love within distance

chapter 36: graduation

It's been 4 weeks since I've gotten the confirmation letter in the mail stating I will be able to graduate early and well the day has finally come...it's graduation day! "You excited?" My sister asks. Her voice breaking my inner thoughts "ugh, yeah and nervous. I mean....what if I trip and fall?!" I tell her. She laughs "that would be hilarious!" She admits. "Ughhh casey...not helping!" I tell her frustrated and worried. "I'm just kidding kind of..it would be funny but Kristen you're not going to trip and fall. You're going to get your named called and you're gonna walk across the stage proud and with confidence as if that stage was yours to walk across because for a few short minutes...it is, so embrace it!" She tells me truthfully and I smile. "Thanks sis" I say relieved. "Anytime" She tells me "casey.." I get her attention once more "hmm?" She replies. "Were you ever this nervous when you graduated?" I asked "oh my gosh yes!" She says laughing. I begin to laugh with her. "Well good that makes me feel better." I admit. Casey graduated last year I almost didn't go because I was upset with the news that she gave the day before. She informed me that she was moving out right after graduation I know what you're thinking, that's what you're supposed to do but ya see I knew she'd be moving out soon but I didn't think it was gonna be right after so I was upset and angry with her I ended up talking myself into going and supporting her in her accomplishment but I didn't go out and party with her like we originally planned on doing...we were really close growing up and so when I found out that she was in such a rush to move out it it hurt me, it was like she didn't even consider how I'd feel about it almost like she didn't care...I was losing my sister, my best friend. We aren't as close anymore since she's moved out but most of it is my fault, I've pushed her away...she visits my mom and I often, almost every other day it's almost as if she never moved out but she did and because of that I just never pay her much mind...."I'm really sorry case" I apologize. "For what?" She asks confused. "For being so angry and hurt about your choice on moving out so quick, you've tried to make amends and I've done nothing but push you away and I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that and I miss you, I really do" I tell her honestly. "Awe, Kristen it's okay. I understand and just know me wanting to move out had nothing to do with me not wanting to be around you, you're my little sister and I love you. I knew you were hurt but I also knew you'd eventually come around and accept my decision you may be my little sister but you're like my best friend too and just because I'm trying to make a life for myself doesn't mean you can't be apart of it...it's just I'm growing up and trying to learn how to adult and things are diffrent and it's hard and I didn't know how to go about it but I knew I had to do something so I moved out." She explains "I get it and I'm sorry...I love you casey, forgive me?" I say. "Well of couse I do, now come here and give your big sister a hug...I love you Kristen and I'm so proud of you!" She tells me. I smile before turning to her and giving her a hug! "Girls are you ready, we've got to get going or we'll be late!" Mom calls out for us. "Okay, let me take a look at you" casey says. As I look over my makeup and hair once more before standing up from my bedroom floor. Aubrey, Michelle and I went shopping a week ago to find a nice dress for graduation...I ended up finding and buying a very pretty dress perfect for the occasion, it was a cute dress white lace on top and the skirt was a teal blue color it was shorter in the front than in the back and it was simple but super cute! "You look great, so beautiful!" She informs me. "Thanks, we better get going" I tell her. "Yeah, you definitely don't wanna be late for graduation" She tells me as we walk out of my room and head to the kitchen where mom is waiting. "Do you have your cap and gown?" My mom asks "yes mom, it's in my truck" I reassure her. "Okay, Are you sure? Have you heard from your dad?" She questions. "Mom relax, it's okay...yes I'm sure and yes he is actually already there" I tell her. But with that thought in mind I begin to worry, I haven't heard from nick...did he forget today was my graduation? No he wouldn't do that...would he? If he isn't there when I get there I'll text him and see where he's at....

"Sweetheart" he yells out to me. "Daddy!" I yell running to him..."hi, I'm so glad you're here" I tell him "I wouldn't miss it for anything" he reassures me. Before squeezing me in a tight hug. "Eeeeh!" A familiar voice squeals from behind me "Aubrey! You made it!" I say excitedly turning around to hug her "um yeah...of course!" She says. "Hey, hey ,hey" Michelle greets me, with jess by her side. "Hey kristen" He says smiling "hi guys, thanks for coming" I tell them. "Where's nick?" Aubrey asks "Good question...jess, do you know where he is?" I ask worried...he's going to miss me get my diploma "I figured he was already here, I talk to him earlier and he was getting ready" he informs me...well where the hell is he?! "Awe, Kristen don't worry, he'll be here...he wouldn't miss it this" jess tells me before hugging me. "Thanks jess" I say calming my nerves. "Who's ready to graduate" waide says walking up to us. "Babe!" Aubrey says happily. "ME!" I answer his question with my hand raised. We all laughed. "May we have all graduat students meet in gymnasium, it's almost time and we need all graduat students, thank you" an announcement was made over the inner com "well that's my que" I tell them when all of a sudden Hands wrap around my waist and lips kiss my neck "nick.." i smile in releif quickly hugging him tightly before slapping him away "you worried me half to death, i was scared you forgot or something bad happened to you" i admit "awe baby no im so sorry, I left way earlier because I wanted to be here before you but on my way I ended up getting a flatt tire, luckily I had my spare and so I change it real quick but when I was done I realized I dirtied my shirt and had to go back to the apartment to change and then rushed here" he explains "you know I would never miss something like this" he assured me "I love you but I've got to go now" I tell him before turning away and making my way to the gym quickly.... as I entered the gymnasium with the rest of the grad student we all sat and awaited to hear what's next. They give us another quick rundown on how it's going to go and then they get us into alphabetical order before we head to the football field. Feeling mixed emotions excited, happy, nervous and also a little irritated but very relieved...it irritates me that nick couldn't have texted me to let me know what had happened but I'm relieved that he's okay I'm nervous about having to walk in front of so many people but I'm happy that I get to do so and I'm excited to see what my future holds...this is it.........as I'm standing there waiting for my name to be called to receive my diploma I couldn'd help but look down at my hand and see that promise ring on my finger, it made me smile. It's so surreal I'm about to be done with high school and one day nick and I will eventually be engaged and then married...was I ready? "Kristen Smith" my name was called and I immediately snapped out of thought and began to move my feet towards my principle. "Congratulations Kristen, great job!" She says before handing me my diploma. I shake her hand and look out to the crowd to see everybody I love cheering me on, I make eye contact with nick and something hit me.....seeing him in the audience cheering me on, he's always been there for me through my worst and best times. I need him in my life, he's the only one I cared about being here today, the only one I cared about missing it and that's when I knew I was ready....I don't know what the future has in store for me but I do kmow that as long as I have nick by my side I'm ready and I'm excited.......

