Chapter 30 - Matriculation Ceremony.

Oliver

"Good morning mum," I greeted, yawning one more time and notifying her of my presence at the other end of the call.

"Oh good morning love," she squealed, excitement clearly audible in her voice. "You're ready for the big day, aren't you?" 

"I don't know mum, I mean if the day is going to be big don't you think I should get an equal amount of sleep to match the day?" I yawned again, rubbing my eyes. 

"You're still sleeping?" She sounded so bollixed like sleeping wasn't a natural phenomenon. 

"I was, not anymore. You just woke me up," I answered her question, walking over to my fridge to get myself a drink of water. 

"That's great, because you need to be ready! You won't believe this but I'm just sitting here waiting for 7AM to come by," she chirped.

I didn't find her statement hard to believe at all. My mum was exactly like that, this was just how much she loved me. On the day of my graduation ceremony she stormed into my room at 5AM and started cooing about how much her son has grown, and I wanted nothing but to go back to sleep. 

"I believe you," I chuckled, strolling back to my bed.

"Sorry but I'm just too excited," she took a short pause, probably to stop herself from shedding tears of joy. "You've just grown so much, it's beautiful," she finished, her voice quavering.

"Oh my God, mum. Please don't tell me you're going to cry now," I moaned, pressing the bridge of my nose.

"No no," she replied hastily, sniffling, "not at all. I'm not going to cry, don't be silly," she giggled nervously and that's when I knew this woman was shedding actual tears.

"Ugh, come on mum," I griped.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she laughed, sniffling again. "I'm a proud mum that's all," she confessed.

A smile broke at my lips. I loved my mum so much, especially at times like this. She knew just how to make me feel so special and achieved.

"I'm happy I'm making you proud," I admitted.

"Of course!" She cheered. "So why are you still in bed, you didn't sleep early last night?" 

"I did, but it's still not enough," I answered.

I actually slept early last night, we all did. The girls were tired from shopping and I kept wondering how that was so. I too was tired but for another reason; spending time at the lake with Khalid was so relaxing, the dizziness lingered within me till the second I shut my eyes. 

"Aren't you excited about your matriculation ceremony?" I heard her ask from the other end.

"Of course I am, but definitely not as excited as you are," I snickered. 

"If you're excited then get up get up get up!" She hailed, causing her own excitement to jolt down my spine.

"Okay okay, sure. I'm up now," I laughed, ruffling my hair.

Sleep had already left my eyes the second I heard her squeal through the phone anyway. 

"Perfect! I'm gonna be early by the way," she informed me and I rolled my eyes.

"I know," I stated firmly. 

"Of course you do," she giggled, "I don't want to miss a second of the ceremony. I want to watch you receive that handshake from the Vice Chancellor and the Dean of your department." 

"That's basically what this ceremony is about," I laughed. 

"Exactly!" She agreed. "I don't want to miss the main course." 

We both started laughing and when the laughter left the air, I decided to ask the question I had in mind.

"I-Is dad coming with you?" I stuttered, unsure if I was prepared for her answer. 

The question had been on my mind since last night, I really should have brushed it off but doing that was a bit more difficult than I thought. Hence the reason I'm so keen to know.

"No he's not, he currently isn't in the state," her voice had lost its pitch.

"Oh," I unintentionally voiced my sadness.

Squeezing my eyes shut and cursing under my breath, I regretted why I even cared to know. Hearing the answer hurt more than bearing the question in mind, moreover my mum was enough company for me. She was more than enough even. 

"Hey there, we don't want to ruin the mood now, do we?" She cheered quite sadly. 

My dad's nonchalant attitude also bothered her, and I could tell. Although she tried her very best to not let it show, I could pick the little signals. 

"No we don't," I let out air from my mouth.

"Besides, I'm coming, isn't mummy enough?" She teased, feigning a sad voice.

My lips widened into a smile and my heart jumped out of joy. I loved my mum so much.

"Of course you're not enough. You're more than enough mum," I assured her.

"Great, now you do the needful. We'll see in a bit love."

"Can't wait," I giggled.

I heard a loud squeal from the other side, I had just poked the sleeping lion by saying that.

"Me neither!"

