graduation

Chapter Twenty Seven

Today was the last day at school for Ashton and my brother before they graduate. It really hadn't set in until this morning that I'd be without them next year. They were set to graduate tomorrow evening.

I reluctantly make my way down the staircase to have my last carried to school with Alex. I still had a week left of school which means I'll be driving to school now. My parents had presented a new car as a graduation present leaving me with his old car. Yay hand-me-downs.

Alex is sat at the kitchen table mindlessly tossing the car keys and eating his breakfast. I grab a banana and eat it before we head out.

I do my usual pre class ritual. Meet Ashton, grab the necessary books, walk to history and kiss Ashton goodbye.

Today was a late morning and I arrive at class right before the bell rings. Calum smiles as I walk through and I can see Luke glaring at him for it. What was his issue?

I sit down ready to endure another boring history lesson.

Biology couldn't come fast enough. I practically sprint to get there after class was dismissed. This would be my last day with Ashton in the class and I was going to savor it.

The class period was spent working on the year's final essay assigned to us which Ashton teased about how he didn't have to complete. I push him many times as I try to gather facts. I was not looking forward to all the finals next week.

Ashton and I walk hand in hand as always to the lunch table.

I was quite jealous of Isabel, Calum wasn't graduating so I got to third wheel along with Michael now. I'm worried we might actually start getting along over that.

Seniors all around were cheering about only having a couple of hours before they were free. The loudness of the cafeteria hitting new heights this Friday causes everything at the table to share a glance before deciding to head outside away from the chaos.

I walk over to the tree I sat under the first day here and lean back. I really hope tomorrow's weather is as nice as it is today.

At the end of the day, all the seniors ran around screaming and annoying all the other students in their wake. Alex even joined in a little, but I just slapped his arm and dragged him out to the car.

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Alex had left a half hour ago to get to school early for the ceremony.

I had showered, dried my hair, and put on a light sundress, because it was a bit warm outside, in the span of an hour. I didn't doll myself too much up due to the heat. My mom calls to me from downstairs that both parents are ready to leave. I slip my sandals on and grab my phone before following both of them to the car.

They were holding the ceremony outside. I was not happy that's what they chose to do.

My parents and I make our way to the back of the school to the field where many families were already situating themselves on the grass. We get a spot relatively close, only a few people back.

I could feel the heat being thrown off by the sun and I position myself so that I wouldn't be so hot.

After what seems like forever, the ceremony begins with the seniors walking out of the school to their seats placed in the field before a stage and podium.

A couple of students go up to give speeches after the principal talks. The first person to speak is a brunette girl and she goes on about past memories And funny moments the class has gone through together. The second person is a tall boy who looks like he'd played football, he talks about how they're all moving forward in life and going on the next chapter of their life.

The speeches seem to go on for ages and I sigh in relief when they start calling the names.

I scream when I hear Ashton's name being called and my parents and I scream loudly as Alex's name is announced, my mom is close to tears. After everyone has been called, they do the traditional cap throwing.

My parents get up to go find Alex while I go in the opposite direction to find Ashton. I can always see Alex later, I live with him after all. I carefully thread my way through people and caps still on the ground.

I hug Ashton from behind when I finally spot him in the crowd of seniors. He turns around in shock but it resolves when he notices it's just me. His curls were extra messy from wearing the cap and he had the zipper on his gown zipped down showing his band shirt underneath.

"You must've been hot underneath that." I say shaking the skirt of my dress. I was sweating badly by my thighs because of the heat, I could only imagine what it was like under another layer.

"You know it." I slap his chest, of course he'd make a sexual innuendo out of my comment. Boys.

Ashton's brother runs to us screaming 'ashy' and I cannot contain the laughter at the use of the nickname. Ashton glares at my laughter and puts on a smile right before Harry arrives in front of us.

Lauren and his mom are close behind. Anne shakes her head at Harry and pulls me in for a hug before giving Ashton one.

My parents walk up to us along with Alex.

"What, no love for you favorite brother?" Alex stops before me and Ashton,

"You're my only brother." I point out,

"And I see you every day." I brush him off. His jealousy of me seeing Ashton before him was poking through.

"So I was thinking, why don't we all go out together for lunch?" My mom addresses Anne.

"That sounds lovely." Anne smiles back.

We headed out pretty much after that. I was happy to be in the air conditioned car. We each rode with output families to someplace my dad had booked the day before.

We get seated at a table in the back once everyone has arrived. I take the seat at the end by Ashton and across from my brother. My parents sit at the other end with Anne with Harry and Lauren by my brother.

After our orders are taken, Alex decides to speak up.

"So have you two done anything yet?" I choke on the water I just took in and kick him under the table.

"What is your problem." I whisper-shout at him trying not to gain the attention of our parents.

"You didn't have to kick me." Ashton laughs to my right and I glare at Alex and his stupid smirk.

"I hate you." I turn away from him, focusing on another table nearby.

"Still haven't answered my question." Alex continues and I have to contain the rage within me. Ashton places his hand on my thigh to calm me. I could feel my face turning red.

"No." I say loud enough to have our parents raise their brows in question before going back to their conversation.

I couldn't wait for him to move out even though I know I'll miss him. Alex was never an issue until I started talking to boys. I didn't give him a crap for seeing anyone so why should I get it?

We sat there for a good hour before deciding to go home and our separate ways.

I lean up to hug Ashton goodbye. I had said goodbye to his mom and siblings, saving him for last because I knew I wouldn't want to let him go.

"I love you." He says pulling me away to look at him. Those three words still brought butterflies to my stomach every time he said them

"I love you too." I say back before catching his mouth in mine. We continue to share the kiss before my idiot brother starts being dramatic about the whole thing.

We all say goodbye once more and make our way to our respective vehicles.

I push Alex before getting in the back of the car for being ridiculous in the restaurant.

"What was that for?" He whines joining me in the back.

"For being annoying." I shot back at him. I was not happy about him asking about my sex life or interrupting me and Ashtons kiss.

"I do it out of love." He smiles back, I just roll my eyes at him. I was most definitely going to miss him when he leaves for college, even if he is a pain in my ass at times.