Iver’s Sphere Book Two: Marcus & Qiang (Currently Untitled) Chapter 4: Graduation

Qiang’s POV

Today is Tristan’s, Darryl’s, and Marcus’s graduation day. While Tristan, Marcus, and Darryl spent most of the day with their families and getting ready for the ceremony later this afternoon, Qi and I spent the bulk of the day just hanging out until it was time to meet up for their graduation. Since Tristan’s and Qi’s friends are really trying to get in some get-to-know-you time before they go their separate ways, Qi and I swung by and picked up Owen and Paxton so they could come with us, too. 

Of course, just as Tristan’s parents went to Qi’s graduation, our parents are going to Tristan’s. But we take separate cars from the parentals because we plan to hang out at Marcus’s after graduation tonight. And I think I heard our mom talking to Tristan’s mom about going out to dinner with Tristan’s and Marcus’s parents after the ceremony, since ‘us kids’ already had plans. 

It’s during the drive to graduation that I finally tell Qi I’ve decided to move in with them. I’m still not convinced it’s the greatest idea because there are things happening with Marcus and me that shouldn’t be happening. He’s got a crush, and I’m thoroughly displaced at the realization that I can’t completely deny I have one back. But I’m also an adult, and while the close proximity to someone I have no business playing with isn’t the best idea, I think denying myself the chance to spend time with my brother on those grounds alone is both stupid and cowardly. I just need to keep this crush or whatever the fuck it is under control and to myself. Even if we weren’t all moving in together, Marcus would still live in the land of nope, absolutely not. I just need to keep reminding myself of that.

Qi’s exuberance knows no bounds. Despite the seatbelt making his moves clumsy and awkward, he still manages to wrap his arms around me with excitement. When I was younger and thought I knew everything, the hero-worship I received was understandable and even expected. As I grew up and realized I didn’t know nearly as much as I thought I did, that hero-worship never changed. However, my understanding and expectation of it turned into being grateful for it, and not taking it for granted. 

Once we get to the venue, Qi runs straight up to Tristan and throws his arms around him. Tristan looks handsome as ever. Even though he and Qi are roughly the same height, Tristan, being slightly taller, still seems massive next to Qi with his athletic bulk. His long hair feathers around his ridiculously handsome face in waves, the way he had it when he took Qi to prom. He looks like a seventies heartthrob, and more eyes are on him than anyone else. Not that Tristan cares about that; he only has eyes for Qi. Everyone else can just eat their hearts out. 

I know the moment Qi tells Tristan I’m moving in because Tristan’s eyes meet mine, and his face breaks out into a huge smile. It’s amazing to watch the moment Qi’s happiness becomes Tristan’s. I don’t even think it matters what it is that’s making Qi happy, as long as it exists it’s enough for Tristan to appreciate it. I give him an upnod and take in the rest of their party for the few minutes we have before they have to take their places for the ceremony. 

Darryl looks rather dashing in his bright blue robes, which match his eyes and contrast with his warm, chestnut skin. He’s a tank of bulky muscles and height that towers over all of us by a few inches at least, which in my case isn’t saying much, but Tristan, Marcus, and Qi are all six feet and a couple of inches, and he towers over them, too. My first impression of him wasn’t great, but now that I’ve gotten to know him a bit, I realize he’s just a wise, playful, big ass teddy bear. It’s also apparent that his friendship with Marcus and Tristan means everything to him, and even though he’s excited to play for his dream team, he’s also sad to be parting from them. 

Marcus is gorgeous and refined in his robes. However, Marcus is always gorgeous, ridiculously so. He’s tall with a strong physique that’s made for speed. He’s got cool, dark brown skin with long dreads that are tied back in a half ponytail. His eyes are deep pools of obsidian that are hypnotizing, and sometimes I fear that if I look too long, I’ll drown in them and never come back up for air. As if he can sense my eyes on him, he flits his deep, soulful eyes in my direction, and I quickly look away before I get even more caught up in him than I already am. 

