The moment I spotted him in the crowd, I was in a dead sprint, wrapping my arms around his shoulders instantly. I pulled him against me and grinned up at him from where I stood. He smiled back softly at me, and after a brief pause, peeled my arms off of him. We were standing face to chest after that, a giant grin plastered on my face.

Killian rolled his eyes and smirked, "Stop being all girly and nice Mia...it doesn't suit you..."

"I didn't think you would be able to make it! I know you just started shadowing your father and all..."

"Well you only graduate high school once, plus you'd probably never forgive me if I missed this. I don't really feel like dealing with your sass."

"What is this sass you speak of?" I joked.

"That is literally the most unbelievable thing I've ever heard come out of your mouth."

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes, "So where is your father?"

"I don't know," Killian and I started to looked through the crowd to see if his father had followed, but neither him or my uncle were anywhere in sight, "They were right behind me..."

"Something probably came up...hey, we need a picture together!" Pulling out my phone from the pocket on my dress, I handed it over to the closest person and asked for them to take a picture of Killian and myself.

I skipped back towards him, and wrapped my arms around his waist. When the lady told us to both smile, I couldn't stop my grin. Even Killian managed to actually look happy when he smiled. We both looked at the camera on my phone, and smiled until she said she was done.

I immediately grabbed the phone back, viewed the pictures and then sent the best one to Killian in a text message."I sent the picture to you. Now you can always have a reminder of this bad ass chick!"

"Do you really think that I could forget about you of all people?"

"Good point-"

"There's the high school graduate!" A voice very similar to Killian's appeared behind us.

Killian and I followed the sound; his father, my aunt, and my uncle were all together, the three of them smiling proudly.

"I'm glad you were able to make it Lucian." I say sweetly as I let him pull me into a quick hug.

"Please...when was the last time I missed something you were involved in?"

"You've - and this includes my uncle - missed six swim meets, the play I had done in seventh grade, two volleyball tournaments, one-"

"Oh shut it brat!" My uncle hissed as he swatted the back of my head.

I grinned at him from a sideward glance and playfully shoved him away. Before I knew it, all of us were grinning and laughing. I couldn't stop myself from smiling even if I wanted to. It been such a long time since the five of us had been together for a joyous occasion.

Between the laughter, I felt a rumble in my stomach. I rubbed it twice to calm it down and asked, "So are we all ready to go? I am starving!"

Killian's almost flush against me when he leans in and whispers into my ear, "Fatty..."

"Look who's talking." I say as I step back and face him.

"Are you checking me out Mia?"

"I would go blind if I did that..."

"Why? Because I'm as hot as the sun?" He questioned. I rolled my eyes and mumbled something to myself about his ego. There was a look in his gaze that told me he'd over heard what I said, but I ignored him and instead headed towards the table in the back.

After we grabbed my diploma and returned my black robe, we walked to the cars and headed to a steak house that I had picked out just this morning. While my Uncle, my Aunt, and Lucian rode in their own vehicle together, Killian and I hopped in a separate car that followed closely behind theirs.

The car ride started off quiet, both of us focusing on everything outside of the car.

Originally I had planned for all of us to ride together, but I wanted some time alone with him before I left. It broke my heart to admit it, but there was a feeling in my gut that was telling me that everything was going to change. I didn't want that.

The car slowed at a red light, and then he broke the silence asking, "So what comes next?"

"Boot camp," I forced happily with a smile that isn't as pure as it once was, "I'm so excited!"

"Really now?"

"Oh yeah!" I beamed, "I don't think being away will be too bad. My hardest thing will be keeping my sass in check. You know how I can be..." I meet his gaze and drop my smile. There's a look in his eyes that doesn't match the smile on his face, "Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"You look...upset?"

"Of course not, " he smiled softly, "Why would I be?"

"Killian come on...I know that something is bothering you..."

"It's nothing."

"Then why are you practically strangling the steering wheel?" He drops his gaze onto his hands and instantly relax.

"It doesn't matter...today is not about me. I didn't just graduate high school...you did."

"Then smile."

"I am...?"

"No, I want a real smile!" I hissed. Killian started to answer, but stopped when we both noticed the restaurant off to our side. Killian pulled in quickly and was out of the car before I could continue pressing him on the way he was acting.

It felt as if there was a part of me that I was loosing. My voice was barely above a whisper when I called out to him, "Hey Killi?"

If anything could reach him, it was the nick name I always used on him. If I wasn't teasing him with it, it was serious. I knew he didn't like the name I'd chosen, but it always got my point across.

I knew it had worked when he paused and turned around to face me, worry in his eyes,"Yeah?"

I walk up to him, my eyes down casted,"Can you promise me something?"

"What's up?"

"When I leave, and you take over in Chicago..." I force my gaze back up, "I don't want you to disappear. We are both going to be super busy, and I know our new lives will pretty much always be on our minds, but promise me you won't forget about me? Promise that you'll always have room for the girl you grew up with?" I wanted to tell him the truth at that point, but I knew nothing would change.

An emotion I'd never seen him wear before flooded his eyes, and when he spoke his voice sounded pained, "Mia...I..."

"You...what?"

Please just tell me the words I need to hear Killian...

"I...I..." He choked. "Yeah...I promise."

His words almost broke me, and instead of using this chance to let him know what I really wanted, I forced the most realistic smile I could onto my face.

"Good. I don't feel like finding someone else to pick on. Too much work, especially since I already have you." I immediately turn around and head into the restaurant. I wanted a reason not to go, but now it seems clear that what I was feeling, was only a one way street.

***

My uncle rips me off of the security guard, his arms wrapped tightly around my torso as I thrash around.

I'm screaming at him, screaming at them all.

I can't think.

I can't breathe.

The room is spinning.

There's a burning sensation in my chest, my nose stinging painfully with every breath I take.

Images of fire and blood flash in and out of my vision.

I can see his smile, but not his eyes.

There's a pain in my heart that I'd never felt before.

I want it to stop.

I want it all to stop.

***

Well I finally updated! It's a slightly shorter chapter but I feel like I got my point across. Hopefully the next update will be within two weeks but no promises. Next week is finals and I am putting my grades first.

Enjoy the chapter everyone!!!