"I don't know if I can do this." I said as I pace back and forth in my small room. My childhood friends, Kim and Keith, are perched on my bed watching me with mild amusement.

"What are you talking about? Of course you can do this! It's a simple introduction of the school principle and class. As the student council president you've done tons of speeches in front of large audiences." I stop pacing and turn towards the two. Kim smiles kindly and it's a comfort having her here right now. I know if she weren't I'd be even more of a mess.

"Not for graduation! If I mess up, it'll go down in history!" Keith snorts and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"That's a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think Charlie?"

"No, it's not. I'll be a laughing stock. One slip up. One little trip or stutter and my life will be over."

"It's a five minute introduction, if that. Literally all you're doing is welcoming everyone to the graduation, introducing our class and then the principle once we're all seated." Keith sighs and shakes his head. "You're just nervous. It'll go away as soon as you say the first word. You always get like this before a big speech. At least you're not valedictorian. They've got way more to say than you." I nod at that thinking about the long speech that they have to give once the principle calls them forward from their seats.

I walk to the desk and slump down in my chair. Exhaustion from my stress is starting to overtake me and my eyes move to the yellow and blue graduation gown hanging up on the back of my closet.

"Graduating." I chuckle and look at my two best friends. People that I've been with since the start and will soon be parting from. "I can hardly believe it." Kim nods and leans against Keith which pulls a small smile from me. It also sparks to life my jealousy at what they have.

I used to have that.

"It really is." Keith said a wistful note to his voice. I look towards him and he's studying my ceiling as if it's a book holding all the world's secrets. There's a far away look in his eyes that tells me he's reminiscing about the past. "We've done so much together. We've been through so much together and, come fall, we'll be heading in our own directions." I nod and lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees and clasping my hands together. My blonde hair falls forward in my face and I chew on my lip.

"We're all going to different universities and in different states no less. We really are heading in different directions." Kim's voice is soft as she speaks and I can clearly hear the depressed note to it which twists my heart painfully. "Are you really going to let things with Caleb end the way they did?" The abrupt change in topic is almost like whip lash and I have to blink and get my bearings for a moment before I realize what was asked.

"Why wouldn't I? What's wrong with the way things ended?" I asked, looking back up towards Kim. Her and Keith exchange a look before she says,

"Well, they ended pretty bad. I mean, Caleb didn't really do anything wrong and you completely blew up at him."

"Didn't do anything wrong? He lied to me! Never, not once did he mention anything about moving to another country for university. A state is one thing. It's not that hard to see one another if the other party is in the same country, but flying overseas? That's in a whole other ball park. Plus, he didn't even tell me about it! I found out from his friends." Kim flinches at the anger in my voice.

"Yeah, but I don't think he was trying to hide it. I think he was just trying to figure our how to tell you." Keith said and I narrow my eyes at his tone of voice. He freezes up at my scrutiny.

"You knew. How long?" There's an annoyance in my voice and an underlying message that screams 'tell me the truth or be prepared for the consequences'.

"A few months-"

"Months?!" It's his turn to flinch at my tone before continuing.

"Yeah. He didn't want me to tell you so he could himself. Caleb just didn't know how to without making you upset." I stand up and curl my hands into fists.

"Upset?" I bark out a bitter laugh. "I'm way past upset. More like furious and hurt." There are tears in my voice and threatening to fall from my eyes. I look towards the sole window in my room that's also a little nook for lounging. Images of Caleb and I sitting there, hanging out, being together, laughing together fill my mind and I angrily wipe at my stinging eyes.

"Charlie." Kim cooed as she stands and pulls me into her comforting arms. I welcome the shoulder to lean on and hug her tightly back, burying my face into her neck. "Maybe you should talk to him. I really think it would be for the best." I look back at the window and see Caleb and I sitting there, me sitting between his legs, reading a book and him resting his chin on my head reading right along with me. The pain of his absence resounds clearly within me and it becomes difficult to breathe.

"I wonder about that."

***

The next day comes faster than I would have liked and I find myself in a large room with my fellow graduating class, all of us chattering with one another and putting our cap and gowns on over our clothing.

