A/N Trigger Warning: There are mentions of SA in the chapter. It's not graphic, it ends before he can actually do what he intended, and she's handles it like a bad ass, but I completely understand if you need to skip. I will bolden the part the scene begins at. 

Matt

It came as little surprise when I spotted her weaving her way through the crowd, headed straight towards me. It's Graduation Day. How can she not say goodbye?

In her hands, she held a massive bouquet of pink roses. Of course. With as well loved as she is, she's probably already been showered with cards, flowers, and balloons.

When we neared each other, we both stopped short as our eyes locked. My mind flashed back to the very first day I had met her, and it was now evident how much she had grown into a woman. She was stunning and would no doubt capture the hearts of at least a dozen more men before she chose the guy that was meant for her.

She was the one that closed the gap between us, taking the last few steps in my direction. "Hey, you," she said, lightly punching me on the arm.

I gave her a gentle nudge back. "We meet again. And once more, I must offer you my congratulations."

She laughed. "Right back at you. You graduated too; you know."

"I mean was there ever any doubt?" We both chuckled, knowing that there had been a significant amount of uncertainty.

Lowering her gaze, she shuffled her heels on the grass as she spoke. "I'm going to miss you a lot, Matt. I know this may come as a shock to you, but you're the best guy friend that I've ever had."

The sorrow written on her face drove a dagger through my heart. I had been so wrapped up in my own misery that I hadn't stopped to think that perhaps she was experiencing a loss as well. I tilted her chin up so that she was looking at me. "Addie, you're the first true friend I ever had. I honestly don't think I would have survived high school without you. "

Taking a deep breath, I glanced away so that she couldn't see the tears that threatened to spill over. Pull it together, Matt. Do you really want your classmate's final memory of you to be you bawling your eyes out? I cleared my throat. "When I hated myself, you were the only one there to remind me that I was worth something. I can't thank you enough for that."

A sob escaped her throat as she tossed her roses to the ground and flung her arms around me, squeezing me so tightly I could barely breathe. "I'll always love you no matter what happens. You ever need me, just call me and I promise I'll be there for you in a heartbeat."

As I held her, I breathed in the lavender scent of her hair. I wanted to memorize every detail about the friend that I would never see again. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

She pulled back to study me, questions in her eyes. "For what? For teasing me about my clothes all these years? It's okay," she continued, smiling. "I know that it comes from a place of jealousy since you aren't comfortable enough in your masculinity to rock the sparkles that I know you so dream of wearing."

Chuckling, I pinched her cheek. "While I do deeply apologize that everyone allowed you to go eighteen years without pointing out how ridiculous you look, I do also want to say I'm sorry for freezing you out."

A dark cloud quickly chased away the light that had been on her face only moments ago. "I understand," she replied, nodding. "You had to do what was best for you."

She leaned in for another squeeze. "I hope you find the love that you're searching for. Don't ever settle for someone that doesn't cherish the hell out of you. You're amazing, Matt. Remember that."

I scoffed. As if that's ever going to happen. When I had met Vanessa, and discovered all that we had shared in common, I assumed she was going to be the one that offered me everything I had always dreamt of.

She checked off every single item on my romance wish list. Except for the one that mattered the most. I longed for somebody who wasn't afraid to love me back.

Addison pressed her palm against my cheek, breaking me out of my reverie. "Goodbye, Matthew Jones." And with that, she disappeared amongst the crowd.

My gaze dropped to the bouquet she had left behind. Picking it up, I fingered the silky petals. Today marked the end of high school and everything that had come along with it, but that didn't mean my life was over.

My story would continue. It was the start of a fresh chapter and the beginnings of a new me.

Graduation Night

Vanessa

Bodies were crammed together in almost every room of Tina's sprawling home. The music was thumping and rattling the windows as the stench of perspiration hung in the stifling air. Sweat formed on my brow and my cheeks felt flushed.

Setting my empty red cup on the nearest surface, I nudged my way through the guests until I reached the sliding glass doors. I inhaled the crisp cool air as I stepped out onto the patio, moving towards the edge of the pool and dangling my bare feet in the water. The liquid felt refreshing on my toes, and I wiggled them, creating small ripples around them.

I was enjoying the soft breeze that rustled through the trees when the sound of footsteps approached from behind me. "Hey, cutie," Devin murmured, kissing me on the cheek. As he sat down on the concrete, he eyed me. "That's a sexy dress you have on."

