Between The Lines

Chapter 135: Go Get Him, Girl

Rebecca's POV (1st Person)

( Of Previous Chapter)

Graduation day was officially over, and the realization was starting to hit me. No more exams, no more high school drama, and no more sneaking around with Lane. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm golden glow over the school grounds as people began to trickle out, heading to their own celebrations. But I couldn't stop smiling.

I glanced around, trying to catch sight of Lane again, but he was still caught in conversation with Matt and a couple of teachers. Matt was, of course, being his usual over-the-top self, making Lane laugh even though I knew he was probably dying to get away and come over to me.

I spotted Charlotte, Oliver, and Ryan standing by the steps of the school, laughing about something. My heart lifted seeing them. I made my way over, the edges of my graduation gown fluttering in the soft breeze.

"Look who it is! The graduate!" Charlotte teased, throwing her arms around me in a hug. "How does it feel to be free?"

I laughed, hugging her back. "Weird, honestly. It hasn't hit me yet."

Oliver grinned. "Trust me, it'll hit you when you're waking up in the morning and don't have to worry about exams anymore."

"Or homework," Ryan added with a smirk. "Or detention."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Thanks for the reminder, guys."

We all stood there for a while, talking and joking like we always did. But there was this lightness in the air—this sense of finality, like we were all stepping into something new, and everything was about to change.

As the conversation drifted, I found myself glancing around again, my heart searching for Lane. I couldn't help it. The whole day had been leading up to this moment—our moment. It felt like everything had been building for so long, and now we could finally just... breathe.

I spotted him finally, breaking away from Matt, his eyes searching for me the same way mine had been looking for him. When our gazes locked, my heart skipped a beat.

Just seeing him standing there, in the open, knowing that we didn't have to hide anymore—it made me feel giddy. He smiled at me, a slow, secret smile, and started making his way over.

"Hey, you okay?" Charlotte asked, noticing my distracted look.

I blinked, turning back to her and nodding quickly. "Yeah, sorry. I'm just—"

"Looking for someone?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.

I felt my cheeks heat up, and I gave a small, guilty smile. "Maybe."

She laughed softly, nudging me with her elbow. "Go get him, girl. You've earned it."

I didn't need any more convincing. With a quick hug to Charlotte and a wave to the others, I made my way toward Lane, feeling my pulse quicken with every step.

He met me halfway, and as soon as I reached him, it felt like everything else just faded away. The noise of the crowd, the distant conversations—it all became background noise. It was just him and me.

"So," I started, a playful glint in my eye, "how'd it feel to watch me walk across that stage?"

Lane chuckled, his eyes soft as he looked at me. "You looked perfect. Better than I imagined."

I bit my lip, feeling the butterflies swirl in my stomach. "I was trying to impress you, you know."

His hand brushed against mine, and the smallest touch sent a spark through me. "Trust me," he whispered, his voice low and teasing, "you don't have to try."