I graduated from high school today.

Stepping out on that stage and accepting my diploma felt odd. It felt new, exciting, and yet familiar at the same time. It was so surreal being surrounded by my peers, knowing that we were all 18-year-old adults and ready to take on the world. Most of these people, I may never see again. A few of them are my friends, so I'll stay in contact with them, but in general I won't ever try to find these people on Facebook or anything. Angelina arrived later than the rest of us. She looked very unkept, wearing one of only a few outfits that she owns. She told me that her guardians are very strict and only gave her a few outfits, but it looked like she hadn't showered in a few days. Usually, when Lina and I hang out, it's either at the mall, park, or at my house. When she comes to my house, she usually asks to use my shower. I've always wondered if she was withheld showers by her parents?

Anyways, Lourdes was named valedictorian. It was totally expected. Lou is an overachiever and has always been super smart and on top of her schoolwork. Her speech was the classic "I will miss all of you and we'll have successful futures" kind. It was a bit boring, but I cheered anyways for her.

After we all officially graduated, Lou, Evie, Angelina, Jared, and I all met outside for pictures. All of our parents were there other than Angelina's. The poor girl's parents really didn't seem to care about her.

We were all planning on going to dinner at Terraci's, but Lina told me that she can't go because she doesn't have the money. She wasn't given any and she doesn't have a job. My parents almost immediately offered to pay for a meal for her so she could come with us. She tried to turn it down, but they insisted and she ended up joining us for dinner. She ordered the chicken parm, and ate it like she hadn't eaten in days. Maybe she hadn't?

We all talked and socialized for a long time. I didn't speak too much since Jared kept interrupting me. It's like he didn't want me to have fun.

Eventually, it all had to come to an end. Angelina ended up sleeping over that night. She fell asleep on the air mattress we had set up for her almost instantaneously. The clothes that she kept in her very dirty regular sized black duffel bag seemed to not only be unwashed, but they smelled. I felt bad for her, so I took them out and put them in the washing machine for her to have fresh clothes in the morning. As I did, I saw a letter to her fall out. I know I shouldn't have, but I read it.

"Dear Angelina,

Happy 18th birthday! It's so cool that you're about to graduate. I hope that high school was fun for you. I graduated a few days ago. My parents and my sister were there, and that's all I could ask for. After, my mom taught me a few of her special family dinner recipes. Teaching me to cook fancy meals that don't cost much to make was practically her graduation present to me since my dad just lost his job. Cooking is super fun.

Did Gemma ever let you see people cooking? Do you know how? If not, I'll be sure to teach you."

I stopped reading when I read that. Gemma seems like it may be a familiar name to me. Maybe that's Angelina's mom? I bet she has mentioned her mom by name to me before, so that's probably where I know it from. I continued reading.

"It's cool that we've been able to be pen pals even though I live in San Francisco and you live in NYC. Even though I have been forgetting things a bit, I think I've found a method to help, even though it only feels like a dream or distant memory.

I'm so excited to go to NYU this fall so that I can meet you and fix these problems. You're a great friend for putting up with me even though I'm a bit of a dramatic screw up sometimes. I will miss home so much since I've been bonding with my family and it'll be hard to leave them, but I know it needs to happen.

Just over 2 months before I move! Until then, you were right that I need to use this time to bond, make new memories that I can keep, and say goodbye. I'm glad I can reclaim a bit of my future.

Thanks for everything Angie,

Zeke."

Zeke. She's mentioned his name once before. It feels like I know him, but how could I if he lives in California? It may have been a name I dreamt one night, but I can't picture the person, even right now. Whoever this Zeke guy is, he's going to NYU this fall along with Lina and I. I didn't think Angelina had friends other than me and mine. Did she move here from San Francisco?

No matter what, all that I know is that Angelina may be a mystery, but she's a great friend who stayed by my side and supported me after that train almost hit me. I'm glad she's my friend.