Shrugging, I pulled my hair back into a short ponytail to get it off my damp neck. "Thanks, but it's nothing special." I was wearing a black, strapless piece that was layered with ruffles and cut off just above the knee. I found it stuffed in the back of my closet and thought it would be the perfect attire for a balmy summer night.

Devin gazed out at the pool, the water glistening in the moonlight. "It looks enticing, doesn't it?" He grinned at me broadly. "What do you say we go for a swim?"

"With what bathing suit?" I laughed.

"We don't need one. We can go in au natural."

I smirked. "Oh yea, right. Keep dreaming. Do you see this crowd? The last thing I need is for Alex Banks to witness me diving topless into a pool. He'll never leave me alone after that."

"Aw, come on," he encouraged, nudging me with his shoulder. "It's Graduation night. Have a little fun, Nessa."

Giving him a sharp look, I spat out, "I am having fun."

He held up his palms. "Okay, okay, it was just a suggestion. There's no need for you to get all hormonal on me." He stared up at the sky. "It must be that time of the month," he muttered.

I glared at him but didn't say anything further. I don't feel like having an argument tonight. I just want to enjoy myself.

Leaning over, Devin began to massage my shoulders. "I have a surprise for you," he whispered into my ear.

Oh great, another one. Every time he made that announcement, I either ended up mad or embarrassed.

Standing up, he held his palm out to me. "It's this way. Follow me." He nodded in the direction of the house.

There wasn't a single part of me that was in the mood to go with him anywhere, but nevertheless, I still let him lead me up the stairs and into a dark bedroom on the second floor. It was deserted and led out onto a balcony that overlooked the pool.

Rage instantly boiled my blood as I whirled around to face him. "Devin! How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not ready to make love?"

Looking as though he had been slapped, he dug his hand into his pocket before pulling out a black velvet box and tossing it on the bed. "The surprise was this," he responded, his tone icy. "Happy Graduation."

"Oh." The tips of my ears were on fire as I picked up the small rectangle. "I'm sorry. I saw the empty room and I just assumed..." Flipping up the top of the gift box, I gasped at the diamond tennis bracelet sparkling in the dim light of the moon. "Devin...I don't know what to say. This is very generous of you."

"Then don't say anything." He inched in closer, planting a deep kiss on my mouth. "There are other ways to thank me," he murmured.

He moved across the room to open the balcony doors, letting the sweet scent of summer drift inside. One side of his face was shrouded in darkness as he beamed at me widely. "Come here," he whispered, pulling me to him.

From below, I could hear the faint sound of music wafting up. He grasped my hands as we began to sway back and forth in time to the beat. Resting my head on his shoulder, the spicy scent of his cologne tickled my nostrils.

He leaned in to give me another kiss that set my insides on fire. Continuing the lip lock, he guided me towards the mattress. We fell backwards onto the pillows, and I allowed my fingers to trace the outline of his muscular body.

His breathing ragged, he pulled away. "Nessa," he began, looking me in the eye and tucking a loose tendril behind my ear. "I want tonight to be the night."

I inhaled sharply. "Devin...I don't think..."

He placed his palm on my thigh, slowly moving it upwards until it was underneath my dress. I nudged it away. "...I don't want to do this," I finished.

"Just relax," he whispered. He continued to trail his hand up until he reached my panties, slipping them off.

I sat up. "Devin, slow down. This is way too fast."

He nudged me back against the pillows, a little more forcefully this time. "Shh. You complain too much." Placing his touch back on my body, he gave me another peck on the mouth.

I pushed him away. "Come on, Devin. It's not funny. Knock it off." But he just ignored me as he continued with what he was doing.

"Devin," I shouted. "I said stop!"

Sighing, he looked at me with disgust. "If I knew you were going to be this much of a tease, I would have never asked you out." Shaking his head, he tugged at the hem of my dress to pull it over my head.

"Get off of me, you asshole!" I shouted, giving him a swift kick in the groin.

He doubled over in pain as he gasped for air. "What...the...fuck..." he wheezed out in between staggering breaths. Glaring up at me, anger flashed in his cold blue eyes.

"I said NO!!" I screamed, reinforcing my decision and giving him a forceful shove.

Using his strength, he pinned my arms to the mattress. "Why are you making this so damn difficult, you bitch," he muttered through gritted teeth.

"Please stop," I begged him, tears beginning to fall down my cheeks.

Squirming beneath him, I closed my eyes at the sound of him yanking at the zipper on his jeans. Terrified, I knew there was nothing I could do except wait for it to be over with.

But before he could take it any further, the door banged open, and I knew I had been saved.