her lip was caught between her teeth as she scanned the crowd of anxious seniors. would he even show up?

"h-hi everyone," she breathed out shakily, clenching her hands into fists to calm her nerves. "i'm annalise, many of you may know me...or not..." she trailed off.

she caught the eyes of her best friend winnie, who gave her an encouraging thumbs up. you can do it she mouthed.

"...and i'm your 2018-2019 valedictorian." she finished. "my highschool years-actually, my school years in general, weren't the best. i was bullied, and at one point, it became so unbearable i switched schools. i can remember how it felt to have all the color sucked out of the world. to feel...well, empty. it's a feeling no one should have to experience. but then someone special came into my life and turned everything right side up. it was like suddenly, i could breathe again." she paused. "my point is, i'm just a human, like all of us here, and i found my happiness. even in the darkest of days, i had someone to guide me to the light, and everyone deserves that. if no one is willing to save you, it's important to know how to save yourself. thank you ridgewood high for making this ordinary girl, extraordinary. i wish you all the best of luck in the future. congrats class of 2018-2019!" she concludes, shooting everyone a nervous smile.

the crowd erupts into applause, giving her a standing ovation as she gently steps down from the podium, returning to her seat.

"you were so good!" winnie relishes, giving her a tight hug. "i'm so proud of you."

"thanks." annalise responded, shooting her best friend the brightest smile she could muster.

less than a year ago, winnie anderson had walked into ridgewood high with her gorgeous smile and perky personality. they were inseparable ever since.

the rest of the graduation was full of nervous chatter and smiles until anna heard her name being called. as she stepped onto the stage, a wave of sadness hit her. this was it. in the next five seconds, highschool would be over, and the idea scared her. she'd have to be in the real world, an adult. seeking momentary comfort, she quickly scans the audience.

and then she saw him.

there was orion, sitting right next to her mother in a light blue button down dress shirt (her favorite color), carrying a bouquet of forget-me-nots. his green eyes gleamed with mirth as she tripped over a step and stumbled up the stairs clumsily.

they hadn't seen each other in months, except for the occasional video chat, which would always end in her promising never to forget him, or in his words "find another man to replace him". now here he was, in the flesh.

-

orion had missed her terribly. anna's absence took a tremendous toll on him, and he considered moving back.

the previous year, he was offered a chance to skip a grade and apply for a college of his choice. this had been his chance to leave and make himself into something. anna of course had pushed him follow his dreams, but he had been more hesitant. he just got back the love of his life, and now he had to leave her again?

"i'll always be here orion." she had said, planting a small kiss on his lips. "but an opportunity like this is once in a lifetime."

with that, he applied to stanford university with his fingers crossed, and now a year later, he was to graduate in less than three years with a degree in aeronautical engineering.

seeing her here now made his heart beat out of his chest wildly. she was even more gorgeous than he remembered, and the best part was, she was his.

after they had all tossed their graduation caps up in the air, she sauntered over to him, her friend winnie in tow. "hello stranger." she laughed, her eyes crinkling in delight.

"hello old lady." he responded, grinning foolishly. she swatted him on the arm, rolling her eyes in amusement.

"these are for you, love." he told her, handing her the bouquet of flowers. her eyes lit up as she reached for him, wrapping him up in a hug. "thank you for coming." she whispered into his ear.

when she pulled away, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "why wouldn't i come and see my girl graduate?"

she sighed, looking up at him with adoration and love. "we have so much to catch up on! will you be staying?" she asked.

"three days is the most i can do." he responded sadly, shrinking.

"it's okay!" she squealed. "three days more than what we had yesterday. guess what?"

"what?" he asked.

"susan's letting me go. no more therapy every tuesday!" she rushed out, bouncing on the balls of her feet in excitement.

after the sleeping pill accident, anna had agreed to see her therapist willingly for professional help that orion or her mother couldn't provide for her. he had gone to some of her sessions with her, which were highly enjoyable due to the fact that he was allowed to play with thinking putty for the whole hour.

annalise had teased him endlessly about it, but what could he say? his inner child came out once in a while.

he grinned, wrapping his arms around her waist and breathing in her scent. "i love you anna."

"i love you orion."

"okay break it up!" winnie screeched, shoving orion away, causing him to stagger backwards. "i want to go see my parents, c'mon anna, c'mon!"

annalise let out a giggle, causing his heart to melt into a puddle of mush. "i'll see you soon?" she asked, shooting him a mega watt smile he couldn't deny.

"always."