"I'll see you every weekend baby, don't worry." He said lowly kissing her forehead.

She nodded turning towards her family. China, China's mother, Kae's mother and father, Michael and his grandmother, Chris, Momma Joyce, and his little sister Mia, along with Trinity's mother who stood in the back. Trinity sniffled, giving them a little wave.

They all waved back with sad eyes as Trinity walked over to the women by the gated door. She gave Chris one last look then walked through the door, not looking back.

Trinity knows time is up for her and Chris since she'll be in here for who knows how long, it saddened her that it just processed that Chrinity is over.

It saddened her that she may not be able to walk across the stage with her friends.

It saddened her that her life has officially ended.

The graduates of Hillcrest Highschool all sat in their seats in anticipation, waiting for their principle to come to a closing of his very long speech. The venue is crowded with students, staff, and family members who all came out on a very important day.

"The future holds many challenges and successes for all of you. Each of you will have your own unique opportunities to grow. I am confident you will rise to every occasion. Well, Class of 2016 you may move your tassel to the opposite side. Congratulations, you've all made it! Let me wish you all the best for the future. Thank You!"

The sea of purple cap and gowns all roared in excitement and joy, as caps were being tossed high into the air. Purple and white confetti came pouring down as a cliche graduation song began to play loudly throughout the whole Barclay's Center.

Students began to disperse into little groups, meeting up with their friends, family, and teachers to take pictures and to celebrate.

China ran over to Michael and Chris since they were separated and categorized by their last names. She engulfed them in a tight embrace as tears brimmed her eyes realizing two people were missing, Trinity and Kae.

After they broke out of the hug, Michael met eyes with Kae's mother and father as the couple began to approach the group. Meeting them halfway, he pulled them both into a big hug as they walked up to him.

"Thank you so much for coming." He said softly holding Kae's mother hand.

"We had to show our support, Kaelyn would've wanted us to come." Mrs. Wilson responded, resting her hand on Michael's shoulder. "She would've been valedictorian, she was a very smart girl." She added sadly.

As much as Kae tried to hide her intelligence with her attitude and behavior, she has always been the top student in all of her classes. Michael was the only one aware of who Kae really was, he never understood why she was so ashamed of her book smart and would rather be street smart.

Mr. Wilson cleared his throat breaking the tension, "We wanted to introduce you to our little girl, her name is Kenya."

Michael didn't realize in his hand, Mr. Wilson was carrying a car seat with a pink blanket covering it.

Michael's eyes grew wide, "You had the baby." He said hesitating to move the blanket so he can get a better look at the baby.

"It's okay son, you can touch her." Mrs. Wilson encouraged with a faint smile, "She's a little over a month old."

"She's gorgeous," Michael mumbled staring at the baby.

She looks just like Kaelyn, he thought. Small button nose, pouty lips, and long eyelashes. It's a shame Kae didn't get the chance to meet her newborn sister. He took his eyes off of the baby, staring into the eyes of his pretend mother and father. Michael has known the Wilson's for years, he's always considered them as his own parents. He's always considered Kae as his sister.

"Thank you for bringing Kenya here so I can see her, I appreciate it, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson."

"No problem son, we had to see you kids walk across that stage." Mr. Wilson responded.

"Baby Kenya is getting a little fussy, so we're going to head home now. Congratulations again Michael, we wish you the best on your career and future."

"Thank you." He simply said giving the couple one last hug.

Michael stood there for a moment staring at his dress shoes. The one he only wears on special occasions. He put a fake smile on his face and made his way back over to Chris and China who were talking to other students.

"We made it, yo," Michael said shaking his head. "I made it." He mumbled in disbelief.

"I never doubted you for a minute baby." China said pecking Michael on the lips, "I love you."

"I love you too, ma," Michael responded back, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I'm so proud of my babies!" China's mother exclaimed pinching Chris and Michael's cheek. "Where Y'all wanna go to eat, Red Lobsters?"

"Those Cheddar Bay Biscuits are calling my name right now!" Chris exclaimed rubbing his hands together.

