Kelly LeVonne

Being an international university student at first sucked. I remember how much adjustments I'd had to make when I first got here in Illinois.  Although, the weather wasn't much different from back home in Westgate, it was still quite a change in regards to lifestyle amongst other aspects.

And now, as I take this fucking graduation hat off of my head and throw it in the air along with my fellow graduates of the year 2019, I am happy and proud to say that I, Kelly London LeVonne, am a graduate of the University of Chicago.

Since my parents can't be here to celebrate with me today, my brother, Callen, is here along with his best friend, Tate, to represent them. Although, I am pretty sure that they are only here because my parents had allowed them to hitch a ride on their jet only if they attended the ceremony, I am still glad that they are here anyway.

I missed them both. I practically grew up with Tate, with him always around when I was a child so he is like a brother to me.

I walk towards where they are standing after the graduation ceremony, outside the main hall, my black Jimmy Choos clicking against the granite and my excitement still bubbling at its peak.

"And there is our valedictorian, my sister, the one and only," Callen gives a dramatic pause. "Kelly LeVonne."

Tate, ever the perfect wingman, claps and makes his hooting echo with his hands cupped around his mouth. If I wasn't so used to my brother attempting to embarrass me publicly on a regular basis, maybe I would have actually been embarrassed but rather, I just can't help but laugh at their foolishness.

I bow dramatically. "Thank you so very much."

"How does it feel to finally be out?" Tate asks as I move in to give him a hug after engulfing Callen in a tight hug and holding on to each other for a little too long.

"I won't even lie it feels amazing, but I'll kinda miss this place." I take a look at the familiar environment and buildings that have over the past 4 years, become my home.

I will miss it. The late nights of studying, the constant partying, and just hanging out with my girls whenever and wherever. Even the annoying early morning classes. I'll miss them all, I think to myself sadly.

"So, first on the agenda, food. I am starving after that ridiculously long ceremony thanks to someone's long ass speech." Callen says looking at me sacastically.

I chuckle. "Whatever. You guys can wait in the car, let me just get the girls. We agreed to go eat together."

They immediately leave to go and wait in the car like I suggested while I go off to look for my friends.

I see them, Amanda and Diane, with their respective families and after exchanging greeting and pleasantries, we take a couple of photos, for memory sake, and afterwards  I remind them of our dinner plans.

I laugh whenever I look back at the beginning of our friendship. We didn't click at all at first, not like we do now, but we pulled through and now these girls have become the sisters that I never had.

For dinner, we go to a really high class restaurant that is usually booked months ahead just to get a table but my dad had pulled a few strings on a short notice to get us in today. As an apology for his absence, I guess. Nothing surprising.

There we eat a lot of stupidly over priced food and have a loud, chatty dinner to the annoyance of the other guests, but it was actually nice.

We talk about our plans for the future and relieve past memories, laughing and enjoying our last moments together. I try not to remind myself that I wouldn't be seeing them in a long while because they live here in America and I will be returning home to Westgate soon otherwise the thought will put a damper on my mood.

After the dinner, Diane, Amanda and I go to Amanda's parents house to get ready for the graduates after party at Rick Andrews' parent's mansion. Our last university party. I'm not a fan of the guy himself but I've got to admit, he throws the best parties.

There, we consume irresponsible amounts of alcohol, dance our hearts out and just let loose.

Finally, university is over. Now on to the next stage of my life. Going home.

________
How it all began. This chapter was short, I know but that's how I plan on most of the chapters in this book being. Also, sorry if you considered it slow. It's kind of an introduction to the main plot.

Let me know your thoughts in the comment section and please vote if you enjoy this book.

Began: October 2nd, 2019.
Published: October 6th, 2019.