After a few minutes of talking and clearing things up, I hung up. I was wide awake now and ready for the day ahead. 

Going straight to getting prepared, I took longer than I expected myself to, but I definitely did not take as long as the girls. We had a quick sandwich, refusing to eat anything heavier than that. But I hadn't gotten my usual dosage of chocolate for the day, so I did that in their room as I watched them apply make up and all that facial stuff.

Strangely, everyone in lighthouse got ready at the same time and Mako suggested we all go down to the beautiful garden and take group pictures. 

Of course everyone approved of that, everyone except Alex who just waved it off and told us he was going to wait in the garage. 

It was originally supposed to be one or two pictures, but Yadiri and Jess, including Mako, weren't satisfied with just one or two. A few pictures turned into a complete photoshoot.

We were all ecstatic, not because of the boring ceremony ahead but because we all just became real students. I wasn't sure about the rest but I was really looking forward to tonight with everyone. If there was a way I could skip through to spending time with my mum, then being back to lighthouse, I'd have done it. 

After the seemingly unending photoshoot, we almost realistically skipped to our cars because it was nearing 9AM and the ceremony was to start by exactly that time. They'd earlier informed us that we all had to be seated at the section reserved for our various departments before the Vice Chancellor arrives. 

That instruction was one we were all about to disobey because we were all too busy admiring ourselves, as we should, we were pretty smart in our attires. There was no denying it anyway, everyone looked absolutely beautiful and elegant in what they wore, I highkey couldn't get my eyes off Khalid. I kept sparing glances at him every once in a while.

As we—the boys— skipped, Jess and Yadiri walked. I could guess why they refused to stress themselves, but I was stressing out because we were nowhere close to the convocation ground and it was already 8:40AM

"Umm could you guys walk any slower?" I directed the question to them whilst walking backwards.

We were all heading to the garage. The other guys were just a little bit ahead of us because they knew time wasn't on our side anymore.

"Did he just ask us that?" Jess turned to Yadiri, tilting her head to the side in confusion.

"I think he did, does he not know that we're on heels?" Yadiri asked her own question, wearing the same look of confusion Jess had on her face. 

"I don't think he does, because if he does he wouldn't ask us that. Or would he? Is he just that daft to not know that big girls don't run on heels?" Jess brushed her hair to the back of her head with extreme care, making sure not to ruin all the effort she put into styling it.

"From what I've observed, Olly is a smart boy. How about we give him the benefit of the doubt this one time," Yadiri replied and they continued to talk about me like I wasn't even there.

Jess was going to open her mouth to say something but I'd had enough, so I cut her off.

"Okay okay, gosh I get it. You can't ruin your Gucci by running, I get it Sheesh," I rolled my eyes and turned to walk with my front again.

"Awww, he knows we're Gucci," Jess cooed from behind me.

"Thanks babe," Yadiri gushed and I tried so hard to stifle my laughter.

Maybe I was getting a bit impatient or maybe I just wanted to get this phase of the day over with, but I had myself walking faster with every step.

To my surprise Alex was taking selfies when we got to the garage. Some of them weren't surprised, but I sure was. I honestly thought he always stayed away from taking pictures because he hated the outcome.

Well, I guess with selfies he'll be the only one to set eyes on the bad ones so he wouldn't have to feel too shameful.

"We're all leaving now, yeah?" Khalid asked, handing his car keys to Chris who unnaturally wasn't his usual cheerful self this morning.

He wasn't necessarily sad, he just wasn't contributing as much as he normally would on a day like this. That wasn't a problem anyway, because just a single dose of Shirley would cheer him up. He was probably just missing her.

"Of course we all are, we're already late," I announced, walking up to stand beside Khalid and Mako.

"Calm down Olly, it's not like anyone is going to punish you for being ten, twenty or even thirty minutes late," Jess replied shortly, opening the car door and getting in.

"Thirty minutes late?!" I exclaimed, ogling at her as she got in and started the engine.

"Like I said some time ago you're quite the assiduous student," Khalid chuckled, gently placing a hand on my shoulder.

"He's always so obedient to authority and all, let's give him some time," Mako added, arching an eyebrow at me.

