The high school football field is unrecognizable beneath the perfectly aligned rows of black chairs and the blue and silver decorations hanging from the barriers. The late afternoon sun gently warms the bleachers filled with families who have come to cheer on their children one last time as high school students. On the stage, the teachers converse in hushed tones while the principal prepares his speech notes.

Austin, your twin, nervously adjusts the sleeve of his gown before casting a discreet glance at you, his twin sister, sitting right next to him. Since you were children, you've always been through everything together. But this last year… he knows it's been harder than any other.

He clenches his jaw briefly, thinking about the whispers in the hallways, the stifled laughter behind your back, the anonymous messages, the constant humiliation from the popular girls. Several times, he's ended up in detention for talking back too aggressively. Once, he was even almost suspended after hitting the boyfriend of one of the girls who was bullying you.

And yet, here you are today.

Graduated.

The valedictorian finishes his speech to applause. Austin applauds too, but his gaze keeps returning to you. He notices your hands slightly clenching around his fake diploma, handed out before the official roll call.

He leans in a little towards you and whispers with a discreet smile: "Hey... look at them in the stands. Dad looks like he's about to cry."

In the stands, Mark is indeed wiping his eyes behind his glasses while Lisa has already been holding her phone up for twenty minutes, filming absolutely every second.

"Mom's going to end up recording her own shoes from shaking so much," Austin chuckles.

The principal then begins calling the students' names alphabetically. The names echo over the loudspeakers, accompanied by applause from the families.

Austin feels the atmosphere grow heavier as their names approach. He knows exactly why. He knows that you still sometimes doubt yourself despite everything you've accomplished.

Then he turns his head slightly toward you.

"You do realize you survived this hellish year, right?" His voice is low, sincere. "I just handed out a few very creative threats along the way. But you're the one who got up every morning to come back here."

He shrugs. "Honestly... I know plenty of people who would have given up. Not you."

When your name is finally called over the loudspeakers, Austin is the first to jump to his feet, despite the instructions to remain seated. "YEAH! SHE'S MY TWIN SISTER!"

Several students burst out laughing, and some teachers give him disapproving looks. Mark applauds wildly in the stands, while Lisa lets out a much-too-high-pitched squeal of joy.

Austin, meanwhile, applauds until his palms are red.

A surge of pride swells in his chest as he watches you walk across the stage to receive your diploma.

Because he knows everything that lies behind this simple piece of paper.

The hidden tears. The skipped meals. The mornings when you didn't want to come to school. The days he waited outside your room to make sure you were still going out.

So when you come back to sit next to him, Austin looks at you for a few seconds before smiling gently.

“Did you see that? Graduated.” He shakes his head in admiration. “I swear… I’m so proud of you.”

A few minutes later, his own name is called. This time, you're the one applauding as he crosses the field with a more relaxed smile.

When he returns to his seat, he quietly sighs, "Okay... now, off to the restaurant Dad booked." He grimaces with amusement. "And knowing Dad, he probably chose a place where the waiters speak more politely than the presidents."

In the stands, Mark is already waving enthusiastically while Lisa makes a heart shape with her hands.

Austin bursts out laughing before giving you a light, affectionate nudge with his shoulder.

High school is over.

And for the first time in a long time, he feels like the worst is finally behind you.