The air was filled with laughter as the newly graduated high schoolers mingled on the lawn after the graduation ceremony. They scattered like the rays of sunshine that sprinkled on them through the shady trees as they searched for their friends and loved ones. Every few feet, a phone would rise above the sea of graduation caps and balloons to capture the moment. The echo of congratulatory well-wishes were mixed in with the joyful celebration.

Some graduates floated a balloon or three above their heads, some had their arms and necks laden with flowers, and quite a few waved yearbooks and pens in search of last-minute written farewells. Amid the happy chaos, Alex Lee scanned the crowd. He’d found his two best friends, and his younger sister had given him a congratulatory flower before running off to find other friends. Now he was looking for one last person. When he finally saw her, his stomach suddenly twisted with excitement and uncertainty.

Claire Moss stood on the steps, smiling and chatting with her parents and her best friend. Alex hurried over to where she was, but waited off to the side to wait for her parents to leave. He tried to look casual as he leaned against the railing at the bottom of the steps, nodding and waving to classmates who passed by in between surreptitious glances her way.

Her mom leaned in for a hug, and Claire’s arm came up to rescue her cap from falling, exposing the bright orange band on her wrist. Alex smiled as he played with his own orange band. As student volunteers, they had to arrive early to help set up for their ceremony, and the bands gave them access to the storage area and backstage. Claire had a hard time putting her band on, so Alex helped her. He could still feel his fingers touching her skin.

Claire's parents finally turned to leave, giving her a chance to say her goodbyes to the other classmates. Alex took a step up, but hesitated. He shook his head. “It’s now or never,” he muttered and continued upward.

“This is it!” Claire jumped with joy, holding hands with her best friend, Mira. “We survived high school!”
“Yes, we did,” Mira agreed with a huge grin. “Now we have to survive adulting!”

The two of them laughed.

“Um, hey, Claire...Mira, congratulations,” Alex’s hesitant voice broke through their celebrations.

“Oh, hey Alex! Congratulations!” Claire turned her smile on him.

‘Can her smile be any less radiant?’ he thought. Then blushed slightly at how corny that thought was.

Mira’s eyes narrowed, a small smirk crossing her lips, “Yeah, congrats Alex, any plans for after high school?” Mira subtly pushed Claire closer to him as she leaned in, pretending interest.

“Ah, well, I do, kinda,” Alex laughed nervously.

“Oh, awesome! Claire and I are planning to attend business school, isn’t that right?”

“Yes,” Claire said excitedly. “We applied to a few places and…”

“Oh!” Mira suddenly looked over Claire’s shoulder. “I’ll be right back, I see my mom!” and Mira scampered off, leaving Claire and Alex to carry on their conversation.

“So, business school…” Alex repeated. “Sounds like the perfect focus for you. You always had a thing for sales and promotions,” he smiled, thinking about the different school events and fundraisers she volunteered for.

“Thanks for saying so,” Claire grinned. “How about you? What college did you pick?”

“Ah, well, I decided to go to a college close to home.”

“Oh, that’s great for your family, I bet,” Claire replied.

“Yeah, um, so…” Alex was ready to change the subject. “So, uh, listen…” he looked up at Claire as she stood on the steps, “I realize I’m a little late here, but…” he paused.

Claire looked at him expectantly, waiting to hear what he was about to say.

Alex took a breath. “But I’ve liked you since freshman year and…well…I was hoping you might give me a chance to, um, date you…” he didn’t realize he had been looking everywhere but at Claire as he blubbered his confession to her.

Astonishment adorned her face. “Oh, Alex, I…” she raised a hand to her mouth, slightly embarrassed.

Alex stood his ground, painfully awaiting her response.

Claire dropped her hand and looked at him with a somber expression. She could see the hope mixed in with the anxiety in his eyes, and knew she would be breaking his heart.

