Chapter 10: Time of your Life

Lately I've had this song stuck in my head whenever I think about graduation and what comes after. Green Day said it best, "Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road, time takes you by the wrist; directs you where to go. So make the best of this test and don't ask why." I've had many road blocks, U turns, stop signs and potholes in my life to know that once a decision is made you can't go back on it, no matter how hard you wish for it. I've said and done things that I'm certainly not proud of, but I've said and done some pretty good things too. I no longer ask 'why me', 'why now'. It's just the path I was chosen to walk on and I'm going to make the best of what I have. Mistakes are only bad if you don't learn from them. I may wish to go back and redo certain points in my life, but I can't and it's best if I don't as 'why not'.

I woke up again before everyone else and I found my mom awake in her room with a cup of tea and we talked. We really talked and we even cried. She asked if I was ok and if I was happy and for the first time in a long time I answered her without lying. I am ok, and I am happy, very happy actually. She even asked me if my decision to go to the University of Buffalo was because of staying close to Ethan and I assured her, staying close to him is an added bonus. After that, she went off to take a shower and now, true to her word, Alexis Davis is cooking eggs, or at least trying to and I know Ethan's in there making bacon and fixing breakfast when my mom isn't looking. I'm still in my sweats from last night and I've managed to pile my unruly bed head on top of my hair with a clip.

I stare at my cap and gown which I've laid out across my bed. The navy blue looks like an endless sea, but a peaceful one. There is something so final about a cap and gown. I'll wear it for two, maybe three hours, take some photos and then box it up and forget about for the next 10 years or so. But, it's still a symbol of perseverance and even courage. Some will see it as an itchy, hot piece of fabric being forced upon us so that we may all look uniformed and decent for the commencement ceremony. I'll see it as a badge of honor. I'll still come home, place it in my memory box along with all the other mementos my mom has saved over the years, and possibly forget about it too. But right now, it's the final missing link to my childhood. I mentally clip it to the Barbie dolls, the coloring books, the jump ropes, the tea sets, the dollhouses, sidewalk chalk, hopscotch and all the other trivial childhood tendencies. I've done a lot of living so far, and I have so much more to do.

Ethan knocks on my open door to tell me breakfast is ready, and also gives me the heads up that the eggs my mom cooked are at the bottom of the plate. He winks at me and I playfully shove him into the kitchen. Molly, Sam, Ethan and I take our eggs from the top, leaving my mom with the last two, one Ethan cooked, and the other she cooked. "Oh, come on my cooking is not that bad." With forks poised half way in our mouths we stop to stare at her and I giggle, thinking back to the time where she tried to make batter from scratch, "This coming from the woman who didn't put eggs in pancake batter." She throws a napkin at me, "I didn't think it needed any."

"Ok mom." I watch her take a bit of her omelet and swiftly spit it into a napkin.

"Alright, I'll admit it; I'm not a very good cook. Which baffles me by the way, because you, Kristina are very good at it. I don't know where you learned it." I pat my self on the back in mock pride and everyone laughs and Molly tells me to knock it off. My mom switches her omelet for the extra one Ethan made and we finish our breakfast, cleanup and go our separate ways to get ready for this afternoon.

With Ethan back at his apartment, I quickly jump in the shower before anyone else so that I have time to do my hair and let it dry. When I come out I hear Sam whispering to my mom about something. Trying not to look like I'm listening I keep my eye on them while walking towards my room, as slowly as humanly possible. Word to the wise, this is never a good thing. I realize now that I can not eavesdrop and walk at the same time. I stub my toe on the foot board leading into my room and instead of crying out, because then I'll be caught red-handed, I close my door and wail into my pillow. What I dumb thing to do, and I didn't even hear any of their conversation; I stubbed my toe for nothing. I finish getting ready and head back into the bathroom to put a band-aid on my toe so I don't bleed all over my shoes. I'm just glad they're not open toed sandals. Of course my mother and Sam are nowhere to be found. How convenient.

