I ran the brush through my hair shaking out the rest of water before entering my bedroom to pull on my dress. It was a beautiful navy knee length dress. It was sleeveless, but the gown should cover everything, and I was graduated so no one could really say much about a tattoo or multiple.

I'm not sure how Rosalie knew what size clothes I wore, but I can only assume she looked through my closet. A little weird at first glance, but Rose likes shopping and clothes, so it made sense. Of course, it could have been Alice, she could have gotten all that information.

With one final tussle I left my hair draping over my shoulder. It was longer than I usually kept it, but I haven't really found the time to cut it. It doesn't affect much so I wasn't in a hurry.

Once I was downstairs, I saw my mom and aunt ready to go, they both were wearing some of their finest dresses. I could see tears in their eyes, Mark was standing next to Eve in a suit of his own.

"my baby's all grown up" my mom replied planting a kiss on my forehead. "it was only yesterday when you were learning to walk"

"congrats Al" Eve replied giving me a hug, Mark patted me on the shoulder. We were trying to get back to our previous relationship. Well Mark was trying to forgive himself for shooting me, I had already forgiven him.

"shall we?" my mom asked gesturing to the cars.

I followed my mom. She and I would be going in her car, while Eve and Mark would be going in their own. They would join us for dinner, but they would be going on a date afterwards. Same with my mom and Charlie, seeing as Bella and I were going to a party.

"are you nervous?" my mom asked.

I smiled slightly, putting my totem away. "No. I've learned all I can in high school, it's time for me to start my life"

I heard my mom sniffle a little bit, I turned to look at her "hey, I'm still going to be your little girl."

She let out a wet chuckle "it's just your dad would be so proud of you. Of everything."

I smiled happily. We didn't talk about my dad much, it hurt to think he wasn't going to be there for me. "do you think he would like Rose?" I whispered.

"Yes." She glanced at me "I know I don't know everything, but I know she isn't like me or you."

My eyes widened "mom, i-"

She gave me a gentle smile and patted my leg "Al, it's okay. I can't know everything, but I know she's good for you. You can be yourself with her and that's all that matters. I am proud of you and your dad would be too. And I know he would love Rose, and not just because you love her." she smiled "she truly is a wonderful woman"

We got to the school around the same time as Charlie and Bella. I could almost feel the elation from the man as he looked at Edward hidden behind the bars in his cruiser.

When we got to the group my mom joined Charlie her hand in his. Both of them looking equally emotional and happy at the same time.

"It's good that Alice is throwing this party. You need something to perk you up." Charlie said looking at Bella.

"Sure. A party's exactly what I need." Bella replied a little sarcastically. Charlie laughed at her tone and squeezed her shoulders. Edward looked at the clouds, his face thoughtful.

"come on Bella, it will be fun... Alice has a lot planned" I replied, remembering that I was supposed to help Alice set up, even though I didn't. Edward spared me a glance and a small smile.

He knew what I was really doing, but his face seemed conflicted, like something was eluding him. I could see him looking for Alice and I realized she knew something we didn't.

I didn't get to focus on that much as we were led to the back door of the gym. My mom and Charlie said goodbye and left to go to the main entrance of the gym with the other family members.

It was pandemonium as Ms. Cope and Mr. Varner tried to line everyone up alphabetically. A sea of yellow gowns filled the area.

"Up front, Mr. Cullen," Mr. Varner barked at Edward. I chuckled as he was ushered away. I was one of the last ones, since my name started with a 'U', so I wasn't too far from Bella. Angela approached obviously unsure what to say. I smiled at her, and it seemed to give her the confidence to say hi.

"hey, Angela"

"Alex, it's good to see you"

I smiled "you too."

"you look good... Healthy?" she seemed a little unsure what to say.

I nodded "yeah, better medicine. It sprouted a growth spurt, but I feel healthy, better than I've ever been"

"I'm glad" Angela smiled, she was always so genuine, and I was really going to miss her.

