Graduation day was here and Tabitha had a rough morning. First her parents were being extra pushy about her going to college and were arguing with her. They wanted her to go to some school they were pushing her towards, but she didn't want to. She had planned on going to the same college EJ was going to. She even applied to the college that week and hoped she got in. She hadn't gotten back yet, EJ had already gotten back and got accepted to it. So she hoped she got in, but the way her parents were arguing and pressuring her was giving her an anxiety attack.

She knows her parents just want the best for her, but she also knows they would love it if she went to the same college they went to when they were her age. But she didn't want that, she wanted to go to a different college. Her and EJ already talked about the future and wanted to go to college together. And maybe after college or during college they could move in together.

It was almost time for graduation and EJ couldn't find Tabitha. "Guys!" He rushes over to their friends where they were standing and talking near the auditorium. "Have you seen Tabitha?"

"She's not with you?" Maeve asked with surprise.

"No. I'm not sure where she is. She was supposed to be here ten minutes ago. And we haven't talked at all today and it's bugging me." EJ rambled. He was getting really worried and couldn't get rid of this uneasy feeling.

"Calm down." Gina puts her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure she's fine. Maybe she's just late." She tried to reassure him.

"But what if she's not okay?" EJ worried, scanning the area for any sign of Tabitha. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at him.

"If something happened, I'm sure she would've called one of us." Seb spoke up, trying to calm EJ down as well.

"Yeah, and her parents are probably with her. She'll be fine." Maddox reassured him.

"Yeah, okay." EJ sighs, running a hand through his hair as he checked his phone again. He lost count of how many times he checked it. He was hoping Tabitha would at least text him or anything. But nothing, she was radio silent. And she would never miss a big event like this. She had been just as excited about graduation day as he was so he didn't understand why she would skip it. "I'm just gonna try to call her again." He dialed her number and brought his phone to his ear, hoping that she would pick up this time as he walked off to the side to take the call. As he did this, his friend's shared a concerned look.

"Where is she?" Gina wondered, her brow furrowed with worry.

"I don't know." Maeve frowns, chewing on her nails. She was trying not to freak out like EJ. Tabitha was probably just late, but she couldn't help but worry. She couldn't explain it but she felt an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. "She normally would tell us if she was going to be late, or if something came up." She was worried about her best friend and she didn't like it. She wouldn't stop pacing and chewing her nails anxiously.

Ricky stops her from pacing by putting his hands on her shoulders. "Maeve, calm down. I'm sure Tabitha is fine. We don't need both you and EJ freaking out."

"Easier said than done." Maeve mumbles, looking away from him. "This isn't like her." She continued biting her nails, causing Ricky to look at her with concern. He grabbed her hands and made her stop biting her nails.

"Hey, listen. I'm sure she's okay." He rubbed her arm soothingly, hoping he would get her to calm down. He was trying his best not to freak out. He was just as worried as the rest of them, but he knew he had to keep calm for Maeve and the others. "Maybe her phone died and she's on her way. I'm sure everything is fine." He pulls her in for a hug, which she immediately returned, clutching onto him tightly. "Everything will be okay." He whispered reassuringly.

"Okay." She took a deep breath and slowly calmed down. She was still worried, but Ricky managed to calm her down a little bit. She was glad that she had him, she wasn't sure how he did it, but he always managed to calm her down.

"I hope she's okay." Ashlyn sighed, biting her lip nervously.

"Me, too." Marc frowns, reaching over to intertwine his hand with his Gina, who looked just as nervous as the others. "I'm sure everything will be okay."

"Yeah, you're probably right." Gina tried to stay positive and reassure the others. She didn't want to admit it, but she was worried, too. She was starting to get an uneasy feeling and she didn't know why. She was trying her best to ignore it, but she was failing miserably.

"You don't sound very convinced." Marc pointed out, squeezing her hand comfortingly.

"I'm trying to be." She mumbles, leaning her head on his shoulder with a sigh. "But it's hard."

"I know, baby." He rubs her arm soothingly and leans over to kiss the side of her head. "We're all worried, but we just have to trust that everything will be okay." He wasn't sure he believed his own words, but he was trying to be strong for Gina.

"Let's split up," Ricky speaks up, now pulled away from Maeve after the hug but he had an arm around her shoulders to comfort her. She was still biting her nails anxiously, and Ricky would occasionally grab her hand to stop her. "We can look for Tabitha and ask if anyone's seen her."

"Good idea." Gina nodded, feeling a little better that they were at least trying to do something. She would've been pacing like EJ was, but Marc was holding her in his arms.

"Yeah, let's split up. It will be quicker." Kourtney agreed, and so did the others.

"Got anything?" Carlos asked EJ when he walked back over to the group, having given up on trying to call Tabitha.

