Sebastian nods, impish grin on his face.  "Yes, Love.  I'm Dalton's valedictorian this year."

It takes me some time to process his words.  Not that I'm doubting Sebastian's intellect, he has to be absolutely brilliant to come up with his comebacks so quickly.  But I know he juggles so many things at once.  The Warblers, Lacrosse, and well this tumultuous relationship with me.  I'm super proud of him though, he is a man of many talents.

And he's mine...

For now he's yours, Shannon.  For now.  You know you are leaving for California soon.  Leaving him behind.  He'll move on, find someone new in New York.  You guys were never meant to be together anyway.  Remember he IS bisexual, and way more experienced than you are with guys.  Its inevitable.  You need to just let him go now.  Better to end things now, protect your heart.  If you are meant to be together you'll find each other again.  How do you know that Hunter isn't really the guy for you?  I mean you found him again after all these years...

I blink, finally registering the world around me again.  Shaking myself out of my thoughts.  My self doubt is coming back in full force.  I thought I was over all this, but now I feel like the same insecure girl I was when I left Pittsburgh.

I love Sebastian.

I love Sebastian so much that it hurts.  With my entire being, heart and soul.  But there is no way I'm ready to sign up for a forever right now.  I'm just getting ready to start my life, moving to a new city, a whole new state soon.  Starting over again.

Just thinking about all of this makes my head hurt...

By this time, Hunter, Jeff and Nick have left.  Only Sebastian remains, holding my hand in his own gently.  He reaches up to stroke my cheek with his free hand, fingers trailing down my face, raising my chin so that I can look into his eyes.  His beautiful, vibrant, piercing green eyes.  "I'm so proud of you. Of all your accomplishments, My Love."  His smile is so infectious that I find myself smiling in return, slight blush beginning to tinge my cheeks.

"Sebby, I love you so much.  You know that, right??"

He nods.  But before he can reply we are rejoined by Blaine, Kurt, and Puck.  Rachel and Finn are close behind them, still wrapped up in their own little world.

I'm wondering to myself if she is having as many doubts with her relationship as I am right now.  Because I know Finn is staying in Ohio, set to attend Ohio State.  Trying to get a walk-on tryout for their football team or something like that.  Looking into a marketing or communications major.  And Rachel, well she is heading like so many of my friends to New York City.  She gets to be with Kurt.  With Blaine.  Most importantly in the same city as Sebastian, my Sebastian.

It all makes me sad, because I could have chosen Columbia, four years in the same city with him.  Sharing that penthouse apartment his parents got for him.  Our big, white wedding.  And tons of practice at those making those babies we waxed on and on about.

But instead I chose California.  Trying my hand in the entertainment business, halfway across the country from the man I had come to picture my entire future with.  For what?  Just a shot at something new, something exciting.  Something I may not even be able to achieve.  And a tall, strong, handsome, playful green eyed boy from my past...

I'm spacing out again, moving on autopilot.  By now, I'm seated with my friends, scattered in multiple booths at Breadstix.  Sebastian, Blaine, Finn and Puck are discussing sports.  They are still surprised to hear that he is to be Dalton's valedictorian at their graduation ceremony tomorrow.  He defies all sorts of conventions, being popular, a dancer, a singer, an athlete, a scholar and quite frankly sexy as hell.

I must be zoning out again because I jump slightly when a hand is placed on top of the one I have resting on the table.  I refocus my eyes to see Rachel and Kurt smiling at me, blinking once, twice.  I finally notice that they seem to be waiting for my answer on something.  "What was that again??"  Kurt rolls his eyes at me.

Rachel gives him a dirty look and then smiles at me again.  "We were wondering when you were leaving for California.  So that we can get some summer parties and fun in before we all move away."

I sigh, swirling my straw around in my glass.  Sebastian pauses in his conversation to throw his arm around my shoulder, pulling me towards him in a side hug.  Quick kiss placed in my hair.  And then he goes back to talking to the boys.  My gaze resettles on Rachel and Kurt.  "Um...  I'm not really sure yet.  Sebby and I were going to road trip, spend some time together out there before school starts."

