Page 89 of Since Always

Owen: Thank you, my love. It was a good day. I wanted to call you so bad, but thought it would be a bad idea.

Me: Well, never ever think that way again

Owen: I promise. So, when is the site launching? Tell me all about it.

I also open my text thread with my mom.

Me: Hi, are you here yet? The main ceremony is happening now. No big deal if you miss this one though

Mom: I'm here! Was just about to text you. Parking is a nightmare right now, sorry it took me so long. Text me where to meet you after this is over. This guy is excruciatingly boring.

I tell her a place to meet that is a little ways away, so that we can avoid the crowds a little bit, and then text Owen that I am meeting her there if he wants to meet me there as well.

Owen: No, I want to walk with you. Stay where you are when this ends. I'll come to you.

And then, finally, it is over and we are being released so we can spread out through different buildings on the campus for our individual school ceremonies. The Marshall School of Business holds theirs in one of the large auditoriums at 11:00 am, which gives me about an hour and a half before it starts.

There is an uproar as people try to find friends and family. I hug and say goodbye to the girl I've been sitting with, who is a journalism major and off to a different ceremony. And then I stand, planted amidst the chaos. Just when I am starting to worry that he will never make his way to me, he slips his hand into mine and squeezes, and it hits me that I don't have to worry anymore. He will be there.

As we walk together, I am concerned that someone will notice him, but no one gives him even a second glance. For one, there is just too much happening around us, but also, no one is used to seeing him in a hat and glasses, or dressed down the way he is today. He also grew out his scruff for a few days, and other than those of us who see him in Aspen, the world has never really seen him with facial hair.

"You know what part of today I am most excited for?" He asks me as we walk.

"What?"

He leans down so that he close to my ear. "Tonight."

My body responds almost instantly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I say, with clear mocking in my tone. "I'm busy tonight. I have to wash my hair."

"Ah, I see," he deadpans, nodding. "Well, will you be doing that…Naked? In a shower? Because I might be able to help."

"Maybe we can work something out."

"We can...Oh," he cuts himself off abruptly. "There's your mom.... oh..."

"What?" I ask, following his gaze. My mom is waving to us through the crowd, a broad smile on her face. And next to her, staring at us wearily, is my brother.

"Cassidy!" she cries and runs to me as we get close. She wraps me in an enormous hug and kisses me on the cheek. "Oh, congratulations, sweetie. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you mom... are you crying?"

"She's cried three times already," Chris says in a monotone voice behind us.

I pull out of her arms and look up at him.

"Hey," I say. "Thanks for coming. I wasn't sure you were going to."

"Yeah, well. I got a couple of stern talking to's from Tweedledee and Tweedledum over here," he nods his head towards Owen and my mom.

I glance at Owen, and he winks at me.

"Well, I'm...I'm glad you're here."

He stares at me for a moment, and then lets loose a loud sigh, stepping forward and taking me into his arms. I tear up and bury my head in his chest.

"Can we not fight anymore?"

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