Graduation

Graduation. It was a chilly day. Overcast. Newspaper flapping around in the street.

Headline: Homeless rates increased in Paris. What do we do?

Nadia ate half of a chicken and cheese baguette. Left it alone for a moment and it was attacked by pigeons.

At least someone's eating it. Although it was: bird eating bird.

Nadia arrived at the university. It was old and beautiful. Ivy climbing the side of the building. Cherry blossom trees in bloom. Xiao Mei was in her black gown and hat. She sat on a bench, crossed arms.

“Xiao Mei… You look great,” Nadia said, “Are you okay?”

“Parents, fighting again…” She glanced up. Nadia saw two bickering middle aged adults in the distance.

“They always seem to make everything about them,” Xiao Mei sighed.

Nadia hugged her. She didn’t know much about good parents. Her parents had been horrible manipulators. Xiao Mei struggled out of the hug. Looking away, embarrassed.

Nadia was in awe of the ceiling. A vast dome with paintings of holy figures on it. Someone looking down from the heavens. Nadia wasn’t sure she believed in a higher power. But if so – she hoped they were taking care of Alice.

Nadia was seated next to Xiao Mei’s parents. They ignored Nadia despite her efforts to make conversation.

“Xiao Mei Chen! Bachelor of Dentistry with honors!”

Xiao Mei walked up onto the stage with her twin tails and oversized gown. Applauses all around. She waved to the crowd and winked.

Her charm. Of course.

Nadia cheered. Xiao Mei’s parents gave her the side eye, and whispered something in Mandarin.

Nadia felt awkward. Like she was not welcome. Xiao Mei acted differently too. More conservative.

“This is my tutor, Nadia…” Xiao Mei said.

It stung a little. Tutor. Not friend…

Her parents nodded and then they got into a black Mercedes. Left.

Nadia sighed.

BUZZ... BUZZ… A phone call from Katherine?!