This was finally it. Graduation. Thinking about it, I've been through so much this past year. Everyone was telling the truth when they said senior year was going to be more headache than the previous years, even though I had four classes.

Groaning, I wipe the seat that lightly coated my forehead. I didn't understand why we had to have this ceremony outside while the sun felt as though it was blasting 100 degree heat at our faces. Tanning wasn't my forte, especially since my skin was already a shade darker than caramel.

Any darker and no one would be able to see me at night. I tie my hair up, glad that I decided the night prior to straighten it. Curly hair and humidity don't exactly mix. I was glad I'd be getting my diploma but I wanted to hurry and get into A/C. But, as per usual the staff and faculty have to waste our time speaking about their backstories.

Which is stupid, this was our graduation. Why are we hearing about anyone else who is not part of the class of 2021? Rolling my eyes, I pull out my phone smiling. Due to the fact that alphabetical order was easier to process, I wasn't with my friends. The only two from my friend group who were in the same letter range were Jasmine and Desire, but they don't exactly get along well.

My smile widens as we get a text from Duke.

: Someone throw a grenade on stage, they won't shut up!

: If we blow up the stage, we won't be able to graduate

: Then what do we do?

: We could always just tell them to STFU

: I mean it's not as bad as having your ear talked off by a certain someone because you're the closest friend to her

: Hater

: Hating on what exactly? Anything you have I can get quicker

: Yeah everything but a stable relationship

My mouth falls open as I laugh at my messages. That was harsh on Desire's part. But she had a point, Jasmine sucked at keeping a relationship for more than a few weeks. I wasn't too surprised when she and Duke confessed to trying to date again only for it to not work out. Again.

: Consider yourself single then. I'll find someone who I can keep a stable relationship with.

"What?!" I hear a very familiar voice yell in the crowd. I snicker and quickly reply to the situation.

: That's not surprising. All that's next is for Jasmine to somehow end up with Edwin as well, mind as well fuck the whole group, right Jas

: Fuck you, Casey

: Oh you already have, that was kind of the point

: Damn. But are we seriously going to ignore the fact that Jasmine and Des are dating? I thought you guys hated each other

: They do say opposites attract. You've got the really bitchy annoying one and then you've got the....

: Not really opposites when you think about it, huh?

: Okay, okay. We're not doing that, Jasmine isn't bitchy nor annoying

: I'm not either!

: Debatable

: I also testify with that statement

: Babe? Aren't you going to back me up?

My attention is brought away from my phone as I hear the first name being called. I can't help but laugh as my eyes land on my phone screen, seeing that Jasmine left the message as seen. Desire was definitely going to give her a mouthful. Poor Jasmine.

Exiting the group chat, I notice a few messages from my sister and a few friends along with my girlfriend. I debate which message I should open first. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. Having decided, I press onto Cane's message.

: Congrats kid! I couldn't make it but we should definitely get some drinks tomorrow or something to celebrate. I don't like you but I'm really proud of you!

Rolling my eyes, I force my smile away. Cane and I have really come a long way. I send her a text, mostly to insult her and tease her for not loving me enough to come see me walk across the stage. I exit the chat and open up the next few.

: We're proud of you Casey! Can't wait to hear your name and watch you cross the stage, so I won't have to deal with you next year.

: Text us and tell us what you want as a graduation present :)

: You're growing up so much! Just a few days ago you were a 15 year old looking for a booty call. Now you're nearly an adult and graduating. I'm so proud of you, Casey

: Why does it take them forever to call names?

: It's only like 210 students and we're still on 'D' my god! If I'm not here once this is over with, I'm probably in my grave

I smile at my sister's messages. We did have a pretty big class this year. I understood her pain, but she wasn't the one who had to wait for her name to be called. She had the liberty to leave and go fetch her a burger. She didn't have to wait as I did. And even after they call my name, I'll have to continue waiting so we can do the cap thing.

: I love you and I am very proud of you.

: I love you too, are you here?

: Of course I am. That's a silly question, why would I miss your graduation?

: You had an appointment...

: I did but this is more important to me. It's important to you and I know you want me to be here.

: God, Ryn, I love you

: I know baby

Finally glancing up from my phone, I notice my row is moving towards the stage. I quickly stand and shove my phone into my pocket, catching up with the kid in front of me. I inhale and count to 10 before exhaling. This is it. I was seconds away from being a graduate.

My eyes search the crowd of families, searching for mine. I frown when I don't find them as quickly as I want to. I knew they were here but not being able to see them caused me to feel a bit sad. I wanted my parents to see me walk across the stage. I wanted to see their face when their youngest daughter grabbed her diploma.

Would they be proud of me, like everyone else was claiming to be? Would they cheer for me? Would they be the loudest when my name was called?

