I fixed my powder and mascara in the big mirror in front of me. All the girls were checking their makeup, robes and hats for the big day in the changing rooms. Today was the graduation ceremony. The bleachers were packed with everyone's families. All of my family were here except my dad. I'm not surprised that he doesn't even know about this date, he's too busy working and partying with his friends. 

"It's over girls! The ceremony is about to start, hurry!" Miss Jones clapped her hands signaling for all the girls to get to our stadium. "Ready?" Skylar asked reached for my hand, I squeezed hers before responding. "I've been ready since kindergarten."

I waved at Luke from far when we were walking to the field and he blew me a kiss. He looked so cute with his burgundy hat and his suit was peaking underneath his robe. "I'm so nervous, shit." I murmured to Skylar and she rubbed my arm. "It's the day, we've been waiting for." The students were called one by one, Michael was hilarious, he tripped on his feet and we died of laughter. Even the principal commented on his goofiness. 

"Lauren Marie Keller." They called and I walked with trembling feet over to the stage. I smiled at few of my old teachers and the supervisors. "I deliver you this certificate with so much pride and I congratulate you for your hard work through these four years." 

"Thank you so much, sir." I thanked and I grabbed my certificate with trembling hands. I smiled at everyone clapping and I could see Luke, Skylar and everyone cheering from behind. I left the stage and ran towards Luke. He lifted me up turning me in the air, "We're out! We're out!" We hugged once I was back on the ground. 

Graduation was over and I was collecting all the things that lived in my locker for the entire year. I'm so fucking happy because I'm finally out of this fucked up hole. Skylar was doing the same with her stuff and actually my mom let me organize some chill get together party in my house. I invited Skylar, Matty, Calum, Michael, Madison, Ashley and of course, Luke. 

"Finally, it's over." I whispered to myself closing my now empty locker. I carried the box full of stuff walking through the medium-filled corridor looking for Skylar. "Happy holidays Lauren." A girl from my Math class said and I smiled at her before saying thanks. 

"Miss Keller!" I heard my name being called and I stopped turning around, it was Mr Hamilton. "Come inside a bit." I followed his instructions and I sat on a random table keeping my box on my lap. 

"I wanted to tell you something." He started, "I wasn't one of the nicest teachers with you but you were really polite despite everything and you stood up for yourself many times. I appreciated your personality and your way of thinking and reasoning. I've always known that you're a really gifted girl. I'm so proud of your grades and your acceptance in UCLA. I wish you a good luck, my dear." I was really surprised, I've never thought that Mr Hamilton liked me and appreciated me my work and level of smartness. 

"Thank you sir, it's been fun anyway. You're so different of every teacher in this school." I smiled truly at him, we exchanged the final good-byes and I left the class. "Are you done Lauren?" 

"Yes, Sky." I smiled at her and we left the school feeling so relieved of everything I've been through these past years. "Everything is ready for the party?" Skylar asked as I was making a U-turn to exit the parking lot. 

"Yeah, since yesterday. Will you spend the night at my place?" I wondered keeping my eyes focused on the road. "I don't know, what about Luke?" 

"He'll go home, so what." I giggled shrugging, she laughed increasing the volume of the radio. We jammed to the latest hits, celebrating our graduation. Mom prepared everything from my small get together thing with my friends. My mother loves Skylar, since she knows her father so well. 

"I'm gonna wear my new ramper, whatcha say?" I suggested while looking through my clothing racks. Skylar hummed in response while she was texting Matty. They are so into each others, and I'm so happy for her. "Tomorrow is saturday right? Madison is throwing a party in her beach house." 

"Yes, she texted me earlier." I replied, "You're going to Orlando next year?" Skylar got a really good scholarship in Orlando but she's still hesitating. Her father is so into the proposition and me too but she's thinking about Matthew. I think that in these situations, college should go first, because relationships end and they can't be more important than studies and your future. If her and Matty really love each other, it's gonna last despite the distance. 

"Matty really wants me to go. We are discussing it now, but I don't wanna leave him. I finally found someone who really loves me and cares about me. I don't wanna end this fairy-tale." She said locking her phone putting it next to her on my bed. She looked really sad and frustrated, it broke my heart to see her torn between two choices that really matter to her. 

"You should go Skylar. It's your future, you've always wanted to study Dentistry and you know how expensive and selective it is in our country. Your relationship with Matty is going to end one day but this scholarship is going to define your whole future." She nodded but soon after, tears started rolling down her cheeks, I threw my arms around her engulfing her in a hug. 

"I'm gonna go, it's just so hard to leave everything here." She sobbed and I rubbed her arms to confort her. "It's okay Sky, we still get to see each others on holidays. Now, let's get dolled up for tonight and forget about our boring lives. We're out of high school mother fucker."

