It was a calm Thursday afternoon. The sun had drifted lazily behind a veil of clouds, casting a soft golden hue across the apartment. Justin and John were sprawled comfortably on the couch, their eyes glued to the TV screen as a football match played. Their classes for the day had been canceled, so they decided to make the most of the unexpected free time, feet up, snacks on the table, and lazy banter between them.
The room was filled with the sound of whistles, the commentator's voice, and occasional outbursts from the players on-screen. Just as Justin reached for the bottle of water on the center table, his phone rang loudly, vibrating against the wood surface.
He glanced at the screen and smiled.
"It's Austin," he said, picking up.
John gave him a nod. "Put it on speaker."
Justin accepted the call and hit the speaker icon.
"Hey brother," Austin's familiar voice boomed through. "How are you doing?"
"I'm good, bro," Justin replied, leaning back into the couch with a grin. "What about you?"
"I'm alright," Austin said. There was a pause, then his tone shifted to something more excited. "So, I've got news. Big one."
"Let's hear it," Justin said, eyebrows raised in anticipation.
Austin chuckled. "I just got the confirmation today. My work branch isn't far from Lifetime University, crazy, right? It's like everything's aligning."
Justin's eyes lit up. "For real? That's mad."
"Yeah," Austin continued. "And resumption was postponed a little. I'm starting two Mondays from now, so I have next week off to sort things out. I even rented a place already, just a few blocks from my office."
Justin exchanged a glance with John, clearly impressed. "You're not playing at all."
"Of course not," Austin laughed. "You think I'd be couch-surfing with you two boys? Nah, I needed a place I could work and sleep in peace."
They all laughed.
"But I'll come around to visit you early next week," Austin added. "Let's hang out properly before I get swamped with work. I miss my kid brother."
"Man, I miss you too," Justin said, grinning. "It's been long."
"Oh, and tell John I said hi," Austin said.
"I'm here, bro!" John called out from beside Justin.
"Good to hear your voice, man. I'll send some foodstuffs and groceries when I come by. Y'all better make space in the fridge."
"Legend," John said, laughing.
"Alright," Austin continued, "I'll text you when I pick a day.."
"Will do," Justin said.
"Later, boys."
"Later, bro."
The call ended and the room settled back into its quiet rhythm. Justin stared at his screen for a second, still smiling.
John turned to him, a curious look on his face. "So... you didn't mention Bella to him?"
Justin shook his head, sighing. "Nah. Not yet."
"Why?" John asked. "I mean, you've been talking to her nonstop. Things seem serious."
Justin leaned forward and ran his hand through his hair. "I just… I don't know, man. Austin already has a lot going on. I don't want him thinking I'm getting distracted from school or messing around."
John nodded slowly, understanding. "Yeah, but at some point, you're gonna have to say something."
"I will," Justin said quietly. "Just not yet."
The game continued in the background, but Justin's mind had drifted elsewhere, half on Bella, half on the unknown reaction his brother might have if or when he found out.
A few hours later, the sun had begun to dip, casting a soft golden hue through the apartment window. Justin and John had switched from football to a random action movie when Justin's phone buzzed again. This time, it was a notification from their school's Freshman Group Chat.
He glanced at the screen lazily at first, but the message caught his attention.
Group Admin:
Hello everyone! Please be informed that Lifetime University's matriculation ceremony has been officially scheduled to hold in the next few weeks. Details regarding dates, attire, and logistics will be shared shortly. Start preparing!
The chat instantly lit up with reactions and excitement, GIFs, emojis, exclamation marks.
Justin sat up, reading through as others shared their thoughts.
"Omg finallyyyy!!"
"Matric fits loading 🔥🔥"
"Can't wait to see what y'all pull up with fr 😍"
"Bella and Kathy will SLAY I already know 😭"
John looked over. "What's happening?"
"Matriculation," Justin said, tossing the phone to him. "They just dropped the announcement. Few weeks from now."
John grinned. "That's gonna be big."
"Yeah," Justin nodded. "Kinda makes everything feel real now."
John gave him a knowing look. "You know you and Bella better pull up matching. You already look like a couple, might as well act like one."
Justin rolled his eyes, laughing. "We're not a couple yet, remember?"
