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The senior year students were all gathered in the auditorium and awaited for their names to be called for their diplomas. The families of everyone were all in the stands beside them and holding their cameras out and waiting for the right person to be called.
The principal started to call everyone’s names and soon got to the honor rolls. “The health classes anchor, please give an applause for the sea loving one, Phillip Maud!”
Phillip’s parents started screaming in enthusiasm as they saw Phillip take his diploma. Katie Lou immediately started to take photos with her camera. She screamed “THAT’S MY BROTHER!!” She then got even happier, “And here’s the other!”
The principal cleared his throat, “The health class’s little star puppet- I’m kidding!- please give it up for Howard Plunkett!”
Phillip’s parents still clapped, but not nearly as loud as they did for Phillip. Katie, however, stayed loud and called Howard her other brother. She kept snapping photos and soon ran to the two and wrapped her arms around them, “You guys did it! I knew you could! You finally beat high school! I knew you would!” She pulled away, “Mom and dad are sadly attending a wedding after this, so dinner is on me!”
“You?” Phillip asked.
“We!” Katie smirked, “Technically it was supposed to be you, but I know that won’t do! We’ll both pay! What do you say?”
Howard looked uncomfortable at that idea. It made him feel like a burden if these two were paying for dinner later. He was already used to eating light, so he knew he won’t get much. Keep it as cheap as possible. Only order water and not even eat if he had to…
“That cafe by the dock! Your favorite!” Katie went on, “And I even got graduation presents for you! Cherish it!”
“Aheheheh, okay,” Phillip folded his arms and then looked at Howard, who seemed lost in thought. Phillip’s parents hurried over and flooded Phillip with hugs and kisses while Howard was left on the side. Did… Howard wish his mom was here? “You alright, today?” Phillip asked.
Howard snapped back to reality and gave Phillip a small smile, “I’m fine! Just spaced out! Wherever we go to eat is fine! No doubt!”
“Well if you’re sure,” Phillip shrugged.
“A bit to eat will be the perfect cure!” Katie finally chimed in and watched their parents leave the school. “Now go throw your caps! And then get on your hats!”
“Yes ma’am!” Phillip chuckled, “We can!”
Howard said nothing, but gave a slow nod and followed Phillip. He didn’t understand what was going on with him. He wanted to be happy. He was finally graduating! And the only time he’d ever have to come back is to see Katie graduate next year. What was the problem?
Everyone threw their caps and Howard brute forced a smile on his face and threw his next to Phillip. Phillip kept eyeing him, though and noticed how he was being. He wanted to say something, but everyone was cheering so loud, he couldn’t get a word in. He will have to wait until later.
“Yeahhhhhhhhh!” Someone cheered.
“Whoooooooo!” Another shouted.
“College here I come!!” Shouted a girl.
“Celebratory stewww!” Shouted a boy.
Phillip shook his head and decided to try to lighten Howard’s mood by playfully grabbing his arm. Howard looked at him and let Phillip drag him out of the crowd that was now starting to come apart. “Come on,” he said, “let’s get to Katie. I bet you’re also getting hungry.”
“I suppose a little,” said Howard, “I wasn’t planning on eating much. Some water, just a dribble.
“Howard…” Phillip sighed, “You know that’s going to upset her.”
“I know it will for sure,” Howard nodded, “but-“
“But nothing!” Phillip grabbed Howard’s arm again, “She insists, and I said it’s fine. We’ll be having fun in due time!”
Howard just sighed and let Phillip drag him off. He was getting famished, but… It felt so wrong to have them pay. He always felt so guilty when he had to ask for things in the past as it was.
But… maybe this one time it will be alright. And he will pay them back. Every last cent.
…
The three soon then arrive at the cafe and Katie Lou looked just as excited as ever and bounced a bit in her seat with two bags next to her. She let Phillip and Howard sit down. “Okayyyyyy so drinks first!”
“Let’s see…” Phillip looked through it, “What will parch my thirst?”
“Just a water for me,” Howard already set his menu down.
“Nope!” Katie slammed her hand on Howard’s menu, spooking him and shouted out loud, “Plum smoothies for us three!”
“Katie!” Howard shouted and tried to usher her to be quiet, “Not so loud.”
“No one we know is around!” Katie waved a hand. She scooted the menu back to him.
“Katie, I’m only getting something small. A light dinner.”
“It’s graduation night! Enjoy! You’re getting thinner!”
“Just something light-“
“Not tonight!”
Howard sighed and decided to go ahead and do what she says. He did tell himself that maybe this one time will be okay. He looked through everything and could hear his stomach grumble a bit. He knew full well the two heard that, even. Maybe… A breakfast dinner sounded nice?
“Are we ready?” The waiter asked.
“I’ll have the halibut,” Katie said.
“And I’ll have the chicken soup, and please extra sides with that dish,” Phillip said.
“And I’ll have the green eggs and fish,” Howard said and offered his menu. The waiter was a bit confused, but then rolled his eyes. Guilt then hit him the moment he got done saying that. Did he possibly order the most expensive out of the three. He thought it would be a bit cheaper especially since he hated the smell of ham and didn’t like chicken or beef. He immediately opened it back up to look at what they asked for. Katie’s was a bit pricey, but Phillip’s was only $6.60 cents!