Up to this point, I have only met Tristan’s parents. Trevor Donovan is a jovial man, but his wife, Dawn, is the true embodiment of her name. She and I hit it off instantly about a month ago when we first met, bonding fully over the budding relationship between Tristan and Qi. It is absolutely no wonder or surprise that Tristan is the way he is once you meet his parents. The only difference between them is that Tristan hides his true face when he’s not around the people he loves. He purposely creates a barrier between himself and most of the world to protect himself, a habit that I think Qi is slowly starting to break him of. 

This is the first time I’m meeting Marcus’s parents or Darryl’s mom. Although I don’t really think I’ve truly met Darryl’s mom. She never even looked at me–or anyone else for that matter–while being introduced and barely touched my hand before focusing her full attention on the cell phone in her hand. In fact, I’m not even sure I’ve seen her make full eye contact with her son, even though it’s his graduation day. 

I’ve seen Darryl’s eyes flit wistfully towards his mother once or twice, but each time, the wistfulness is chased away by a hug or a pat on the cheek from Tristan’s or Marcus’s parents. His mother can’t seem to be bothered with him, but his best friend's parents are fawning over him as much as they are their own sons and each other’s sons. 

I can see in the uplift of Darryl’s eyes each time it happens that the gestures don’t go unnoticed. It’s something so simple, and yet monumentally huge, and my heart is expanding around it. I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face as I watch these people effortlessly and naturally fill in the empty spaces that Darryl’s mother is leaving behind.  

Maybe that’s part of the bond between them, the brotherhood I’ve heard Qi mention time and time again. These three boys have been raised as a joint effort by Tristan’s parents and Marcus’s. Or maybe that’s just the way it seems since I’ve heard from Qi that Darryl’s parents aren’t really around much and that he floats between Marcus’s house and Tristan’s house more than going home. 

An arm weaves around my waist and pulls my attention towards Marcus’s parents, and the heat of where he’s touching me and the rampant tingling of my skin let me know whose arm it is before I even look up to see Marcus’s face looking down at me with a huge grin. My fault really, I took my eyes off of him so I wouldn’t drown, and he seized the opportunity to sneak up on me. 

“I think you’ve met everyone here except my parents,” he says, steering me towards them. There’s a tightness in my stomach, an alarm in the back of my head, but before I can fully process it, I’m standing in front of Marcus’s mom with his arm still firmly wrapped around my waist.

Marcus favors his mother. They have the same facial structure, except that Marcus’s features are slightly more chiseled than his mother’s. They have the same obsidian eyes and dark brown skin that has an almost bluish tint to it. She’s nearly six feet tall with her heels on, and I don’t have to see her without them to know she’d still stand at least a couple of inches taller than me. Her hair is parted to one side, and the short bob highlights her high cheekbones and full lips.

“Mom, this is Qiang, Qi’s older sibling. They’ve just agreed to move into the house with us when the semester starts,” he tells his mother before turning to me. “Qiang, this is my mother, Samayah Bauer,” he introduces us. 

I know it would be weird for me to know everyone in the group and be introduced to everyone’s parents except for Marcus’s. I also know that his parents knowing I am moving into the house means the likelihood of them wanting to know everyone their son is living with is high. There are very logical reasons why I should be meeting Marcus’s parents right now. But none of those reasons feels like the ones that Marcus has for introducing me. I don’t know if it’s knowing he has a crush, or the ridiculously sweet smile he has on his devilishly handsome face, or even if it’s simply because of the crossed wires in my brain, but this feels like introducing the significant other to the parents, and that has every ounce of awkwardness in my body rushing to the surface because that’s not what this is, what it should be, or what it ever will be. But I swallow it down because I’m not sure if my suspicions are ridiculous, or if I’m being ridiculous right now. 

