Lost Now, Found Later

Chapter 2 - Rachel's POV

Two Weeks Later

"Is my cap on right? Or is it slanted?" I ask Liz who's also currently struggling with her hat.

"It looks fine. Actually wait" she tilts my hat a little towards the right. "Perfecto! Now help me" she states. I lean back to see how her hat is angled. I then shift it a little to make it straight.

"It's good now. Let's take a picture before we have to stand in order" I say before whipping out my phone from under my graduation gown and taking a selfie. Yes, my dress has a pocket. I made sure to buy one that had them and yes I was graduating today! At least finally.

A buzz sounds from my phone and I see a text from my family letting me know that they were seated on the right side of the audience. I reply back with an "okay" and place my phone back into my dress.

"Girl, I should've bought a dress with pockets. Could've carried my phone with me" Liz complains next to me as I shoot her a smirk. She playfully shoves me but since I was leaning on one foot, I stumbled back and crash into a hard chest. A pair of arms steady me as I turn around to see the one person I was hoping to avoid today. Arjun. He removed his arms from me after making sure I was okay.

I muster up a nervous smile and nod at him to say that I was okay. Noticing Valentina next to him and his best friends behind him, the urge to immediately disappear became stronger. She had a concerned look on her face but I smiled to assure her. I liked Valentina but I really wasn't in the mood to see them being all lovey-dovey.

"Rach, Lara just texted us to find her near the field. Let's go" God bless Liz because she notices my discomfort and pulls me away from them while they walk away.

"Who's Lara? I didn't know there was a Lara in our grade" I ask, still not recovered from before.

"Girl you don't know a Lara because there is no Lara in our grade" she deadpans. "I couldn't come up with something else. Anyways, you owe me skittles now" she replies and I nod in return. We have this pact between us where if someone saves the other, that person owes the other a pack of skittles.

"Students please start forming a line. We will be commencing shortly" an announcement blares through the sound system. I look at Liz and give her a short wave before leaving to take my place in the line.

Soon names were being called and students start walking onto the stage to collect their diplomas. Thankfully we were given seats to sit and didn't have to stand, especially in this heat. Having a last name that starts with a "W" isn't really favorable at times like this. Eventually my name was called and I walked towards the stage confidently, with a proud smile. I collect my diploma and turn to face the audience, looking for my family and immediately spot them clapping and yelling my name enthusiastically. I see Jazzie wave at me from her spot excitedly and I return her a small, sheepish wave not wanting the attention on me for too long.

"Congratulations class of 2022! You have officially graduated" the principal announces through the mic, prompting the students to throw their hats above them, with me following pursuit. After admiring the scene of our graduation hats falling back down, I immediately rush to find Liz and I meet her across the field.

"GIRLLLL!!! We're officially out of high school!" Liz shouts loudly, causing heads to turn towards us with amused looks. I burst out laughing and she eventually joins me.

"I know right?! Finally, thank god. That took way too long. I thought I was going to melt away from the heat" I comment, fanning myself with my hat. Hearing a notification from my phone, I see a text from mom saying that they found Liz's mom and are waiting near the entrance. "My parents are with yours near the entrance. Let's head there" I say, dragging Liz along with me.

"Sweetie!" I hear Mom call out for me and I spot her with Jazzie and Dad, along with Liz's mom, Sarah. As we approach them, Sarah and my Mom take out their phones and start taking photos of us.

"Congratulations darling and you too Rachel" Sarah wishes us with a warm smile, which I return, silently thanking her. Our parents start taking pictures of Liz and I carrying our diplomas and one with each of our families. Out of the corner of my eyes, I notice Arjun standing with Valentina, Ethan and Mason where he's laughing, most likely at something Mason said. He's known to be the clown in our grade. I roll my eyes, letting out a chuckle. However, the smile falters as I try to ignore the thought that I would have to see him next year as well. Mom notices this and follows my line of sight to Arjun.

Her eyes soften with sympathy and rubs my arm comfortingly. I offer a half-hearted smile. Resolving to forget my crush on him, I shake off those thoughts and suggest we leave sooner to avoid traffic. Everyone agrees and we decide to gather in Liz's house to celebrate.

As we begin to leave, my eyes widen to see Ethan, Mason and Arjun approaching us. Unaware of this, I tug at Liz's arm and she looks in my direction, noticing the three.

"Hey Rachel and Elizabeth right? We had some classes together" Mason asks with a goofy smile on his face.

"Yeah but I go by Liz. And yeah we know. We're also going to the same college" Liz answers for both of us because I was currently panicking inside, trying to calm my nerves. What ever happened to forgetting my crush on Arjun?

"We heard. We were just hoping to see if we could take a picture together since we're going off to Brown together. We might see each other on campus next year so why not acquaint ourselves sooner?" Arjun suggests with an hopeful, calm smile. I release a breath I didn't know I was holding and look at Liz who is already looking at me with a suggestive look. I roll my eyes at her intentions and turn back to face the three.

"Sounds great! We should totally take one" I say, after finding my voice and give them a bright smile. We form a line with Mason at the end, followed by Liz, Arjun, me and finally Ethan. Becoming aware of our close proximity, a faint red colors my cheeks but fortunately is covered by my make up. I shift a little to my right to position myself better and glance up at Ethan, only to find him staring down at me with a smile. I return a small one and I see an unknown emotion flash in his eyes but it immediately disappears as it appeared. Clearing my throat, I look back towards Arjun's mother who was taking the photos and offer a bright smile. In my mind, I pray that this would be the last time I'd see them.

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First two chapters have just been introducing and leading up to the main story that starts when the five enter college.

Please let me know of your thoughts on the story so far!!