"One, two, three, now!"

Flying hats accompanied the end of the sentence, as well as a loud roar from my fellow cell - no, former cellmates.

That's right folks, that day in June was the day I finally got to wave goodbye to Brickleberry High forever.

The months leading up to it were pretty regular , in the sense that nothing over-the-top crazy happened during them. Maybe it's because unlike the months before them, I was preoccupied with completing assignments and reading for finals. Any free time I had left were mostly spent chilling alone or with Aimee, hanging out with Seth, or attending the occasional party. In a sense, I fell into a kind of routine.

However, it was one I was alright with it.

Seth thrust his arm around my shoulder, grinning. "Dude, can you believe it? We've graduated!"

I shrugged. "Good riddance."

"Aww stop fronting man, I know you secretly crying on the inside!"

"Yes, my heart bleeds because I'm leaving this school."

"Ahem."

I looked back, frowning when I saw Mr Prickleberry. "Mr Prickleberry? I'm surprised you of all people came to wish me goodbye."

The smile on his grew even more strained. "Purely a formality."

I gasped, placing my hand on my chest. "You mean you wouldn't miss me? I'm hurt!"

His right eye twitched, but he simply said, "Smile."

Before I could react, he grabbed my hand and locked it in his grip, turning and smiling at a camera. Once it went off, he let go off my hand and left without another word.

I rubbed my wrist, glaring at his back.

"Yo, Greene, Smith!"

I turned away from Prickleberry as Hans, Mitch, and a bunch of other people walked over to Seth and I. So began a long process of hugging people and uttering quick goodbyes (mind you, I never really interacted with a lot of those people).

Honestly, I was surprised when even Serena walked up to me. Our conversation went like this:

Serena: Take care, Angelo.

Me (extending a hand): Likewise.

Serena (hesitantly accepts the hand, then walks away).

Seth (mouth opening and closing like that of a fish out of water).

Once she was a few feet away, he exclaimed, "Dude, what the hell! Since when were you both on speaking terms?"

"That's what I'll like to know."

I turned back, smirking at Aimee. "We decided it will be best if we keep a civil relationship in public ever since we started screwing on the low."

Aimee rolled her eyes. "Trust me sweetie, you don't want to play with me like that."

Beside her, Nabila huffed. "Tell him girl!"

"Mhmm! Angelo, I better not catch you-" Aimee's eyes widened. "Holy shit."

"What?" I turned round, facing the direction she was looking towards.

My breath caught when I saw Annie and Tony approaching us.

They were both dressed formally. Annie's belly had gotten a lot bigger since the last time I had seen her - there was no hiding the fact that she was pregnant. She had gained weight as well, and her hair swept past her shoulders.

As they approached, Seth asked, "Who are they?"

I gave no reply. Slowly, a smile spread over my face.

Aimee replied, "Angelo's - Angelo's relatives. Um, could you both excuse us for a bit?"

Nabila nodded, tugging Seth away.

Once they'd reached us, Annie beamed and embraced me. "My little boy, graduating! Who'd have thought this day will come?"

I scoffed, returning her embrace. "It's good to see you again, Ann."

We remained like that for a few more seconds before she let go. Her lemony scent wafted into my nose as she drew back, sending tingles running all over my body.

Tony outstretched his hand to me. "It's good to see you again, Angelo."

I accepted his hand. "Likewise. Though I never expected that the next time I see you, you'll be engaged to Annie."

He chuckled. "I imagine so. I hope that's not a bad thing though?"

"I've had time to acclimatize to the idea."

That wasn't a lie. Although I'd ranted to Aimee after Annie had broken the news to me a few months earlier, I'd eventually come to the conclusion that Tony is a much better fit for Annie then anyone else I could think of.

Meanwhile, Annie hugged Aimee, who stiffly hugged her back.

She still hasn't fully forgiven her.

When they broke apart, Annie said, "Congratulations on graduating, you look beautiful."

"Thanks, and likewise. You're looking well." Aimee's eyes moved over to Annie's belly, her expression lightening as she did so.

Annie rubbed her belly. "Thank goodness. Pregnancy is certainly no smooth ride."

