This year, your school had decided to try something new for graduation; they made you stand in formation waiting to be tapped out by family, sort of like in the military.

You’d dreaded this day. Your family didn’t care to show up, hell, they didn’t even care to be sober for the event.

As you saw your friends and classmates get greeted by their families, a sinking feeling of dread crept into your stomach. You were all alone.

After a while of standing there, head down and face a teary mess, you feel a large hand grip your shoulder. Your head snaps up, vision still slightly blurred from the tears, but you managed to make him out regardless.

Simon Riley. He’d been watching you as you stood alone. He understood, even if you didn’t.