"Nothing. This isn't good." He sighed, running a hand through his hair anxiously. He couldn't stop worrying, it was starting to drive him crazy. He kept thinking the worst, and he couldn't stop. He didn't like feeling this way.

"EJ, don't worry, we're gonna split up and look for her." Ricky assures him. "We'll find her, okay?"

"Okay, okay." He nods, trying to relax and focus on the fact that his friends were there to help him. He knew they would find her. "Thanks guys." He smiles weakly, trying not to worry. "I'm gonna check the bomb shelter, see if she's there."

"Good idea." Kourtney smiles, nodding in response. "We'll update you if we hear anything."

"Thank you." EJ gave her a grateful smile and headed off in the direction of the bomb shelter, hoping his girlfriend was there. He checked his phone again, frowning at seeing nothing. He bit his lower lip nervously as he got closer to the bomb shelter, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Tabitha?" He calls out, his eyes searching the empty bomb shelter for any sign of his girlfriend. When he didn't see her, his heart sunk, but he wasn't going to give up. He went to the dressing room, searching the whole bomb shelter for any sign of her, but she wasn't there. His heart sank more when he found the bomb shelter empty. His heart was racing and he didn't like this feeling. He took a deep breath, trying not to panic as he dialed her number. It rang a few times before her voicemail answered. He ended the call, trying not to freak out. He didn't understand, why was she missing? Where was she?

He sat down on the couch, putting his face in his hands and closed his eyes. He needed to take a breather. He couldn't panic, he needed to think. What would she do? Where would she go? His eyes snapped open and he looked up when he suddenly heard a faint sniffle. EJ's heart clenched as he heard the faint sound. His instincts kicked in, and he followed the direction of the noise, hoping desperately that it was Tabitha.

The closer he got to the sound, the clearer it became, and his heart broke at the sound. He followed the sound to the back way to the stage, and the sound was getting louder and louder. EJ pushed open the door to the back way of the stage, his heart breaking at the sight of his girlfriend sitting on the floor, curled up in a ball in the corner of the back stage area, hugging her knees and crying.

"Tabi?" He whispers, slowly approaching her. She didn't look up or answer, she just continued to cry. EJ's heart broke as he realized how upset she was, and his blood started to boil at whoever made his girlfriend so upset. He slowly knelt down next to her and reached out to place a hand on her back. She flinched and EJ quickly pulled his hand back.

"Hey, Tabi, it's just me. It's okay." He gently reassured her, trying not to spook her. She lifted her head to look at him, her face wet with tears. She was trembling, her breathing shaky and uneven. EJ could feel his anger rising and he wanted to beat whoever made her this upset. He was trying his best to remain calm.

"It's okay, baby. It's just me." He reaches out to cup her cheek and wipe away her tears. Her eyes filled with fresh tears, her lips quivering as she looked up at him. EJ's heart shattered, and he slowly pulled her into him, giving her time to pull away if she needed. But she didn't, and instead leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his lap and held her close.

"It's okay, honey. You're okay. You're safe." He whispers, rubbing her back comfortingly as she cried into his chest. He had no idea what happened, but he was determined to make it better. "I'm here, baby. I've got you." He pressed a gentle kiss to her head, holding her tightly. He was relieved he found her, but he was also worried and upset about what had happened to her. He grabbed his phone as he continued to hold Tabitha and texted the others to let them know he found her and to meet him backstage.

He then focused all his attention back on his girlfriend, who was still shaking and sobbing into his chest. "Baby, it's okay." He whispers, rubbing her back gently. "What happened? Are you hurt?" He asked, his voice full of concern. Tabitha shook her head, but she didn't say anything, she just continued to cry. EJ could feel her trembling against him, and his heart broke even more. He had never seen her so upset. "You're okay, sweetheart. You're safe." He murmurs, rocking her gently. "I'm here, Tabi. I'm here. I love you." He repeated the words, hoping they would comfort her. He didn't know what else to say. He was completely clueless as to what happened and what was going on.

She must have been through something really traumatic to be this upset, EJ thought. He held her close, offering comfort and support as she cried in his arms. Graduation day was supposed to be a joyful occasion, but for Tabitha, it had turned into a nightmare. The only good thing that came out of the whole ordeal was her boyfriend being there to comfort her. EJ stayed with her, holding her and whispering comforting words until the others found them.

When they did, EJ gave them a look that clearly said, 'Not now'. So they nodded and left. They were glad EJ had found her and would make sure she was okay. As for EJ, he would make sure to stay by her side and be there for her, no matter what. He loved her and would do anything for her.

Eventually, her tears ran dry, and her sobs turned into sniffles. She felt completely drained and exhausted, but she didn't want to leave the comfort of her boyfriend's embrace.

"Do you want to talk about it?" EJ asks gently, rubbing her back soothingly. She didn't answer, she just shook her head, burying her face in his chest. "That's okay." He murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to her head. "I'm here, whenever you're ready." He whispered, rubbing her back.