Tony sighed. "You can say that again."

Annie smacked his arm lightly. "You're not the one going through it!"

Tony rubbed his arm, grinning. "Well, not directly."

Wow, weirdly enough, I can see the love between them.

"Aimeeee!"

Before Aimee or I could check the source of the squeal, a tiny figure crashed into Aimee, holding onto the back of her legs.

Aimee turned around, her eyes lighting up when she saw Dylan's cousin, Liden. "Oh my god, hi!"

She opened up her arms to him, also beckoning at Haley who trailed a few feet behind him. They both rushed into her arms.

I faked a gasp. "No greetings for me? I'm hurt!"

Haley peeked over Aimee's shoulder and gave me a wave. However, Liden disentangled himself from Aimee and rushed over to me, throwing his tiny arms around me. Chuckling, I picked him up, embracing him.

"Where's Ian and Jeffrey?"

"Unfortunately, they're sick with the flu so they couldn't come," Miss Glaxes answered as she and Dylan neared us.

She'd fully recovered from the injury she'd suffered months earlier. In fact, she looked healthier than she once had (which a little monetary donation I'd given Dylan for her after she'd left the hospital may have helped with).

Smiling, I put Liden down and hugged her.

She chuckled. "Congrats on graduating, dear! Though I'm surprised you're not crying like Dylan-"

"Mom!"

"Thanks." Drawing back, I smirked at Dylan. "You were crying, eh?"

"Shut it, Smith!"

"Aww sweetie, no need to be embarrassed about it."

"Stop acting like that's not what you were hoping would happen when you told Angelo that."

Mrs Glaxes winked. "I confess to no such thing."

Dylan huffed. However, the corner of his lips tilted up a bit.

Annie cleared her throat, extending a hand to Miss Glaxes. "I don't - uh, we haven't met before so allow me to introduce myself. I'm Annie, Angelo's guard - former guardian."

Miss Glades beamed, taking her hand. "Really good to meet you! I'm Samantha Glaxes, Dylan's mother. By the way let me just congratulate you, not only on your pregnancy, but also for raising Angelo all these years."

Annie flushed, shakingly bowing her head. "Th- thank you."

I wouldn't want to be in her shoes right now.

Aimee's lips were tightly pressed as she watched the exchange.

"When are we going to eat? I'm hungry!"

Miss Glaxes tutted, removing her hand from Annie's and placing it on Liden's back. "Be patient, you'll eat soon enough. Just let Dylan say his goodbyes."

As if on cue, Dylan said, "Yeah. Um, so, congrats on graduating."

Aimee replied, "Likewise, although that sounded so awkward."

I nodded. "Right? Put some soul into it man!"

"I'll show you soul you fucking-"

"Dylan!"

Dylan glanced at his mum, then grumbled under his breath.

Just as I smirked, Annie pinched me on the arm. "How about you congratulate him as well or something?"

"I was coming to that, jeez!" I glared at her, then stuck out a hand to Dylan. "Take care. I can't say it's been great knowing you all through, but we had our moments."

"I second that." He pulled me forward, embracing me in a bro hug. I barely had time to process what had happened before he broke apart.

Aimee walked forward, wrapping her arms around him. "I think Angelo said it best."

"Y'all are a match made in heaven," he grumbled. Nevertheless, he hugged her back.

After a few more hugs from his relatives, we waved goodbye to all of them as they walked away.

I turned to Annie. "Wait, you said you're only given one month a year off, right? Does that mean you're taking it now?"

Annie glanced at Tony, then back at me. "Well no. We were allowed to come today without doing so because of... special circumstances."

I furrowed my brow. "OK? Mind sharing what they are?"

"Well... you see..."

Tiny wrapped his arm around Annie's waist, pulling her closer. "We're getting married in two weeks. We came here to officially invite you to the wedding."
.      .      .

So, Annie's finally getting her happily ever after... or is she?

(Jk, she is. Probably. Maybe. You'll see.)

What was your favorite part of this chapter? Let me know in the comments below, and please don't forget to vote on it!

Till next time !