Don’t. Seriously”

“I just want to say hello”

“You can say hi when we take photos. Why’re you so eager about it anyway?”

“I guess I’d never really met your oldest sister outside of last weeks party. I’m just wondering if she’s interested in younger guys”

“What?” I said, turning to him in surprise.

“Sorry, sorry I can’t help it. It’s not my fault she’s hot”

I made a face and elbowed him in the side.

“Ow, ow. I was joking” he chuckled. “Just joking”

“Well don’t joke about it again”

“Ok, ok” he said, leaning back in his chair. “So… you doing anything interesting after this?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about” I said, frowning.

“I mean, hiding anything top secret?” he said with a wink.

“Rion not here” I hissed, glancing around.

“Oh, it’s not about that, man. I meant, like, I don’t know, normal stuff? Something with Yerin maybe?”

“Probably not”

“What? You’re not gonna do anything with your girlfriend on graduation day?”

“Uh… well… I’m not exactly advertising it but… we broke up”

“Huh?”

“Yeah, just… don’t mention it today. She said she still wants to take photos together”

“Seriously?”

“I don’t know. Just drop it”

We both went silent staring up at the stage. I glanced behind me, watching my family, before looking at the rest of the crowd. There were rows upon rows upon rows of students filling the field, all in the royal blue graduation gowns. I recognised most of the faces, some more than others. Quinten and Eric of course. Racheal, Jaden, Jada, and Keiko too. Even Derrick. There were a few others I was somewhat familiar with, Quinten's teammates on the basketball team, a few members of the clean-up crew, classmates from various classes. In some form, I'd done something - even if only small - with practically everyone here.

I looked back to the front, spotting a few of the teachers I was familiar with sat around the outskirts of the assembly, or close to the stage. Mr Tanner, Ms Jane – well Mrs Jane-Watson now, and even Mr Brand. I sighed, then looked up at the stage, Principal Williams stood at the podium, still calling out the student’s names.

I still remember when she'd scolded me about going to the roof on my first day. It was so weird to think I'd probably never see any of them again after this. They'd been such an integral part of my life for so long. It was weird to think they'd just vanish from my life.

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I'd never complain about a maths class, or not having my homework because I'd lost it. I wouldn't get overly annoyed by freshman when I was trying to study in the library, or groan because revision for a mid-term overlapped with clean-up duties.

I wouldn't wake up to the sound of Eric humming to himself early in the morning, or watch Rion do his silly bowl stack challenge during breakfast. I wouldn't watch Quinten play another game of basketball in the school gym, and I wouldn't laugh with Yerin as she tried - and failed - to teach me piano in one of the music rooms. It was all just... ending.

It felt kind of surreal.

It hadn't really hit me till now, but I guess I really was leaving it all behind. Highschool was over. It felt like it’d flown by, closer to a year than four.

I was going to miss it. Well, parts of it - annoying freshman could fuck off.

But regardless, a whole new world was waiting for me. It was on to bigger and better things now. College, superhero stuff. A new chapter of my life was starting. Hopefully it’d at least be better than the last. I looked up to the sky, then down at the grass on my feet, and finally the students around me, watching as my row was directed to stand and steadily make our way to the stage.

I followed behind Rion and came to a watch, looking out over the field back at my family as I waited for my name to be called.

Wow, I thought to myself. I'm actually graduating.

“Lucas Christian Escarra”

-

“Everyone say cheese!”

“Cheese!”

I forced smiled as I stood between my sisters, holding my diploma.

“Oh, come on Lucas. A proper smile” Aunty said.

“I am smiling though”

“You call that smiling?” Maria responded.

“Yeah. My forced smile’s totally natural” I said, sarcastically

“Lucas please” Big Sis said.

“Yeah, quit being so grim. Remember the old days. Channel the times when you used to grin like a devil constantly and play horrible pranks on-”

“Sofia. Let’s just take the photo” Big Sis said.

“Sorry, sorry”

“Now come on everyone” Aunty said. “Say cheese!”

“Cheese!” we said together, staring into the camera.

