Chapter 12

*Shay's pov*

Couple hours more, and then I'm an official high school graduated. I spent months in therapy, my parents are now divorced but they are still working together in the company. I stayed with my mom at our current house, my dad moved out to a penthouse nearby last week.

Shasha sleepover at my house last night so we both can prepare ourselves together before the event starts. I was in the shower when Shasha screams

"SHAY!! CAN YOU NOT BE ANY SLOWER?! WE ONLY HAVE TWO HOURS!"

I was startled by her scream and accidentally dropped my soap. I shooked my head thinking 'This girl would be the death out of me'

I finished my shower and saw Shasha already finished doing her makeup.

She looked at me and asked, "Can I do your makeup?"

"I'm capable of doing it myself, Sha"

She pouted and said "Please, I've been dying to try this one makeup look on you. I promise it won't be drastic changes"

I sighed "Fine, but no crazy eye makeup. I meant it, Sha"

Almost an hour later, we both finished touching up and taking selfies mostly mirror pics. Shasha went downstairs first while I grabbed my purse near the bed stand.

I took a look at my picture with Luke on our date.

'I'm graduating, Luke. Are you proud of me? I miss you every day, babe'

I took a deep breath and smiled to myself.

'I'm doing this for myself and for Luke. I can do this'

*Graduation*

I was waiting in line for my turn to be on stage. Shasha, Caleb and Edward had their name being called before me. I looked around and saw my parents were there smiling at me.

I smiled back and nerves starting to kick in…

'Why this is scary? It's not like I'm giving a speech'

"Next, Shayna Elizabeth Asher!"

I took a deep breath before went on stage. My parents were taking video and pictures of me holding the certificate. I shook hands with my teachers and thanked them for everything.

Mrs Lewis was standing at the line, clapping her hands and smiling at her students.

I walked to her and she gave me a hug.

She whispered "I'm proud of you, Shay. You might lose the chance to be valedictorian now, but I know you will succeed in life."

I smiled at her and gave her another hug. I walked off the stage and went to Shasha, Caleb and Edward. Shasha hugged me, "Finally graduated bitch" smiling brightly

All of us were shocked by her words but we immediately broke into laughter. My parents walked towards our direction. My mom hugged me tightly… maybe too tight

I gently tapped out her "Mom, you're literally strangling me"

She pulled apart from the hug, sniffled "I'm sorry, I just couldn't believe you're graduated now."

I smiled "Aww mom, don't cry over me now. People are watching mom"

She laughed. My dad stands next to her "Hugs only for your mom? Where's mine?" he said while opening his arms.

I laughed and went to hug him. The divorced was hard for me to take in but I understand that loving is hard and sometimes it doesn't always work. And sometimes it's better to let someone go.

I took a couple of pictures with my friends and my parents before all of us went to after graduation party at Shasha's.

I was busy helping Shasha organizing the party, helping her with the cocktail. Her house was a full pack of people, friends, parents and teachers too. It was a family-friendly kind of party.

I was at the counter kitchen when I saw Luke's parents were there greeted by Shasha's parents. I felt my heart beating faster than usual. It was the first time I saw his parents since Luke's funeral.

I was lost in thought when his parents saw me and walked towards me. I startled a bit "Hey Shay, how are you doing?" Luke's mom said.

"Hey, I'm getting there…" I said

His parents smiled at me and took their turn to hug me. Luke's mom looked at me smiling and said "You look beautiful, Shay. I know he is proud of your achievements. He might not be here but he always wants you to be happy"

I smiled weakly and excused myself to take some air. I went outside, sitting on the stairs at Shasha's backyard. I pulled my legs close to my chest, trying to breathe properly.

It was starting to get cold outside. Then, I felt warm clothing on my back to my shoulders. I turned my head and it was Edward's jacket. He went to sit next to me. He turned his head to me and said

"What are you doing here? And not inside enjoying?"

I shooked my head, smiling "I need to catch some air. I'm not every socializes person. What about you?"

"Me? I barely know these people" he said, grinning

I laughed and we both talked about today. The conversation-starting to turn into our future plan.

"Do you really want to be in business?" I asked

"To be honest, I don't really know what I want to be. The company came with a perk though."

"And what's the perk?"

He looked at me and smiled "Travelling, explore the world"

I smiled back at him.

"What about you? What's your plan?" Edward asked

I looked down and sighed "It was ballet. I wanted to be a prima ballerina but I guess that's impossible now."

He cocked his eyebrow and asked, "Why's that impossible?"

I smiled weakly and told him about my accident. After I told him, he had an angry look on his face.

"That's sickening! Where the fuck is their mind?!" he said then he looked at me and starts to calm down.

"How come you're so calm about this?" He asked.

"I wasn't. I was beyond destroyed by it. I was in a lot of pain. I was furious but then I started to write about my feelings, about my life. It helps, it's like a diary where I can just speak my mind without minding what people are going to think of me. Sometimes I even lost myself in writing." I said while looking at the stars.

I continued " -sometimes you have to move on"

I felt his gaze on me, I looked at him and smiled. He wasn't smiling back, he was still staring at me.

"There's something about you. I couldn't help but want to know more," he said and starts to scoot closer to me.

"You amazed me, Shay"

I felt my heart beating faster, he leans closer to me. Our faces were so close to each other that the tip of our nose was almost touching.

'Is he going to kiss me?'