Graduation Blues

"I'm not wanted there, trust me," she said to her mom, who only shook her head sadly.

How wrong she was to think it were so.

June 15, 2008

Graduations at Sky High were always attempts to be like other normal graduations; therefore they still had a ceremony where they handed out diplomas. When that ceremony was finished, it was on to the introductions, which was a procession of the new heroes in their costumes while their alter-ego names were called out.

To Warren, the ceremony was only going to be one thing, and that was long. As he sat down on the seats in front of the stage, he looked around at the grand hall belonging to the Maxville Hero Centre, which was rented out to the school for the joyous occasion. It was occupied with large marble pillars on the side and chandeliers in different parts of the ceiling. He could see the students' relatives piling into the room and settling on their seats, chattering madly. Finally he noticed his mother come in, accompanied by her three closest friends Elizabeth Landall, Sophie Greene and Principal Powers.

Mia's mom and aunt, he noted as he looked to see who was behind them, but saw no signs of her. But really, he never expected her to come anyway, what with everything that has happened to them since...

"Hey, Warren! Over here!" he heard Zack's voice near him and he looked to the right to see his friends.

"Are you excited?" Layla happily said, not able to contain her excitement for one of her close friends was about to be legally known as a superhero.

"Yeah I guess," Warren replied as he sat with them on the seats, he pulled on his long graduation robe and tugged on the neckline. "I just wish we didn't have to wear these robes first."

"Your costume is all ready then?" Will grinned and Warren simply nodded.

A microphone feedback was heard and everyone turned to the stage where Principal Powers stood.

"May we have all of our graduating seniors to their proper places, we are about to begin."

So Warren parted with his friends, and joined the queue, standing behind Roger Oswald who greeted him jovially. As he walked with the rest of his classmates towards their seats he passed by the three women he saw earlier. His mother stood up with her friends to hug and congratulate him and he politely said his thanks.

When Mrs. Landall hugged him she said, "I'm so proud of you Warren, and so is Amelia of course."

He gave her a small smile when she released him, but looking at her eyes he could see that it was the exact same shade of hazel as Mia's. His breath stopped short as the three women sat back down and let him walk along, with nothing on his mind but Mia's eyes. He felt a sharp pang of guilt as it just dawned on him that she wasn't there, wasn't with him in that moment, the moment that they have both been waiting for-not always excitedly and with happiness-but nevertheless awaited for since they were much younger.

So as the ceremony started, he tried to focus on what he had to do, but his old friend was still in a part of his mind, and he hated himself for being in that situation. He thought about their fight, and as he was called up to introduce himself as Flare to the superhero community, he swore to himself that he would be a better person. He was a superhero now for goodness sake, not a brooding high school student easily affected by trivial teenage matters, he was a superhero, a symbol of peace, justice, and integrity. He had to be better; had to be a role model for everyone. As he heard the applause all meant for him he promised to himself that someday soon, he will make things better between him and Amelia Landall.

Someday.

When he got home late that night, Warren noticed an envelope on his pillow. He was about to ask his mother who the card was from but she was already in her room, possibly asleep. He opened the envelope and slipped out the card that was inside. As he did so a necklace fell on his lap. The chain was thin black leather, and it held a small silver pendant in the shape of a flame. Examining the pendant closely, he could see flecks of red and orange amidst the silver background. The colours shifted as the light hit it in various angles, and Warren was entranced by its exquisiteness. He immediately read the card to see who to thank for the special gift.

It was inscribed:

War,

Congratulations. I always knew that you would be a great hero and I'm glad that you're officially starting on that path. I didn't think that you would consider the name I suggested so long ago but I'm happy you chose it.

Best of luck in the future, and take care always.

There was no signature but Warren knew that handwriting like the back of his hand. He sighed and looked at the gift he was given. Maybe there was some hope for the two old friends after all.