The Pact

Chapter Sixteen: These legs are closed for the winter

I looked at myself in the mirror, surprised at how fast I had gotten here. I cocked my head to the side, really examining myself. I had managed to keep my cap on straight for the first time since I attempted to put it on. Luckily the baby blue cap didn't make my head look huge. I went from my head to my straightened blond hair that went pas my shoulders, down to my ribcage. My white dress was tight around the upper half of my body, the back had a nice criss crossed cutout. At my waist it flowed out, stopping at my mid thigh. Thankfully Madison let me her pair of chunky nude heels that went perfectly with my dress.

Everything just seemed perfect, and to be honest, it damn near was.

I was graduating high school, my best friends by my side. Sure, Paxton and I weren't still where we used to be. I'm afraid we never will be. But I've learned to accept it. It's my fault, no one else's. I have to live with the consequences. The fact that we're even talking is progress after the three month radio silence he gave me following the incident with Aaron. Flynn and Madison were finally something ever since prom, and I couldn't be any happier. They agreed to just keep things casual since Flynn was leaving for BU in the fall, but they were both okay with it.

As for Aaron, I'm not sure what we are. We're definitely something, but we're not dating. Maybe that'll change once I'm up in New York, attending NYU, but for now we're just enjoying whatever time we get with one another.

There was a knock on my door and I looked up from the mirror and saw my mother leaning against my door.

"There's my little graduate. You almost ready, hun?"

I sighed and smoothed out my dress before grabbing my gown and phone off my bed. "As ready as ever." I grinned, letting her pull me in for a hug. I heard a weird noise come out of her mouth and I looked at her. "You're already crying? Not yet, please." I laughed.

My mom dabbed under her eyes and laughed as she blinked the tears away. "You know I cry. My baby is growing up. I can't believe it."

I smiled at the most important woman in my life, thankful to have had her by my side.

"Oh if there's crying going on, I'm very upset you started without me." My grandma said as she passed by the door.

I laughed and held out my free arm so my grandma could join our little cry fest.

"You guys can cry all you want, I've got to look cute for my pictures." I said, grinning a little to big.

"We're so proud of you, darling." My grandma said, cupping my cheek.

I smiled and kissed her cheek. "Thanks grams. Love you tons."

There was a knock on the door and Aaron was looking slightly uncomfortable. "I hate to interrupt but Mr. Jennings is about to throw a fit if we're late." He said smiling sheepishly.

"Oh honey, he's always throwing a fit when things don't go his way. He thinks he's the CEO of his family, not just his company." My mom said, squeezing his arm as she passed by him.

I raked my eyes down his body. I'm not sure what we were, but I knew he was mine. All 6'1 of his beauty. He was wearing a pair of navy blue slacks and a lighter blue button down, almost the color of my cap and gown. He decided to go without a tie, leaving the top button undone, and slightly rolling the sleeves of his button down. He matched it with a pair of chestnut brown dress shoes and a brown belt.

The boy knew how to dress and he did a damn good job at pulling it off.

I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to look at my grandma who was looking at me with a knowing look. "What?" I asked innocently.