"And with that! I congratulate our graduating students!" the principal of the school shouted into the mic.
The gym erupted with cheers, applause, and the rustle of students tossing their caps in the air. Caleb slipped out of the crowd, pushing through the heavy doors until the noise became nothing but a muffled hum behind him.
He exhaled, staring at the tassel dangling from his hand. His mind spun with thoughts that refused to settle. So, I guess it's almost over, huh… he muttered under his breath.
Too distracted to notice the footsteps behind him, he kept walking until a sudden weight pressed down on his shoulders. Someone swung their arms around him from behind.
"Hey, what's with that gloomy atmosphere around you?" a familiar voice teased, followed by a laugh.
Caleb flinched at first, then turned his head slightly to see his friend grinning at him, completely unfazed by his brooding mood
"Nothing, just thoughts about the future…" Caleb muttered, his voice barely carrying past the noise of the hallway.
His friend squeezed his shoulder tighter, chuckling. "Oh, stop worrying about the future. You're taking a gap year, right?"
"Well… that's my current plan," Caleb replied with a small shrug, though his words sounded more like a question than an answer.
Before the silence could settle, footsteps echoed against the linoleum. Two more of their classmates swaggered into view, still buzzing from the graduation high. One of them had his gown half off, dragging behind him like a cape, while the other carried a stolen graduation program folded into a paper plane.
"Hey!" the first one called out, smirking. "You guys wanna grab a drink at a bar?!"
The friend with his arm slung around Caleb's shoulders lit up instantly, his grin wide and wild. "Now that's what I'm talking about!" he shouted back. "Let's hit the bar"!"
The two new arrivals laughed, bumping their fists together like they'd already made up their minds. Caleb's grip on his cap tightened. He looked at them, their faces red with excitement, and their voices loud and reckless. They were already talking over one another.
For a second, Caleb almost smiled. It would be easy to just go with them, to lose himself in their noise and not think about tomorrow. That was the kind of life they wanted, fast, careless, wild. But something about joining them made him have second thoughts.
He tried to refuse, but before he could open his mouth, his friend tightened his arm around him, almost steering him toward the exit. "Come on, Caleb. Don't give me that thoughtful look again. We just graduated! We deserve to drink!"
The two others cheered in agreement, already halfway down the hall. "Yeah, man! First round's on us. You'll thank us later!"
One of the two who had just arrived, broad-shouldered, his gown sleeves stretched tight over his arms, grinned wickedly. "While we're at the bar, we should go ask some hot ladies over there to join us!" His voice carried an arrogant confidence, like he'd already planned out the night.
The friend who still had his arm locked around Caleb suddenly threw his head back and let out a laugh. It wasn't his usual laugh. This one was low, mocking, almost like a bad impression of an evil villain.
"It's been a while since I've slept with some women," he said, dragging the words out as if savouring them. His grin widened, eyes glinting with something that made Caleb's stomach knot.
The others howled in response. "Hell yeah! That's the spirit Timothy!" one shouted. "Graduation night. This is when we finally live like kings!"
"You guys do know that people can hear us right?" Caleb said sheepishly trying to pry his friends out of his shoulders
It was strange. These were the same people he had laughed with in classrooms, shared answers with during exams, and sat beside during boring assemblies. But now… now they felt like strangers. Their words, their laughter, and the way they looked at the world, it was all heavier, darker than he remembered.
The muscle-bound friend clapped his hands together and leaned forward, his tone sly. "Caleb, my man. Don't tell me you're backing out on us. Tonight's about freedom, remember? You need to loosen up."
The arm around his shoulders grew tighter, dragging him closer to the group as if daring him to say no. "You'll thank us later," the friend whispered, his grin sharp. "We'll show you what real living feels like."
He didn't like the way his friends were acting. The laugh in the hallway had a hollow edge, the kind that flattened whatever had come before it. Caleb dug his fingers under the friend's grip and, summoning all the strength he had, he pried timothy's hands off.
"Sorry," he said, breathless. "I need to do something tonight."
The arm fell back as if released on cue, but the others only rolled their eyes. "What? Dude, you always say that. And now we don't have school anymore, what things could you possibly have?" one of them sneered, incredulous.
Caleb swallowed. He felt small under their stares, like an answer waiting to be judged. "One of my friends asked me if I wanted to get some experience working at the bar she works at," he said, keeping his voice steady. It sounded dull and practical when he said it out loud, and he hoped that would be enough to shut them up.
