Summer 2011
Kate, Mia, and I quickly became friends, it was like the blink of an eye. I think the three of us complete each other.
Also in an instant I became Mia's fashion design. Shopping has never been my favorite pastime, much less use pumps.
My God, how they manage to walk on those heels every day transcends me!
I like to be practical and above all I like being comfortable. Nothing suits me better than a pair of jeans or shorts and a pair of tennis or flip-flops.
Yes, because my mood' state depends a lot on the comfort of my feet.
Mia says this is one more reason why she should be choosing the pieces of clothing I wear daily and makes me use at least once a week a pair of high heels. I do not mind doing it, it does not cost me anything, and the truth is that I have to get used to pumps. When I start working, I can not show up at my workplace with flip-flops on my feet.
And to celebrate this stage of our life, the end of high school, Mia's parents will give a little party in the garden of their home. They invited our parents to spend a nice afternoon around the pool. Kate's brother, Ethan, can not come because he's going to have to go back to New York to continue his psychology training. However, Mia's brothers come from college to spend the summer vacation as well.
I met Elliot Grey last Christmas, I know his taking a course in construction and his aspiration is to build his own construction firm. Elliot is very handsome, tall, muscled, has curly blond hair and has blue eyes to die for. It is super funny, affectionate and relaxed. And look like a womanizer.
What I think is true, there must not be a woman in his college who has not surrendered to his charm.
When I met him for the first time, I was a bit shocked, for there was not a single resemblance between him and Mia. It was then that Mia told me that she and the brothers were all adopted. Since Grace could not have children, after continuous miscarriages, her husband Carrick and she decided to adopt. They started with Elliot, then Christian and finally Mia.
So far I have not met Christian, but Mia talks a lot about him. Although she like the two brothers equally, I think she has a special affection for him. Maybe it's because they're about the same age. He's a year older than us. Mia told me that Christian is studying at Harvard, Business and Finance.
Tchii, he must be really smart! Like a nerd. Maybe he should stay at home always with his nose stuffed in the books!
"Shut up, Ana, you're the same, always with your nose in the books." My inner voice calls me to reason again. True, I often do not even watch the hours go by. You should not be judging without knowing him. But the image of a man, with our age, with round glasses and a shirt and a bow makes me laugh.
And today, finally, is the day of our graduation. I'm leaving home with my parents and we're already late.
Wow, my mom is always the same. But I like her the same.
Since I'm already late, we agreed to meet at the end of the ceremony.
We arrived at Bellevue High School, and there are not many parking lots left. We go to the gym, where the ceremony will be given. Many of my colleagues are already seated, others are still looking for the corresponding place to sit. Since my last name is Steele, I'll be the last one to be called in to receive my diploma.
It will take some time, but it will be worth it!
As I head for my seat, I can see Mia and Kate sitting in their seats. Mia is busy talking to her colleague on the side, but as she walks past Kate, I shake her hand, and she also gives me a grin on her face.
When I find my place, I begin to watch the audience and see if I can find my parents. Hum, they should not be too far away ... They said they'd be on the central bench. Ah! There they are! They are seated right next to the stairs, in the middle of the bench.
There begins to be a stirring on the central stage, which indicates that we should be almost starting the delivery of the diplomas. Shortly thereafter, the school principal gets up and begins his speech. 20 minutes later, the best student of the graduates, Alicia Marshall, has the right to make a speech as well. 10 minutes later Alicia finishes and the diplomas begin to be delivered. Starting with the letter A, I have to wait another 18 letters for my turn.
After an hour, the S begin to be called.
"Anastasia Steele" calls the secretary of the board. I head for the stage and as soon as the headmaster gives me my diploma congratulating me, I hear hisses and applause, and looking at the audience I see mine standing to wave. I greet him with a small nod and step off the stage, where another colleague of mine is about to receive his diploma.
After the ceremony, I go to my parents to take some souvenir photos.
"Steele!" I hear my name being called, and the way it is can only be the unmistakable Kate Kavanagh.
"Congratulations!" Embrace me and I reward her by squeezing it with care.
"Congratulations to you, too. We finally finished. Where's Mia? I also wanted to congratulate her, and we could take some pictures. " I ask Kate, looking around the crowd trying to find Mia.
"Did not you see her message? She had to go home to get things ready. We take pictures there."
"No, I did not see any messages, I left my cell phone at home."
"I think you're the only person I know who does not connect to the phone." Kate comments with a smile.
"No one to talk to." I say with false disdain.
"I'm offended by that, but I understand you. One day you'll be so stick with the phone to ring only waiting for you read or hear a 'Hello'." Kate wraps her arm around mine and we begin to walk to the car.
"One day Kate, one day ..." I say in the hope that this day will not be too far away.
30 minutes later, we were in front of Mia's house. There are some cars parked in the front, some of them I recognize, others not for that. As soon as she got out of the car I was greeted by Mia's gracious call.
"Ana, you finally arrived, I'm sorry I did not stay until the end, but we had to come and prepare things to receive the guests."
"No problem, Mia. We're here and we can finally celebrate all three together."
"Come on, let's go to Kate, she's already at the pool eating with her eyes my brother Elliot." Mia and I started laughing, it's so typical of Kate. Since Mia meets Kate she has a crush on her brother. But luckily Kate knows who she's messing with.
After greeting Grace and Carrick and the parents of Kate, I lie down in one of the lounge chairs to catch some sun. I'm wearing a short denim shorts and a bikini top. Mia comes to sit in the lounge chair next and got one of our endless conversations in which we do not see the time pass and do not pay attention that someone is calling for Mia.
"Mia!" A man's voice calls after me.
Mia gets up in surprise, and runs screaming at the voice that calls her.
"Christian!" The famous nerd.
I turn to see finally face to the one I have caricatured during all this time and ...
"Holy Fuck ..."
A.N.: First all first, I'm sorry for being late to post this chapter. But life is life and sometimes we need to left something behind to do other things. In this case I'm trying hard to land I offer job, so wish me luck.
Another thing, I'm sorry for the english, I already say this: I wrote this in portuguese (must easy) and translate to english (not so easy because I'm a little lazy or not so much smart to find the right words with the exact mean that I want to transmite, so blame Google Translate)
And, my chapters don't have the same lenght, some shorts, some long. So.. I just need to finish the chapter to change something in the story, like a very different event or a day or suspense, etc...