Why was I so doubtful?

"Brianna Kane."

My heartbeat speeds up. There weren't many students in my class with the last name beginning with K. I would be able to walk the stage in just a few more seconds. I swallow the lump in my throat as I get closer to the stage.

"Reina Kelley."

Fuck. There's no backing out of this. I'm graduating. My name will be called, I'll walk onto the stage, grab my diploma from the principal. I'll stop and take my picture with him and then I can get off the stage. It was simple. Easy.

"Casey Annise Kings."

My hair stands at alert all over my body as I freeze in front of the steps. My heart beats like crazy against my ribcage. Swallowing, I glance around. The kids behind me egg me to get onto the stage while my feet remain glued to the ground.

"Casey Annise Kings?"

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! I inhale and force myself onto the stage, dozens of eyes landing on me. I could feel my stomach churn in nervousness. I was happy, yet I didn't like the idea of 100+ people staring at me. The sound of friends and family calling my name forces me to move.

I make it to the principal, grabbing my diploma from his hands. "Congratulations Miss Kings" Principal Espinoza smiles, hugging me into his side. Once the certificate is secured in my hands, I make my way off the stage. Eyes wide and heart pumping rapidly. I...did...it.

I graduated. I got my diploma. I walked across the stage. How come no one told me graduating felt like you were on top of the world. Better yet, like you were Kate Winslet at the tip of the boat held by Leonardo DiCaprio. My heart sighs and I do a small victory dance to my seat.

I graduated. I did. Me! Casey- FUCKING-Kings!

- - - - -

Biting my lip, I stand next to the building, waiting for my friends and family to exit. Immediately, my eyes meet familiar dark eyes. I smile and run into his arms. With a loud booming laugh, Edwin engulfs me in a bear hug, picking me up from the ground and twirling me around. "We fucking did it Case. Me and you" he kisses my cheek.

When he pulls away I notice him crying and before I can tease him, Desire is walking towards us. "And I thought Jasmine was emotional" she jokes pulling the both of us into a hug. Before she can let us go, Duke and Jasmine join in on the group hug.

"We did it you guys, we're graduates" Duke chuckles. Jasmine nods her head in agreement, "You know this calls for a celebration."

Of course, it did. We weren't going to stop celebrating until we were all partied out. "Can you believe it, just a month ago it was August. Senior year was starting. It was just the two of us at first" Edwin pipes in with a charming smile, throwing his arm around my shoulder.

Duke pouts playfully, "Technically it was three. We've all known each other since 8th grade, I would like to be included. Though Casey didn't accept me until she fucked my girlfriend."

Shrugging my shoulders I throw a wink to the brunette, "And she was so good that she had to join our little friend group."

Jasmine rolls her eyes, "I'm starting to regret ever sleeping with you. Keep it up."

"You guys have these really cool moments of how you all became friends. I was literally just a bitch and somehow forced my way into this friend group. I feel really left out."

Duke and Jasmine smile at the girl. "No way babe, you've bitched your way into my heart" Jasmine flirts planting a kiss onto her girlfriend's cheek. I blink at the awkward situation. Jasmine and Desire are dating. Whoa. Weird. I don't know if I ship it or not.

Maybe I should give it a few weeks before judging them. But will it last that long?

I feel a harsh punch against my shoulder causing me to glare at my friend. "I know what you're thinking Casey. And for your information, Desire and I have been dating for a month. You've just been too caught up with your teacher girlfriend that you haven't noticed anything else outside of you two."

I frown at her statement. They still didn't even know the truth. And I wasn't willing to tell them. Not while Rai was still on the loose. I had to be positive that things were safe before telling my friends anything. The only people who knew anything were my family, Emily, and Sophia.

Everyone else was just simply on a need-to-know basis. And this was something they didn't need to know.

Once again there's a harsh punch to my shoulder. "Would you guys stop--"

My sentence is cut off by my mother pulling me into a tight hug. It takes me a moment to realize the situation but eventually I melt in her embrace. It's been such a long time since I felt this kind of security. Every child needs a mother's love.

"I'm so proud of you my baby," she says, pulling away to eye me. Her watery eyes glance all over my face before smiling and pulling me back into a hug. "I love you, honey."

Smiling, I wrap my arms around the woman as well. "I love you too, mama."

Pretty soon I'm pulled into several different hugs. And of course, Kathryn is the last to come into the spotlight. I smile her way, opening my arms and allowing her to come closer. She peppers my lips in tender kisses, "Congratulations my smart girlfriend. You have finally graduated high school and have entered the real world."

"I have always been in the real world" I chuckle.

She rolls her eyes, "Well, you have but I mean you're going to have more responsibilities because you're seen as an adult now."

