Graduation Day
Graduation Day May 20, 2026, dawned with a crisp, golden clarity, the spring sun casting long rays across the city, illuminating the milestone of high school graduation for 18-year-old Anne, the class valedictorian and student body president. Since her wild 420 afternoon in Principal Lizzy’s office with Lizzy and Annie, followed by a hazy Mother’s Day lunch with her mother Cassandra and an indulgent prom night, Anne had embraced her rebellious streak. She’d gotten wasted multiple times in the intervening weeks—sneaking joints in moonlit parks, popping THC gummies during late-night study sessions, sipping rum-spiked cocktails at underground parties, and making out in a haze of gin and weed. Each experience deepened her craving for the euphoric haze that made her feel bold, free, and alive. Yet, for graduation, Anne resolved to stay sober, determined to deliver her valedictorian speech with clarity and poise, embodying the perfect student one last time before college. I’ve got to s...