"I can be lousy at times, though," I mentioned, shrugging.

"Congratulations by the way," Khalid smiled at me, "congratulations to all of us," he sent his smile to Mako, wishing him as well.

"You too," we both chorused.

The next thing I knew Khalid spread his hands to hug me and the redness made its way to my already heated up face. I momentarily froze and hesitated, he then turned it into a handshake the same second I gestured a hug as well. But when he noticed I was comfortable with a hug he spread his arms once again, but I'd already turned my hug into a handshake. 

This happened over three times, over and over again we misunderstood each other. Mako just stood there, watching us attentively as we failed continuously.

"Just bring it in you two," he pulled us into a group hug, ending whatever that was just now.

We all let out hearty, sincere giggles. Mine was a little bit stressed because I was still feeling so hot from the idea of getting a hug from Khalid.

"Okay, we need to leave now," Mako freed us and walked over to Justin's car with fast long strides, waving at us.

"Ummm so see you tonight then?" Khalid started, walking slowly over to his car.

"Uh-huh," I muttered, struggling to keep eye contact with him while I stood at a spot. I feared he might notice the blush in my face.

"Cool, it's going to be so much fun." 

I know, I can't wait!

"It is?" I voiced, keeping my cool and shutting off my internal cheep.

"Of course," he turned and closed the remaining distance between him and his car, getting in.

My legs had refused to move and I just stood still, staring at him as he walked. He really did look charming in that suit, the suit I helped him pick. I'd never seen him in a suit before, so this new 'professional' side of him was a sight I wanted to get enough of.

Still standing at a spot and staring after him, despite the fact that he'd already gotten into his car, I had no idea when Jess drove up to me.

"Excuse you? Weren't you just yelling that we were late a few seconds ago, what's up with that?" She called from her window, snapping me out of my stupor. 

"Oh shoot!" I mumbled to myself, rushing over to the passenger's seat since Yadiri sat at the back.

Justin was the first to drive out with Mako, Alex and Patrick. Khalid followed next with Chris, then we left last.

The drive to the convocation ground had my nerves tensing up by the minute. These parts of the school were stranger places and totally new to me, not for once had I been to any of these places. I had no business with these depths of Denberg… Yet.

We followed closely behind their cars, until we got to the convocation ground.

I was amazed by how incredibly organised the entire place was. There was a part of the parking lot reserved for students only, while the other part was reserved for parents and visitors. 

Getting down from the car I took total cognizance of Denberg's beauty, it was effortlessly pleasing. 

"See you guys back at the dorm, my mum will probably drop me off," I said to them as we all picked our things and got out of the car.

"Sure, no problems. Can't wait to get this thing over with. Greet your mum for me and tell her I'm taking good care of you." A proud, content smile formed on Jess's face.

"I'll tell her I'm taking good care of me, thank you," I returned her smile with an equally proud one. "Greet your mum for me too," I added.

"Tell Mrs. Wilburn I said hi," Yadiri chirped, holding her beautiful, black purse in one hand.

"Will do," I replied, walking around to join them.

"A few selfies guys," Jess pitched, scurrying in front of us and holding her phone up to get full coverage.

"God no, a few always turns into a photoshoot," I protested, looking away from the camera. 

"Oh shut up and get into this picture," Yadiri pulled me closer and rested on me. 

Just as I predicted, a few turned into a photoshoot. Apparently we weren't the only ones taking selfies, lots of people were doing it as well, some were taking actual pictures with actual cameras and I just had to scoff at how extra they could be.

The ceremony wasn't even close to commencing, the Vice Chancellor was nowhere around the premises. 

"Congratulations babes," Jess beamed.

Her face was utterly bright and beautiful today, same with Yadiri. They were absolutely stunning and I was proud to be their friend, hopefully they were proud to be mine as well.

"Group hug?" I spread my arms, gesturing a hug, following up with the thought I just had in my head.

Yadiri backed away from the range of my arms while Jess placed a hand on my chest, stopping me from getting any closer to her. 

"No group hugs please, you'll blotch my make up," she shook her head at me.

"Exactly, beauty now group hugs later," Yadiri approved of what she said.