For a moment there was silence, then the broad-shouldered friend whose grin had been all swagger snapped his fingers. "Then let's go to that bar!" he shouted, as though they were deciding on dinner plans. The others joined in immediately, cheers, high-fives, the whole thing turned into celebration.
Caleb hesitated, feeling the pull both ways. "Okay…" he said, the word a reluctant concession.
They took it as a yes and the hallway turned into a parade. Caleb walked with them, caught in the current of their energy despite the cold knot in his stomach. As they pushed through the exit and the afternoon light hit them, their laughter sounded different, like something trying too hard to cover up unease. Caleb thought of the lectures they'd slept through together, the group projects they'd half-finished, the jokes that used to land warm and easy. Back then he had been amused by their bravado, of the rough edges that made them less like the neat, anxious students and more like friends. But graduation seemed to sharpen those edges into something harsher.
He had watched them coast through finals, jokes and parties taking precedence over study. He had shrugged off the cheating and the skipped classes because it was simpler to be tolerant than to be the one at odds with the only group he had. He had tolerated the muscle-bound friend's conquests, the arrogant glares and crude jokes, because they were boys being boys, or so he told himself. But now, with caps tossed into the air and the future yawning beyond the gym doors, their choices no longer felt like careless youth. They felt deliberate.
They parted ways, promising to meet again at the bar Caleb was heading to. He let out a quiet sigh of relief, grateful at last for a moment alone with his thoughts. As he walked, memories flickered through his mind, back to when the future never mattered, not until the day he graduated. He had his fair share of reckless mischief. But the moment the final exam loomed, his thoughts shifted to what came next. His parents asked him again and again what course he planned to take, yet he never had an answer. Unlike his friends, he balanced his academics with ease, serious when needed, carefree when it counted.
***
Five hours later, Caleb found himself standing before the bar his friend had told him about, the one where he might earn some experience. The neon sign buzzed faintly above the door, and with a steadying breath, he pushed it open. A soft chime rang as the bell above the frame swung. The air inside was warm, filled with the low murmur of half-occupied tables and the faint scent of alcohol and polished wood.
He walked to the counter and eased into a chair. Behind it, a woman was wiping down a glass, her movements steady and practiced. She turned at the sound of him settling in. "Welcom—" She stopped, then her lips curved into a smile. "Oh, good evening."
"Hi, Evangeline" Caleb said, his voice quiet but polite.
"And here I thought you weren't coming," she teased, setting the mug aside with a soft clink.
"Had a bit of trouble finding the place," he admitted, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"How was the graduation ceremony?" Evangeline asked, her back half-turned as she arranged the counter.
"It went well," he said, laughing under his breath. "Though it dragged on longer than I thought."
She glanced at him briefly. "Applied to a college yet?"
Caleb hesitated, his fingers tracing the rim of the counter. "Not yet. I was planning on taking a gap year and… well, I still haven't figured out what course I want."
"I see." She nodded, her expression softening. "You should decide soon. Time has a way of slipping by faster than you expect."
"Yeah… I know," he murmured, the weight of her words settling heavier than he'd like to admit.
Evangeline sensed the heaviness in Lloyd's tone, the quiet uncertainty lingering behind his words. Wanting to lighten the mood, she shifted the subject with a gentle smile. "For now, just watch how I work. See if it's something you'd enjoy doing here. In the meantime, is there anything you'd like to drink?"
"Uh… Matcha Coffee, please," he replied after a short pause.
Her lips curved into a knowing smirk. Classic, she thought to herself, already reaching for the tools of her craft. With graceful precision, she measured, poured, and stirred, her movements practiced yet almost artistic. The faint aroma of matcha and roasted coffee beans began to blend in the air, a comforting scent that cut through the hum of the bar.
Caleb leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the counter as he watched her work. There was something mesmerizing about the ease in which she handled everything—how naturally she flowed from task to task, never missing a beat. When she served the drink with a soft clink of glass against wood, she offered a quick, playful glance, as if to silently ask what he thought.
For the next few minutes, Lloyd observed her closely. Evangeline moved with elegance, her steps light and fluid as she greeted customers, took orders, and carried drinks across the floor. She returned behind the counter seamlessly, slipping into the role of bartender with an almost theatrical flair. With each motion, pouring, shaking, garnishing, she carried herself with confidence, like every gesture had meaning.