"It's alright Cameron. Hey, just keep your eyes on me, alright?" I look over to where Cameron and Sean stand towards the back corner of the room. Cameron is breathing heavily and I feel a pang of pity for her because I know she suffers from some bad panic attacks.

"I know, I just need to get it under control." She said, a determination in her voice that I've never heard from her. She looks up and smiles at Sean. "I know I can do this." Sean returns her smile and kisses her gently on the head.

"That's a my prodigy painter." Cameron blushes and I can't help but smile at the tender relationship between the two.

"Hey, you ready for this?" I jump, startled by the sudden appearance of Kim. There's a small amount of concern in her eyes for me. All the rest are nerves for herself.

At least I'm not the only one.

"Yeah, is it time?" Kim nods and I breathe in before releasing it slowly, steadying myself.

You can do this. It's just a simple introduction and then you can sit down.

"Alright, let's go."

***

I listen to the hushed murmurs of my graduating class standing behind me mixed with the conversation coming from the crowd. The stage before me is lit brightly with all the lights imaginable and I start to worry at wether or not I'll be blinded by them when I walk onto stage.

"Hey, don't worry. You've got this." I look back and smile when my eyes meet Lauren's. She returns my smile tenfold and reaches up to give my shoulder a quick, reassuring squeeze. "You'll be amazing no matter what." I nod and my eyes move past her to dark green ones that has my heart twisting painfully.

Caleb nods and I bite down on the inside of my cheek, willing myself not to cry at his reassurance. There's a smile in his eyes and I can see the silent cheer of encouragement coming from him. Underneath it, though, lies a pain that I know I caused.

I look away and towards the stage once more just as the music starts to play.

My cue.

I walk out on stage with my head held high and my back straight like I have a hundred and one times before. I'm the student council president. I'm the representation of my class right here and right now.

I can do this.

The voices in the audience come to a complete hush as I reach the center of the stage and turn out towards them. The lights are so bright I can barely make out any faces. Everything mostly looks like dark blobs.

"Welcome to the graduation of the Class of 2018. We thank you for taking time to come out and celebrate this joyous occasion with us." I pause and smile wildly before continuing. "It's been a long year and a tough journey getting to the point where we are today, but we've made it and it gives me great pleasure to introduce the Class of 2018 to you." At that my classmates start filing out from behind the current one at a time, each of them finding their seats. As soon as the last person sits I turn back to the audience. "Please welcome our Principle to the stage as well." The crowd claps and applause as the principle comes out to the stage.

"Thank you, Charlie, for the introduction." He said and I simply nod before walking to my seat. As soon as I sit down I feel like I can actually breathe.

"I knew you'd pull it off." I look back and smile at Keith.

"Nice one pres." Morgan said as she nudges me slightly, a toothy grin spread across her face. "You were totally awesome."

"Thanks."

"-as such it was very difficult to choose." My ears perk up at the principles speech. I look forward and start paying attention. "However, we did come to a decision and it gives me great joy to introduce to you our two valedictorians for this year." Two people stand at that and I look over.

"Oh no." I whispered as I watch Victoria and Trevor make their way down to the podium. "Of course it'd be both of them."

"This ought to be good." April said from in front of me. I notice a sly smile on her face.

It'll be something.

"Thank you all for coming out tonight." Victoria said and Trevor snorts.

"You mean today?"

Here we go.

I thought as I rest my head in my hands.

"Shush, Trevor, I'm speaking here." The crowd chuckles at their back and forth. Trevor seems spurred on by it and he nudges Victoria over so he can stand behind the podium as well.

"Hey, I'm part of this valedictorian half. Plus, I'm clearly the better of it, so let me speak up too." He clears his throat and starts, "We're very happy that you're all here today."

"I've already said that."

"No, you thanked them for being here. Not that you were happy. I want them to clearly know that we are happy because anyone would be thrown off by that permanent scowl miss pink."

"There's nothing wrong with pink!" Everyone laughs at that and even I catch myself chuckling.

"I'm so glad they're our valedictorians this year. They make this thing actually bearable." Mariah, the girl sitting to my right, said.

"So, anyway, as our amazing president said, it's been a long and hard journey getting to the point we're standing today." Trevor said, his voice serious now.