He held her, letting her know he was there and that he wasn't going anywhere. They stayed like that for a while, him holding her and comforting her. When she eventually pulled away, she wiped her face, her eyes red and puffy. EJ gave her a sympathetic smile, reaching up to gently wipe the rest of the tears away.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. She nods, biting her lower lip and looked away from him. EJ could tell she was still upset, and he didn't blame her. Whatever happened was obviously upsetting her. He reached out to cup her cheek, gently turning her head so she was looking at him. "Hey, you can talk to me. I'm here, Tabi. You can tell me anything." He reassured her, his voice soft and gentle.

Tabitha took a deep breath, wiping her eyes. She was still trembling a bit, but she managed to gather her thoughts.

"I-I'm okay." She says, her voice shaky. "Eej, I-I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to worry you." She apologizes, looking up at him with guilt in her eyes. "Or the others...I-I didn't mean to be late and cause all this fuss."

EJ shakes his head, his expression filled with understanding. "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to apologize. We were all worried about you because we care about you. What matters is that you're here now, and you're safe." He paused, his gaze softening as he looked into her eyes. "But if you're ready to talk about what happened, I'm here to listen. You don't have to go through this alone."

Tabitha took another deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over her knowing that EJ was there to support her. She knew she could trust him with anything, and she needed to confide in him about what had transpired that morning.

"It's my parents," She began, her voice trembling slightly. "They...They want me to go to a college that I don't want to attend. They've been pressuring me for weeks, but today...Today it just got to be too much." Tears welled up in her eyes again as she recalled the heated argument with her parents earlier that morning. "I-I know that's such a stupid reason, but... I just couldn't handle it anymore. I didn't want to go to graduation, I didn't want to face my parents. I was just so overwhelmed and upset, and I-I didn't know what else to do. So, I left. I just needed to get out of the house. I'm so sorry, Eej. I-I didn't mean to make everyone worry, I just..." She trailed off, her shoulders slumping as she bowed her head in shame. She didn't know what else to say, so she just sat there, tears silently falling down her cheeks.

EJ's heart broke as he listened to his girlfriend, and he reached out to gently wipe away her tears. He knew how difficult her relationship with her parents could be, and he felt awful for not realizing it sooner.

"Hey, Tabitha, it's okay." He speaks softly, his tone full of sympathy. "You don't have to apologize. I'm just glad you're okay. And you shouldn't have to deal with that, not alone." He pauses, his eyes searching hers. "Can you please tell me what happened? Did they hurt you?" He asked, his jaw tightening at the thought of her parents hurting her.

"No, no, nothing like that." Tabitha shakes her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "They just...We got into a fight, and I couldn't handle it. So, I just left." She sniffles, wiping her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Eej. I should've handled it better. I-I didn't know what else to do, I just...I had to get out of there. I should've called you, or someone, but I was just so overwhelmed, and-"

"Tabitha, stop." EJ interrupts, his voice firm but gentle. "You have nothing to apologize for. I understand. It's okay." He reached out to take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "And you're not alone. You have me, and your friends. You're not alone, Tabi."

Tabitha nodded, her eyes filling with fresh tears. She squeezed his hand, feeling a sense of relief and comfort wash over her at his words. She wasn't alone. She had her friends, and she had her boyfriend. She would be okay.

"Thank you, Eej." She whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're the best. I don't know what I'd do without you." She rested her head on his shoulder, seeking solace in his embrace.

EJ wraps his arms around her, holding her close. "You don't have to thank me, Tabi. I'll always be here for you, no matter what. I love you." He presses a kiss to her forehead, his heart full of love and concern for her. "We should probably go back and join the others. Graduation will be starting soon." He pauses before adding, "That is, if you're up to it. We can stay here as long as you need, or we can just leave. It's your call. Totally down for skipping." He paused, wanting to give Tabitha the space to make a decision.

Tabitha took a moment to collect herself, feeling grateful for EJ's understanding and support. She knew she couldn't hide away forever, and she didn't want to miss out on her graduation, despite the rough start to the day. She wanted to celebrate this accomplishment with her friends and her boyfriend, and she didn't want to miss the ceremony.

Tabitha took a deep breath, her resolve firming up as she lifted her head from EJ's shoulder. She looked into his eyes, finding strength in his unwavering support. "I think I'm ready." She whispers, a hint of a smile appearing on her face. "I want to graduate with you and our friends."

