Chapter 88 A Time of New Beginnings

The day had finally arrived—my high school graduation. As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my cap and gown, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. This moment was supposed to be a celebration, a milestone that marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. But for me, it was more than that. Today, I was not only graduating from high school, but I was also celebrating my 25th birthday, a day that should have been filled with joy but was now tinged with uncertainty and a sense of impending change. Maya and I had been inseparable throughout high school, and we had planned for this day for years. We would walk across the stage together, receive our diplomas, and attend the graduation party afterward, dancing and laughing the night away. But as I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was different now. "Jess, you ready?" Maya's voice called from the hallway. I took a deep breath, trying to push away the unease that had set