Chapter 6 - THE BACKSTAGE ESCAPE
The heavy metal exit doors of the outdoor amphitheater slammed shut behind Ethan and Chloe, cutting off the muffled noise of the crowd.
The dim, concrete-walled corridor smelled of old floor wax and nervous sweat from hundreds of waiting students.
Chloe collapsed against the cool concrete wall, sliding down until she sat with her knees pulled up to her chest.
Her forest green graduation gown pooled around her on the floor like a forgotten pool of water.
Ethan knelt beside her immediately, his charcoal grey suit trousers brushing against the gritty industrial floor.
"Are you okay, Chloe? Did he hurt your arm when he grabbed you earlier?" Ethan asked anxiously, inspecting her wrists.
Chloe shook her head slowly, burying her face in her hands as silent, exhausted tears finally broke through her defenses.
"I'm fine physically, Ethan. It just... it hurts to realize they never actually cared about who I am," Chloe whispered.
Ethan gently pried her fingers away from her face, using his thumb to wipe away a stray tear from her cheek.
"They're miserable, controlling people, Chloe. Their approval was never yours to win because the game was rigged from the start," Ethan said softly.
Chloe managed a weak, watery smile, looking down at the dark leather graduation folder resting on her lap.
"At least we actually earned these degrees. Nobody can take that away from us, no matter how much money they have," Chloe noted firmly.
"Damn right they can't," Ethan agreed, offering a reassuring grin that lit up his tired features.
Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed down the concrete hallway as Dean Harrison hurried toward them through the dim light.
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"Chloe! Ethan! Wait up a second," the Dean called out, catching his breath as he came to a stop in front of them.
Chloe stiffened immediately, clutching her diploma folder tighter as old anxieties flared up inside her chest.
