End Up Here (Michael Clifford a.u.)

Chapter 20

- Graduation Day -

"Michael, this is it," I ramble as we walk to the school's football field for our graduation ceremony. He gives my hand a gentle squeeze.

"Calm down," he says with a laugh. "You get worked up so easily."

"But this is one of the biggest steps in our lives. We'll be on our own."

"You've got me. We're gonna move in together, remember?"

"Right."

Michael stops and grabs my cheeks, staring intently into my eyes. His tassel hangs from the cap, almost breaking his intense stare. "I love you, Makenna," he says.

"I love you too, Michael."

"Let's just get this ceremony over with, and then you, me, and the others will all go out for the rest of the day. Okay?"

I smile. "Okay."

We're all put in order as we get to the edge of the field to walk out to the center to our seats. Music plays as walk. Speeches are said and several pictures are taken. Then everyone is called up to receive their diplomas.

My hands are practically shaking as I walk towards the stage. I hear my friends and family cheering, and I can't help but laugh.

As I climb the steps to the stage and take my diploma, I'm suddenly spun around, and I see Michael with a huge grin on his face. He dips me down a little before kissing me in front of everyone. I hear loud cheering as I laugh and push him away.

My face feels like it's on fire as he walks me off the stage, hugging me as we get down the stairs.

"Why do you always embarrass me?" I ask. He smiles.

"I love when you blush and get all shy. It's the cutest fucking thing ever," he replies.

"Why did you do that?"

"Because I'm proud of my girlfriend." I glance up at him, noticing how big his smile is. He really is proud, and I'm proud of him.

The boys get pictures taken, and the girls and I. Then we all take a few together, our parents making comments to each other as they take the pictures.

Finally we get to take off the caps and gowns. I get to see that all of the girls are in dresses, including me, which is a very rare occurrence. I can't help but laugh to myself.

We all drive and meet up at the same restaurant mine and Michael's first date was at almost two years ago.

All eight of us sit at a giant booth as we wait for our food to come out.

"Well," Grace says. "We did it. We survived high school."

"So what is everyone doing now?" Kaitlyn asks.

"Me and Makenna are moving in together," Michael says proudly, smiling widely as he grips my hand.

"What about school?"

"I'll probably take online classes," I reply. "I'm not sure just yet."

"I'd rather take online classes anyway," Claire says. "It's easier that way for me anyway."

"Isn't it crazy though?" Calum asks. "We always talked about it and now it's happening."

"I'm nervous about it," Luke says.

"We'll all be fine," Ashton assures him. "We've got each other."

"But can we talk about Michael and Makenna tonight?" Grace asks. "That was the cutest thing ever!"

I begin to blush, and everyone takes notice. "Shut up," I mumble. "It was embarrassing."

"C'mon, you know you liked it," Michael says, nudging me a little. My cheeks are burning, and I can't help but smile and bury my face into his shoulder. Everyone laughs.

As we eat we talk about our plans and futures and bring up old jokes and make new ones, laughing and having the time of our lives.

Eventually we all go our separate ways for the night, hugging each other and promising a day to hang out soon considering summer break is only a few days away.

Michael drives to the clearing we went to after he took me to the party and the night he asked me to be his girlfriend. It's like our special little place only we know of now. It's our escape besides each other.

We climb onto the hood of his car, leaning against each other as my head rests on his shoulders. I glance up every now and then to see the stars and to see Michael watching the sky. He looks so beautiful. Impossibly beautiful. He makes my heart flutter every time I look at him.

The summer breeze gently blows through the trees, and the warm weather slowly fades as night grows later. But I don't mind because Michael is beside me.

"You know," he says after a few silent minutes. "I brought you out here for a reason."

"And what would that be?" I ask, intertwining our fingers.

"I love you, Makenna. With everything I have. You're the reason I wake up every morning, and the reason I stay up at night. And I have two things for you."

I sit up, and we look at each other. He smiles happily before pulling something out of his pocket.

"Even though it was cheap, but I hope you'll still wear it," he says, holding a small silver ring between his fingers. "It's like a promise ring. I want to promise you that one day I will marry you. I promise I'll be here by your side whenever you need me. I promise that as long as we're together, I will love you endlessly."

In awe, I lean forward and shut him up by kissing him slowly. He slides the ring on my finger, accepting the kiss as a yes.

"Michael, I don't know what to say," I say excitedly.

"But there's one more thing." He pulls something else from his pocket. Two sets of keys. "I know how you always talked about this town you loved that's a couple hours away from here because of a specific house. I never forgot which one it was because you dream of that house. So I got it."

"Michael, you didn't," I gasp.

"Yes I did. We can move in the house in a few months after everything's settled."

I throw my arms around his neck, causing him to almost fall. He hugs me back just as tightly, and we hold onto each other for a long time.

And I begin to cry simply because I'm so happy. I don't want anyone else. Just this crazy haired, guitar playing, nerdy boy in my arms. I want every part of him to be mine. And I want to be all his. He's the one.

We let go of each other, and Michael laughs to himself as he wipes away my tears with his thumbs. He kisses me before pulling me down to lie back on the hood of his car. He sighs happily as I curl into him, hand over his heart and another playing with his hair.

He parts his lips as if to say something, but he pauses, gathering his thoughts. He finally smiles as he stares up at the stars.

"How did we end up here?"

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End Of Part One