Instead of taking my own car, my mom drops me off at the stadium and goes back to get Molly. While inside, I zip up my gown and fix the cap so that the tassel is on the left side. My teacher hands me the clip that reads 2010, to pin to the top of the tassel. My palms are slightly sweaty, but other than that, I'm ready. A group of girls, who used to be my closest friends until the whole Kiefer incident, are talking about going into the city after graduation and I kinda wish I were going too. But instead, I get to wear that hot black dress I got from Tye and go out with Ethan and my family for dinner. We line up alphabetically and briefly run through, again, what will happen when we get on stage and which way to exit, make sure you shake with your right, grab the diploma with your left, turn your tassel to right side and descend the stairs. It's all a bit boring to hear, but I know with my luck if I don't pay attention, I'll be the one that falls down the stairs or bumps into someone.

By five o'clock, all the parents and guests are seated in the stadium and graduation begins. "Pomp and Circumstance" is played by the junior band as we walk out of the tunnel and on to the field. We take our seats, row by row and listen to the long, drawn-out speeches of the Principal, the Superintendent and lastly the Officiate of the ceremony who proudly announces "Congratulations, class of 2010!" We clap and rise to our feet and wait for our names to be called. Half-an-hour later, it's my turn, "Kristina Corinthos-Davis." I reach out my right hand, gently shake the Officiates' hand, grab my diploma with the other and say 'thank you.' I can hear the loud boom of the air horn that Michael and Jason snuck into the stadium. I look to see my entire family sitting together; Molly, my mom, my grandfather, Sonny, Sam, Jason, Ethan, Michael, Morgan, Carly, Jax, Luke, Lucky, Lulu, and even Dante. They're all on their feet and the air horn has been hidden. I reach the stairs and wait for the other girl in front of me to go. I switch my tassel to the right side and take my seat. And hour and a half later, out valedictorian finishes up her speech and once again she congratulates the class and we stand and throw our caps in the air. Four years wrapped up in a three hour ceremony. Doesn't seem like enough time, but it is. I find my mom and take a bunch of pictures; Sam and I, me and Molly, Sam, Molly and I, etc. and the class of 2010 go their separate ways for the last time. Some will stay close friends while others will drift apart. For me, I'm ready to start fresh, a blank slate.

We go home just to change and when I come into the living room the only one left is Ethan. "Where is everyone?"

"They went ahead. I am here to escort you to dinner." I link my arm with his,

"Hmm, where are we headed?" He leads me to his car and ties a silk scarf around my eyes.

"You'll see when we get there." I have no choice but to play to his little game. So, I sit in the car quietly and don't even bother asking him to give me a hint because I know he won't. The car rolls to a stop and he helps me out and keeps the blind fold on until we're inside. He unties the knot and I open my eyes slowly to adjust to the dim lighting. We're at Jake's and everyone is there, and I mean everyone; Matt, Maxie, Robin, everyone I know is here. There are white lights lining the ceiling and hanging down like little icicles. The tables are covered in hot pink table cloths and black napkins. I turn in Ethan's embrace, "What is all this?"

"Consider it a cross between a graduation party and the prom you never got to go to." That's right, I had to miss my own prom, but this is much better. My mom comes up to hug me and so does Sonny.

"Alright. So, who's responsible for this shenanigan?" They all point at Ethan.

"Well, now, hey, I had some help." When Molly nudges him in the ribs he quickly changes his answer, "Ok a lot of help. Molly, Sam and I felt terrible that you missed out on prom so we got together to plan a mini one for you." With a twinkle in his eye he pulls me onto the dance floor and everyone else grabs the person they came with and joins in. "You look quite dashing in your suit Mr. Lovett." He gives me that knee-weakening grin of his and leans in close,

"Why thank you love. You look pretty darn dashing yourself."

"Oh, this old thing?" We continue to dance and I even dance with my dad. Even if it's just for this one night, all of Port Charles was able to put their differences aside and have a drama-free night of fun, drinks, good food and my favorite…cake! Possibly some presents were thrown in as well.

"So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.

Hang it on a shelf
In good health and good time.

Tattoos of memories
and dead skin on trial.

For what it's worth,
it was worth all the while.

It's something unpredictable
but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life." Green Day