"Y'all saw my grandma?" Michael asked looking around.

"She's outside with Chris' mother and sister, she was complaining about being claustrophobic," China answered fixing his collar.

"Come on Y'all, let's take a picture while some of the confetti is still falling, it'll look cute as hell on my facebook page." China's mother said pulling out her phone.

The three groaned knowing she's going to take forever trying to take pictures and upload the ugliest ones.

"Shut Y'all asses up and put Y'all arms around China! China, smile 'for I whoop your ass." She threatened, causing the three of them to burst into a fit of laughter.

The picture came out perfect, Shania thought.

"Mr. James," Chris said with wide eyes staring off in the direction where Tristian began to approach the group.

"Congratulations guys," Tristian said shaking their hands.

"Thank you." The three of them said simultaneously.

"Oh, hello Tristian. It's so nice to see you again. We were just about to head out and get something to eat, do you want to tag along?" Shania asked trying to compress her smile.

China gave her mother a smirk, knowing exactly that there's something going on between the two adults. China has noticed ever since the Christmas party, she always tried to tease her mother about it, but her mother always told her to stay out of grown folks business.

"I don't want to be a burden, I just came here with—"

"Tristian, I was looking all over for you. It's so crowded and humid in here, my hair is starting to get frizzy and I'm hot." Maxine complained fanning herself with the graduation program paper.

"Mrs. James, how are you doing?" Chris said bringing everyone's attention to Maxine.

"Mrs. James?" Shania repeated to herself staring at a beautiful and flawless woman who stood closely beside Tristian.

She never knew there was a Mrs. James in the picture.

"Hello, Christopher, China, Michael. Congratulations," She smiled politely acknowledging everyone but Shania.

Tristian cleared his throat staring at Shania, "Yes, we're just here to pick up Trinity's diploma and then we're heading home."

"How's Trinity?" Chris asked on edge.

He missed her so much and wanted to see her before he takes off, but she declines his calls and she won't accept any visitors.

"She wanted to be here, but she couldn't make it. Something came up, but I assure you she's fine and will get better."

Knowing Trinity has been airing her friend's calls and text messages for more than three months, Tristian wanted to make sure they know she's okay. Trinity isn't ignoring them on purpose, she just felt like she couldn't face her friends until she's back to her old self. She didn't want to be a burden and drag her friends down with her.

"There goes the principle, come on Tristian," Maxine said pulling him away.

"Congratulations again guys, and good luck."

'''

Chris, Chris' mother Joyce, his sister Nia, Michael, Michael's grandmother, China, and China's mother Shania, all waited for the waitress to come back with the bill so they can leave. Chris though was focused on something else, having Trinity on his mind.

Seeing Mr. and Mrs. James at graduation but not Trinity hurt him. It wasn't Trinity's fault, she was just trying to get better, but he had a slight feeling Trinity has been purposely ignoring him.

"I'll be right back," Chris announced3 getting up from his seat and began walking towards the exit.

Michael watched Chris until he couldn't see him anymore, "We dining and dashing? Nobody put me on to the plan!" He whispered yelled looking around for the waiter.

"Boy, shut up." His Grandmother mumbled slapping him upside his head.

Once the cool summer breeze hit Chris' skin, he let go of a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He fished his phone out of his pocket and began pacing in front of Red Lobster's, thinking about what he would say to her. For four months Chris has tried contacting Trinity, but all he's been getting was her voice mail.

He grew the courage to press call.

"You have reached the voice mailbox of—"

Chris rolled his eyes taking the phone away from his ears. How could he have gotten his hopes up? She hasn't picked up any of his calls so why would she pick up this one? For some reason, he thought this time she would finally answer.

He brought the phone back to his ears annoyed, "At the tone, please record your voice message. When you are finished recording, you may hang up or press pound for more options."

