A Simple Day

Today was the day, at long last. Truth be told, classes had been the easiest part. Everything came easily and naturally to him, much more than he ever dared admit. Top of his class, top marks, even after going off the deep end for a while. Granted, it hadn't been done just for fun. Tragedy and life itself had broken him for a time. Luckily, he had his family and the assistance of a few members of the Empire to help him through it. He had been able to return, work hard through the remaining months, and graduate almost a year ahead of schedule.

There was to be no ceremony to celebrate the occasion, just a picture and a few plaques showcasing his distinguished accomplishments. While he had gained a greater sense of humility and appreciation for the things in his life, the cockiness that had arisen years earlier was starting to make a comeback. Truthfully, it would never completely leave him. He simply had to learn how to rein it in every now and again.

"What do you think?" Elian asked in a rather calm manner, gesturing toward all of his prestigious awards.

"Elian." Alistair said sternly, albeit with a big smile on his face. The patriarch of House Abrantes pulled his son into a big hug. "I'm proud of you. Just remember what this carries for you. Your hopes and dreams...some might have gotten lost along the way, but you found them again."

Elian's mother, Callista, wiped a tear from her eye. "Oh, Elian." He was immediately pulled into another hug by her.

"Mom, gods, you act like I'm leaving forever. I'm not moving out." Elian chuckled before realization seemed to strike him. "Is that what you guys thought?!" Elian laughed heartily. "Oh, no." He shook his head. "No, no, no. Sibylla still lives at home. Well, some days. And she's fixing to hit forty."

For that comment, Elian received a small knock upside the head from Alistair. "Be nice."

"Yeah, you're right," Elian said with a small smirk, rubbing the side of his head. His expression softened after a moment. "I just want to say thank you. Not just for being my parents, but for putting up with my...well, shenanigans."

"That's our job, to put up with your nonsense," Callista said sweetly, reaching out to pull him into another hug.

"Mom, gods, seriously."

Their laughter filled the hallway as they broke apart, and the trio continued toward the entrance hall of Theed's Academy of Political & Astral Sciences. There was a small glimmer in the distance, coming from a memorial plaque that stood at the center of the hall.

"I'll catch up with you guys outside." Elian smiled and gave them a nod before walking away. It was a grand gesture. It was nice, sweet, and truly beautiful. A small memorial dedicated to those students whose lives had been lost during the terrorist attack on Theed.

Ryn....
Jalen....
Ellema....
Liora....

There were a few others, but those names stood out to him, more than anything else. They were his best friends. Elian took a deep breath, the smallest of smiles appearing on his face as his eyes passed over their names several times. Too many times, it seemed, considering how long he had been standing there. For all the pride he felt today, there would always be a part of this moment that belonged to them. He raised his fingers to his lips, lingering there for a moment before moving that same hand forward and gently touching the memorial. Elian lowered his hand, took one final look at their names, and turned away. He walked toward the double doors leading out of the Academy.