High Hopes

Thirty Four - Seven Months Forward

*seven months later*

We did end up going back to Wisconsin as a family for the holiday. Mike and I visited our parents' graves and met up with some old friends. Kendra and Kayla were slightly mad since I wasn't going to be there to party for New Years. I honestly wasn't about that life anymore anyways.

I ended up focusing on school during these seven months. I joined lacrosse again, something that soon brought back some happiness. But, studying my ass off definitely pulled through since I'm graduating as valedictorian. I plan on taking classes for music and art, as I don't know which I'm leaning more to lately.

As for interaction with Gabe or Jesse, I haven't talked to them at all. The sad part is, Gavin did pass away. About four months ago, he just stopped breathing completely. I guess the treatment wasn't working as effectively as it could. I offered my condolences to the Gordon family and went to the funeral. I cried for a week, probably nothing compared to them. Gabe did try to talk to me, even came to my door while he was balling his eyes out. It took everything for me to turn him away. If he doesn't love me enough, I'm not going to waste my time on him. Jesse has stuck to his life, I didn't press charges from when he hit me. I guess he's now engaged to Samantha. My question is why does he want to get married so early? I'm pretty sure we still hate each other, at least I know I hate him. His dad is fine too; it's as if they completely forgot about the whole situation. 

Tanner and I have been spending more time together and he's even going to college at NYU. We're pretty close so we can meet up anytime. He broke up with Victoria after she cheated on him, something I called. Kayla and Kendra come over all the time. They basically act like this is their home too, which I suppose it is. I guess we just don't want to lose Kendra. She'll be in New Jersey at Dartmouth and we'll be in New York at Julliard. We most likely won't accept it until the day comes.

"Are you ready? We're going out back to take pictures." Tanner waves his hand in front of my face and laughs.

"Shut up. I'm coming." I lift up the front of my lime green prom dress and walk out back, where we are taking prom pictures.

"Get over here." Kendra pulls me by the elbow and positions me between her and Kayla.

"Are you going to be okay?" Kayla whispers in my ear.

"With what?" I whisper back.

"Gabe is coming over to take pictures." She sighs.

"Uh, yeah." I smile and look at Tanner, who smiles and wraps his arms around me from behind.

I asked him to prom, since I didn't want to go dateless. Both Kayla and Kendra have dates so I'd be 5th wheeling and I'm not about that life.

"Hey, we're here." Gabe walks over with Katie; his latest girlfriend. She's on my lacrosse team and actually kind of nice, so we're friends.

They walk to the end and Aunt Laura walks over to the back to take the picture. Uncle Lucas is holding baby Emma on the patio. She's only a month old and her crying doesn't help any of us.

"Alright. Now we just need the girls." Aunt Laura smiles as we change positions and take more pictures.

"I think we need a sibling pic." Uncle Lucas smirks.

I frown and look at Mike as he walks outside. He had gone back to college a few months ago, so this is news to me. I run into his arms and smile as he squeezes me back.

"Come on, let's take some pics." He laughs and pulls me to the spot.

After a countless number of pictures, we all get into the limo Uncle Lucas got us. It's a longer drive; prom is at some fancy place by the ocean on the other end. They goof around in the limo; I stare aimlessly out the window and watch cars go by.