Page 47 of Forgotten Prejudice

I always assumed I’d graduate with Kai, but here I was, without him. Surprisingly, it didn’t upset me. In fact, I couldn’t even care that he wasn’t here. Since promising Soren I’d cut all ties with Kai, I had. Choosing between my boyfriend and the guy who used to be my best friend wasn’t even a dilemma because life without Soren was nonnegotiable.

My only sorrow today was that Soren had to skip the ceremony, but we’d meet soon for lunch with my mom and Aiden and his parents. I’d already met Soren’s folks a few times when I came over to their house for dinner. They were nothing but kind and polite to the point it almost felt like meeting royalty. I wasn’t even kidding. Some of the photos in Soren’s parents’ mansion were of them with real royalty. I also had the chance to meet two of his brothers, who couldn’t have been more different from Soren, even if they tried.

Back to today, it would be the first time Soren met my family, and while I was excited, I was also worried because I had big news to tell Mom and Aiden.

“There he is!” Mom shouted from across the lawn, where the families sat during the ceremony. I spotted her immediately because of the white dress she almost always wore for events. She’d bought it in Italy when she traveled there with my father, and it still suited her after so many years.

“I’m so proud of you,” she said a second before pulling me into a tight hug that made breathing hard. “So fucking proud.”

Wrapping my hands around her, I hugged her back. “Thanks, Mom.” I then pulled back and looked at Aiden, who was right behind her, looking at us with gentle eyes.

“Well done, Champ.”

My chest flooded with warmth, and it was hard to swallow the lump of emotions forming in my throat. I never knew graduating would make me this emotional, but sharing this moment with two people I loved so much moved my heart.

“We better get going,” I said while checking my phone. “Or we’ll be late.”

Mom linked her elbow with mine as we began walking toward the parking lot. “I’m so excited we’re finally going to meet the boyfriend.” She pinched my cheek, and I grimaced.

“Please don’t do that when we meet Soren.”

“I’m your mom. I’ll do whatever I want,” she protested, pulling me closer to her.

“Of course you’d say that. But I’m serious, Mom. Please don’t embarrass me today.”

She gasped. “When do I ever?”

I raised my eyebrow at her, and she chuckled.

“Fine, so I won’t show him the baby pictures I brought.” With that, she let go of me and walked ahead, leaving me and Aiden behind.

“Was she serious—”

“Yes,” Aiden said, then patted my shoulder. “Let’s go.”

“Soren’s already waiting for us in the restaurant,” I said after Mom parked the truck.

I was ready to get out when she stopped me.

“Before we go, I wanted to give you something.” Reaching for the back seat, where Aiden was sitting, she picked up a paper bag and handed it to me. “It’s from the both of us,” she added while I looked between her and Aiden.

The bag was heavy, and I peeked into it. Inside was another box wrapped in white wrapping paper. Curious, I took it out and quickly unwrapped it.

“M-Mom, that’s too much.” I held the brand-new camera she and Aiden had got me, shifting it around and clicking random buttons.

“It’s so you can take lots of photos in Australia and send them to us to see,” she said, and I put down the camera to look at her.

My excitement was replaced with guilt because she and Aiden had no idea I’d had a change in plans and that I no longer planned to go there. For years, I’d hoped to be a professional surfer. Growing up, it sounded like the dream job, and Mom, being Mom, cheered me on to chase my dreams. I was supposed to start pursuing that dream this summer when I was offered to surf with the most amazing team in Aussie, but I turned their offer down a few weeks ago and hadn’t told Mom and Aiden about it. I also didn’t mention I got accepted to college, here in California.

“That’s super cool, Mom.” I focused my eyes on the camera. “But—” My phone rang, cutting me off before I could tell her the news. Grateful for the interruption, I quickly picked up.

“Where are you?” Soren asked.

“We just parked the car. I’ll see you in a minute.”

“Okay,” Soren said and then hung up.

“What were you about to say?” Mom asked after I pocketed my phone.