"Beauty now group hugs later, got it," I repeated to myself, giggling. 

***

The entire ceremony had taken up to three full hours and I was annoyed, well mostly impatient, but also annoyed. Did the Vice Chancellor and the Dean really have to exchange handshakes with every single student while the press took pictures? I honestly thought that wasn't necessary.

Shirley, Kevin and I sat together at the section reserved for our department. Kevin nearly lost his mind when the president of the student union government came up to give his lengthy speech which no one really cared about, at least I know I didn't. 

It had, ultimately, come to an end after a long while of spewing streams of moans and complaints at one another. The Dean of our department said a few words and we were dismissed and allowed to go meet up with our family, friends and visitors. 

"I'm meeting up with my elder sister, she's the only one I told to come for me," said Shirley on our way out of the convocation ground and towards the reception, quite a walk away. 

Denberg was too spaced. Most of the  students were just hopping back into their cars and driving off, I realised the majority were partying this weekend— in the city— while the minority just wanted to sleep.

Kevin was part of the minority.

"No one came for me, I just want to get back to my dorm room and sleep," his voice was flat and bored, the elation of the ceremony had left his eyes. 

"Why is that? You didn't inform them?" I turned to him, concerned.

"My parents are not in the country," he stated, shrugging his shoulders.

"Oh," I voiced my realisation, looking ahead. "Why though?" I turned to him again, furrowing my brows in confusion.

"Dude, I'm not a citizen of this country, don't tell me you don't know that," he narrowed his eyes at me and scanned my clueless expression.

Bloody hell.

"Shirley do you know about this?" I speedily turned to her, hoping and praying in my mind I wasn't the only one unaware of the fact that Kevin was a foreigner.

"Of course I do, he informed us about this some time ago," she asserted.

"Oh my God," I muttered under my breath.

"And you didn't know," he deducted, shaking his head in disappointment. "It's confirmed. You're a bad friend Oliver," he stated to himself like I couldn't change his mind.

"No I'm not, I-I, Shirley she—" I stuttered while trying to string a few words together to come up with an unreasonable excuse. Heaving a sigh I gave up on that action, there was nothing I could say. "I'm sorry," I muttered an apology.

"Apology unaccepted, right Kev?" Shirley tried to push Kevin into staying mad at me. 

"I don't even know what to say," he laughed, "I'm just sad and a bit disappointed, to be honest," he mused. 

"I'm sorry! God, I'm so, so sorry Kev," I pleaded, gently shaking his arm.

Despite the three of us being close, Shirley's bond with each of us was stronger than the bond Kevin and I shared. This wasn't supposed to be the case, it was supposed to be the other way around. Our bromance was supposed to surpass Shirley's bond. I hadn't noticed that I'd been greatly failing at being Kevin's friend until now. 

"Kevin I'm really sorry," I continued to whine and apologise. 

"Promise me you'll be a better friend from now onwards, if I do forgive you," he stopped walking and turned to me with a glint of high expectations in his eyes.

"Yes, I promise! I so promise," I declared, taking a hold of his hands and squeezing it in mine.

"Ummm, I'm just wondering, are you going to propose now?" Shirley stepped in front of us, nodding her head in the direction of our joint hands. 

Kevin didn't seem to take it as anything serious, but my insecurity got the best of me and I felt attacked. 

"Goodness no," I crowed, snapping my hands out of his. 

"You know she was joking, it's not like you're going to propose to me," a smile broke at his lips but his eyebrows were puckered into a displeased frown.

"Of course not, pfft," I looked away from the both of them, clearing my throat and calming my bi-curious self who almost exposed himself. "Oh talking about proposals, I bought us something," I continued after a few deep breaths. 

Reaching into my suit trouser, side pocket, I pulled out a pair of the matching chain bracelets I bought yesterday.

"Here, I got us friendship bracelets," I announced, handing it to them and pulling up the sleeve of my suit jacket, revealing my own bracelets which I already had on.

"Oh my God, you did!" She beamed, taking it from me and fastening it around her wrist. 

"That's quite thoughtful of you," Kevin chuckled, doing the same. 

"I was going to get it just for Kevin, but then I decided to make it a friendship thing," I informed Shirley who stuck her tongue out at me. 

