Chapter 43 HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Graduation Day...
“We've all had difficulties we had to overcome.” Dustin spoke confidently in the microphone. “For example, me trying to find someone who could actually tell me and my twin apart.” He looked straight at me with those eyes as the audience chuckled.
“I must say, I'll miss high school,” he admitted, earning a few groans from us seniors in the audience. “And I'm sure you will too once you get to college. I'll miss all the delicious school food,” he said sarcastically.
Axel started gagging a few rows away from me. He turned around and caught me looking at him before sending me a wink. He looked hot in the red graduation robe he was wearing.
“I have to compliment the food; the lunch lady gave me extra cookies on November 1st. It was a treat, especially with the hangovers all of us had!” Dustin joked. “I'll miss the crowded halls, football with all the guys, and all the dances we've had. Even though I showed up at prom alone because I'm forever alone, I still enjoyed it,” he grinned at all of us.
“I'll jack you off for twenty bucks!” a random girl yelled from the audience.
All of us seniors started laughing, but the adults glared at us in disapproval. “What an offer, but no thanks,” he grinned sheepishly. “What made high school so great for me were sports and all my supportive friends. They've helped me through an experience of a lifetime.”
“Says the virgin.” Axel snorted out loud. I took my bracelet off and flung it at his head. Of course with my terrible aim, I missed and hit a person rows away from him. He noticed, and started laughing. However, he did keep his mouth shut.
Jaxon, who was seated right next to him, turned around and gave me thumbs up for what I did. I forgave him on New Year’s Eve, since it was only fair to. Since then, he had been nothing but sweet to me. Axel still disliked him, but he didn't lay a finger on Jaxon, knowing I would get pissed if he did.
“Anyways, I'll surely miss high school. College is going to be a challenge for all of us, but I'm sure most of us will be able to overcome it. I want to thank all my friends, family, teachers, the Miami Hurricanes for giving me a full football scholarship and last but not least, the lunch lady for those extra cookies.” Dustin finished his speech.
Everyone cheered and applauded for him.
The principal stepped up on the stand and cleared his throat. “Our graduation ceremony is a brief moment in our lives, but the memory of our time here at Jordan High will last forever. Congratulations class of 2013!”
Everyone stood up and threw their graduation hats in the air.
Deep down inside, I knew this was a moment we would never forget. I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me before pulling me into a bone crushing hug. "I can't believe we graduated." Axel mumbled in the cusp of my hair.
“I'm actually surprised you graduated,” I poked his chest.
He fake gasped in shock. “Are you calling me stupid?”
I grinned up at him. “You said it yourself, not me.”
“Rosie!” Jaxon called out, rushing straight up to us. Axel still held onto me possessively, but he kept his mouth shut. “Congratulations!” he yelled while hugging both of us.
Axel didn't seem too happy about him interrupting our moment, but he didn’t complain. “Congratulations to you too, and that scholarship you earned!” I grinned at him.
He scratched the back of his neck while looking down. “I wish we were attending the same university though…”
“Me too,” I replied. He was going to a university in California while I was going to one in Florida.
“I don’t,” Alex looked down at Jaxon.
We just ignored him.
“At least you've got your boyfriend with you,” he winked at me, but he didn’t sound too genuine.
Axel had somehow managed to get into the same university I applied to. My dad seemed to think it was luck, but I knew he had stepped up his game in the past few months and really turned his grades around. His application was pretty impressive. Turns out, there was a lot of community work he did that I didn’t know about.
Sure, I dropped my chance of going to an Ivy League school, but I was following my own path in life.
“You’ll find someone… eventually,” my boyfriend gave an awkward pat on the back to Jaxon.
“Love sick birds!” Layla shrieked as she sprinted towards us. She tackled me to the ground. “I'll miss you two!”
“We won't miss you.” Axel grumbled.
“We'll miss you too,” I replied. I wanted to add, ‘only after October you’.
“What are you guys talking about?” Jaxon glared at Layla. “You'll be only three hours away from each other!”
“Shut up, Smith.” Layla rolled her brown eyes.
“Well if it isn't the whole crew?” Justin and Dustin came walking into our little group. Dustin and Justin applied to the same university we were going to. Axel wasn't too happy when he heard about them, but he said it was better than Matt.
“I got news from Kasay!” Dustin announced, holding up a small post card. We all gathered around the postcard as he read it out loud.
Dear everyone,
First of all I have to apologize for hiding such a big secret from you. Especially you Rose, you were my best friend and I should've trusted you. I will be out in a few months because of my good behavior. #Swag
I'll miss you all, hope you all enjoy college. I don't know what will come of my future, but I hope you all forgive me. I'm doing great here and I've got a girlfriend worth fighting for. You probably notice my grammar has improved. My girlfriend was an English major before she got arrested.
Btw. Rose, say hi to your boyfriend for me. Dustin told me you and Axel are official now. CONGRATULATIONS!
Love,
Kasay
“I never would've guessed...” I trailed off. Kasay had a girlfriend. I was happy for her that she found someone.
“Really? I smelt it from a mile away,” Axel smirked.
“Smart ass.”
Dustin was surprisingly smiling at the letter too. “I'm glad she's found someone... I’m glad she’s happy.” he said, seeming a bit sad.
Trent appeared from behind Layla and kissed her on the cheek. “Happy graduation, babe.”
Axel turned to me with a knowing grin. “You owe me a heavy make-out session, Flower.”
I reciprocated the same face. “Remind me later.”
“You've got to remember this moment, Princess.” He leaned into me. “The moment we finally got out of this hell hole.”
I looked around us.
People were congratulating each other everywhere. This was probably the last time we would see all of our classmates in the same place together. High school was over; done for good.
My eyes scanned over everyone's faces. Some people's eyes held joy, some held relief, and some held sadness. I turned to Axel and stared up at his emerald green eyes. The same eyes I'd been dying to look into for years.
He pressed his lips against mine, earning groans from our friends. I chuckled against his lips, knowing every moment with him would be a perfect moment like this.
And it all started from a little crush that never seemed to fade.
After all, it was just a Crush on Mr. Bad Boy.
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The End.
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