There was a moment of silence as Aunty continued taking photos of everyone.

“Uh... exactly how many photos are you taking?” I said.

“Sorry, sorry” she said, letting her phone fall to her side. “You just all look so amazing”

“We know” Sofia said, striking a pose. I rolled my eyes, hiding a smile, as the others laughed.

“Your mom and dad would be so proud of you all” Aunty said suddenly.

“I- oh. Wow that was a lot”

“Sorry, I… sorry, I’m just getting so emotional” she said, stepping forward as her eyes grew wet. She pulled us all into a quick hug as she let out a heavy sigh.

“Alexandra, Quinten! Don’t think you get a free out” Maria said. "Come here and join us"

They quickly joined in the hug as we all laughed together for a moment, then broke away.

“Come on Aunty, let me take a photo of you and Quinten now” Maria said stepping forward.

I stepped back from the others, watching as Maria, Alexandra and Sofia pulled out their phones to take photos of Aunty and Quinten. A smile crept onto my face. It was nice to see everyone so enthusiastic. I was glad they were having so much fun.

Big Sis glanced back at me, then made her way to my side, grinning as she looked up at me.

"What's so funny? I don't look stupid in this hate do I?"

“No, you’re just so tall now”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I feel like I bought your freshman uniform yesterday”

“Ha. You sound like a mom”

“… I kind of do, don’t I?” she said. We continued looking at Aunty and Quinten, and to the families beyond.

“Thanks” I said suddenly, a flicker of seriousness passing across my face.

“For?”

“Everything, I guess” I said. “Raising me and stuff. Was probably really hard taking care of all of us. A lot harder than I realised”

“I- thanks” she said. There was a beat of silence then she looked to me again. “You don’t have to thank me Lucas. You’re my little siblings. Anyone in my shoes would’ve done it”

“Eh, I don’t know” I said. “And thanks anyway. Even if you don’t think I should I just… I realised I hadn’t said that in a while”

“Well… you’re welcome I guess” she said, her voice strangely calm. I glanced to her. Big Sis’ face was neutral, but unlike normal there was a strange quality to it. There was a hint of emotion in her eyes, but like most of the time, it was hidden from me behind a mask I couldn’t see through.

But for a second, as she looked out over the field, I thought I recognised a familiar sadness.

“I… I’ve been thinking a lot about what happened last week” she said suddenly.

“Right”

“I’m just… it must’ve been hard” she said.

“I guess” I mumbled. The wind ruffled my gown as it swept past as, drowning out the sounds of laughter around.

“It’s… I’m still struggling to get over the fact that you didn’t tell me when it first happened”

“S-sorry”

“No, no. I understand why you didn’t. I was a bit… yeah” she mumbled.

“…yeah”

“It must’ve been really hard” she repeated. I shrugged again, unsure how to respond.

“I looked it up. You did everything with that Dragonfly girl. Did she quit too?”

“Uh… no. She’s… she died. Same time as Uncle Jamie” I mumbled.

“Lucas…”

“It’s fine. Well… I probably should’ve told you that too. Back when it happened, and when I decided to tell you guys I was who I was. I guess I was just tired”

Big Sis put a hand on my shoulder and I glanced to her, forcing a smile.

“If you’re not ready to tell me, you don’t have to. I’m sure there’s a lot of other stuff you haven’t told me about. But that’s ok. I just want you to know that I’m here if you ever want to talk about it. Any of it. We all are”

“T-thanks” I mumbled back, looking at the floor.

“I’m really proud of you Lucas” she said suddenly. “I realised I hadn’t said that in a while either”

I stared at her dumbfounded for a second before smiling, then pulled her into a hug.

“Thanks. That means a lot”

“Hey guys!” Sofia shouted. “Come on, Eric just agreed to take a family photo. Come on we’ve got to get everyone in the picture”

“Haven’t we taken enough pictures already?” I called out, wiping at my eyes.

“You can never have enough pictures” Sofia said back. I laughed to myself, then glanced to Big Sis.

“Come on. Let’s not leave everyone waiting”