Kurt rest his elbows on the table, sneaking a quick glance at Sebastian seated beside me.  He tents his fingers in front of him and looks into my eyes, like his blue eyes are trying to probe my soul.  Rachel whispers to him just ask her. He gives a swift nod, seemingly making his mind up.  His voice is soft, as if trying to stay unnoticed by the four other boys at the table.  "Are you guys getting married before college starts then?  Out there?? Or here?"

I'm biting my lip. Eyes flitting around the table. I feel like everyone is listening in, even the boys that are supposedly talking about sports.

"Maybe. We discussed it but we'll see once we're out there."

I'm distracted the rest of the way through dinner.  Sebastian has to make it a relatively early night, Dalton's graduation ceremony starts promptly at noon.  And he needs to be ready, prepped with his speech and everything.  So not long after dessert I find myself standing with him in the parking lot saying our goodbyes.

He reaches to gently brush my hair behind my ear.  His hand coming to cup my cheek, thumb brushing softly against my cheekbone.  I lean into his touch as he begins to speak.  "Princess, you looked absolutely breathtaking today.  And I'm not just saying that.  You've made my senior year better than I ever could have imagined it would be.  You're staying over tomorrow night, right? The Warblers are throwing this epic party on Monday maybe even spreading over into Tuesday, who knows honestly. Our farewell concert is that morning as well."

My eyes meet his. Sea green. Full of love, hope. I can't help the smile that materializes on my face. Or the contented sigh I give off. He is just so beautiful, I swear.

I'm taking too long. He trails his fingers down the side of my cheek. Eyebrow raised. Small smirk already appearing on that flawless face of his. "What was that Pretty Girl?? I can't quite hear you." I'm blushing. His words bringing so many memories to the forefront of my mind.

"Of course Sebastian. I would be a fool to pass up any time with you."

We say goodbye, for now.  Both leaving for our own cars after a rather extensive make out session in the parking lot.  I have to fight all of my urges, my instincts just to let him leave me for the evening.  I don't know how I am possibly going to be able to let him go once we get to California.

Sleep comes, but not instantly when I return home.  It takes some warm milk, meditation and time spent with my favorite classic American novel, John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath'.  I'm a nerd at heart, what can I say?

But I am up like a shot the moment my alarm goes off in the morning.  I've officially graduated high school.  This is my first morning as a high school graduate.   And I'm going today to watch my boyfriend, my friends and most importantly my fiancé do the same.

This is major.

THIS.  This is growing up.  Almost as angsty as Blink 182 made it out to be.

I shower quickly and get dressed in the outfit I picked just for this occasion. I'm packing an overnight bag, some things for at least a few days if need be, when there is a knock on my door. A voice filters through. "Belle, are you ready? Did you want me to drive with you??"

I cross the room to unlock my door, opening it with a smile as I pull Blaine into the room. "Blainey, I'm just about ready. But I need you to tell me if you think I look okay." I do a little spin as he checks out my dress.

He tries to hide it but I can distinctly make out the smile on his face. "Channeling Dalton colors I see." I giggle, turning back to face him as I gather up my bag. "Aladdin, I couldn't help myself. And apparently neither could you." I cross to him and straighten out his navy and red Dalton inspired bow tie, the one I got him for Christmas. He just shrugs and links arms with me as we leave the house, heading for Westerville.

It is a picture perfect day. Dalton is holding their graduation ceremony outside and for once the Ohio weather is cooperating marvelously. Blaine and I file into a pair of open seats. I can see Sebastian's parents sitting across the way. Not even two rows behind them I spot a couple that must be Hunter's parents, a blond woman and a man in military uniform. Although I could be mistaken.

I'm shaken out of my thoughts as students begin to file in. Handsome boys in navy caps and gowns. They take their seats as the Dean of Students starts giving some sort of speech. I zone out for a while. Until he says those magic words.

"This year's valedictorian is not only an exemplary student but a leader in both the arts and athletics here at Dalton. Someone who made his mark in just three short years here. Mr Sebastian Smythe."

I'm holding my breath as Sebastian rises from his seat, walking on to the stage, up to the podium. He looks like an international male model in his graduation robe. I honestly don't know how he does it. How he manages to be so devastatingly handsome.

His vibrant green eyes scan the crowd as he settles behind the podium, organizing his note cards. And then they land on me. The cocky, confident Sebastian is there in full force as he winks at me before he opens his mouth to speak.