Page 109 of Spark

Mia pulled her hands away, leaning back in her chair as tears threatened to spill over.

“I won’t be the thing that keeps you from your dreams,” she said after a moment. “If you want to open the tack, then you should be able to. Or to open a new garage.”

“Beautiful, I could open a garage anywhere,” he said, reaching for her again. “Mia, you are my dreams.” Aurelio stood and moved his chair next to hers, wrapping her in his arms. “You’re the only dream I have. A life, free with you, anywhere we want, anything we want.” She sobbed quietly into his chest.

“I just need to know that if I decide to leave with my brothers, you will come with me.”

“In a heartbeat,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes. “You will not be able to get rid of me.” Mia smiled as a girl from the counter approached with their coffees. The girl smiled shyly, noticing Mia’s tears, set the cups down, and hurried back to the counter. Mia laughed, her face buried in Aurelio’s neck.

“So, are we good?” he asked, taking a sip from his cup.

“Yes,” she replied. “There’s so much uncertainty in the future; I just need to know that you’re not.” She watched him sip his coffee.

“Not a single ounce.” And later, Mia would wish she had recorded that moment.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Graduation day was hectic. Mia had missed every rehearsal for the ceremony, leaving her computer untouched all week with her brothers. When she received a call from the school asking if she wanted her diploma mailed, she was confused as she told them no, she thought they handed it to her during the ceremony.

“Oh, you’re coming?” the man on the phone sounded shocked. At that moment, Aurelio and Melvin took over the conversation, leaving Mia dumbstruck.

“Good news: yes, you’re walking,” Melvin said.

“Bad news: you have no idea how to walk,” Aurelio added, smirking. “According to that guy.” Mia laughed.

“I totally forgot we were supposed to practice! I can’t be the only one who didn’t go,” she said. Judging by the looks Aurelio and Melvin exchanged, it was clear she was.

“God,” she groaned, resting her head in her hands. “Oh well, too late.”

They got dressed and headed to the diner to pick up Flory. Aurelio hung back, saying he would ride his bike to theceremony. When Mia realized the space in the car was low, Mikey offered to get a ride with Tony.

“Tony?” Mia had asked, her eyebrow raised. Mikey’s face reddened as he stood before her.

“Well, he said how much he would love to see you graduate.” Mikey shrugged. Mia felt shame creep into her face. Of course Tony would, he was one of her best friends.

“Oh I’m such an idiot.” She said shaking her head. “Of course Tony is more then welcome to come.”

“Oh, its not like that Bug.” Mikey said, shaking his head. “He understood there were only so many tickets. I just convinced him to come as my date.” A deep red bloomed on Mikey’s face as he said date.

“Ohh, Mikey!” Mia squealed. “I love it!” she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Mikey hugged her back and laughed softly. Mia released him and spun to Aurelio.

“Wait, how are you getting in?” Mia asked, remembering he didn’t have a ticket, and his name wasn’t on the list of guest.

“Don’t worry about it, beautiful,” he replied with a wink.

Flory was waiting for them, wearing a beautiful, simple yellow dress. Mia hugged her and kissed her cheek as she helped her into the car. Melvin dropped Mia off at the right entrance, and she handed him the tickets for the them.

“Please don’t let Aurelio do anything stupid,” she said as she walked away, earning a chuckle from Flory.

“She still doesn’t understand boys,” Flory teased.

Mia found the ceremony itself rather boring. She spent most of it scanning the crowd for her brothers and Aurelio. She clapped at the right moments, laughed at the dean’s jokes, and listened intently to the valedictorian’s speech. She caught herself gazing at the empty seat, the one Professor Soara shouldhave been in. When the dean addressed the empty chair, she felt herself shedding a tear at the loss. He spoke quickly, highlighting the professor’s years of dedication and the strength she had shown in her last months. Mia let her tear fall, a smile on her lips as she promised to do good in the world, in honor of the women who had helped her along.

Finally, it was time to grab the diploma she had worked so hard for. As her name was called, she heard the unmistakable whoops and cheers from her boys— all four of them. She caught their faces as she climbed the steps, feeling the love radiate from them. Shaking hands with each person on the stage, her mind was with her brothers.

Turning to face the audience, she raised her diploma high, prompting more cheers, and then walked off the stage.

After the ceremony, she found her brothers, Mikey’s arm around Tony’s waist and Flory laughing with Melvin, mingling, drinks in hand. Flory pushed past the boys; arms wide open for a hug. Mia melted into her embrace, grateful for the woman who had cared for her all this time. She hugged each of her brothers, Matty crying as she did. Tony’s face was wet, a tear falling as she wiped it away. He gave her a big hug, whispering in her ear how proud he was of her.

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