"And they look just as fancy as you," he noted, examining the shiny bracelet. "You've been forgiven," he mentioned, looking up from the bracelet with a smile on his face. 

"I'm not fancy Kevin, please stop saying that," I flushed, rubbing the nape of my neck as we resumed walking.

"Are you sure?" He teased with a smirk.

"Yea I am," I replied firmly but I could tell he wasn't going to listen.

"So what should we name our trio? Blue Neighbourhood?" Shirley suggested, smiling from ear to ear.

"Pardon?" Kevin narrowed his eyes at her.

"What does that even mean?" I chuckled, trying my best to understand what she meant by Blue Neighbourhood.

"I don't know, it's just the name of an album I really like," she looked away shyly.

"I know it's Troye Sivan's album, I just don't see how that relates to us," I replied, making sure to catch the blush in her face.

"Me neither," she admitted and we all burst out laughing. "See you in your dorm tonight then?" 

"Yeah sure, when this is all over," I answered.

Shirley left us some minutes later to meet up with her sister and since no one came for Kevin, I convinced him to follow me to go see my mum. He accepted after a whole episode of rants and what ifs, I could tell he was a bit nervous about it but I later got him to calm down... To an extent.

We were almost at the reception when I received a call from Mason saying he wanted to meet up with me. I did tell him I was going to see my mum and he found that even more interesting, he was so eager to meet her. So I waited for him at the entrance and he joined us in less than three minutes after dropping the call. The speed at which he arrived was a bit funny. 

Mason always looked like a gentleman in everything he wore, but on this very day he looked particularly phenomenal in his blue suit. The smile he wore on his face complimented his attire, and if I'm being sincere the smile shone brighter than everyone else's. He was one of the few people who were genuinely happy for the ceremony today.

As courtesy demands, I introduced Kevin and Mason to each other before we proceeded to meet my mum. I didn't miss the utter shock on Mason's face when I said Kevin was like my plus one, I shortly added the reasons why he was my plus one but he didn't stop looking at Kevin with that protective glow in his eyes.

Fortunately for me Kevin wasn't paying much attention to Mason so he didn't notice the glow in his eyes. I tried to get Mason to stop but he just couldn't control himself and he kept staring. 

Guilt took over almost every other emotion I felt the second my mind wandered to the current situation I was in; having to either turn Mason down or confess to Khalid. 

My mind was automatically cleared of all these thoughts the second my eyes landed on my mum who was sitting at a table in the far end of the reception. I assumed she was calling my number again when I noticed her typing furiously on her phone.

And my guess was right. Her face lit up with a very bright smile and the impatient frown disappeared entirely from her facial features when her seeking eyes fell on me.

She ordered Nicoise salad and orange juice for all of us because she thought we've all been living on junk food, saying that she was going to ensure that we ate at least one healthy meal on her accord.

Of course I had introduced both Mason and Kevin to her before she got us lunch. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw me with two human friends.

"Can I at least get a chocolate drink?" I mumbled, picking at my salad which was surprisingly tasty.

"No chocolate drinks for you love, I'm sure you've been taking a lot of that recently without me being around to stop you," she refused, taking a sip from her drink which was better than the one she got for us 'kids'.

I kept my eyes down on my food so she wouldn't get to see the guilty smile I had all over my face. 

"Mason dear what's your last name?" Mum started, "you do look a bit familiar, do I know you?" 

Then I looked up. 

My mum's eyebrows were slightly furrowed in concentration as she sharpened her gaze at Mason and tried to remember. We all sat opposite her, so she faced the three of us. Mason sat at my right and Kevin at my left, I was seated in the middle of them.

Mason being the gentleman he always was, stopped eating, swallowed and got ready to answer my mum's question and I almost choked out of fear.

"He's from my highschool," I spoke before he could, stopping him. I still had food in my mouth but I swallowed the remnants after masticating properly, then I continued. "I'm sorry," I uttered an apology, "he attended the same highschool with me, maybe that's why he looks familiar to you," I finished, taking a sip of my drink.