Samayah smiles brightly at me and reaches her hand out. “It’s so lovely to finally meet you. I have heard so much about you from Marcus, Dawn, and Qi,” she says while I take her hand in mine. “This is my husband, and Marcus’s father, Elijah,” she adds, giving her husband’s hand the slightest tug to get his attention. 

His dad is not nearly as physically commanding as his mother is. His face lacks the same chiseled structure as his wife's and son's. He’s shorter than his wife with her in heels, and probably about the same height as her when she’s not wearing them. And neither of them is as tall as Marcus is, with or without heels. However, regardless of not being as physically striking, his personality more than makes up for it. He has a gravity of sunshine around him. A lightness that feels as though he’s the perfect benevolent king standing beside his striking queen. They have a kindness and a wisdom that radiates outward. 

His smile widens as he looks at me. “You must be the infamous Qiang we’ve heard so much about,” he says, reaching his hand out towards me.

“I don’t know about infamous, but it’s nice to meet you both,” I tell him. 

“The pleasure is all ours! We’ve been looking forward to meeting the young person who has had such a positive effect on Qi. He’s told us several times how much of a positive influence you are,” Elijah says happily, and I can’t help but feel warmth at the praise. 

Samayah looks over at her husband. “Marcus says Qiang has finally agreed to move in with them.”

“That’s wonderful news. Qi must be so happy,” Elijah says, as though it’s the greatest news in the world. “Not gonna lie, we were kind of hoping you would agree. It’ll be comforting to know someone a bit older with a good head on their shoulders will be there.” 

“Hey, man, they’re calling everyone to take their places,” Darryl interrupts us, tugging on Marcus to join him. 

Marcus claps his dad on the shoulder. “Will you guys take good care of Qiang while I go graduate?” he says with a playful wink that has his dad shaking his head with amusement and his mom beaming at him with pride. 

I have to fight the urge not to roll my eyes. I came for Tristan, and with my own family, but somehow Marcus has flipped it around to feel like I’m here for him and his. He’s a slick one, and I almost laugh at the ploy. As Marcus leaves to join the graduates, I turn to join my family. I don’t get far, though, before I feel Samayah slip her arm through mine. 

“Qi said you’re a makeup artist, and I couldn’t help but be intrigued, and I looked you up. You’re quite the talent, especially for being self-taught. Even now, with a subtle look, you’re quite striking. I hope you don’t mind if I forward some of your videos to a few larger influencer friends of mine?” she says. 

My eyes widen at the offer, and I hesitate for a moment. “It’s so generous for someone you’ve known less than five minutes,” I point out, making sure the question is evident in my tone so she knows I’m surprised, not disrespectful. 

Her smile widens as she takes me in. “Qi is one of the brightest humans I’ve ever had the privilege to meet, and I think that’s largely because of you. He talks about his journey to Tristan and how, over the years, he’s always been allowed to be completely himself with you. That’s a gift not everyone has, and I think you’re an amazing sibling to him to have granted him the freedom and encouragement to be his true self. 

“And I believe talent and integrity are things that are not necessarily lacking in this world, but that are covered up and hidden by those with money and power. Without the faith of a few people, Elijah and I wouldn’t be where we are now. I love being able to show my gratitude for that by showing that same faith to others who have both integrity and talent that may not have access to the resources, attention, and promotion they deserve,” Samayah says, and that catches in my throat. 

What is up with the wholesomeness of these people? In all fairness, my family is wholesome, and I know Tristan and his family are wholesome. But Marcus doesn’t come across as wholesome. He comes across as playful and mischievous, and obviously an amazing friend to have, so most likely good-natured and genuine, but not wholesome. I guess I just assumed his parents would be more like him and less like Tristan’s, but that’s what I get for making assumptions. 

“Thank you for the offer. I would love the chance to reach a higher platform. But I don’t know if I’d claim any form of higher integrity for being a safe space for Qi to grow.  You’ve met him, so you must know everything I’ve done for him is nothing short of what he deserves,” I respond.  

