AUTHORS NOTE: I don't really know how high school graduations work because I haven't graduated yet. I'm only 16 years old so just bare with me.

Looking in the mirror, I smiled at myself.

Today's the day I finally graduate. All this hard work is finally going to pay off.

But...after today, life is going to change for me and for Ryder. We are going to go to different colleges, meet people, and have our own lives.

I'll miss him but he promised he would always find time to visit me. I hope that's true because just thinking about it, I don't want to loose him.

I turned around only to find Ryder asleep on his bed dressed in his cap and gown.

I rolled my eyes. "I know you're awake."

No response.

"Ry?" I walked over to him.

I hovered over him, staring at him with a blank face. If he was pretending to sleep I swear...

All of a sudden, his eyes flashed open and his hand reached out to grab my wrist, pulling me on top of him.

"Ryder!" I shrieked, not expecting him to do that.

I made an 'oof' sound once my body made contact with his hard chest. I didn't protest against him because I knew he wouldn't let me go, and I never want him to let go of me.

I wrapped my arms around him and rested the side of my face of his chest, listening to the harmony of his heart. I don't know how long we stayed like this, but it was very peaceful.

I heard him inhale a deep breath. "You smell so good. What perfume did you use?"

I ignored his question. "Ryder, we have to leave soon or else we are going to be late!" I told him.

He groaned. "But I just want to lay here with you."

I sighed. "I know. But we should go. Your moms already at school waiting for us and so are all of our friends."

"Ok. You're right." He moved to a sitting position with me in his lap. Ryder smirked then scooped me into his arms bridal style and started running downstairs to his car.

I giggled the whole time he was carrying me. It made me imagine him holding me like this on our wedding day.

Wedding? Woah...I was thinking too far ahead.

...Or was I?

***

Graduation was being held on our schools colossal football field. When we got there, all the students from our grade were dressed in their white gowns, taking pictures with their friends and talking amongst their peers.

On the stage was a podium for the teachers and the principal and some of the graduates to speak. Above the podium was a huge banner that said 'class of 2019' spelled out in red and black sparkles. There were red and black balloons floating around the stage and planted in some places on the field.

"Hey, I'm going to go take pictures with some players from my football team, wanna come?" Ryder asked me.

I looked around and saw my group of friends. "Um...no, but thanks though. I'll see you when we take our seats?"

Ryder nodded and kissed my cheek. "Ok. Love you."

I smiled cheerfully. "Love you."

He walked away and I walked over to my friends. Once they all saw me, they ran towards me.

"Autumn!" Lila screamed, hugging me. "We're finally graduating!"

I patted Lila's back, my face turning red from how hard she was squeezing me. "I...can't....breathe."

"Oh," she stopped hugging me and smiled awkwardly, "oops."

"Guys, do you wanna hear my speech?" Taylor asked Grace, Lila, Ruby and I.

"Yeah," we all said in sync.

She cleared her throat. "Fuck all of you that thought I was nothing. I'm gonna be the baddest bitch on the planet, just wait and see! Adiós suckers!" She held up her middle fingers and stuck her tongue out at us.

I looked at her in shock while Grace clapped for her. "Bravo! Bravo!"

She curtsied. "Thank you. I know, pretty great, huh."

We all laughed and asked people around us to take pictures of our group for memories.

"Wow. I'm going to miss you guys so much. It won't be the same without all of you," Grace started to say. "And I'm so glad you met us this year, Autumn. You made senior year so much better!"

"Oh god." Taylor pretended to cry, wiping her fingers under her eyes. "Don't get me in my feelings after I just said my badass speech."

I laughed at her. She was funny...sometimes.

"Good afternoon, class of 2019," one of the teachers said, talking into the microphone on stage. "Please if you could take your seats."

Everyone hustled to their seats and sat in silence. As we sat down, the principal stood behind the podium and we waited for him to start speaking.

"Wow, this year has been a wild one. From all our amazing wins from our football team, to all the outstanding test scores and grades presented from our students. This year has been a spectacular, and..."

I started zoning out; not because of what the principal was saying, but rather just because...umm...actually yeah, it was because I was getting bored.

My eyes scanned the students around me until I made eye contact with someone special to my heart.