"We've all worked hard to achieve the things we have here and now. We've all worked hard to grab the opportunities that presented themselves along the way. Mostly, we've all worked hard to grow and become the people you see standing and sitting before you." Victoria said and I find myself sitting a little taller alongside my classmates.

"Some of us have had it harder than others while others have dealt with their own difficulties. We may have had our differences with one another throughout the long years that high school brought with it, but that doesn't change the now and that's the fact we stand up here together as one class for the last time." Trevor stops and Victoria picks up,

"A lot of us will be going our own ways after today. Some, to different states." My eyes find Kim sitting further down from me before I look back at Keith. "Other's will go to different countries." My eyes move to Caleb and instantly clash with his green ones. "As sad as it may be, it doesn't change the fact that we've spent these past few years together, overcoming hardships together." Trevor steps around the podium then and I don't think I've ever realized just how much of an adult he's become. Before, I only knew him as a brat who made more trouble for me as the student council president. Now, he actually resembles someone worthy of the title Valedictorian.

"Memories have been made. Relationships have been forged. And countless connections will never be forgotten." Trevor falls silent at that and the crowd remains silent for a moment more before bursting into applause. He turns on his heel and walks back to Victoria. They high five one another which elicits a huge cheer from our class and I smile proudly at them as they return to their seats.

The principle stands and returns to the podium.

"Those are our Valedictorians and I don't believe we could have chosen better. There's one more speech I'd like you all to listen to before we get on to the awards and scholarships. Please come forward." I raise an eyebrow, surprised by this.

It must be a last minute thing.

There's movement out of the corner of my eye and I look towards the female standing up.

"Hey, isn't that Annie?" Morgan asked beside me and a guy sitting behind us leans forward.

"That's not her name." His voice is bitter and I look over, my eyes meeting light green ones. They hold a note of contained anger in them.

"Oh, sorry Mikey. It's just reflex to call her that." Morgan said, worry in her voice.

"Then get a new reflex." He leans back in his seat at that and my eyes follow him back. He's no longer paying attention to us, but rather the girl standing behind the podium now. Her dark brown hair is pulled up into a braided bun and she stands tall, though I can see her nerves shining through.

Everything is silent for a long moment before her small voice fills the room.

"Some of you may know me as Annie and this may come as a shock, but that's not my name. My name is Charlotte. Not Annie. It may be hard to believe after all these years have passed. Even I find it difficult to remember that my name is Charlotte from time to time." She stops speaking for a moment and breathes in deeply, steading her nerves before continuing, "A lot of you probably know of my problem which is the reason I'm even called Annie in the first place." She barks out a bitter laugh at that. "You know, I feel like this speech is going all over the place. For the longest time I couldn't begin to imagine what I'd say when I got up here. It really gave me a lot of bad stress. Thankfully, I wasn't alone and some really amazing people helped me." She looks back at our class and her eyes find Emma before looking to Mikey. "Now that I'm up here, though," she continues as she turns back to the crowd. "I already know what to say."

"My name may not be Annie, but it is who I've become and it's someone I owe so many thanks to. Over these past few years high school has been nothing but a terrible place to me. I hated getting up and going to school knowing that I'd be called by some name that represents nothing but a terrible mistake. I hated having to bow my head and hurry through the halls with laughter following behind me and that, every time I ate something I found myself in the bathroom immediately after. I know that when I look back on these few years I'll feel depressed and angry at what happened. I also know, however, that when I look back on this year in particular that I'll feel great joy and happiness at the things I've experienced and the people I've met." Charlotte begins smiling and she stands a little taller, almost as if a great weight has finally been lifted from her shoulders.

"My name isn't Annie, but I do have the name and the pain and difficulties I've faced from it to thank for leading me to where I am today and for creating me into the person standing before you. This is the happiest and most content I've been in a very long time. So, yeah my name isn't Annie, but it is who I've become and it's the thing that's lead me to the amazing people and friends who I know will be by my side for a really long time to come." With that she breathes a sigh of relief and walks back to her spot. One by one my classmates and I stand and clap for her before the crowd finally comes from their daze and applauds as well.