Caleb found himself quietly fascinated. The rhythm of her work was steady yet alive, almost like a dance performed in sync with the clinking glasses and murmured voices around them. For a brief moment, he forgot his own uncertainty, he was instead mesmerized in the subtle charm of watching someone who truly belonged in their craft.
Evangeline smirked the moment she noticed Caleb's lingering gaze. She finished pouring the last of a drink, slid it across the counter with a practiced flick, and then strolled over to him. Leaning in just close enough for her voice to drop into a playful murmur, her lips curved into that same knowing grin. "You know… I can't focus on my job if you keep staring at me with those eyes."
The words hit Caleb like a sudden strike. His throat tightened, and all he could manage was a nervous laugh that quickly died in his chest. His cheeks flushed, betraying the composure he tried to maintain. He opened his mouth to respond, but nothing came out.
Evangeline was about to tease him further when the familiar chime of the doorbell sliced through the moment. Instinctively, she straightened her posture, her expression shifting from playful to guard. Her eyes flicked toward the entrance. Two men had stepped inside, and though they hadn't spoken a word, their presence said enough. Their clothes were rough, their stances sharp, and their eyes carried a weight that put the room on edge. She didn't need long to recognize the kind of trouble they might bring.
Caleb, distracted from the sudden change in her demeanour, felt a hand clamp down on his shoulder. Startled, he turned and saw his friends filing in.
"Man, you should've told us you were coming here this early," Timothy said as he dropped into the seat beside Caleb, grinning like the bar was his own living room.
"Like I said," Caleb replied almost immediately, "my friend wanted me to see if I'd like working at her place."
He glanced around, noticing a missing face. "Where's Benodi?"
"His girlfriend invited him over, so he cancelled on us," the bulky one said as he squeezed into the seat on Caleb's other side, the chair groaning under his weight.
Evangeline leaned back against the counter, arms crossed loosely over her chest. "Are they your friends?" she asked, her tone neutral but her eyes sharp.
The muscle man's grin widened as he leaned forward. "Now who is this fine woman right here?" he drawled, running his tongue across his lips in a way that made Caleb's stomach twist.
Evangeline's eyebrow arched, her expression hardening at once. For a moment, she considered putting him in his place, but professionalism won out. With a practiced calm, she asked, "What would you two like to order?"
"I'll take a wheat beer," Timothy answered casually. Evangeline pushed herself upright, smoothing down her apron before reaching for the bottles.
"And you?" she asked, her gaze fixed squarely on the muscle man.
He leaned back, smirking. "Are you on the menu?" he said, his voice loud enough for the nearby tables to hear.
"Hey, can you not?" Caleb snapped, his voice edged with anger. "Be respectful to my friend."
The man chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Sorry, man. It's just… she's so hot." He gave Evangeline an exaggerated wink.
Caleb sighed, embarrassed, and turned to her. "Sorry about him."
Evangeline didn't answer. Her silence said enough. She focused on the bottles instead, her hands moving swiftly as she poured two wheat beers with mechanical precision. Caleb couldn't help but keep watching her—how she held herself steady despite the disrespect, how she didn't let her composure slip.
His two friends, meanwhile, drank quickly, ordering another round not long after. With each glass, their voices grew louder, their laughter sharper, spilling over into the quiet hum of the bar. Other customers began to glance over, irritated, and soon a few whispered complaints reached Evangeline's ears. Her jaw tightened, though her expression remained collected. She knew she couldn't ignore them much longer.
Evangeline finally had enough. She set down the tray she was holding and strode toward the two, her expression sharp, her voice cold and cutting through the noise of the bar. "You two..... shut up, or I'll call security."
The bulky one threw his head back, laughing drunkenly. His grin twisted into something uglier as he leaned toward her. "I'll shut up if you come back with me to my place." He punctuated the words with a lewd gesture that turned several nearby heads in disgust.
"Hey, knock it off," Caleb snapped, his chair scraping against the floor as he stood.
The man sneered at him, swaying slightly but still puffing out his chest. "If you're not gonna hit, then I will," he said, his tone soaked with false bravado.
Caleb raised his hands, trying to keep his composure. "You're drunk. Timothy, take him home before this gets worse."
Timothy waved him off, his words slurred. "What? No, c'mon, man. Let us enjoy ourselves. we just graduated!"
