Clack, Clack, Clack the sound of my heels hitting the steps in front of the auditorium is all I hear as I make my way to the auditorium doors, and let me tell you it does nothing to ease the inferno burning in my stomach and the humming bird that is known as my heart.

As I reach the doors of the auditorium I reach out for the handle and I freeze as if I’m paralyzed. I mean absolutely no movement at all.

“This is actually happening.” I think, “I’m graduating.”

A wave of sadness and pride washes over me.

“I did it.” I say in a whisper only for my ears.

A small smile falls upon my face as I yank the door back and stride in. Before I even walk through the second door of the auditorium I hear the howls of crying parents as if they were a child who lost their favorite toy, the laughter with a sad twang to it from reminiscing, and the whispers of “I can’t believe I did it.”

I tuck my smile away, straighten out my shoulders and float through the doors. Once I step in the auditorium I see an ocean of familiar and unfamiliar faces, but none of them hold the faces of the people I’m searching for. Scanning the crowd like a motion detector I look for my grandma, grandpa, and mom, I walk towards where my graduating class is sitting looking left to right as if I’m crossing the street hoping to see a familiar face.

Then I hear it, “Emani, Emani!”

I look in the direction of where my name is being called I see my mom standing up flailing her arms around like a crazy women, I smile at her and she smiles back and gives me a thumbs up. I continue my journey to my seat.

Everything after I sat down was a blur the chatting of my graduating class was just like a bee buzzing in my ear, the announcements and speeches went by at the speed of light, then it was time, one by one each student was being called up to the stage for their handshake, diploma, and the pride of being able to say, “I’m officially a graduate.”

“Emani Calloway.” I hear my name being called, I’m frozen for a second and then I stand up with a bubbling feeling in my stomach and I make my way to the stage.

I walked across the stage with a smile so wide it could possibly split my face but I don’t care, I’m too happy to care, I walk up to a line of teachers receiving handshakes and whispered, congratulations and then I finally reach the last teacher who’s holding my diploma.

“Come on just put the diploma in my hand.”

With one last hand shake she hands me my diploma and I’m so excited I walk with a pep in my step to go stand with my class. They finally call out all the names,

And the principle announces, “Congratulations graduating class of 2017!”

Yells and Cheers erupt like a volcano as we throw is caps in the air.

“You did it.” I whispered to myself feeling accomplished.