"She's amazing. I couldn't imagine going through what she's been through." April said from in front of me and I nod, biting down painfully hard on my bottom lip. I've never spoken to Charlotte before, but I do know what she went through. Shame rolls over me for never having helped her through any of it and I bow my head as I sit back down and listen as the winners of awards and scholarships are called one by one.

***

The awards ceremony goes on for a long time and I actually find myself and a few others dozing through it. I'm pretty sure that if it weren't for my name being called for a few I seriously would have fallen asleep.

My class cheers when the principle finally announces that it's time for the diplomas to be given out. My classmates stand, one at a time and walk to the front of the stage to receive the things we've worked so hard for the last four years.

WhenI receive mine I blush as I listen to my parents screaming and cheering louder than anyone else in the crowd. Despite the embarrassment, though, I can't stop myself from smiling widely.

"-and that brings us to a close." The principle finally says after the last student takes a seat. I sigh in relief at the days event finally coming to a close. "Please, applaud with me one last time to our Class of 2018." Everyone does and we all stand up. Just as we do a loud and obnoxious sound starts throughout the room and I catch two people high fiving one another.

"Of course Amya and Anthony made a remix for us to walk out to." Corrine said as she leans towards April. "Well, it's better than that organ." I nod in agreement as I listen to the music. It's loud enough that I can feel it pulsating through my body and my smile only grows at the feel of it.

We walk off the stage in a straight line and all the way outside before organizing ourselves into a large circle. All of us smile to one another as we remember back on these past four years that we've spent together. I leave my spot in the circle and move to the center. All eyes instantly go to me.

"Does anyone have anything they'd like to share?" I asked and a hand instantly goes up.

"Can we just appreciate how amazing the school prank was this year?" A girl with long black hair said. There's a twinkle to her eyes and a tan on her skin that could only come from spending a lot of time at the beach.

"Mia's right. The prank was on point. All the teachers went ballistic! Who did it?" Kaley asked a wide grin spread over her features.

"If they told us they'd get in trouble." Claud said as she nudges Kaley who just rolls her eyes and waves the diploma in her face.

"No they won't. We're officially graduated and I really want to know who put all those gold fish in the toilets!" There's a whining note to her voice that has me laughing. One hand shoots up into the air before another one joins it along with a few more. I recognize exactly three of them.

Two of which are our Valedictorians.

"That brilliant idea was all mine." Victoria said, a haughty note to her voice.

"Though it would have stayed nothing but a brilliant idea without us." April said and Trevor nods.

"I was just a pretty face because, let's be honest, every group needs it, especially this one." Trevor said with a huge grin and Victoria nudges him.

"You're face would break a mirror with it's hideousness." Trevor looks down at her with a raised eyebrow.

"You weren't calling my face hideous last night." Our class 'oohhhs' at that like it's a magic trick.

"Nice dude." Noah said as he holds up his fist. Trevor taps his against it and they both smile.

"Noah!" Claud hissed as she lightly slaps his arm. He looks at her with all the innocences of a child and smiles.

"I'm sorry, babe, but I really can't keep with that ridiculous request of never letting anyone but you touch me. Seriously, I know you're the jealous type, but chill." Claud's face turns red and I'm pretty sure it's from a mixture of embarrassment and anger.

"I'm not jealous and I never made that ridiculous request." Noah looks all around before leaning in and saying in a stage whisper,

"Oh, sorry, I forgot it was a secret." Claud just rolls her eyes and places her head in her hands in defeat. Noah just smiles widely and puts his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his side and kissing the crown of her head. "I love you, babe." Her head whips up at the words and he barely avoids getting his chin hit by it.

"What did you just say?" She asked, her eyes wide. Noah just keeps his smile and shrugs.

"I guess I lost our little game." I smile at their relationship and the happiness that's emitting from the both of them right now. My eyes move elsewhere in the group and I find others conversing and reminiscing on the things that have happened.

"It's Charlotte, right?" I look towards where the question is being asked and find Charlotte, Mikey, Emma, Seth, Lee, and Caroline standing. Charlotte nods and I notice some worry in her eyes. Caroline breathes in deeply before holding out her hand. "I want to apologize. I've had a very bad image about you in my head for a long time even though I never really knew you. If it's okay, I would like to start over." Charlotte's eyes glisten at that and I watch as a few tears spill over. My heart squeeze in pain for her.