Caleb sighed, placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Just go home, both of you, before this turns into a real mess."
But before he could push him back, the muscle man smacked his hand away with surprising force. His fist swung fast, connecting squarely with Caleb's face. The blow sent him stumbling backward, crashing onto the floor as pain exploded across his nose. Blood trickled instantly, staining his skin.
The sudden violence jolted the room into silence. Evangeline's eyes widened, then hardened. Without hesitation, she reached under the counter and pressed a button. A sharp alarm chimed briefly, signalling the bar's security.
The muscle man turned back to her, his grin now predatory. "Now… where were we?"
"You and your friend.... out. Now." Her voice was steel, her stance unwavering despite the danger.
"We're customers!" he barked back, his words slurring, his volume rising. "You can't kick us out!"
Before he could take another step, the security team burst into the room. Two large men in black grabbed both him and Timothy by the arms, dragging them out despite their shouts and flailing. The bar's quiet murmur slowly returned as the door slammed shut behind them.
Evangeline rushed immediately to Caleb's side. He was sitting up, one hand cupped over his nose as crimson seeped through his fingers. His breaths came short and shaky, and his face was pale from the sudden shock.
"Don't move," she said firmly, kneeling beside him. Her hands were steady, though her heart was pounding. "You're bleeding pretty badly."
"Didn't think he'd actually throw a punch out of nowhere," Caleb muttered with a weak laugh, though he winced the moment the pain shot through his nose.
Evangeline didn't smile. She slipped an arm around him, steady but gentle, guiding him off the bar floor and into the employee break room. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly above as she helped him sit down on the worn leather couch.
The door swung open, and her manager stepped inside, his expression tight. Evangeline braced herself for the scolding she thought was coming, but instead he let out a sigh. "It wasn't your fault. Someone will cover the rest of your shift. Just take care of him."
Relief flickered across her face. She nodded quickly. "Thank you."
After handing Caleb an ice pack, she lingered for a moment, making sure he held it firmly against his nose. Then, without another word, she helped him back to his feet. The night air outside was cool, a welcome change from the heavy atmosphere of the bar.
She led him to her car and opened the passenger door. Caleb sank into the seat, still pressing the cold pack against his face. Evangeline slid into the driver's side, her jaw set, and her hands steady on the wheel. Without hesitation, she started the engine and pulled away from the curb, steering them toward her home.
***
Evangeline leaned in close, carefully dabbing at the cut beneath Caleb's nose. He winced each time the cloth pressed against his skin, his jaw tightening as he tried not to flinch. She worked in silence, steady and precise, until finally she placed the last bandage and leaned back with a soft exhale.
"There," she said quietly, gathering the bloody tissues and wrappers into a small pile. She set them aside on the table, then sank onto the couch beside him. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The room felt heavier now, the hum of the air conditioner the only sound between them.
Her eyes shifted to him, sharp but not unkind. "Mind explaining," she asked, her voice calm but laced with curiosity, "why those kinds of people became your friends?"
Caleb lowered his gaze, fingers tightening slightly around the ice pack resting on his nose. He hesitated before speaking, as if the truth embarrassed him. "They were… fun to hang out with in high school," he admitted honestly, his voice quiet.
"You didn't notice how they behaved?" she asked, more curious than accusing.
"I was only worried about having fun back then," Caleb said. "I didn't pay much attention to their personalities… Looking back, I probably should have."
Evangeline shrugged, half-smile teasing but steady. "Doesn't mean you can't change it now. You're smarter for seeing it, you're growing, Caleb. Be proud of that. Not everyone can say they learned before it was too late."
Silence pooled for a beat, then Caleb looked up. "Sorry… I want to ask, what should I take in college?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Only you can answer that, you know."
"I know," he said, dropping his gaze. "But I just… didn't really think about it."
She said, closing her eyes like she was filing the problem into a neat folder. "You've got a gap year. Use it. Get work experience, taste things. Try one day in someone else's shoes—shadow a job, sit in on a class, volunteer somewhere that piques you. Small experiments. After a handful of those, you'll have actual feelings to base a choice on."
"Though if I were you, I'd probably see a professional about this stuff," she joked, one eyebrow lifting. "I'm lucky my plans actually work."
Caleb looked at her. "Will you help me figure it out?"
She smiled. "Why do you think I invited you to my workplace?"
THE END