ELIAS'S POV

Graduation day arrived too fast.

I woke up early. Couldn't sleep anyway. Nerves eating at me. The speech. The ceremony. Everything feeling too big. Too important.

Ronan was already awake. Sitting by the window. Looking out at campus.

"You ready?" he asked.

"No. But I'm doing it anyway."

"That's all anyone can ask."

We dressed in formal uniforms. Black and gold. Academy colors. Last time wearing them. Last time being students here.

My mother arrived early. Brought flowers. ...