"Yeah, I would love that." She said and happily takes Caroline's hand. A hand comes down on my shoulder then just as someone says,

"Hey Charlie." I jump and turn at the voice. My stomach knots when my eyes clash with Caleb's. I breathe deeply, regaining control of my emotions as I fully turn towards him.

"Hey Caleb." Hurt flashes in his eyes at my cold tone.

"Please don't be angry at me. I never meant to hurt you, you've got to know that." I shrug off his hand.

"Never meant to hurt me? How could you not hurt me? We've been together for four years Caleb. Four. Then I find out you have this huge plan to go to school in another country? That you've already applied and been accepted and committed to it without even uttering so much as a word to me about it." My own tears seem to spill over, though there different from Charlotte's. Caleb sucks in air and I can see my pain reflected on his face.

"I'm sorry, Charlie. God I'm so sorry and I hate not having you with me. I want you with me. Even if it means that I stay here and give up that university." My mouth drops at that and my hurt quickly turns to anger.

"No! You can't do that are you insane?!" I'm pretty sure Caleb gets whiplash at my sudden mood change.

"What-"

"I hate that we're not together anymore, but I'd hate it more if we got back together and you didn't go after your goals in life. I would hate to be the reason that you don't do what you want." I look down and collect myself as I reach up and curl my hands into his graduation gown before look up into his eyes. "I love you Caleb and I want you to go." Caleb is in shock at the words I just spoke. Even I'm in shock at them and I have to swallow a lump that's formed in my throat just to even be able to breathe.

It feels like an eternity before he finally collects himself. When he does I yelp in surprise when his arms snake around my waist and pull me close. His head lowers and he says,

"I never thought I'd be happier then the last four years we spent together. Now, I realize that I'll never be happier than this moment." I can feel more tears spills over my cheeks at the tender and kind look in Caleb's dark green eyes. "Kiss me." I snort and wipe away a few tears as I say,

"Well, aren't you demanding?" He doesn't say anything and just lowers his lips to mine.

Our classmates roar out their approval with hoots and hollers. Some whistle loudly and others applaud. I just laugh as I pull away from Caleb and look around at the classmates I've come to know and love throughout these past few years, this last year in particular.

As I look around I notice three people that aren't actually a part of this class. A guy with similar black hair standing beside Mia and next to another guy who has his arm around Mariah's waist. There's also a girl with long, brown hair sitting in a wheel chair beside Chris.

I just smile at all of them because, even if I don't know their names, right now they still feel like an important part of this class.

"Are you ready?" Caleb whispered into my ear and I nod as I pull away from him and stand tall in the center of my high school family.

"This year has certainly been one to remember." I start and everyone around me hushes. "It's been one that has seemed like the longest year yet, but also the shortest. Right now, it's bittersweet knowing that this really will be the last time we're all gathered like this."

"Until we have our awesome reunion." Kaley spoke up and a few people call out their agreements.

"I call dibs on bringing the music!" Amya called out raising her hand high in the air.

"We're both doing music." Anthony said as he grabs onto her hand. She just glowers up at him before rolling her eyes and lowering her hand. I notice she doesn't let go of it, though.

"We've all been through a lot and we've made a lot of unforgettable memories so, right here, right now, let's make one more together." I reach up and take off my cap. Everyone else follows suit, all of us wearing similar smiles. "On the count of three. One," I start.

"Two," Caleb says with me and I look up into his eyes and smile.

"THREE!" We all yell and the sky above us becomes decorated in a memory we'll never forget.

And there you have it, Bookoholic's. The end. I've really enjoyed writing this short story collection and I really, really, really hope you've enjoyed it as well. This ending, I'm so happy with it I can barely express it. I feel like crying that my characters have all grown, it's almost like saying goodbye to my children or something. It honestly feels like I've been on one heck of an adventure and it's now coming to a close. Let me know in the comments if you feel the same. If you enjoyed hit that star button and vote. Until next time, Bookoholic's!