Mason broke a quick smile before going back to eating. I couldn't tell if he was hurt that I'd cut him off because he was doing quite a good job at nursing an uninformative smile. The fear of having a conversation which would, inevitably, escalate scared me. My mum could be so inquisitive at times and these boys were obligated to answer her questions.

They didn't need to speak much if I spoke before them, so that was what I was gonna do till we were all done eating.  

"Really?" She said with a pep, leaning back and cutting her anchovies. "What's your last name lamb?" This time she directed the question specifically to him. 

"Chafer ma'am," Mason replied after chewing.

Coming to a conclusion to just let them talk while strongly hoping nothing escalates, I focused on my olive oil dressed salad. The eggs were so perfectly boiled and the taste of everything just blended in my mouth. I'd almost forgotten what it felt like to actually eat something this beautiful with mum sitting at the other end of the table.

The past month I spent here in Denberg was really something and I would be lying if I said I didn't miss her. I missed mum so much, but I was glad I'd finally started at the university and gained a tiny piece of independence. 

Tiny but still significant.

"Oh call me Gillian," she encouraged with a smile, eating what was at the edge of her fork.

"Sure Mrs. Gillian," Mason giggled softly. 

He sounded like he was in an interview of some sort and I found it quite amusing, but I kept a straight face and hid the laughter away.

Since after the introduction, Kevin stayed quiet. Eating with astounding table etiquette, I could barely hear a sound from him but I could tell he was enjoying his meal and I was glad that he was. 

"So you're Mason Chafer and you attended the same highschool as Olly?" My mum inquired with that serious, investigative tone in her voice and I internally hoped she hadn't figured that out. 

And if she had, I was hoping she wouldn't say it out loud. But she proved me wrong with the next sentence she made.

"Aren't you the one who stopped that child from beating up Olly at the football field after school?" Her cutlery had left her hands now and she was dabbing her mouth with a table napkin. 

"You mean Casper?" Mason inquired, the redness in his face and neck was so visible. I'm sure even Kevin saw it.

"Yes, son of the Stenchrows. You're the one who stopped him right?" My mum inquired again, this time more keen to find out. Her voice had pitched.

"I'm the one," Mason asserted hastily with a short sentence.

The topic wasn't one we liked to visit and now mum was going there. I just knew something like this would happen. Nonetheless I continued eating and sipping from my cup casually.

"Goodness gracious, you're in Denberg with my son," she crowed, a grin spreading on her face. Turning to me she said, "you didn't tell me he was here with you."

My feigned indifference was hard to keep up when she threw the question at me. What was I supposed to say? 

"Ummm, it wasn't necessary?" I mused, taking another mouthful of eggs and tomatoes so I could use a full mouth as an excuse to not answer her next question. 

"Of course it is necessary, he's been a good friend of yours for so long. You must be happy he's here with you!" She exclaimed. 

Forcing a smile on my lips so as to prevent her from getting any other ideas, I turned to Mason and noticed he was doing the same.

"I'm assuming you both are not in the same department, are you?" She asked the both of us.

"No, we're not," Mason answered for us.

While he voiced an answer, I simply shrugged my shoulders, signalling a no and inappropriately cutting my anchovies with my teeth. 

"We're both in the same science faculties though," he added.

"I see," she noted to herself, "I'm guessing you guys hang out together a lot?" She pressed further and somehow managed to make it more awkward than it already was. 

"Yes of course we do," I answered this time, sending him an apologetic look. He was in the frontline of my mum's interrogation.

"How lucky you are!" My mum cheered for me. "I don't think I got to thank you properly for saving him from that boy. He was such a nightmare to my son Olly. I'm glad now he's probably halfway across the world and far from my son's life," the pitch of her voice reduced as she neared the end of her sentence. "Thank you, love," she looked back up at Mason with gratitude in her eyes. 

If only she knew Casper was still here in Denberg. Telling her was a very bad idea, I completely refrained from that. I also sent Mason a sign which debarred it from slipping out of his mouth as well.

"It's no problem at all ma'am," he paused, "Mrs. Gillian," he corrected himself. "I tried my best to be there for Olly at all times so Casper wouldn't bother him much," he continued being the perfect son and friend he truly was.

"You must be so happy you've most of your best friends with you here Olly," my mum chirped, causing me to let out an inaudible sigh.

