Graduation Day

It's a beautiful sunny day in Tallahassee, Fl. The trees green and vibrant as their shadows chase after them on the streets. The birds are flying around in schools and chirping in their nest. The flowers are lovely and vibrant as you walk down the quad at FAMU.

Parents and students are gathered, chatting, taking pictures and greeting other family members before the commencement ceremony.

Amari and her family greet Dontae and his parents as they walk up to them. Everyone is full of smiles and hope for the future.

"Mr. and Mrs. Kim, glad you could make it! Was the drive up too long?" asked Amari's dad, Ricardo Valdespee. He's Cuban man, stocky built (broad shoulders, fat, but a bit muscular chest), six feet four inches tall, gray eyes, curly salt and pepper hair pulled into a ponytail. pointy nose and strong chin. He has on a white fedora today.

His family migrated from Cuba in the late 60's for a better life for his older sister and himself. He was ten years old and his sister was twelve at the time.

After the military, he went to law school. He is now one of the partners of Valdespee, Johnston and Scott. It's a huge law firm and is number one on winning cases.

" The ride was fine. We stopped for breakfast along the way in this little town called Madison. I think it's a redneck town cause the people kept staring. I was beginning to think that they never seen asians before." replied Mr. Dennis Kim.

Mr. Kim was a beautiful older man in his 50's. You'd think he was a celebrity. He stands at six feet two inches tall, tanned skin, plump lips, straight nose and brown eyes. His hair is cut low with a few white streaks and he has on a beige fedora today.

" You would think these people would give up on their hatred." replied Amari's mother.

" I don't think it was hatred. I think it was more that they've never seen asians in person aside from movies." said Mr. Kim " Tirique, we haven't seen you in ages. How have you been?" asked Dennis.

Tirique is Amari's older brother. He has the same stocky build as his father, he stands at six feet tall, strong chin, soft brown eyes with a low cut hair style. He has a scruffy beard that his mother asked him to shave before they left the house this morning.

He is also a lawyer in his father's law firm. Their uncle Anthony, their mothers brother, is also a lawyer in the law firm, but was not in attendance at the graduation.

" I'm fine. I've been dealing with a lot of cases that's been keeping me up and away from life and the world. I'm surprised to see the sun today." He replied with a smile. " Philip is also here somewhere." he continued as he looked over the crowd for his little brother.

Philip is Tirique and Amari's younger brother. He attends Grambling University in Louisiana and is studying to be a reporter.

He is athletic with a rock hard abdomen. He stands at six feet one inches tall, green eyes and dimples in both his cheeks with a narrow chin. He's a ladies man and will talk the panties off any woman who is not related in ten seconds.

" Oh, I think I see him." Dontae said.

Panting as he ran up to the group. " I got the peograms." he said as he bent down to catch his breath. " I also got that chicks number too!" he said as he smiles as if it was an accomplishment. " Hi Mr. and Mrs. Kim, Dontae, how's everybody doing?" he continued.

" We're good. What's up? How have you been doing brother-in-law?" asked Dontae.

" I'm good. School has been kicking my butt though. But my grades are up to par mom. Don't worry." he said.

' They better be. Dont make me come all the way to Louisiana to embarrass you in front of those little fast behind girls." Ruby Valdespee said.

" O.M.G. mom, you don't need to. I just said I'm good." Philip cried.

" Alright, don't let last year happen again." she said while whispering in his ear and pinching his arm.

" Ow" he said rubbed his arm and frowning.

" Let's get to our seats. Amari, we will see you after the ceremony." her father said

Everyone started to leave except Dontae. He pulled Amari to the side and asked " Are you still upset with me? You barely looked at me and you didn't say hi."

" I said hey to everyone including you. And why shouldn't I be upset? You defend and make excuses for someone you're not even in love with or am I wrong? she asked as she pushed him and stepped back.

" I dont live her nor do I want her. You're the only person doing laps in my head everyday. Besides, I've decided to keep my distance from her, so that I could put your mind at ease for the wedding day."

" Did you give her a reason why you're keeping your distance? Did you even talk to her about the wedding day, about peace?"

" No. She kissed me before I could even talk about that."

Dontae froze as he realized what he just said. He didn't want Amari to know about the kiss. He knew her temperament and how she would react. He was scared for his life.

" Are you stupid? You're telling me another woman kissed you? Do you know that I will hurt you?" she yelled. Luckily it was too noisy for anyone to hear their conversation.

" Is this why you're keeping your distance? You didn't even tell her that, that was wrong. That you have boundaries. Dontae, right now, I'm not feeling too good. I feel sick.

" What's wrong? Are you nervous?"

" No. It's my graduation day and I'm getting the worse news ever. We can talk more about this once we're back in Orlando. Right now, I can't stand the sight of you. Please, take your seat and act as though nothing has happened. I have to go to the ladies room. I gotta go." she said holding her mouth closed as she began to run to the ladies room.