Her alarm woke her up for the last time. She stretched and sat up with a smile. She bounded out of bed and hopped into the shower. She shaved her legs and armpits and washed her hair twice just to make sure it would shine brightly. You never know when someone is going to ask or sneak a picture with you or of you. Getting out of the shower, she wrapped a towel around herself and went to her closet. She roamed her eyes over her clothes and wrinkled her nose at them as she didn't like a single thing she owned anymore. She wanted a new wardrobe but not having a job made it impossible to buy new clothes. Well not too impossible because she could always ask her parents, but she had always felt too guilty asking because it wasn't her hard earned money.

Taylor pulled out a teal colored dress that went to her knees, it was a bit low cut with five blck buttons down the chest. She pulled on some black spandex shorts just in case she forgot that she needed to sit lady like. Wrapping her hair in the towel, she took off her chipped white colored nail polish and put a fresh coat of black, her favorite color to do on her nails especially when they grew long. Becca simply did not like black nails but she never once gave an explanation why so Taylor continued to do so. After putting on a second coat, she put on a top clear coat to make them shiny and last longer. A knock sounded on her door

"Come in." The door opened and through the mirror she saw her mom in her yellow silk two piece pajama set with her bathroom on but not tied. Her hair was a mess but even so she was just as beautiful and Taylor knew she didn't have to worry about getting old because she would have her mothers features.

"Hi honey." Becca said with a small smile as she sat on the bed.

"Hi mom, What's up?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to hang with you."

Oh mamma, I'm not going anywhere yet." Taylor said, grabbing her mothers hand. Becca squeezed her hand twice.

"I know. I'm just not ready to give you up yet. I know you're going to be home for awhile before you go to college but of those few weeks your going to be gone ten of those."

"Well when I get home, I promise we will hang out. And you will help me move to Wisconsin so we will get to hang out then." Becca sighed and patted her hand.

"You're right. Now finish up, we've got breakfast ready." Becca rose and kissed Taylor's head then left. Taylor took off her towel and swished her hair around, then she fluffed it a bit to allow her natural curls to set. After pulling on some black two inch block heels she went downstairs to find her spot filled with gifts and a heaping plate of chocolate chip pancakes. She began to tear up as her father emerged carrying a cake with candles that said congratulations.

"Aww you guys. You didn't have to do all this." She said around a loud sniffle

"You know we did." Becca said off to the side. Taylor turned and saw a camera on a stand pointed at her. There was another one on the other side pointed at her and the table

"Why the cameras?" She asked feeling spooked

"For memories Tay. We need memories of you to watch." Becca said as she sat and set a square velvet box in the middle of the table. Tom came and pulled her into a hug as he whispered

"We've never been more proud of you hun." He kissed her temple.

"Thanks dad." She took her seat and grabbed the box. Opening it, she found a teardrop necklace inside.

"Do you like it?" Her mom asked hopefully

"I love it mom, thank you!"

"It was mine when I was just your age." Becca said with a fond smile. Taylor put it on and then she dug into her pancakes. In a tiny bowl next to her plate were fresh strawberries. There was scattered talk amongst themselves as they hurried to eat so they could still leave on time while having breakfast together for the first time in a long time. Usually her parents were just leaving when she went downstairs, so she would eat breakfast by herself then wait for Bria on the days they picked her up. Otherwise she'd walk down to the bus stop and take the stinky old bus filled with loud chatter and fights. They finished their breakfast and did whatever else they had to do and walked out together after shutting off the lights and locking the door. Her parents went to their respective cars saying goodbye and saying that they took the night off so that they could celebrate. Taylor lifted a hand as she waved them off. Her smile vanished as soon as they were gone, she loved them but she wished they had different jobs so that they could be with her like normal parents she knew who were there for their kids.

A sort of loud wolf whistle broke her thoughts. Glancing around, her eyes landed on Stone who was on his doorstep having a smoke. She shook her head and walked over to his yard, stopping at the edge where the street met the curb.

"What do you want?" She asked

"Nothing. Just commenting." He said blowing out smoke

"On what?"

"You." He said as he snubbed out the butt of the cigarete.

"Oh well thanks. I think." She hitched the strap of her backpack higher as he walked to where she was.

"Do you need a ride?"