"But she's waiting," John said simply. "Don't waste that."
Justin didn't respond immediately, but his smile faded a little as he looked back at his phone. The messages kept rolling in, photos of fabric options, tailor contacts, event plans. He imagined Bella's excitement. He could already picture her glowing in whatever outfit she chose.
Maybe this was the moment. A sign. An event that could finally push him to decide.
Or… complicate everything.
Either way, the countdown had begun.
And everything was about to shift again.
*****
It was a little past 5 p.m. when the notification came in. Kathy was lounging on the couch in their cozy two-bedroom apartment, flipping through her Instagram feed when the buzz hit her phone. She lazily tapped the message and saw it was from their school group chat.
"Matriculation?" she muttered under her breath, sitting up quickly.
Just then, Bella walked in from the kitchen, wiping her wet hands on a napkin. "What happened?" she asked, noticing the sudden change in Kathy's expression.
Kathy blinked, then grinned like a child handed candy. "Check your phone. It's official!"
Bella's brows furrowed as she reached for her phone on the center table. A second later, she was reading the same message that was already making Kathy bounce on the couch.
"Matriculation ceremony in a few weeks?!" Bella exclaimed, her eyes wide.
"Yup! It's finally happening!" Kathy squealed, jumping up.
They both screamed in excitement like little kids, spinning in a brief circle in the middle of their living room before collapsing onto the couch again, laughing breathlessly.
They immediately dove into Pinterest boards and Instagram pages, searching for outfit inspiration. Kathy was already chatting with her plug for high-quality lace and accessories. Within minutes, they had short-listed three fabrics and messaged their tailor.
"Should we book a makeup artist early?" Bella asked, already calculating her budget in her head.
"Yes, please! You know they'll be fully booked a week before."
After about an hour of excitement, scrolling, and some light snacking, Bella sat back and sighed happily. "I needed this."
Kathy looked at her. "Why? What's up?"
Bella smiled a little. "Nothing serious. I've just been thinking a lot about… stuff."
Justin.
His unreadable expressions. The texts from Chloe. The way he hadn't asked her out officially yet. She didn't say it out loud, but Kathy understood.
Kathy nudged her. "Well, forget all that for now. You're about to enter that matric ground looking like a whole meal. You won't even remember what was stressing you."
Bella laughed again. "Amen."
She leaned her head on Kathy's shoulder.
For now, the group chat excitement and the thrill of shopping and dressing up drowned out the lingering doubt and drama. Matriculation was coming, and the girls were going to make sure they stole the spotlight.
Later that evening, the apartment was quiet. Kathy had stepped into the bathroom, and Bella sat alone on her bed, her phone in hand, scrolling through pictures from earlier that day. Her mind wandered. Amidst all the excitement about matriculation and dresses and laughter with Kathy, a small ache had crept in, one that had no name, but had lived in her heart for as long as she could remember.
She sighed softly and clicked on the contact labeled "Mum."
The phone rang twice before the line connected.
"Hello, Bella," her mom's voice came through, crisp and clear with that formal tone she always used, even with her own daughter.
"Good evening, Mum," Bella said, her voice gentle.
"Evening, dear. How are you doing? And Kathy, how is she as well?"
"We're both doing fine," Bella replied. "School's been okay. It's been busy, but we're managing."
"That's good to hear," her mom said with a nod Bella could almost see. "I heard your father got you a car. Congratulations."
Bella blinked at the abruptness of it. "Thank you," she said quietly.
There was a short silence. Not awkward, but… empty. Like two people trying to have a conversation with no bridge connecting them.
Bella's mother had moved to London years ago to advance her career as a renowned surgeon, chasing prestige and excellence with unwavering dedication. Even when she and Bella lived in the same country,and occasionally the same state, she never initiated a meeting. Her life revolved around operating rooms, conferences, and hospital rounds. While she ensured Bella never lacked anything financially, their relationship remained distant and clinical. The nurturing, presence, and emotional bond a daughter longed for were always missing, replaced instead by wire transfers, expensive parcels, and brief, formal phone calls.
"Mum," Bella said after a moment, "our matriculation is coming up in a few weeks. They announced it today. Parents are expected to attend."
