The Principal beamed with pride as he called out the university’s best graduating students. Among them was Sean O’Conner, best in his department.
The crowd of family, friends, and well-wishers cheered, clapped, and whistled as the graduates filed out in gowns and caps. They shook hands with the Principal and teachers as they received their awards, then turned to take pictures and wave at fellow graduating students.
“We are privileged to present to you the best class of 2014 as they graduate. Give it up for them, please,” the Principal said, his smile widening as the applause grew louder.
“Thank you all for making your parents and us proud. As you leave this place to begin another chapter in your future, may you soar higher, reach greater heights, and continue to make your families, us, and yourselves proud. And to the rest of our graduating students, the sky is your starting point. Soar higher, be great, and have a wonderful life. Thank you all for coming, family and friends. May God bless you all.”
All the graduating students stood up together. After singing the school anthem, they threw their caps into the air to the cheers and applause of everyone around them.
“Sean! Sean!” Zackary called out from within the crowd.
“Dude, over here… over here!” Sean waved to his friend, who pushed through the crowd toward him.
“Aw, give me a hug, man. We graduated,” Sean said, pulling him in.
“And you, a bloody first-class bloke. Proud of you, son. Knew you were going to make me proud,” Zackary said, hugging him back.
“Knew I was going to make me proud too,” Sean replied with a laugh. “But hey, for what it’s worth, I’m glad to be done. Now it’s off to greater things in life.”
“You mean the big city of angels, the lights, a great office overlooking the ocean, fat checks, and your name engraved in gold on your door? Of course it’s a great life. They scouted you in school. With your degree, you can work anywhere. Six companies are already fighting over you. You’re hot stuff.”
“Yeah, what reading too much and getting great grades gets you,” Sean said. “So what’s next for you?”
“Well, I’ve got an offer here, so I guess I’ll do me. Not so bad. Mum is super proud I won’t be waiting for pocket money anymore. Guess it’s a good thing?”
“It’s a great thing!”
“So… when do you leave?”
“In a month’s time.”
“I’ll miss you, man. Come visit?”
“I’ll do one better. When I get settled, I’ll find a way to bring you out there. What do you say?”
“I’ll say you’re the best best friend in the world.”
They laughed and knocked their knuckles together before parting ways.
“So… how about one last hurrah then? It’s graduation, baby. I’ll get the guys and we hit the club. Everyone’s starting new lives after today. Tonight might be the only time we all get together before we leave. You game?”
“You kidding? Of course I am.”
“Aw, booze, music, babes… pretty sexy things, and of course some juice to knock you out and make you feel like you’re flying,” Zackary said, nudging him.
“Sweet.”
“So 7 p.m. Don’t be late. Look sharp.”
“You know I always look good for the ladies.”
They laughed again and went their separate ways.
“Hey baby,” a woman said as she stretched out her arms to hug him.
“Mum,” Sean said, kissing her cheeks as she showered his face with affection.
“My beautiful boy, I’m so proud of you,” she said, hugging him tightly.
“Son, glad you finally finished. To greater things!” his father added.
“To greater things! Thank you, Dad,” Sean replied as they shook hands before his father pulled him into a hug.
“Let’s go home. Everyone is coming over. We’re going to have a great party tonight,” his father said.
“Erm… I have to be somewhere later with Zack and the guys, Mum. Can’t we do it tomorrow?”
“Nope. Tonight you stay with us. A lot of family and friends are coming, and I want to show off my baby who graduated with honours.”
“But Mum…”
“You know you can’t refuse your mother?”
Sean groaned. “Yes, Dad. Sadly, I do.”
“Oh marvelous. I love you, son.”
“You too, Mum,” he said, kissing her again.
While everyone was busy at home, Sean sneaked out, got into his car, and headed to the party.
“It’s about time you showed up, son,” Zackary said as he waited at the door.
The place was packed with students. Music blared loudly, and it looked like the party of the century.
“Whose place is this?”
“Some rich kid. Doesn’t matter. We were all supposed to go to the club, but we got a memo that nearby universities wanted to hang out, so this guy offered his place. He’s trying to get famous or something. Who cares? It’s a party, and we’re here to enjoy ourselves.”
“Yes!”
Zackary handed him a drink as they stepped inside, and the party came alive.
FOUR HOURS LATER
“What the hell was in those drinks, man?” Sean asked, shaking his head.
His vision was blurred. He felt like he was floating. He couldn’t tell if he was sitting, standing, or flying. He had lost count of how many drinks he had taken. He had danced until his feet hurt and spoken to random people, unsure if they were real or just part of his imagination.
“Dude, what was in that drink?” he slurred.
“I have no idea, son, but it feels good,” Zackary replied.
Sean turned to him and poked his nose. “Why does your face look like it has a tunnel… and why is it bushy?”
“What the hell, man? Leave my face alone,” Zackary said, pushing his hand away.
Sean giggled and stared at his hands. “Why do my hands have feet? Zack, I’ve got happy feet… one, two, twelve, twenty fingers… I’m an alien.”
“The hell, man. You’re an alien. Someone call the UFO unit. We’ve got a Krypton alien with thirty fingers,” Zackary laughed.
“Holy shit, you don’t have a face. Your eyes are so big I can see through them,” he added, grabbing Sean’s face.
“Eww, Zackary. Bad dog. Down,” Sean laughed, pushing him away.
Zackary fell to the ground laughing. “Oh Sean… earthquake!” he shouted, rolling on the floor.
“Grab something! Run, SEAN, RUN!” he screamed before staggering into the crowd.
Sean giggled, staring at his hands again. “Zack?”
He looked around and saw other people beside him. “I think my twin brother is following me,” he said, laughing as he walked out of the parlour.
The party was still in full swing. People were dancing, making out, and someone was vomiting into a flower vase. Others were in the pool, and someone screamed, “Roaches! Big fat roaches!”
Sean laughed. It sounded like Zackary. Only he would scream like a girl at cockroaches.
He staggered toward the staircase, holding onto the railing.
He needed a bathroom. He needed water. He kept telling anyone he bumped into, “Shhh… Mum is asleep. Don’t wake her.”
He opened a door.
“Hey! Can’t you knock?” a couple shouted, both naked.
“Oh, keep it down. Mum is downstairs,” Sean said, laughing as he closed the door.
“Don’t go in there. They’re doing the DO, and he’s dressed like a girl,” he told others nearby.
“For real?”
Someone tried opening the door again, and the couple’s screams echoed once more. Sean laughed and continued up the stairs.
At the last door, he opened it. It was dark. He staggered in, closed it, and locked it.
“Ah, home sweet home,” he giggled. “Mum didn’t even know I went out.”
He climbed onto the bed in the darkness. As he reached out, he felt softness beneath him. Without thinking, he lay down and fell asleep almost immediately.
TBC...