Right when I finished my cheerful reply, someone knocked on the door and I froze in my place and my mother made an enter. She probably heard me swearing. I swear, my face was paler than my ass when I looked at her. 

"Kenzie is downstairs waiting for you." She said and both Skylar and I turned into each other completely alarmed. What is she doing here? 

"What does she want?" I asked my mother and she shrugged before replying. "Go talk to her, don't be impolite." I huffed and went downstairs running down the stairs. She was standing at my front door talking to my sister. 

"Ellie, mom you needs upstairs." I ordered.

"But she didn't call me." Ellie argued holding into Kenzie, "Yes, I heard her Ellie. Go, we'll play later." My sister disappeared silently and I stood there looking at my ex best friend waiting for her to speak. I just wanna get over this conversation that didn't even start. "What do you want?"

"I have something to tell you." I nodded signaling her to continue. "Alright so, I know I did many horrible things to you. I wasn't the best of friends and I deserve this kind of treatment. But I've already explained my reasons. Anyway, for the last time, I wanted to tell you how sorry and disappointed with myself I still am. You are so important to me and I don't know how I'm managing to live without your support. But, I guess now, I need to adapt to this situation since I'm moving.." 

"You're moving?" I asked with surprised tone. 

"Yeah, I'm moving back to Montreal for the rest of my life. I can't stand California anymore, nobody wants me here and it's for the best." My heart literally fell to my knees, I couldn't process what she was saying. Kenzie is never coming back here. 

"I can't believe you. You still have Michael, Luke, Skylar and bunch of your other friends." She shook her head with an apologetic look. "It's okay and about Michael, love is just a fucking nightmare. He can find a girl better than me, I don't care." 

"The most important thing now, do you forgive me? Are we cool?" She added, I looked at her deeply in the eyes. Despite all the horrible things she did to me, she still have the same look of care in her eyes. All of our memories played in my mind like a quick flashback and I couldn't let her down like this. 

"We're cool." I nodded with a smile. Her eyes lit up immediately and a wide smile appeared on her face. "Are you serious?" 

"Yeah definitely. I'm just kinda sad that you're leaving but you do you girl, good luck on what you're doing." She smiled widely and I could see her eyes watering. She immediately wrapped her arms around me, engulfing me in a tight hug. 

"I'm gonna miss you." She said, and I replied truthfully. "Me too."

"Oh, Kenzie! You're here." Skylar interrupted our hug and when I pulled away she smiled proudly. "Yeah, I came here to say something to Lauren. You should know too." 

"She's moving to Montreal." Skylar's eyes widened and her smile faded. "What? How? Why?" 

"It's for the best Sky, I need to start over my life. You can come visit me whenever, both of you actually." I nodded and I'm still sad to see her leave like this. Skylar gave her a hug and I decided to invite her to my party. 

"Can you please stay? We're having a party all of us." She seemed hesitant, she gave me the look of 'are you sure'. "C'mon, we're friends again right? Let's have fun for the last time together."

"Alright, I'll stay." We made it upstairs again, we got dolled up for the night. At around eight, our friends came over. I was wearing a black dress with my Adidas superstar, pretty basic. My hair was straightened and my makeup was natural. It wasn't fancy, it was a small party. 

"Aye my love." Luke greeted me as I entered the garden, he walks into my house like it's his own. "Hi Lulu," I said giving him a kiss on the lips. 

"I have something really good to tell you about." He said grabbing my hand, dragging me upstairs. "What? Can't you wait until tomorrow?" 

"No no, it's important." He insisted and I let the girls take care of the guests. My bedroom was upside down, clothes and makeup are everywhere. "I'm sorry about the mess. We were getting ready."

"It's whatever Laur." He laughed sitting on my bed and I sat on his lap playing with his hair. "What's up tell me?" 

"Do you wanna go on an adventure?" My eyes lit up and I nodded. "I really wanna leave this fucked up place. It's not where I want to live, where I want to succeed." 

"You know that I share the same opinion." I responded locking my eyes with hims, I was so curious to know what's this conversation going to. "Mom said that we can switch schools and apply to another college. I found an excellent college out of New York." 

"Are we able to quit California?" I questioned. 

"If you can't do it, it's okay. I understand." I interrupted him, "No. I want to live somewhere else. As long as we're together, I'll go everywhere with you." 

"So, are you okay with this?"

"Of course." I smiled, my fingers still playing with his blonde locks. He smiled more brightly and he immediately pressed his lips against mine. We kissed with so much passion and feels. My heart was racing. Despite all the ups and downs that happened during our relationship, we managed to get back to each other's arms. 

"I love you Lauren." My skin was all covered with goosebumps when these words left his mouth. "I love you more." 

"To New York.." He whispered, "Now let's go party!"

TO BE CONTINUED..