Bad Boy And Me

Chapter 1: Tori Tennar

"Tori Tennar."

Her name rang through the auditorium, spoken by the dean at the microphone.

Tori stood, adjusting the black cap on her head, and walked up the steps to the stage. The graduation gown rustled against her legs as she walked across the stage.

"Congratulations, summa cum laude," the dean said as he handed her the certificate and shook her hand.

"Thank you," Tori said, forcing a small smile.

She turned toward the crowd as the photographer snapped pictures. Families were cheering loudly, waving at their kids, holding up phones and flowers. Tori's eyes searched the rows of seats.

She looked left, right, center. Her chest dropped when she realized her father wasn't there.

She kept her smile in place for the camera, but it felt weak.

The announcer listed her other awards-Best Graduating Student in Fine Arts, special honors for her portfolio, and she accepted them one by one. The applause was loud, and her course mates cheered her in the crowd.

***

Outside on the campus lawn, students clustered into groups, throwing their caps into the air and taking photos. Parents carried flowers, balloons, and gifts. Tori stood with her classmates, holding her awards as the pictures went on and on.

"Smile, Tori!" her friend Lana said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

Tori managed another smile. "Yeah."

Lana's eyes softened. "Your dad didn't come?"

Tori shook her head. "No. He couldn't make it."

"He should've been here. You're the top of the whole school. He'd be proud."

"Yeah," Tori said again, though the word caught in her throat.

When the crowd began to thin, she slipped away, pulling her phone from her bag. No texts. No calls. She opened the rideshare app and booked a car to take her back to her apartment. She was still deciding if she'd go for the after party or not.

She was staring at her screen when it rang. The number was international. Her stomach flipped. She answered quickly. "Hello?"

"Tori."

It was her father's voice, but rough and tired, nothing like how he usually sounded.

"Dad? Where are you? Why didn't you come?"

"I'm sorry, baby. I couldn't make it." His words were broken by short breaths. "Congratulations my love, daddy is super proud of you."

"What's going on? Are you okay?"

There was a rustling sound, then the video camera switched on.

Tori gasped.

Her father was in a hospital bed. Bandages wrapped his chest. His face was pale, and tubes ran from his arms. The sheets beneath him were stained faintly red.

"Dad-what happened to you?"