"Of course I'm happy," I forced a smile. In all honesty, the food in front of me was more important than this little conversation we had going on, and the thought of partying with Khalid and the rest was a close second. 

"Denberg isn't so bad after all, you've most of your friends here with you."

Somehow I knew that was coming. She always used every opportunity to say something good about the school. That was an endeavour she didn't have to put so much into anymore, I loved Denberg already. I loved the few friends I'd made and a certain someone.

"No it's not," I approved.

"What about you Kevin love? Did you attend high school in Jega state?" Mum took her attention from Mason to Kevin now. 

He realistically and visibly stiffened up and almost choked on the Niçoise he was chewing before he brought himself to mumble an answer.

"No ma'am-Mrs… Mrs. Gillian, I didn't," he stuttered and air escaped from my nose in laughter but I killed it before it could turn into something more than that.

I couldn't quite understand why they were all unsure and fidgety when talking to my mum, she was the most approachable person I knew. And I'm not just saying this because she's my mum, she really had the brightest smile and softest voice which made her extremely approachable. 

"You didn't? What state did you school in then?" She reworded her question.

"I'm not Tadelian," he answered, smiling up at her.

She raised an eyebrow and nodded at him. We continued eating in silence but mum refused to let it stretch any longer.

"Did you stop taking pictures of Denberg, Olly? It's been a while since you posted a new photo on your Instagram," she finished, taking her fork to her mouth and chewing.

My mouth fell open and I internally cringed at the question. She didn't have to bring that up in front of them!

"Mum," I griped, darting my eyes in every direction.

"What? Is it wrong for a mum to follow her son on Instagram?" She teased, tilting her head to the side and gaining satisfaction from my flushed red face.

"No it's not, just don't talk about it," I complained and resumed eating. 

"Okay fine," she conceded. "Did you stop taking pictures though?"

"No I've not, I just haven't had time. I guess priorities changed and school got a bit more absorbing. I do have a few that I haven't posted yet though, and I definitely still have a lot of exploring to do," I mentioned. 

"I see. You and Kevin are course mates, right?" She inquired again to be sure. 

"Yes we are," I answered. 

"Oh that's fine, I'm sure you both can push each other to study. Or he can push you to study," she rephrased.

"Mum!" I whined, pouting at her.

"Or you can push him to study, whichever way is fine," she chuckled. "Mason dear?" She called, turning back to Mason and getting his attention.

"Yes Mrs. Gillian?" He'd almost finished his salad now, just a few anchovies left. I surmised he didn't like them and I was tempted to snatch them from his plate.

"Please stay friends with Olly no matter what, okay?" She asked sincerely, arching an eyebrow at him.

Where the hell did that come from?

Mum's request caught the both of us off guard. Kevin was too busy eating to even hear a cock crow. 

"Of course, he's a very good friend of mine," he turned to me and smiled. "A very good friend."

Returning the smile I took my eyes back to my food. A very good friend indeed. The fact that I hadn't yet told Mason the truth pricked at my conscience, but I wasn't going to let that bother me, at least not until mum was gone and I was back to my not-so-colourful, colourful university life.

Mum had ordered healthy desserts for us when we all finished eating. Mason left us an hour later as we approached evening.  

He invited me to come over to his dorm when I was done with mum so we could party with some of his friends or Netflix and chill— whichever one I preferred— but I was already way too excited about the mini-party we were going to have at lighthouse so I turned him down.

After Kevin and I gave mum a short tour around the parts of campus we were acclimated to, we took a few actual pictures with the camera she brought with her and I encouraged her to start heading home as it was almost over a three hour drive back home.

She offered to drop me off at lighthouse but I couldn't abandon Kevin like that, he basically had no one else but me today and I was glad I was able to make his day, even if it was only a little. I could never fill in for his real family anyway. 

We were currently strolling down the route we usually followed back after lectures. The sun had almost fully set and campus was a bit scanty now as students had already gone to party or retired to their dorms to get a good night's sleep. 

Kevin was in the latter category.

"I'm probably going to be one of the few persons left in the boys' dorm tonight," Kevin breathed in the chilled breeze of the evening.

