Graduation

07/21/2001

My hands run down the navy blue fabric of my uniform, there aren't any creases but flattening the material temporarily occupies my nervous hands. Gathering the few remaining items to top off the uniform, white gloves, a black tie, and a navy blue hat, similar to that of a train conductor. Before exiting my apartment, I put on my black shiny dress shoes and neatly place the gloves and rolled up tie in the hat. As I reach for the door, I have a last minute thought and run back into my bedroom to grab a hanger for my coat to avoid it wrinkling on the ride. Phone, wallet, keys- check.

I sigh as I can no longer avoid leaving and driving over to the academy. Damn if I'm not nervous as all hell. This will likely be the easiest day of my career, all I have to do is sit in a seat until my name is called, then walk across a small stage, shaking a few hands before returning to my seat. My nerves calm as I think of the event so factually, not about the likely hundreds of people that will be there in support of my fellow classmates. It's alright Sara, no lives to try and save today, no fire to walk through, just sit and shake hands. Climbing into my black jeep, I run through my mental checklist one last time, all items earning a check. I pull out onto the street, turning on some Stevie Nicks so I can sing along and avoid my mind going into overdrive.

As I pull up to a red-light, I open my glove box and ensure my cigar is inside. I'm not typically a smoker but I know I'll be anxious after today's event and there's no classier way to ease nerves more than a cigar. I laugh to myself, what a fire house way to celebrate my graduation. A loud horn from the car behind me draws me from my thoughts, the light had just turned green not even half a second ago and this asshole wants to beep at me? My foot presses the accelerator as I flip off the car. Two and a half songs later, I notice the car is still behind me. Not exactly the best thing to keep my nerves at bay.

A little more than five minutes later, I finally pull into the parking lot. At this point I'm not surprised to see the car still behind me. Awesome, I either flipped off the chief of the fire department or an angry asshole is about to confront me. I draw out gathering my things, seeing the car has parked three spaces over. I'm rather early so I take the time to go through my phone, getting rid of all my notifications and replying to a few congratulatory texts from friends. Minutes later, I finally grab my things and exit my car. I hear a car door open and my gaze snaps up to the car that followed.

"You're a real dick, ya know?" I laugh to myself after I shout to Tegan, now standing outside of the car. Of course it was her, though I'm not sure whose car she has since I know her car.

"I couldn't resist, I know your Jeep and you haven't seen this truck before. It was the perfect opportunity to mess with you," Tegan replies with a smirk playing on her face. She, too, has her gloves and tie sitting inside her hat.

We meet at the front of her car, "Yeah, you really know how to make a kid extra anxious. Whose truck anyway, the boyfriend's?"

"I traded in my car for this one, a little gift to myself for finishing academy. So no, not my non-existent boyfriend's."

I turn my gaze to her truck, focusing hard on looking at the truck and not breaking into a huge "in case you didn't already know, this reaction is because I like you" type smile. "It's nice," is all I can manage to think up for a response.

Tegan laughs heartily, "Damn Sara, are you even trying to hide that smirk from figuring out I'm single?"

I can feel my cheeks heat up, undoubtedly turning bright red. "What!? I didn't do anything," I say as more of a question than a statement. Luckily, now we aren't face to face as we walk toward the building.

"Oh yeah? So that smirk was just over my truck then, yeah?" Tegan laughs louder this time, damn, I could hear that every hour of everyday and still find it completely adorable and sweet.

Now I know my face is as red as a fire truck. Fuck I didn't even realize I had anything other than a straight face on. Now I can't help but laugh too, "Yeah, I can't even deny that it was good news." We both laugh and Tegan nudges my arm playfully. "Hey, three months I've known you and that was my first attempt at trying to figure out if you're single, I deserve a little credit."

My chest feels lighter than the air it holds, this conversation is eliciting so many smile and laughs from Tegan. I keep my eyes on the building ahead of us as to keep myself from staring at her beautiful smile. "Alright, that's fair. For someone with your overtly flirtatious personality, three months is damn impressive. And you haven't even made it to figuring out if I'm straight or not."

