Walking down from the stage, I couldn’t help whispering to myself, “Please don’t trip, please don’t trip, please don’t trip.” But thankfully, I was able to descend from the platform somewhat gracefully and walk out to where my mother stood with a bouquet of roses in her arms.

“Bravo, Em! I’m so proud of you.” She kissed me on the cheek and hugged me tight. Daisy inched her way in and it became a three-person hug.

“Yay, Emily! You go, girl!”

Once a cheerleader, always a cheerleader.

We went to eat a celebratory lunch at my favorite Italian restaurant. A few of my friends joined us there, including Carl.

A month after my arrival from Paris and three months after not speaking to each other, Carl suddenly showed up at my dorm one night bearing lilies and Krispy Kreme donuts. We were starting to date again, but only casually. I knew better than to get my hopes up.

Back at the dorm, I peeled off my clothes and put on some sweats. There. Now I felt more like myself. I put on a Smiths CD and began packing.