After a few moments of hearing the beep, he took a deep breath pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Trinity, it's me, Christopher. Look, I've been calling and texting you for the longest and you haven't hit me up once. I know you're going through some shit, but you can talk to me. I need to know if you're okay and if they're treating you right in that place. It bothers me to the core that I don't know exactly what's going on with you. I miss you so much, I miss your voice, I miss kissing you and I miss cuddling with you. You and I really weren't dating that long but it felt like I've known you my whole life. You made me happy, Trinity. Before I met you I was in a really dark place."

Realizing where the topic was veering to, he took a deep breath to recollect his thoughts. It was now or never. He was finally going to speak out about it.

"Before I met you, I met this girl named Chelsea my freshmen year. We became so close and inseparable so quickly. She reminds me a lot of you, she was so shy and quiet when I first met her. You both had that habit of tucking your hair behind your ears and a bunch of other similarities and that's why I called you her name but that's not really the point. I've been holding this in for so long and you deserve to know why I've been acting the way I have been, before and during our relationship."

Chris began to explain briefly about Chelsea. As he got closer to finishing up the story, his shoulders felt lighter. There was no more weight weighing him down, and it felt good to get it off of his chest.

"If you've made it this far through this long ass voicemail, I'm sorry." He chuckled. "I honestly expected for it to cut off by now, but I love you, Trinity. I love you so much. This time tomorrow, I'll be across the country living my dream with Michael. I wish I could live my dream with you by my side. I'll see you soon though, hopefully real soon. I love you."

As soon as Chris hung up the phone, his family and friends piled out of Red Lobsters talking amongst each other.

"You okay Chris?" Nia asked nudging her big brother in the side and handed him a basket of Cheddar Bay biscuits.

"Yeah, I'm good." He said avoiding her intense stare.

"So what Y'all about to do?" Shania asked as they all began walking towards the parking lot.

"Michael and Chris are going home to pack their bags, get dropped off at our house so they can sleep over. Then in the morning, we're all going to travel together to the airport." China explained to her mother, looking at Chris and Michael for confirmation. "Right, guys?"

"Right." Chris and Michael responded as they both ate out of separate biscuit baskets.

China rolled her eyes with her hands on her hips, "I hope yall fat asses choke on those dry ass bisc—"

"Watch your mouth." Chris quickly said cutting her off and following his Mother and little sister to Joyce's car. "These are the best complementary food there is, hands down."

"You're just mad the waitress didn't give you extra biscuits, c'mon Grandma," Michael said turning up his nose, following Shania to her car since she's giving him and his Grandmother a ride home.

"Boy, shut yo ass up. I should've choked that waitress up for flirting with you."

'''

It was going on four in the morning and China remained wide awake. She tossed and turned, flipped her pillow to the cooler side, and tried having a conversation with either Michael or Chris but they ignored her trying to get some sleep since they have a busy morning ahead of them.

"China you're going to make me yoke your ass up with your loud ass tossing and turning," Chris mumbled sitting up in the futon that sat in the corner of her room.

The room is completely dark but he continued to glare at her as if she can see him.

"I can't go to sleep and Y'all don't even care enough to entertain me? Fuck Y'all. Michael, wake your ass up!" China yelled smacking him with a sequin-covered throw pillow.

He groaned pushing her away slightly, "You're gonna make me break up with your ass if you wake me up over some shit like this again."

Chris chuckled checking his phone, "I've never heard this nigga talk to you like that before."

China sighed playing in his hair, "I give him a pass because when he's sleepy, he gets cranky and acts like a bitch!" She yelled the last part in his ear causing him to push her completely off the bed.

China got up from off of the floor and lunged at Michael. Chris calmly picked up his phone and turned on his flashlight, watching them play fight.

After a whole five minutes of play fighting, Michael went back to sleep and so did Chris. China sighed checking her phone, adjusting her eyes to the brightness. Seeing it was fully charged, she unplugged it. She unlocked the phone and rolled over, going to Trinity's contact.

"Hey Trin, ur probably knocked out by now since its like 4am but I can't sleep. Idk i guess its because in a few hours we gonna be on our way across the country. It just doesnt feel right that ur not coming with us girl... You should definitely be here with us sis. I miss u like crazy, we havent spoken in months. I hope ur okay and feeling better, ur like a sister to me and i love you girl. Pls text me back, if not me text Chris back. No one misses you more than he does sis. Ill see you soon hopefully, love you."

