washing machine heart

graduation

Graduation is a time of celebration- a ceremony dedicated to moving on from the triumphs (and defeats) of youth and the transition into the world of true adulthood. In most people's eyes, it was a time where nerves of excitement could barely be contained as they prepare their gowns and letters to loved ones. That was most people. Emily was not most people, and that was utmost apparent as she shobbed into JJ's arms the night before the lengthy ceremony.

"Emily? Talk to me. What's going on, baby?" JJ said softly, placing a gentle kiss atop the brunette's head, her arms wrapped loosely around her girlfriend's body. A sob escaped Emily's mouth, a sniffle you could barely hear coming afterwords.

"I'm scared, jayje. I... what if we all forget eachother?" There was a lot of weight to Emily's question, causing the blonde to take a moment to ponder it. There was a very good chance they wouldn't keep in touch after they all left. They would go their separate ways, text all the time, but slowly the conversations would dwindle till they shriveled up completely until finally zilch. Zero. nothing. Strangers once again. JJ knew Emily and her were in the long run, but she had absolutely no expectations for anyone else in their group. Her friendship was too strained with Elle due to past circumstances, she wasn't very close with Derek or Penelope, the only person she would truly miss would be Spencer.

JJ knew very well Emily was in the exact same position as her. Spencer, her best friend for 2 years, would possibly forget her name within a year. They already had a hard time catching up and talking with Emily moved out of their dorm, and she already missed him with every bone in her body. Her first true best friend, her first person who truly cared for her, her friend that helped create an aura of family within their group, her first drive-in movie theatre buddy. She remembered very well the first time they had gone and seen a movie, it was one of her many fond memories with him. Overall, though, it was one of her favorite memories of her lifetime.
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"Woah, wait, we get to see two movies?" Emily exclaimed, jumping up in her seat as she examined the billboard they were driving up infront of.

"Yes, we are seeing La Belle et la Bete and La Grande Illusion, two incredible french films! The latter is one of my favorites, in fact," her younger friend flashed a smile at the brunette before pulling up to the toll booth and pulling out his wallet to pay for the two of them.

Emily rolled her eyes, groaning sarcastically. "Why can't we see-"

"Emily, be quiet."

That night flew by, Emily watching the screen infront of them with wide eyes, absorbing every detail of the movies. Spencer was correct for once, the movies were quite incredible. However, it wasn't the movies that made the night special- it was their true bonding moment. During the boring parts the two of them would discuss the important aspects of their classes, life, the people they had met. Most of all, it was the night Emily had come out to Spencer. He obviously welcomed it with wide, supportive arms and reciprocated the fact from his own perspective. It caused her to laugh and pull him into a big hug, cherishing her new best friend.

Emily couldn't imagine her life without him now, perhaps they hadn't known eachother very long and it was quite unreasonable for her to be so attached to this boy, but she adored him (in a platonic way, of course.) and couldn't imagine a life without his intriguing random facts, his lists highlighting their plans, his skills at studying. The blonde ran slender fingers through the dark hair, humming softly as she let the brunette sob against her light colored t-shirt. "Emily," JJ began, taking her hand and tilting Emily's chin up so their eyes met. "I know it's scary, my love, and I don't have a right answer currently, but you're right. We may never talk to them. That would be awful, but Em, don't forget you don't have to know someone to cherish the memories you have with them."

At the thought of the memories she had with their entire group, Emily smiled softly up at her girlfriend. They certainly had their difficulties in the dynamic for a bit during the beginning of the year, sure, but despite this, Emily thought of their little group of misfits as the family she never had. Although they hadn't all been friends since the beginning, everyone that slowly came along fit in perfectly. Emily had fond memories with every single one of them- some more recent than others, perhaps. She had met Tara, Pen, and Derek one night at a frat party that the brunette had stumbled upon and was greeted with warm, friendly arms by the bubbly blonde. That night was full of laughter, smiles, and even a couple of deep conversations. It was the first time Emily realized she didn't have to be absolutely terrrified to make friends as she originally had been. They each had their flaws, but in Emily's eyes, they were perfect. Penelope was a friend you could turn to when you needed a hug or a laugh, Derek was the guy you went to when you needed to drink with, Spencer was the one who helped keep everyone on track and gave great advice, Tara was sweet and funny if you got her comfortable enough, Elle was.. Elle was sweet and always willing to listen, and JJ, fuck, JJ. It was different with her.