Samayah stops me for just a second and gazes at me steadily. “Ah, yes, but in today’s society, the logic doesn’t usually follow suit. Most people would steer Qi more towards societal expectations as opposed to helping him embrace his authentic self. It takes maturity and bravery to be a true voice of reason and support, as opposed to just mindlessly following the masses. We’re happy knowing there will be an older, more sensible voice in the house with them. And of course, if they ever get too much or out of hand, just reach out to us, and we’ll take care of it. And I’m sure I’ll be in touch with you, too, about the possibilities of where you can take your channel. This is strictly personal, not business, so you don’t have to worry about being supplanted or jumping through hoops you have no desire to jump through,” she reassures me.  

There’s a hitch of excitement buzzing beneath my skin at her offer, at the chance to really take the makeup channel somewhere. It’s all I’ve ever really wanted to do, or could foresee myself doing. I just always worried about how sustainable it could be. But with help and getting my reach to the right platforms, I might actually have a chance, and that’s got me buzzing.

I can almost breathe a sigh of relief at knowing my discomfort of meeting Marcus’s parents was me being ridiculous. It wasn’t that kind of introduction at all. It was introducing me to them as a roommate. The logical reason, and I’m just spinning it otherwise. I need to get my head checked and quit reading too much into things. 

Not long after we take our seats, the ceremony begins. Speeches and awards are given. Diplomas are handed out. I watch Tristan cross the stage and lock eyes with his parents before drifting to Qi. They exchange secret smiles that aren’t secret at all. A million things spoken with just a glance and the slight upturn of their lips. They are a fucking modern-day fairy tale that should be corny as hell, but their love is so transcendent that there’s no humor, just warmth and forever. He hovers just off to the side of the stage and waits for his two best friends to join him. 

Darryl crosses the stage next with his focus on Tristan and Marcus. Probably better off because his mom still hasn’t torn her ear from her phone, and I doubt she even noticed her son walking across the stage. I don’t want to judge because I don’t know her or him, or their dynamic at all, but graduating high school is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and she just fucking missed it. 

I remember the amount of guilt and frustration I felt when it was time for me to graduate, and we all had to miss it because I wasn’t allowed to attend mine. My parents tried to make up for it, to show their support by my dad handing me my diploma when it arrived in the mail with a bunch of pompous fanfare that my mom and Qi hooted and hollered to. But it wasn’t the same as them finally getting to see at least one of their children walk the stage when Qi graduated yesterday. 

I don’t know how Darryl’s mom could miss such a moment. All the other parents are riveted to the stage, and even mine are taking the three graduates they know in. But Darryl doesn’t seem to have noticed his mom’s lack of attention since he’s currently clapping Tristan’s shoulder with a beaming smile, so at least he knows he has people who care. 

And then it’s Marcus’s turn to walk the stage. His eyes lift to find his parents, and then they shift to me, and another unspoken conversation takes place. Even from a distance, I can feel how his eyes reach inside of me and flay me out. Picking through my secrets and laying me bare. I don’t know how or why he has the effect on me he does. I barely even know the guy aside from the list of reasons why he’s off-limits, but somehow, when he looks at me like this, I feel like he knows me on a deeper level that goes beyond human comprehension. It isn’t something as mundane as knowing or understanding everyday details; it’s cosmic, universal, and making me spew poetry in my head like some lovesick fool. I don’t know why I can’t keep my shit straight with this guy. But it’s his graduation day, and I’m not about to be a jerk about it either. So I smile at him, and his handsome smile widens in response. 

For them, it’s an ending of one chapter and a beginning of another, all wrapped up with a beautiful speech made by Tristan that brings tears to my eyes and makes the tears flow for Qi. Pictures are taken, and parents disperse. The group of us head over to Marcus’s for another night of celebration, only this time it’s inside watching movies with promises from both Paxton and Owen to behave and not break the furniture with their crazy antics.