"Damn right it's impressive, typically I can last about 5 minutes before needing to have answers for both." I'm back into my usual confidence and decide to use the conversation to further flirt with Tegan. "Fair warning, now that you've acknowledged my flirtatiousness, expect it tenfold now."

"I'm always alright with flirting," she tells me with a slight smirk, if I didn't look over at the exact moment I did, I likely would've missed it. I'll make you a deal, by the end of our first trick you'll know my sexuality." (A/N: Trick is four day period, first two days are day shift, 7am-7pm, and last two are night shift, 7pm-7am. You have four days off between each trick.)

"Well you know I won't say no to that, I can last seven days. So, where will you be stationed?"

"Ah, hearing the rumors going around? Lucky for you, I'll be at station 14, Medic 1, C shift. I hear you're also at station 14 on C shift?"

"Yes ma'am," I reply, not even trying to hide my smile, "Unsure if I'll be on Medic 1 with you or Medic 14, but get excited, you're stuck with me," I flash her a smile as I open the door and let her pass.

"Wow, such a gentleman, I might have to give you a chance," Tegan turns her head back to me and winks, sending my heart into maximum flutter mode.

"Oh don't fuck with me like that, it's not fair," I laugh back at her.

Tegan turns around, walking backwards. "Seven days!" She turns around and meets up with who I'm assuming is her family, leaving me to drown in thoughts of the infinite paths our friendship could continue down. What a Tegan move, she's gotta have the last word, especially if it leaves me in the dust.

"Sara!" My eyes follow the source of the voice, before even spotting him, I know it's Ted. He's standing with a few of our academy friends, none of which I'll be too torn over if I don't see them much after today.

Ted and I make our way around the crowd, finding his parents and my mom together. "There's our little graduates! We are so proud of you both," Ted's mom says as we both get hugged by our mothers. We make small talk until it's time to get into our seats. I'm not near anyone I've really bothered to befriend so I sit there in silence, letting myself daydream about what's to come after today. I'm elated over graduating and finally getting into the field. Typically after graduating, you spend two years on the medic before having a shot at being on a fire engine, but with being a gay female on top of all the fire classes I have, I've been told I'll be able to move up faster than others.

As the names get called, I'm still lost in my head as I imagine spending a year or two on an ambulance, it'll definitely be great for experience but I can't wait to be moving up the ladder. The highest ranking female in the city spent 11 months on an ambo, 14 months on a fire truck, and 8 on a rescue squad then became a fire chief. I'd kill to have half the luck she did. Hell, I'd kill to be half the firewoman she is.

"Sara Clement. Paramedic, firefighter, stationed on medic 1." My legs lift me from my seat, I calm myself by acknowledging that no one is probably even paying much attention at this point. I take my letter and plaque then walk over to shake everyone's hands. Right now I have so much gratitude for the gloves that are worn with these uniforms, through 2 layers of gloves, it's likely impossible to tell my hands are slightly clammy from anxiousness. As I walk toward the right side of the stage, I glance up at all my classmates, so proud that all of us are leaping into a new chapter of our lives. Tegan catches my eye, giving me her incredibly wide and kind smile, she quickly gives me a thumbs up and- jesus christ did she just wink at me for the second time today? This one must be more of a "good luck" wink but damn if my heart gives a damn if there is a difference of not. I look back at the ground below me just in time to get to the steps, good fucking thing too, if I would've fallen just now I would just quit so I wouldn't have to live through that embarrassment every time I go into work.

I sit in my seat impatiently as the event rolls on, making sure to clap extra loud when Ted is called up, his smile is wider than the grand canyon, his excitement is radiating throughout the room. "William Prane. EMT, firefighter, stationed medic 18." My heart races when I hear his name through the speakers. Prane means Quin is next. I turn my head and spot Tegan, her eyes following the man's figure as he walks up to the stage. She catches my eye and smiles with both excitement and nervousness evident on her face. I smile at her and give her a nod of encouragement just before her name is called.