"Oh," her mother said. "Alright then, let me know the exact date when it's confirmed. You know I'm always busy with work, but I'll see what I can do. And inform your father as well."
"Okay, Mum."
"Take care of yourself, and give my regards to Kathy."
"I will. Bye, Mum."
"Bye, Bella."
The call ended.
Bella stared at her screen for a second longer, the ache in her chest deeper now. Not because her mother had said anything wrong,!she never did. But that was the problem. It was always just surface-level. No warmth. No soft "I miss you," or "I wish I could be there," or even a memory of their shared past. There was none.
Just then, Kathy came out of the bathroom, towel on her neck. "You called your mom?" she asked.
Bella nodded slowly. "Yeah… She picked."
"How was it?"
"The usual," Bella replied, a small smile playing on her lips. "She said I should let her know the date. But she didn't say she'd come. Just that she's always busy."
Kathy sat beside her on the bed. "She may not show it, but I'm sure she's proud of you."
Bella nodded, even though she wasn't sure she believed it. "Yeah."
Bella just smiled and lay back on the bed, her heart a little fuller.
Even if her mother never showed up, her father would be there. That was enough. For now.
"Did you tell your dad?"
"No… not yet."
"Then call him. You know how he is. He'd want to be the first to know."
Bella smiled at that. Her dad always had a way of making her feel seen, no matter how far apart they were.
She picked up her phone again and dialed his number. It didn't take long before he answered.
"Bella!" His voice was warm, full of joy. "How's my baby girl?"
Bella chuckled. "I'm fine, Dad. How are you?"
"I'm doing great. What's up?"
"Umm… They announced our matriculation today. It's coming up in a few weeks. They expect parents to be present."
"Oh, really?" he said, excitement in his tone. "That's amazing news!"
"I told Mum too," Bella added, then paused. "She said I should let her know the date and that she's busy, but she'll see what she can do."
There was a beat of silence. Then, her father said, "You don't worry about that. The moment they release the date, I'll book my ticket and be there for you, okay?"
Bella felt her heart swell.
"Thanks, Dad."
"You've made me proud, Bella. I wouldn't miss it for anything. Just let me know once you're sure."
"I will."
They spoke for a few more minutes, about school, Kathy, and her car, before hanging up.
When Bella looked up, Kathy gave her a knowing look. "Told you."
Kathy was curled up on her side of the bed, scrolling through the buzzing freshman group chat. The messages were coming in rapidly, everyone talking about outfits for matriculation, hairstyles, shoes, dates, and who was showing up with who. A few people had even started hyping up Bella and Justin, teasingly calling them "the campus couple".
Kathy laughed and read some of them out loud. "Someone just said, 'Bella and Justin better show up together or we riot!'" she grinned.
Bella smiled faintly, not saying much. Kathy kept scrolling, then paused. "Oh, look, Chloe just commented. She said, "Can't wait to slay on matric day 😌🔥."
Bella's smile disappeared almost instantly.
Kathy noticed. "What?" she asked.
Bella sighed. "I don't know… I still don't like that girl."
Kathy turned toward her. "Chloe?"
Bella nodded. "Ever since I saw that text on Justin's phone. Why would she text him asking 'are we still seeing?'if they've only met once or twice? It didn't sit right with me. It felt like there was more."
Kathy tried to reason. "You might be reading too much into it. Chloe's just that type, bold, playful, maybe even a bit flirtatious. But that doesn't mean Justin is entertaining her like that."
Bella frowned. "Still. What if something has happened already between them? What if I'm here, catching feelings, and he's just… figuring things out with other people too?"
"Don't do that to yourself," Kathy said firmly. "Justin clearly likes you. Anyone can send a text, but actions speak louder. Has he ever made you feel like you're not enough?"
Bella was quiet for a moment. "No… not really."
"Exactly. So relax," Kathy said. "And as for Chloe? She can slay all she wants. But she's not the one Justin's texting every day. You are."
Bella smiled faintly. "You always know how to say the right thing."
Kathy winked. "That's why you love me."
They both burst into light laughter as Kathy tossed her phone aside and reached for her face mask. "Now let's figure out what you're wearing. Because if the people want to see Bella and Justin, then they better be ready. You have to give them a show."
Bella laughed again, this time fully, her earlier tension slowly fading away.