Drawn To You (GirlxGirl)

Part 50

6 months later

Allie's P.O.V

As my name was called, I felt a rush of emotion that took me by surprise.

"Allie Drake" the voice echoed through the hall, and I rose from my seat.

My legs carried me toward the stage, my hands gripping the edges of my gown as if the fabric could steady me. The lights felt brighter than they should have, the room suddenly larger than it had been moments before. I could hear my parents cheering from somewhere in the crowd, Casey's voice undoubtedly the loudest of them all, with Lola's 'whoop' not far behind.

Pride swelled in me as I made my way onto the stage. I'd done it. I'd managed to finish my psychology and counselling degree despite everything—the heartbreak, the divorce, the endless uncertainty, the chaos of the last year.

I had stayed on course, pushed through the tough days, and made it here. I smiled as the professor handed me the scroll, accepting it with both hands.

It felt good, this moment, like I'd truly accomplished something for myself. For the first time in a long time, I felt proud of me. Not because I was doing what someone else wanted, not because I was fitting into someone else's idea of success—but because this was my achievement, my victory.

I waved at my family, catching the beaming faces of my parents and Casey and Lola. They were all standing, cheering louder than anyone else in the crowd.

But as I looked around the room, a familiar emptiness settled into my chest. There was one face missing. One pair of eyes I would have given anything to meet as I crossed the stage. The memory of Jessie crept into my thoughts, uninvited but inescapable, just as it had done so many times before.

I tried to focus on the moment, to stay in the present, but the ache was still there.

Things had gotten easier over the last few months, that was true. I was smiling more, finding joy again in small things, in my friendships, in the future I was building. Casey had insisted I stay until I finished my degree, and she'd been right—I needed that time. But now that university was over, it meant finding my own place, starting something new. It was scary, but it was also exciting.

Still, despite all that, I couldn't shake the thought of Jessie.

With a deep breath, I stepped down from the stage and returned to my seat, forcing myself to focus on the happiness of the moment.

Later that evening, we were back at Casey's flat, a bottle of wine already half-empty between us and the music playing softly in the background. Lola had insisted on a celebratory drink, and it wasn't long before Casey had pulled out another bottle.

I sat curled up on the sofa, a smile tugging at my lips as Casey danced around the room, half-jokingly shaking her waist at the music.

"You did it, Allie," Lola said, holding up her wine glass. "We're so proud of you. All the hard work, and look at you now." Her eyes were warm, the pride in her voice unmistakable.

"Yeah, who knew you were actually smart?" Casey winked, earning a laugh from both of us.

She leaned against the kitchen counter, her glass of wine raised in a mock toast.

I smiled, feeling the warmth of their words, even if part of me still felt like something was missing.

"Thanks, guys," I said, taking a sip of my wine and trying to enjoy the moment.

I was happy, truly, but the hole left the day I walked out on Jessie never fully closed. As the months went by, I'd learned to cope with it better, but nights like this—victories, moments of joy—they always made me think of her.