"Welcome graduating class of Greenview high!" The principal cheered through the microphone. We all erupted in cheers and applause.

Today doesn't feel real at all. My whole senior year doesn't feel real. If I were to tell a stranger everything that happened during my senior year, they'd call me crazy or just feel bad for me.

I zone out as the principal and other staff members, who've I never seen in my life, start giving speeches.

This might've possibly been the best and worst year of high school.

I look around and all the smiling faces around me. I can see Genevieve sitting at the stage, and even though others might not even notice, but she looks nervous as hell. She was chosen as class valedictorian, and her parents didn't have to pay this time.

I've never been more proud of her before.

"Now please welcome your class valedictorian, Genevieve Cordova!"

I make sure to cheer louder than anyone in my row. She glances over at my section with a big smile as she gets closer to the podium.

She takes out her flashcards, pulling the mic closer to her.

She nervously looks down at the cards then at the crowd. "Screw these." She says, ripping the cards right down the middle.

A few gasps and cheers come from the crowd. Genevieve takes a deep breath then clears her throat.

"Hello, senior class of Greenview high!" She nervously laughs. "Well, what can I say? We did it! After years of anticipating this moment, we're finally here."

She looks left and right at the two divided sections. "Now look to your left and right. You've probably seen these faces all four years of high school, maybe just one, or maybe you were unfortunate to know these faces since kindergarten. You won't see these faces next school year. In fact, you might never see them again, because after today, your Greenview alumni's. Students that once walked the crowded halls of Greenview with smiles and laughter."

I'll be honest, I wouldn't mind never seeing these people ever again.

I'm surprised how great Genevieve's speech is going. I know how much she spent working on it.

"After tomorrow, we'll begin the rest of our lives. Some of us will become health care workers, teachers, business owners, maybe even a celebrity. So enjoy these last moments of being a high school senior. Also, enjoy my young face, you might see it on the cover of a magazine in a few years." She puckers her lips.

A few laughs come from the crowd then she clears her throat. "What I'm trying on to say is congratulations, you guys! We did it. Through all those stressful tests and nerve-racking college admissions, we did it. I wish the best for each and every one of you!"

We all cheer and she bows her head. As she walks back to her seat I look back to Grayson he smiles at me too.

This school year will always hold a special place in my heart. It'll be remembered as the year Grayson and I met, started dating, and fell in love.

Some lady walks up to the podium then starts naming off names in alphabetical order.

Of course, my last name is with an R so I start daydreaming as all the names go by.

Genevieve's goodbye party is tomorrow then she leaves for New York. I'll miss her so much. But it's the best for her. I can only imagine all the clothes she'll design and all the covers her face will be plastered on.

Grayson leaves for Colorado too. The last time I went this long without seeing him was probably his coma. He was there physically but I couldn't talk to him. These next few days are going to be the most boring days ever.

What will I be doing in the meanwhile? Working full-time at a retail job dealing with middle-aged women complaining about the stupidest things. I never noticed how clueless people could be until I worked retail.

I need to start bikini shopping. Genevieve's beach trip is the only thing I'm looking forward to, next to seeing Genevieve and Grayson again.

"Calvin Adams."

I snap out of my thoughts and look at the stage. He smiles as he gets his diploma, his family cheering in the distance. I completely forgot about Calvin for a minute. He went on to do his thing as a parent with Gaby.

"Scarlett Adams."

She confidently walks across the stage. I wish I had that walk. She could be an amazing model one day.

She decided not to go to college. Instead, she'll travel across the world with her boyfriend. I think they're going to help build schools for less fortunate kids. I don't know I overheard it in class.

I snap back into my thoughts. This is going to take forever.

I start picking at my cuticles, wondering if I need a manicure.

"Genevieve Cordova." The lady announces.

I cheer loudly as she walks across the stage. She waves at the crowd and bows like a princess. I clap as she takes her diploma then walks off the stage.

After nearly an hour the lady starts announcing the last names with R. My legs are nearly trembling as I get closer to the stage. I've imagined this since I was a kid and now that it's happening, it feels surreal.

"Selena Rojas."

Genevieve cheers loudly as I glance over at her with a smile. I feel my hair bounce as I walk to the end of the stage. They hand me my diploma and I shake their hand. I pose for a picture as the camera flashes. I think I blinked there. Who cares. I graduated!

I start going back to my seat, smiling at Grayson who's almost ready to go line up.

As the S last names are being called I open up my diploma, looking at my name in a nice print. This will look great on my shelf next to my desk. I'll enjoy staring at it this summer.

I look up at the stage to see Grayson next in line. I start smiling eagerly before his name even gets called.

"Grayson Taylor."

I jump up, cheering and clapping as loud as I want. I ignore the stares from everyone as I watch him receive his diploma.

I follow him with my eyes as he gets back to his seat. We make eye contact for a split second which makes my heart melt.

The sun is starting to set, making the field lights turn on. I squint my eyes as I watch other people receive their diplomas.

As I start to zone out the lady says, "Gabrielle Wilson."

Everyone looks around with confused looks on their faces. We look to the stage to see Gaby race walking on stage with baby Isaac in her arms. A few awes come from the crowd, including from me.

She takes her diploma then disappears back into the bleachers with the other families.

After the last student gets called everyone stands up, placing their tassel to the left.

"Congratulations graduating class of Greenview High School!"

We all cheer, tossing our caps in the air.

☆

"We did it!" I jump into Grayson's arms. He hugs me tightly, lifting me off my feet.

"That was amazing!" He grins.

I look around to see Genevieve race walking towards us with a big grin on her face.

"I'm so proud of you for that speech!" I squeal, holding out my arms.

She hugs me tightly and says, "Can you believe I actually wrote that? I didn't pay someone to write it!"

"It was great!" I smile.

She side hugs Grayson as she tells him congratulations.

She claps her hands together, "Dinner on me! Go find your parents then let them know."

She disappears into the crowd again. Grayson throws his arm around my shoulder and we walk around to look for our parents.

"Hey, did we ever thank Mr.Riley for all of this?" He chuckles.

"I totally forgot he's the reason for all of this!" I gasp. "Maybe we should send him like a fruit basket or something."