EJ smiles fondly, his heart full of pride for his girlfriend. "I'm so proud of you, Tabi. I know today was rough, but you're stronger than you know. I believe in you." He squeezes her hand, standing up and helping her stand. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Tabitha replies, her smile growing a bit bigger. She reaches out and grabs her boyfriend's hand, lacing her fingers through his. "Thanks for being here for me, Eej. I couldn't do this without you." She admitted, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Always, Tabi. You're stuck with me." EJ grins, his heart swelling with love for his girlfriend. "Come on, let's go get this graduation over with." He leans over to kiss the top of her head, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "And when it's over, we can celebrate with the others or we can have a date night, just the two of us. Your choice. I'm all yours, Tabi." He said, offering her a warm smile.

Tabitha's heart swelled with love for EJ as she looked up at him, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over her. Despite the rough start to the day, she knew that having EJ by her side made everything better. She leaned up to press a soft kiss to his lips, feeling a rush of affection for him. Her hands moved up to cup his cheeks, her fingers gently stroking his skin. He smiled into the kiss, one hand resting on her hip and the other gently cupping the back of her neck. He held her close, wanting her to know how much he loved and supported her.

After a few moments, they pulled apart, and Tabitha looks up at her boyfriend with a smile. "Let's go." She said, her voice full of confidence and determination. "I'm ready."

EJ smiles fondly, his heart overflowing with love for his girlfriend. He was so proud of her and how far she had come. He knew the next step would be figuring out what she wanted to do after graduation, but for now, he was just happy to be by her side. He nods, leaning in and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Alright, angel. Let's go." He squeezes her hand, his heart racing in anticipation of their future together. "Let's fix your makeup and then we'll meet the others."

Tabitha smiles, her heart soaring at the promise of a future with her boyfriend. "Let's do it."

Together, the couple heads backstage, their hands intertwined. Tabitha was grateful for her boyfriend and his unwavering support and love. He had been there for her through the good and the bad, and she knew that no matter what came their way, they would face it together. She was so lucky to have him by her side, and she couldn't imagine her life without him. She couldn't wait to see what the future had in store for them, but as long as he was by her side, she knew she could handle anything.

The two headed backstage, and after fixing Tabitha's makeup, the couple rejoined the others. They were all relieved to see Tabitha was alright and not hurt. Maeve practically tackled her friend with a hug, and the rest of the group followed suit, embracing their friend and reassuring her that they were there for her. Tabitha felt bad for causing a scene, but she was grateful for her friends and their support. They had her back, and that was all that mattered.

After a few minutes, the ceremony began. The group was seated together, and they watched as their fellow classmates crossed the stage and received their diplomas. The ceremony went smoothly, and everyone cheered when the graduates threw their caps into the air. It was a bittersweet moment, and Tabitha knew that this was the end of an era. But she also knew that she had the support of her friends and her boyfriend, and that made all the difference.

Afterward, they went out to celebrate at Slices. The gang had a blast, laughing, eating, and taking pictures together. Tabitha was surrounded by her friends, and she felt a sense of joy and contentment. She knew that the road ahead would be difficult and uncertain, but she also knew that she had the support of the people who mattered most to her. And that was enough.

She eventually talked with her parents and was able to make amends, explaining her feelings and how much pressure they had been putting on her. She was glad they were willing to listen, and she felt better after their conversation. She still had a lot to figure out, but for now, she was just happy to be celebrating with her friends and her boyfriend.

Later, Tabitha and EJ were cuddling in his room at his house. They had their own graduation celebration, which was a mixture of pizza, kisses, and a whole lot of love. EJ was beyond proud of his girlfriend, and he was grateful to be a part of her life. He knew things wouldn't always be easy, but he was confident that as long as they had each other, they could handle anything. He knew the future would be bright for them, and he couldn't wait to see where it took them.

Tabitha was laid back in EJ's arms, feeling content and at peace. She had a lot of decisions to make, but for now, she was just going to enjoy the moment. She snuggled into her boyfriend, feeling a rush of affection for him. They had been through so much together, and they had only grown closer and stronger because of it. She couldn't imagine her life without him, and she was thankful for his presence in her life.

As they lay together, their bodies intertwined, Tabitha looked up at her boyfriend with a fond expression feeling grateful for the love and support he had shown her throughout the day. She reached up to gently caress his cheek, her eyes filled with warmth and adoration

."Thank you, Eej," She whispers softly, her voice filled with emotion. "For everything today. I don't know what I would've done without you."

He leans into her touch, his gaze never leaving hers. He presses a tender kiss to her palm, his heart filled with love and admiration for his girlfriend. "You don't have to thank me, Tabi. I'll always be here for you, no matter what. I love you."

Tabitha smiles softly as her heart flutters. "I love you too, Eej."As she snuggles into him, feeling safe and content in his arms, she knows that no matter what the future brings, they'll face it together. And that's all that matters. 

A/N tabitha & ej are so so adorable, i love them a lot !! while this book is now complete, this won't be the last you will read about them ! i'm planning on making a fic focusing more on maeve for season 4 but of course tabitha & ej will be mentioned a lot !!