slut ; zayn malik

22; Goodbye

Okay... I didn't tell you guys... but this is the last chapter.... ily

There was a slight silence among all of us in the auditorium as our Valedictorian, Elizabeth Sanders (I told you all she was more than a pretty face), walked up to read her speech. It was deafening. Instead of being loud and excited, this was the moment when you could feel the tension in the air. You could feel how scared we all truly were. It was deafening to know so much time had passed that we're already going to be labeled as 'adults' and go on to college. The silence only lasted a few seconds as Elizabeth took the stage and cheers erupted from us all. The sudden pride of making it so far swelling among us all.

"Hello, students and parents, my name is Elizabeth Sanders and I am the class of 2017's valedictorian..." she began as her hands trembled out of nerves.

"Go, Lizzy!" I yelled out and started clapping which earned another cheer from the crowd. This seemed to calm her down, and that was good. She looked down at her paper and smiled before letting out a small thank you and beginning.

"On this day, we begin our journey... the journey that will change the rest of our lives for sure. Some of us will go on to college... others will move on with their lives and...." Her speech began. As I looked around the room, I saw the faces I'd spent the last four years with. That faces I'd have to say goodbye to and risk losing touch with. As I began to relish our last moments together, I began to tear up as Elizabeth's speech came to an end. The girl herself was wiping tears from her eyes as she began to walk off the stage. The crowd was going wild for the girl.

"She did so great," Zayn muttered in my ear as he squeezed my hand lightly. He was so nervous to graduate. He was going to go to the Art Institutes here in Cali for college and pursue a career in digital art and I couldn't be more proud. He had developed a love for art and loved the idea of turning it into a career. Myself, on the other hand, am going to go to California State University to pursue a degree in social work. I want to help young girls learn about the importance of safe sex and help girls who weren't informed and need help with their teenage pregnancies. Helping people with these things has always been my calling and I'm so happy I get to pursue it.

"I know. She was literally shaking when I saw her in the bathroom earlier. I'm so proud," I smiled brightly as the ceremony continued.

~~~

"We're graduates!" Diana screamed as she jumped up and down in excitement. Harry and James were close behind us and laughing at something Trayvon had told them. We felt the yearning feeling of not wanting to leave behind the school we'd been attending for the past four years. So many memories were going to be left behind along with so many friendships. Diana and Trayvon were going to take a year off from school and go on some trip their parents got them as graduation gifts. The pair were going on to Baylor University on a full ride scholarship to pursue careers in law after their trip. I guess all the nerd calling payed off in the end for them.

"I can't believe it. I don't wanna grow up, man. I'm twelve as of today," Harry pouted and James pecked his cheek, "Sure, sweetie."

"I don't want to go on to college either. It's too much responsibility," Trayvon muttered sadly. Yes, we were all stressed, but we had agreed that we were going to stay optimistic for the future, even if we all weren't together in it.

"Guys, I just want you all to know that no matter what happens in our future, you guys will always be my teenage best friends. I'm sure we'll look back at our memories and not feel nostalgic, but just be happy that we got to experience this with all the right people. I'm gonna miss you guys so much. Leaving high school and going to be scary, but I really hope all of us make it in the real world," I sighed loudly as the tears were stuck in my eyes. My group of friends was circled around me as we appreciated the silence we were in. It was deafening and tear jerking to think about leaving each other behind. As we all hugged all together for one of the last times, we all seemed to be regretting taking the past few years for granted. All of those "I can't wait til I'm out of this hellhole" were forgotten and turned into just another stupid things to laugh at in the future.

"I can't believe you guys are leaving today," James spoke to Trayvon and Diana as the two nodded slowly, not wanting to leave us behind so quickly.

"At least our parents waited til after the ceremony, they had a cheaper offer for us to leave last week, but thankfully they didn't take it," Diana said. It was silent once again as we began to feel the silence. It was as if we had all been released from prison and now we were standing out the prison, not knowing what to do, feeling like we don't even know who we are anymore. It was as if the only thing that was keeping us together, was enduring that prison. Now we were lost, unsure of what to expect of the future and beyond.

"W-We should probably go," Diana choked as the tears welled in her eyes, the eyes I had grown used to seeing everyday of my life.

"O-Okay, I'll see you..... someday, Diana," I said before trapping the girl in the tightest hug possible. Her boniness clawed at my thickness but I couldn't let go. Once I let go, I'd never have her this near me again.

"I love you, Luci," Diana whispered into my ear. "I love you too, Diana."

As we broke apart and the tears escaped my eyes, Zayn held my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. I held onto him as I watched the couple say goodbye to everyone else. I held him even tighter, his hand around my waist and my head resting on his shoulder causing my tears to stain his gown, as Trayvon and Diana drove away together, on their way to get on their flight out of my life. As I held onto Zayn for security, I remembered the person I'd been attached at the hips for a long time too.

"James, buddy pal, I love you. Don't you ever forget me you whore," I cried as I pulled him in for a tight hug, my tears now staining his gown. I could feel the heat on my shoulder telling me he was also brought to tears.

"I wish we didn't have to separate, Luci. I'm gonna miss you so fucking much. Don't you forget about me when you and Zayn are rich and famous. Don't forget little old Harry and me and come and visit our little bakery if you're ever in town again," James said as he pulled back and ran his hands through my hair. Him and Harry had decided that college just wasn't for them, and they would stick to maintaining themselves for now and figure things out later. Neither of them wanted kids so there was no hassle.

"I won't, James. I promise," I said as I laughed through my tears. That was the last of it as the two said their goodbyes and began their walk home, hand in hand walking down the street. I let the tears spill as they turned the corner and were out of my sight.

I turned to Zayn as he smiled shyly. I examined his beauty, from his tan skin to his brown eyes and his curled lashes. I felt the rushing feeling in my chest as a smile spread across my face.

"I guess it's just you and me now."

y'ALL. THIS TOOK SO LONG IM SO SORRY

DO Y'ALL WANT AN EPILOGUE OR NAH?? IT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE LONG TOO. it would be cute tho.

this book has 30k atm and i'm so happy i love y'all so much (':

~Judith, the slut (;