I scoff, "I've had my own apartment for 3 years, how hard can adulting be?"

The woman hums, "Well. Let's see. You've graduated so your father is no longer responsible to provide you any financial aid. You're going to have to get a job, an apartment, get a new car or fix your old one, you're going to college so you have to come up with financial aid for tuition--"

I stop the brunette before she can continue rambling. "Let's just focus on tonight. I can worry about adulting next week." Kathryn laughs as she kisses me again, leaving me craving for more than just a kiss. But we have to keep it PG-13.

Once I move away from my girlfriend, my father throws his arm around my shoulders. The smell of his Oud Silk Mood cologne engulfing my nostrils. "Where do you want to go, sweetie?" he questions.

"Wherever food is. I'm hungry, they talked for so long I need to feed my face" I groan just as my stomach growls. He smiles in agreement. "But only family which includes Edwin and Kathryn. Everyone else can have me tomorrow."

My father nods his head, "Your mother and I will be at our car, you can text us when you're ready to go. Take your time, we don't mind waiting."

I nod my head and watch the older couple walk away. I glance at Kathryn with a smile, "You're coming with me to dinner." She frowns, "Are you sure? Wouldn't you rather spend some time with the new graduates?"

Shaking my head I pull her into me, "We've already made plans to go to the beach tomorrow. Today we spend time with family. And as my girlfriend that includes you." I watch the brunette smile, her brown eyes landing on my lips. "I know this isn't the time and you're probably annoyed that I keep bringing it up but are--"

"Casey! I am so proud of you!" I hear before being pulled into a hug. I immediately recognize the familiar scent of cinnamon and know the woman in my arms was Edwin's mother. "Thank you."

Mrs. Lewis hugs me tighter, reminding me that I was the daughter she never had. "I am really proud of both of you. I always knew you were graduating but I think if you weren't with Edwin, he'd be repeating a grade" she whispers the last part.

The both of us laugh in agreement. "Oh, we're going out to eat. Family is welcomed, so if you two want to join us..." I trail waiting for an answer.

The older woman nods her head, "We'll follow behind you guys."

- - - - -

And here I thought we'd have a dinner where anything from the past wasn't brought up. Or maybe we'd all talk about how proud we are that Edwin and I finally graduate. Or even college.

Yeah, obviously our parents' goal was to embarrass us. "Remember that time Edwin wanted to ask Lila out on a date and he had a huge hole in his pants. He was so embarrassed that he didn't come out of his room for a week. And when he did he begged for us to switch his school" Mr. Lewis laughed.

Okay, that was funny. I chuckle at my best friend, remembering his embarrassment from 1st grade. Edwin frowns, "I don't know why you're laughing Casey."

My heart drops already knowing what story he was going to use to embarrass his best friend. "Remember when you turned 15 we decided to go to that Haunted House? You know what I'm talking about right? You saw that clown and you screamed, punched your dad in the face, peed, and pooped yourself."

"For fucks sake Ed, we promised to never talk about that day."

I gain glares from my parents and Kathryn but the laughter didn't stop. That was such an embarrassing day for me. You'd think at 15 I knew how to control my bladder and bowel movements. Kathryn moves her lips to my ear, "I didn't know you were that terrified of Clowns."

Frowning, I groan. "Yeah and that means you cannot and I meant it, you cannot ever try to prank me with a clown face, mask whatever. They scare me shitless" I hiss.

The brunette smiles, "I see."

"Well you two, what are your future plans?" my dad questions, turning the conversation from goofy to serious in seconds. I allow Edwin to answer first. "I was planning on going to college preferably Langston. Majoring in Business."

I cringe. Business? That's got to be a terrible major. "And what about you Casey?" Mr. Lewis questions forcing all curious eyes on me. I swallow my lemonade and smile awkwardly. "I'm going to UCLA and majoring in Psychology."

"I thought you said you wanted to Major in English, it was your dream" my mother spits. I smile softly and glance at my girlfriend, knowing she was the main reason for my degree change. I figured if I majored in Psychology I could help her, I could be her little therapy girlfriend. Though most of the time it is illegal to date a patient.

Not only would I be able to help her during mini-episodes, but I would also be able to help others with the same situation.

"I've always like psychology and the thought of helping others. It wasn't until recently that I decided to make it my major instead of my minor. And there really isn't a job that I want that would be of use to an English degree. I don't want to be a teacher or a book writer or a journalist. I originally wanted to major in English because it was an easy subject."

Kathryn frowns, "You don't have to change your career path because of me."

"I'm not. I already said I always liked psychology. I changed it because I love you and I want to properly be there for you when you're going through the shits."

The woman smiles before leaning in to peck my lips. "Could you two not?" Edwin groans causing the table to laugh.