Even though Ryder's last name was one letter higher in the alphabet than mine, he sat way closer to the front. But what astound me was when I looked at him, because it turns out this whole time he was staring at me and not focusing on what the principal was announcing.

It gave me butterflies knowing that even when I wasn't looking at him, he always found a way to look at me.

I gulped at the intensity in his eyes. It made me feel trapped in his world, like we were the only two people in existence.

Honestly, I wouldn't be suprised if I was drooling. He looked really good in a cap and gown for some reason.

The corner of his rosy lips curled up into a smirk. I bit my lip, wanting to kiss his really badly but we were so far apart.

Ryder blew me an air kiss and I blushed madly.

I could tell Ryder knew I was blushing because he grinned.

Feeling flustered, I stopped looking at Ryder and turned my attention towards the stage.

The rest of the graduation was boring. Ten kids came up to the podium and spoke about their time throughout twelth grade. I couldn't focus on what they were saying because I could feel Ryder stare through my soul the whole damn time. It felt good to know I was the only thing he really paid attention to, though.

After everyone was done giving their speeches, it was finally time to throw our caps up into the air and wish this year a goodbye.

"Are you ready students?" the principal exclaimed into the microphone.

Everyone replied with an excited 'yes!'.

"On the count of three."

"One..." the class started to count loudly.

"Two..."

...

"THREE!!"

Everyone threw their caps into the air, cheering, whistling and clapping as they did so. It was a time to celebrate all our accomplishments this year. People were hugging and I even saw some of the football players crying. They were always so strong and manly so it made me laugh when even they cried.

I thought about my greatest accomplishment as I threw my cap into the air. My greatest accomplishment this year was working together with Ryder on our senior project, and finding love throughout the adventure.

After throwing our caps into the air, everyone went to go meet up with their parents and friends.

Ruby started crying. "I'm going to miss you all so much!"

Taylor patted her back. "We still have all of the summer to spend with eachother."

She instantly cheered up. "Oh yeah!"

"Are you guys coming to my pool party tonight?" Grace asked us.

We all nodded. I was really excited for her party.

From behind me I felt two arms snake around my waist and a chin rest on my shoulder. "Hey, my love," Ryder whispered in my ear.

I shivered. "Hey. How are you feeling?"

"Great now that I'm with you. Wanna get the hell out of here?"

"We can't. We're going to Grace's pool party, remember?"

Grace cleared her throat to grab our attention. We both looked at her.

"It's okay. Come and join us later," she said. Ryder smiled but I frowned.

Worry painted my facial expression. "You sure?"

Grace nudged me in a friendly way in the shoulder and smiled. "Go spend time with your boyfriend. It's one hundred percent okay if you come late," she reassured me.

I nodded and smiled back at her. "Ok. Thank you, Grace. I'll see you guys later."

My friends waved bye to me and Ryder and walked off. All of a sudden, Ryder grabbed my hand and we started walking.

I looked up at his beautiful face and smiled because I realized no matter how crappy my life has been, those traumatic moments never seemed to matter when I was with Ryder. Being with Ryder makes me feel like the happiest girl in the world, and I wouldn't trade that feeling for anything.

Ryder and I only have the summer together before we go off to college. So with this time we have left, let's make the most of it!

Ryder and I got into his car. We sat in silence, smiling at eachother like goofballs.

"Where to?" he asked me.

I kissed the top of his hand. "Anywhere is fine as long as I'm with you."

He smirked at me, happiness glowed in his pretty brown eyes. "Sounds like a plan, princess."

Ryder drove with his left hand while his right hand rested on my thigh. I rested my hand on top of his.

On the radio, the song 'Rule the World' by 2 Chainz and Ariana Grande came on and I beamed. The title of the song explained the overwhelming power people posses as a pair. This song talked about love between two people and it reminded me of Ryder and I.

I gazed out the window, watching the trees, people and buildings pass by in a flash.

What a journey Ryder and I have been on together this year.

Through challenges and difficulties, we conquered them together, and in the end we are even more in love than the day before.

Everyday we will continue to face the world together. Together, we will rule the world.

Him and I against the universe.

Forever, our love will last.