Chapter 16: Graduation and New Beginnings

Winter passed and spring came. Without realizing it, there was only one month left before graduation.

The days got longer, the air warmer. College letters arrived in fat envelopes, or thin ones that were quickly thrown away. Yearbooks made their way around the lunch tables, people scribbling their names and inside jokes.

For the graduation ceremony group performance, Madison, as the arts committee member, was collecting costume sizes. She stood at the podium, calling out names one by one.

She looked like she belonged on a magazine cover, pen poised, scanning the crowd with an appraising gaze.

When it was my turn, she glanced at her form and asked directly, "Emily, do you wear XXL or XXXL?"

Her voice was syrupy-sweet, but her eyes sparkled with something mean. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as everyone waited for my answer.

A hush fell over the room. I felt my cheeks burn, shame prickling up my neck. Every eye turned to me.

I looked up from my corrections, feeling a surge of shame and embarrassment as I answered.

I forced myself to meet her gaze. My voice shook, but I made myself say it clearly.

"I wear size S..."

And for the first time, I almost believed it. Maybe, just maybe, I could be the main character in my own story.