"Tegan Quin. EMT, Firefighter and rescue tech, stationed medic 1." I turn my head back toward the stage and wait for her to enter my peripheral vision. The navy blue looks amazing against her pale skin, the fabric fitting her almost too well. Adorable, definitely but also incredibly sexy, I've never been able to ignore a good looking woman in uniform. She looks so handsome and professional, my heart might implode from the sight. As she shaking one of the higher-ups hands, I see Tegan say something, causing the woman to laugh loud enough for me to hear from my seat. Tegan's gummy smile opens more as her head is thrown back in laughter at the response from the woman, her smile causing my chest to lighten and a smile appear upon my own face. Damn, if just watching her from afar has this effect on me, how the fuck am I going to handle being at the same station as her.

Next thing I know, Ted and I are walking to the car. He's going on about some girl he met during his ride alongs who is at our station, I think her name is Lindsey, I don't really know. Just as we reach my car he changes the topic. "Where are we going out tonight? Or do you want to invite some people over to one of our places?"

I ponder his question for a moment, I'd like to go out but I'd like to ask Tegan what her plans are. "I'm not sure yet, let's ask around and see what everyone else is doing."

Ted laughs in his "I know what you're thinking" laugh. I roll my eyes before shooting him a look. "And by "everyone else" you mean Tegan, yeah?" Following where his finger is pointing, I spot Tegan talking with her family next to her truck.

She's in the middle of talking when she spots us and waves almost shyly. A woman who I'm assuming as her mother spots us as well, I smile and wave politely at the group. Her mother turns to say something lowly to Tegan, who ducks her head and blushes in response. I turn my head back to Ted with a smirk, only imagining what her mother could've said to provoke that response. When I look up at Ted he has an amused smile with his eyebrow cocked. "Wanna tell me what that just was?"

I'm used to telling Ted just about everything about my life, and I mean down to every detail of even my sex life. We practically grew up together, we talk about anything and everything. But with Tegan, a girl I cannot deny I'm hardcore crushing on, I'm hesitant to let him in on just how tightly wound around her finger she has me. I mean, he's been within 20 ft of our every encounter within the past three months but I haven't really told him anything.

"Oh shut up, you know I like her."

"No shit, of course I know that. I meant what the hell was her side of that encounter?" Does he mean the possible blushing? Other than that, I'm not sure what he could be referencing. "Not ringing a bell? Let me reenact that for you." He turns to ensure Tegan is engrossed in conversation before saying anything. He turns with his side to me, mocking me in a deep voice "Oh hello Tegan," he says as he waves, then he steps forward and turns around "H-hi Sara," he says biting his lip, waving back sheepishly. He steps back to my spot and smiles exaggeratedly, looking almost creepy, saying "insert those cartoon eyes springing out of your skull with hearts reflecting in them." I'm flat out laughing at this point, what an asshole. He steps to another point to impersonate Tegan's mom, whispering to where ghost Tegan is standing. Then lastly returns to Tegan's post, and smacks his cheeks a few times, reddening them slightly, and does the shy school girl bit, kicking his feet at the non-existent dirt.

"Oh my god, you're exaggerating!" I'm still laughing wildly at his reenactment.

"Oh Sara, I wish you could've seen it from my perspective. Have you talked to her today?"

Nodding, I let him in on our conversation earlier. "Uh, yeah. She called me out for not-so-discreetly asking if she has a boyfriend. Then called me out again for smirking when she said no, then told me she'd let me know if she's straight or not by the end of our first trick."

"Shit Sara, way to leave a dude out of the fucking loop. Sounds like she's at least a little interested."

I nod in agreeance, "Yeah but I also think we're just that playful kind of friends, ya know?"

"I'll keep my mouth shut to avoid getting your hopes up in the chance I'm wrong, but just keep doing what you're doing." He almost continues talking before we both spot Tegan walking over to us, effectively shutting him up. "Hey Tegan."

"Hi Ted, Sara. I was wondering if you guys are celebrating tonight?"

I smile to myself at her possible interest in joining us. "We were just talking about that. Thinking about wither going to a bar or inviting some people over to one of our places. How about you," I ask her, trying to seem casual.

"I vote going to a bar. I'm not trying to get anyone's place trashed by people we don't really like."

Tegan's gummy smile returns to steal my heart away, "I'm down for that."