"No, Bria should be here soon."

"Ah. I have to ask, why do you guys always do those weird hand gestures?" She eyed him, he was quite serious.

"She's deaf. And it's not hand gestures, it's called ASL, American Sign Language. It's how she communicates. She has a cochlear, but likes to take breaks from it."

"She's lucky to have you Taylor." He said, sticking his hands into his pockets.

"Thanks." She said as she bit her lip nervously. Her phone beeped a horn sound, it was Bria's text tone. Taylor glanced at it. "Mom and I forgot we were picking you up. She is already at work." Taylor returned a response trying not to show irritation "No Biggie. I'll just get a ride. No way am I riding the bus today. :)"

"All good?" Stone asked

"Um actually, how about that ride?" Stone smiled crookedly

"Sure. Hope in, i'll go get the keys." Taylor walked to his garage and entered the side door. It was dark in there but she found her way to the passenger side door and slid into the cool interior. She waited nervously and drummed her fingers on her backpack in which she could feel the outline of her white canvas tennis shoes, something she packed in case her feet began to hurt. Since it was the last day, everyone was required to dress up, it was a fun day and she couldn't wait to see what Bria was wearing. Her phone went off again with the horn noise

"Getting a ride from Mr. Mccutie?"

"You know it!"

"Lucky duck! Maybe he can pick us up today?"

"I don't think he'd do that. But I can ask Steven. He has a cooler car."

"Oh yes! My last day of being normal. ;D"

"I'll ask him. I know he was looking for a new college today, but he will make time for-" The garage door went up so she clicked her phone off. Stone slid into the driver's seat wearing black jeans, a black t-shirt with a red flannel. He backed out of the garage and started down the street.

"Are you okay with country music?"

"Sure, sure." She said as she watched him turn on the radio and some song about the end of a bar came on.

"So, where are you going to college?"

"Wisconsin." She said as she squinted her eyes at the road.

"That's far. Why there?"

"They have the best nursing school there."

"Ah. Did you always want to be in the medical field"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Oh." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just didn't know if it was your parents decision or not." Taylor raised an eyebrow

"I think it was mine. I mean they influenced me but I want to go into the field."

"But do you really want to spend four yars of your life in college?"

"I-I don't know. It dosen't seem that bad." She said with a shrug, confused as to why he was wondering. He scoffed

"How old are you anyways?"

"Really? You don't know!?"

"Nope. I don't keep track of that sort of stuff."

"Oh. Well for your information.." She paused as she took in her surroundings."Weee are at the school and I need you to turn here." She said undoing her seatbelt

"What are you doing!?" He shouted. She looked at him wide eyed

"Taking off my seat belt." He pulled off to the side by the curb and she quickly got out.

"Hey!" He shouted through the open window. She stopped and went back.

"What?" She asked with a roll of her eyes.

"Don't take off your belt until we're stopped." Then he put his truck into drive and drove off. She stuck out her tongue.

"OOO he is so annoying!" She said, crossing her arms. Glancing around suddenly aware of her childish behavior, she saw the jocks watching her. She smiled politely and smoothed down her dress then she walked embarrassedly into the building. Going to her locker she saw Bria waiting for her wearing her purple prom dress with the white sash that said PROM QUEEN on it.

"Hi Taylor! Are you excited for the last day?" The woman on her Ipad asked.

"Yes I am very excited!" She said as he put her stuff inside. Bria did not responded so she looked at her. Bria tapped her Ipad

"Are you okay?" Taylor went and moved back Bria's hair, she was not wearing her Cochlear.

"Yes I'm fine. Thank you. No cochlear?"

"No. I know it will be very noisy today. I can do without it. I have it in my locker though." Taylor nodded her head.

"Come on, let's go turn in our books."

"Ok." Bria signed. Together they grabbed their books and went to the second gym that had tables set up with paper stating which classroom was at which table. The girls sorted their books and got them returned, writing and singing their names on the check in sheet. The bell rang and hand in hand they walked to the stairs, Taylor paused their steps for a moment, letting others go past them. She tapped Bria on the shoulder and grabbed her Ipad, then she typed out

"Come on Bria. Today is going to be the best last day ever!" WIth a smile and nod from Bria, they walked to Mr. Nelson's class for the last time.