I found that I was glad that things could end on a good note with Angela, not that I expected anything less. But I felt bad that I had missed so much of our senior year. Because it was an ending, no matter what Eric, the valedictorian, had to say about commencement meaning "beginning" and all the rest of the trite nonsense. We were all leaving something behind us today. I didn't know what the future held for me, but I knew I would follow Rosalie and the Cullens.

It went so quickly. I felt like I'd hit the fast forward button. Were we supposed to march quite that fast? And then Eric was speed talking in his nervousness, the words and phrases running together so they didn't make sense anymore. Principal Greene started calling names, one after the other without a long enough pause between; the front row in the gymnasium was rushing to catch up. Poor Ms. Cope was all thumbs as she tried to give the principal the right diploma to hand to the right student.

I watched as Alice, suddenly appearing, danced across the stage to take hers, a look of deep concentration on her face. Edward followed behind; his expression confused.

I heard Mr. Greene call my name and I rose from my chair, waiting for the line in front of me to move. I was conscious of cheering in the back of the gym, and I looked around to see Sam, Paul, Embry, Seth, Leah, my mom, Eve and Mark, all of them hooting in encouragement. I could just make out the top of Billy's head. I looked back giving them a smile.

Mr. Greene finished with the list of names, and then continued to hand out diplomas with a sheepish grin as we filed past.

"Congratulations, Miss Uley," he smiled at me, handing me the diploma.

"thank you, sir"

And that was it. I approached my family each of them giving me a hug.

"so, where do you want to go out for dinner?" my mom asked "anywhere you want"

I smiled "how about the diner? I could go for a home cooked meal"

They all chuckled before leading the way out. Charlie and Bella walked alongside us and turned out they were also going to the diner as well.

The Lodge was crowded. It was overpriced and tacky, but it was the only thing close to a formal restaurant in town, so it was always popular for events. The Swan's joined us as we sat a one of the more crowded tables. The pack had to leave, and they didn't want to risk anything if the Cullen's were around.

Bella stared morosely at the stuffed moose head, I figured she would be ecstatic about this. It was what she was hoping for, graduating so that she could become like Edward. Was she not ready? Was there something more she was hiding?

I watched as Charlie ate prime rib, talking to my mom or occasionally leaning over to talk to the Crowley's. My mom and Aunt were like wise doing the same. It was noisy - everyone there had just come from graduation, and most were chatting across the aisles and over the booth-tops like Charlie.

I ate slowly, finishing a cheeseburger and keeping an eye on Bella who, for some reason wasn't eating. Finally, everyone was finished, and my mom paid for dinner, even joking with Charlie about it. I watched on, a smile on my face. I knew my mom would be happy with him.

If I left, he would take care of her.

Bella stood up from the table quickly. "in a hurry?" Charlie asked.

"I want to help Alice set things up," she claimed.

"I thought you already did that" Eve asked looking at me.

I shrugged "decorations. I'm sure she's got a ton of snacks and drinks to put out. You know Alice, standard over achiever" I chuckled getting a laugh out of Bella. It was fake but the others bought it well enough. "besides, everyone is rearing to go to the party, with her luck everyone will be there before Bella"

"ha-ha-ha" Bella laughed sarcastically.

When I got home, I changed my clothes, to a pair of skinny jeans and a tank top, my brown jacket covering my arms. I then grabbed the ring from under my bed. I wasn't sure when to give it to her, but I wanted to be ready for it.

My mom had pulled out some wine and a few glasses, by the time I got back downstairs.

"hey, I'm going to head out"

"okay, be careful and don't do anything you shouldn't"

"I will, and don't uh... you know what I'll stay out all night"

My mother's face was bright red "it's not like that"

I laughed raising an eyebrow "sure it isn't"

"get out of here" she swatted at my arm blush still covering her face. I walked into the garage laughing, before grabbing the keys to my bike. I made sure to grab my helmet just in case I passed Charlie, actually I knew I would pass him.