Before Howard could speak up to change his mind, Katie immediately covered his mouth and let the waiter walk off. Another then came and brought them their smoothies.
“Only soup?!” Howard looked at Phillip.
“Ah ah ah!” Phillip held up a finger, “That soup comes with every side dish to boot!”
“Still…” Howard felt more and more guilty.
“We can share it! We will!” Phillip nodded.
“Now! Onto business!” Katie giggled and rested her chin on her wrists, “Time to present my gifts! I hope they’ll bring you bliss!”
Phillip gave a soft chuckle and looked into his bag. Howard finally took a sip of the plum smoothie and felt at least some stress go away. Plum always helped calm him down. He just needed to breathe. If he stays upset, he’ll just be a killjoy and Katie was trying her hardest here. He needed to just relax his shoulders.
Phillip’s smile faded and he reached in, pulling out a pink pillow with red hearts all over it. Howard’s relaxation immediately went away and spat out his drink, bursting out laughing so hard, smoothie came out of his nose. A good laugh must’ve been what he truly needed.
Phillip however, wasn’t laughing. He looked at Katie in disbelief, “Are you serious?” He asked.
“Are you delirious?” Katie asked back, “Yes, I am! I tried to sew something up for you! You made me something, so I wanted to make you something too!”
“But… It’s so…You…” Phillip stared at the pillow. He was really hoping this was some silly joke and that the real gift was hiding, but Katie wasn’t saying anything. “It’s.. too feminine, Katie Lou…”
“I think it goes well with you,” Howard jokingly said with a smirk, “and a makeover for your room is overdue! Though, you’re not a lady,” He playfully poked his cheek, “it kinda fits with that face of yours that looks like a baby!” He poked more, “Baby face!”
“Would you like me to choke you with this pillow’s lace?” Phillip asked as he glared daggers at his friend.
“Nope,” Howard leaned back in his chair. “Whew! I needed that laugh! So anyway, where’s the food and staff?”
“Why don’t you shut up and open your present?” Phillip placed the pillow back into the bag and gave a frustrated huff.
“I bet mine is better!” Howard laughed, “Make you resent!” He opened his bag and his smile went away. It was… A framed double photo of him with Phillip’s family and… the other one was of him as a kid and his mother…
Phillip at first smirked, “You were saying?” He then saw the present and frowned.
“Howard? You’re swaying!” Katie looked shocked when Howard looked like he was about to faint.
However, Howard stopped himself and quickly placed the present back in. “I’m okay.” He choked, “Really. Just uh, not my best today…”
Katie’s excitement was now fully gone. Did she really mess up big time? She was hoping her brother would love a hand crafted gift from her and she thought Howard would like a little thing to remember his mother by. Now the both of them looked bothered. “I’m sorry…” She quietly said.
Both Phillip and Howard looked guilty. “Don’t worry,” Phil quickly said, “The gifts are… Thoughtful.”
“You look doubtful.” Katie sighed.
“Really! It’s nice!” Howard tried to insist, “It’s lovely! I would love to receive it twice!”
“…Really..?” Katie raised a brow at them.
“Truly!” Phillip nodded.
Before more could be said, the waiter returned with their food and sure enough, Phillip’s plate was loaded with tons of side dishes. “Enjoy!” The waiter said, “Hope our food brings you joy!”
“I don’t feel so joyful right now…” Katie sighed.
“Don’t have a cow!” Howard tried to cheer her up, “Look, yes, the gifts were thoughtful and at the same time emotionful.”
Phillip gave him an odd look, “Are you seriously making a word up for a rhyme?” He asked.
“Not the time,” Howard looked at him before back at Katie, “point is, they were unexpected. That doesn’t mean though that they were poorly presented! It’s just… An off day I think some of us are having today…”
Katie stared at them for a few minutes before she gave another sigh and finally smiled again, “I just wanted to make you guys happy.”
“We did! Don’t get too sappy!” Howard gave a small smile back.
“Even though today has been a bit crappy,” Phillip added before he took a sip of his soup.
“Why is that?” Katie asked, “You guys graduated today! Why so sad after throwing your graduation hats?”
“Ask him,” Phillip pointed a thumb at Howard, “he’s been gloomy since then and kept his light so dim.”
Howard looked at him before he said, “I guess it’s because I wish my mom was here to celebrate with us.” He confessed, “but I’ve vented plenty about her to where I feel guilt in my gut.”
“Why feel guilty?” Katie asked.
“I just feel silly…”
Katie placed a comforting hand on Howard’s shoulder and gave a gentle smile, “Don’t be. We’re always here for you… We’re gonna be together forever. That’s our virtue!”
“You sure?”
“Of course I’m sure! I’ve never been more sure! I’m always sure in the past, present, and future!”
Howard finally gave a smile and let Phillip give him a comforting pat on the back. “Okay.” He said, “I’ll be okay for the rest of today.”
“Great!” Phillip then looked at Katie, “Now Kate… You know pink is the color I hate!”
Katie and Howard laughed at what Phillip just said and went back to eating their food while Phil ranted about it, stating he was going to toss it in the trash, but instead held it for a while, eventually ending the fight with saying he’ll only keep it because it was a present. A very… Important present…