It was very little but I could notice the hint of sadness in his eyes and in his voice and that's when it clicked.

"I'm sorry about that, we're having a little something at lighthouse tonight, wanna join us?" I offered, hoping he would agree.

"Where's lighthouse?" He queried, arching a brow at me.

"My dorm!" I yelled. "You don't even know the name of my dormitory, who is a bad friend now?" I accused, teasing him.

"You never told me mate," he stated in a flat tone, taking his eyes back to the road ahead.

"Oh," my mouth fell open and the celebration left my face. "That aside. Would you love to join us? Even Shirley would be there," I informed, urging him to consider.

"For real?" He perked up and turned to me.

"For real," I confirmed. "Her boyfriend is there anyway and it's going to be an actual party, maybe even better because it's just a small circle of close friends with all that alcohol and merriment," I explained further. 

"They're your circle of friends, not mine," he pointed out.

"Yeah, well you're my friend so that makes you one of us."

"Awww," he cooed and I was beyond shocked.

Did he just coo at me?

That was the first time I heard Kevin go all cute and soft like that, I high-key loved it but I couldn't do that because I was insecure about sounding too gay. I shook my head and these thoughts out.

"So what say you? Are you game or not?" I asked, nudging his arm a little and hoping he would accept.

He took a minute to think about it. A smile gradually worked up its way to his face before he blurted out his answer.

"I'm in! I'm so in! Thank you so much for inviting me," he gushed. "But like it's likely going to be an all nighter—"

"Not likely, definitely," I interrupted, correcting him.

"So how would that work out for me?"

"I stay alone mate, you'll sleep with me," I stated and then realised what I'd just said. "I meant you'll sleep in my room, on my bed with me, not with me," I hastily added.

He burst out laughing and I joined, except mine sounded a bit more humourless than his.

"If we're both going to get drunk, who knows? we just might sleep cuddling each other and stuff throughout the night," he said with the last sound of laughter in his voice.

"For real though, I know I'm going to get drunk because I suck at party games and we're definitely playing those. I won't mind cuddling with you," I laughed genuinely this time after seeing Kevin's reaction to my earlier statement.

"I'd cuddle you too, we're both extremely single anyway," he added.

For some reason I could make these kinds of jokes with Kevin and not feel weird about it. It was as if I was talking with my twin brother or something of the sort, I wasn't attracted to Kevin, emotionally or otherwise so it was proper to call this a bromance. 

This felt completely normal and made me feel genuinely safe and happy around him. At first I thought Kevin was a vegetarian, he proved me wrong. I thought he was a bit judgemental because he was a bit churchy, he proved me wrong as well. And now I was starting to see that he might even be accepting of gays. 

"It's confirmed then, you're going back with me," I stated.

"Yeah I am, thank you so much for inviting me. You literally made my whole day and when I thought it was all over you do something even bigger. You're a good friend," he added the last part softly and the glimmer in his eyes proved that he meant it.

"Ugh, don't mention it. I'm glad to have you around, any day, any time," I brushed it. 

"I'd need to change from this suit and take a shower though, and maybe take a few clothes with me because I don't want to bother you by wearing your clothes," he announced.

"It's not a bother but okay, you can get a few clothes. Don't worry about taking a shower, you'll take a shower at my place. Let's just get to your dorm room and get a few clothes then leave, it's getting late," I said, looking up at the sky which was almost completely overcome by darkness.

"Oh okay sure!" He replied, adding a pep to his step and speeding up a bit. 

I had a beautiful friend in Kevin, one that was really hard to find and I was grateful to have him. Alongside that thought was the dominant ringing of the party at lighthouse tonight, I couldn't stop thinking about all the fun we would have. And with Kevin there it was just extra fun.

Skipping beside Kevin we headed straight to his dorm room to get all we needed. I was ready for tonight.

AN: We're back with yet another chapter! I hope you enjoy and I hope you're ready because the next chapter will BLOW YOUR MIND.

By the special grace of all things merciful I'll post one new chapter every two days till we're done with the entire book! If this happens we'll get to the end of the book in less than a month so pray that I've the zeal and power lol.

Till next time loves, stay happy, stay safe! <333