BxB Cashby Healed My Heart (Completed)

Chapter 33

*ONE YEAR LATER*

"Alan Ashby..." My principal called out so I quickly made my way towards the stairs. I was blushing and I tried not to concentrate on the few hundred people who were staring in the audience. I heard clapping as I shook my principal's hand as he handed me my high school diploma. I glanced at the crowd to see my parents smiling at me like they were actually proud. I could only smile weakly because honestly, our relationship had completely deteriorated over the last year.

I quickly exited the stage and I felt relief wash over me. That was it. I had graduated from high school and I would no longer have to go through the torture of education. It wasn't so bad I guess...it was only the last year that had been Hell.

I absolutely despised Phoenix. I hated that it was like a desert, I hated how big the city was and I hated the people. I had spent my last year as a loner but I guess that was mostly my fault, not theirs. I separated myself from everyone and simply avoided anyone that did try and attempt to befriend me. Why would I try and make friends when I already had the best friends ever waiting for me in San Jose? Not to mention an amazing boyfriend...

My parents eventually ungrounded me about 2 weeks after we moved to Arizona. So that meant that I was able to keep in touch with Lucas, Jaime and Aaron. My parents were constantly checking that I wasn't calling Austin's number so for about 11 months, we were talking through Lucas and anytime that I managed to get to a phone booth.

I'm not saying it was easy. In fact...it was insanely difficult. It's true what they say about long term relationships...they don't work. I think I cried almost every night for about 2 months when I moved here because I longed for him. I ached for his touch, his smile and quite simply...just him. It was agonizing to say the least but...it was worth it. Because now that I had graduated...I could get the fuck out of Arizona and back into his arms.

Well...that's what I was hoping for. Over the last month or so, it had been extremely difficult to get a hold of him. Lucas had told me that he was just busy with work and stuff but he had been acting really distant. It started to worry me slightly but I knew that what me and Austin had was real and I thought that maybe it was just the distance. I still had faith that we would work it out.

"Alan!" My mom called and I spun around to see my parents come running towards me.

"We're so proud of you honey!" My mom grabbed my face and kissed my cheek.

"Thanks..." I replied bashfully.

"You did it son," My dad smiled, "You're a free man."

I chuckled because he had no idea how free I was about to be. Neither of them knew that I was planning on leaving as soon as I can. They had discussed college with me but I had told them firmly that it wasn't what I wanted and that I was not going. They didn't talk to me for 2 weeks before realising that I wasn't going to change my mind.

"We should go out and celebrate," My mom declared.

"No thanks, I'm good," I shrugged them off and I could see that she looked slightly hurt. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings but she can't just act like everything was fine and dandy between us when in reality it was strained.

"Oh, come on Alan..." My dad tried to persuade me, "It's not every day that you graduate high school..."

I sighed, "Okay, fine..."

My phone started to ring and I pulled it out to see that it was Aaron. I smiled and told my parents that I would be a few minutes before walking away from them.

"Hey," I answered it when I was far enough away from them.

"HAPPY GRADUATION DAY!" Aaron and Jaime shouted down the phone.