“Wow, Alex, I didn’t know. I’m flattered but…” she dropped her eyes to the flowers she held in her hands, “It isn’t going to work out.” She quickly looked up at Alex and stammered, “I mean…well…we’re heading to college, and you’re staying around here, but Mira and I will be attending college elsewhere.” She looked back at him. “I can’t see myself in a long-distance relationship. I’m so sorry.” In her head, Claire added, ‘I can’t see myself in any relationship right now if I’m going to focus on finding a good career.’

Alex’s world came crashing down. He had expected the possibility that she would reject him, which was why it had taken him so long to confess, but it didn’t make the rejection hurt any less.

Claire looked at Alex’s crestfallen face. She reached a tentative hand out toward him. “Alex, I really am so sorry…”

Alex stood up straight and smiled back at Claire. “No, don’t be. This was something I wanted…no, needed to do. I knew that if I didn’t get a straight answer from you, I would be forever wondering about ‘what if.’ So, it’s all good. I got my answer, I don’t need to wonder.” Alex took a step back and gave her a small wave. “Good luck with college, although I know you’ll do great.” Still smiling, he turned and walked away.

It wasn’t until he had completely drowned himself in the crowd that he allowed the smile to fade. He wanted to turn around, to see if she was still looking for him in the crowd. If only he had told her sooner, then maybe she would have given him a chance, and they could have worked through the long-distance thing.

‘No, no more what ifs,’ he sighed, and continued to find his way to his own family and friends.

Claire followed Alex with her eyes. “Man, that sucked,” she sighed to herself.

“What sucked?” Mira popped up beside her once more, making Claire jump.

“Holy hell, Mira, what are you, a ninja? Stop sneaking up like that!”

“Hey, can’t help it if my 1000-plus assassin skill level is beyond awesome,” she cracks a smile.

Claire snorted. "Your RPG friends must hate your over-brimming confidence."

Mira ignored her jibe. Looking out into the crowd where Alex disappeared, she asked, “Aaaand, how was your chat with Alex?”

Claire did not miss the lilt in her voice as she asked that question. She whipped around to face her friend.

“Hold. Up. Woman, did you know that Alex liked me??”

“Well, duh. He was so obvious since Sophomore year,” Mira rolled her eyes. “Not my problem you can ‘read’ everyone except potential love interests.” Mira gave Claire a sly smile. “Your intuition stats may be off the charts, but your dexterity certainly takes a hit sometimes.”

“Ugh, enough of the role-playing analogies,” Claire rolls her eyes and turns back toward the crowd.

“Sooo…” Mira starts again, “What did he tell you?”

“He confessed to me,” Claire murmured.

“And you said…?” Mira prompted impatiently.

“Well, I…turned him down…”

“You WHAT??” Mira’s eyes went wide. “Girl! That’s ALEX LEE, popular, handsome, and, oh, RICH! How could you turn him down?” Mira's pitched cadence emphasized what she thought about her best friend's decision.

Claire turned back to her friend, flowers in hand and raised like a fragrant wand.

“Don’t yell at me! What was I supposed to do? We’re moving away to attend college, there’s no way I’m going to be able to do a long-distance relationship!” She wagged her flowers at her best friend’s nose.

“Ooohh,” Mira drawled. I see now…” She narrowed her eyes, her smile grew even larger. “So what you’re saying is you would have accepted his confession if we weren’t going off to college?”

“Oh my goodness, shut up already,” Claire huffed. But looking back into the crowd, she added a little softer, “I don’t know…”

Mira gave Claire a solid smack on the back that nearly sent her down the steps. “That’s alright! It’s only four years, if you two haven’t moved on by then, maybe you’ll find a chance to reconnect down the road,” Mira hopped down a step and leaned over to look up at her friend’s face, an impish smile still plastered ear to ear. “Or not…!”

Claire rolled her eyes, but was thoughtful as she continued to scan the still bustling crowd of friends and families.

“Maybe…” she murmured, a fleeting thought crossing her mind, followed by a soft twinge of regret.