Before Us (GirlXGirl)

Chapter 15

Lainey stood next to Jess at the ceremony. They walked hand in hand behind Lexi and Chase hand in hand and Becks and her boyfriend, Derek. The graduation song played as the 6 of them walked in a line of the Senior Class. All in Gold and White gowns. Their walk from the gym to the football field took forever.

Once on the field, Lainey saw hundreds of families. They even filled the field around them. As Lainey looked around, she looked for her dad. She couldn't see him there, there was thousands of people there maybe. As they took their seats, she was sure she would've seen him by then.

The Valedictorian commenced for the ceremony and began their speech. Lainey continued to scan the crowd as Jess grabbed her arm, "looking for your dad?"

"Yeah..." Lainey turned to her and relaxed seeing her beautiful eyes.

"I'm sure he's here somewhere, love." She smiled and caressed her arm. Lexi looked over at her and winked with a smile as she caressed Chase's arm.

Lainey shook her head in understandment, but lost hope as time still went on. She unfortunately gave up after their row stood up and walked up to the stage. Lainey needed to focus on making memories and mental photos as she cheered for her own friends and girlfriend.

"Lainey Jackson." She heard her name as she was up next and her heart skipped a beat as she climbed the stairs and stopped dead in her tracks as the sweet man she called dad stood directly behind the stage cheering for her with all his might. She smiled and shook out of it, walking up to grab her diploma and smiling for a photo with the dean.

Lainey caught up with her friends on the field and they continued back to their seats. Lainey was beaming with light as she smiled.

The ceremony almost done now, and everyone surrounded the field as the dean announced the turning of the tassel to the left and where everyone threw their caps. Lainey tossed hers up in the air and instead of grabbing it, she stopped and pulled Jess in for a kiss. Jess draped her arms over Lainey's shoulders and kissed her back.

"I love you, Lainey Jackson." She smiled and and kissed her again.

The two of them parted ways after that and went home for a good night sleep as they would party over Saturday night again with everyone one last time.

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Lainey woke up to gentle touches from Jess holding two cups of coffee.

Lainey rose up and smiled at the sight and scent.

"Are you ready?" She smiled and kissed Lainey's forehead before handing her the cup.

"Yes ma'am. This is the best way to wake me up besides yannow." Lainey chuckled and sipped her coffee.

Jess smiled, "I would but we have a drive ahead of us! Everyone else is on the road."

Lainey sighed and grabbed her stuff before heading out with Jess. She had already told her father she was going camping so she didn't have to wake him before work in the morning.

Lainey and Jess headed off for Yosemite. Lainey slept the rest of the way, but 4 hours later they had arrived at a bumpy road that woke her up. Lainey would not miss these roads in Jess's junky car. She chuckled to herself and read a sign that read "this way to Wildcat Falls."

"Wildcat Falls huh? Is it wild?" Lainey smirked.

"Hardly. It's more of a chilling place we relax at." Jess replied as she pulled off into a clearing with 5 other cars.

"Jesus Christ who all is coming?" Lainey looked around as she seen several unfamiliar faces.

"Friends of friends get invited to our end of the year thing, but don't worry, you can stick close to the OGs." Jess smiled as she threw the car in park and turned off the ignition. She opened the door and stepped out.