Councilor Udina was wearing his signature condescending smirk, while Anderson seemed genuinely misty-eyed beside him. Anderson had spent real time with the class, whereas Udina had only popped in a time or two just to smirk at us lowly foot-soldiers. Udina called the next student up for their diploma and I glanced once again at my family in the audience; my father, beaming with pride when he wasn't scowling at the Asari couple beside him, my mother adjusting her dress 'just so' next to him, and my brother Elliot, in full Alliance uniform. He looked very intimidating, and though I wasn't afraid of him, I did try to avoid him. He could be an extremely obnoxious know-it-all. They all smiled and nodded at me, and I looked away after nodding in return. Udina said my name, making it sound as if it were diseased, his voice filled with so much disdain. Which made sense, I'd never treated him with the respect he thought he deserved. I smiled sardonically and walked the stage in my boot camp fatigues. He squeezed my hand as he shook it.
"Well, well Gallagher. You managed to make it to this stage and shake my hand. I'm shocked."
I chuckled rudely and squeezed back.
"I was just thinking the same about you, Udina. I thought for sure they'd have fired your ass way before now."
He glared and released my hand. I smiled sweetly and turned to Captain Anderson. He seemed genuinely happy to hold my hand in his.
"You are going to do great things, Natalie. You remind me of Shepard." I beamed, and as my eyes watered, I thanked him and rushed awkwardly off the stage.
I stood with others and once all had crossed we were expected to reunite with our families and friends. I sighed in exasperation and forced a smile onto my face as my family bumrushed me.
"You actually accomplished it, good for you."
"Natalie, your hair looks ridiculous, how humiliating…"
My brother flashed my parents a look before smiling at me.
"Proud of you, Nat." My father nodded in agreement and threw his arm around Elliot's shoulders.
"Following in your brother's footsteps." I gritted my teeth and nodded.
"Yep. Just call me Elliot the Second!"
They kept talking at me, but when I heard the announcements to regroup I shoved away and quickly joined the crowd of graduates. Captain Anderson and Councilor Udina stood side by side, both looking intently at their devices. I rubbed my hands excitedly. This was the moment we'd all been waiting for. Udina looked up and cleared his throat.
"Now we'll be sending each of you onto your assignments."
Again, I waited, my impatience growing rapidly.
"Gallagher, Natalie." I tried not to trip over my own feet as I 'walked' towards them. My smile faltered as I caught Anderson's eye. He seemed to be avoiding my gaze. I looked at Udina and did not like the smirk he wore. Oh God. What was I being assigned to do?
"Gallagher, C-Sec duty." I froze and dropped the smile completely.
"Excuse me?"
Udina raised an eyebrow at me and glanced at the crowd of people, watching us. Anderson cleared his throat.
"Congratulations, Natalie. You get the great honor of assisting C-Sec. The Citadel is still very deep in repairs from Saren's attack, and C-Sec needs all the help they can get. So we're sending several of our best-" He gave me a look at this point. "-to help."
I looked away from him to Udina. I growled at his stupid face.
"Thank you...for this...opportunity." I crossed my arms and joined the group of other C-Sec losers and slumped against the wall.
I watched in pathetic, crushing disappointment as the other graduates boarded shuttles that would transport them to starships. Those starships would take them all over the galaxy, while I stayed right here.
My brother said his goodbyes and also hopped on a shuttle. I woke up this morning with my bags packed. I was positive I'd be leaving the cramped apartment I shared with my parents for good. See ya next holiday! What a crock.