'''

It was eight in the morning as the gang began loading their luggage into Joyce and Shania's car. It was a quiet but busy morning and everyone had a lot on their mind.

"Make sure yall packed everything, 'cause I'm not turning back for shit," Joyce stated as she unlocked her car so Chris, Michael, and China can put their belongings in the trunk.

"Aight ma," Chris mumbled grabbing China's bag for her.

"Don't aight me boy, I'm dead serious." She sat in the driver's seat watching her son through the rearview mirror.

"Whats good with your moms?" Michael mumbled nudging Chris.

"She's in a pissy mood because its early and she haven't had her coffee yet." He answered.

"Plus, she's about to say goodbye to her eldest son. It's obvious she's sad, my mother is acting the same exact way." China added. "She yelled at me for taking a long shower and then I found her crying in her room."

"Come on Y'all, we can't afford to have you missing the flight," Shania announced coming out of the house and locking the door behind her.

She walked down the front steps, handing China her carry-on bag and unlocked her car door getting in. China got in the passenger side of her mother's car as Chris and Michael put the rest of the luggage in the trunk.

"I'll see Y'all in a bit," Chris said to Michael as he closed the trunk.

Michael nodded and got into the back seat of Shania's car as Chris walked over to his mother's car and got in.

It was a thirty-minute drive to JFK airport since it was early, there wasn't much traffic. They finally arrived at the terminal and began unloading the car full of suitcases. Once they were done, everyone stood around on the sidewalk not having much to say.

"We have scooped up some money for the each of you to have, just to get yourself started." Joyce smiled signaling Nia to retrieve something out of the car.

Nia handed them each an envelope with their names written on it in cursive. She took it upon herself to decorate it according to who's it is.

"I can't accept this." Michael shook his head pushing the envelope away.

"Oh, but you will or I'll beat your ass." Shania threatened jokingly.

"We know you guys have money saved, but there's no such thing as too much money. You'll thank us later." Grandma Stevenson added.

"Gram, you need the money way more than I do," Micheal argued.

"She's moving in with me. She'll be fine Michael, just take the money." Shania took the envelope from Nia handing it to Michael.

Michael sighed taking the envelope, knowing he couldn't argue anymore, "Thank you," He mumbled hugging Shania.

Everyone began to say their goodbyes and farewells. Joyce, Shania, and Grandma were obviously upset about seeing their children go as a few tears were shed.

Shania pulled her daughter in a tight hug, rocking her from side to side. She didn't want to see her only child go, but if it makes China happy then she had no choice.

"Baby, be safe okay? Call me when you board your flight, text me when you take off and call me when you land."

"I will ma." Chris smiled wiping his mother's tears.

"Bye Chris, I'm going to miss you," Nia mumbled staring at the ground.

He gave her a weak smile, "I'll facetime you Munch, don't be sad. Once we get settled you and mommy can visit, okay?"

Nia nodded, "Okay."

"I love you, Gram,"

"I love you too baby, don't forget to call me." She gave Michael a long, and warm hug

"I won't." He kissed her on her forehead, "I'll come back for you and move you out there with me, I promise."

"Bye, kids! Be safe, we love you!"

The three of them grabbed their luggage and headed to the check-in desk. It's happening, their dreams are finally coming true.

'''

"Dad, can you please drive a little faster?" Trinity said gripping the dashboard anxiously.

"Trinity, I'm already going ten over the speed limit." Tristian sighed trying his best not to get stopped by any cops.

He's been taking every backroad and shortcut he can to get to China's house on time. He knows this final goodbye is important for his daughter, so he did everything he could to get home in time.

"Dad, they think that I've been ignoring them!" Trinity cried out watching everything through her window become a blur. "I mean at first I was, but I just got my phone privileges back and they've been blowing up my phone. This is like the tenth time I've called them. Each!" She put her phone in her bag, letting out a frustrated sigh.