It took 2 almost 3 freaking hours to be done with the ceremony it was long and after getting my diploma it was boring I got what I came here to get I was ready to leave but ya know there had to be a speach and then they had all of us students wait to leave and had all our families head to the very front of our school where we had to find them there I guess to try and avoid chaos but I feel like it was just more chaotic that way....I was lost and couldn't find my people! I gave up trying to find them I figured I'd just walk to my truck and they'll find me so I headed to the parking lot as soon as I got there I seen them all waiting for me, my mom, dad, sister, Aubrey, waide, Michelle, Jesse and nick...and of course nick was waiting for me with a 2 dozen of red roses and a shit ton of balloons that all read, congrats, I love you, you did it ect. It was super cute and so sweet! "There she is!" My dad says bringing me into a hug "Good job baby girl" he says. "Thanks dad I love you" I tell him giving him a kiss "I love you too he replies. "My baby graduated" Mom says with tears forming in her eyes "awe mom" I say before bringing her in for a hug "proud of you Lil sis" casey tells me "thanks sis...party with me tonight?" I ask "hell yeah!" She answers. "Way to go Kristen" Aubrey and Michelle both tell me "I love you girls thank you, yall up to party tonight as well?" I ask them. "Of course!" Michelle says. "Let's do it" Aubrey agrees "party time!" Waide says "it's going down tonight!" Jesse informs me. I laugh...oh boy "be careful tonight" dad tells us "always am" I assure him "Okay I got to get going I will see you later" he tells me. "Yes I've got to get going to buy have fun tonight honey and like your dad just told you be careful tonight, all of you...please" my mom tells us "we will mom" casey tells her before we both hug her goodbye. I look over to nick still holding the roses and balloons I smile because jumping into his arms, he was waiting for it, his arms were open and ready to catch me he begins to laugh "that's my girl" he says "I love you so much nick" I tell him. "I'm so damn proud of you Kristen baby you have no idea, I love you so much...always have and always will" he tells me. I just hold onto him and this moment. ♡ "Okay let's get to partying now, my house?" Casey questions "Let's go" I confirm. With that said she gives us all directions and we all part ways to our vehicles and take off to Caseys place.......

*2 hours later*
(Casey's place)

We've all been drinking, maybe a little bit more than we should but fuck it...it's my graduation day, we just got done playing beer pong and now we're all just sitting by the bonfire nick and Jesse made for us. Laughing having a good time.
"So now that you're done with high school what are you gonna do?" Waide asks. "Honestly I don't know, I mean I know I want to go to college I just don't know where yet and I don't know what I wanna do I just know I want to work in the medical field" I told him. "Well are you going to take a year off or start college as soon as possible" casey asks me. Ughh! I've been drinking way too much to try and have this conversation right now "well as soon as possible but I wanna do something before I do start college" I tell her. "Like what baby?" Nick questions me as he skims his fingers along side my lower back. I bite my lip at his touch, trying to ignore it and what it's doing to me, I lay back on him "I don't know something spontaneous, random, adventurous..." I tell him "road trip" Aubrey says out loud "huh?" I ask. "That's what you need to do" She says. That's actually a great idea!" Michelle agrees. "But where?" I question. "Well you always said you wanted to go to a beach in California" casey mentions. "California would be awesome" waide says. I laugh. "Babe..." nick says. "Yeah?" I question "Let's do it" he tells me. We're all drunk, clearly we aren't being serious...are we? "Seriously?" I ask. "Yeah Oh my gosh yeah!" Aubrey says. "But when?" I question..."2 weeks let's go...all of us we will road trip stay in California for the 2 or 3 weeks and head back home after" he tells me "I'm down" jess says "yeah" "Let's go" "hell yes" Michelle, Aubrey and waide all agree...."casey..." I get my sister's attention, she looks at me "road trip with me?" I ask. "Oh fuck yeah! Just have to get time off from work" She tells me "sweet! Alright, California here we come!" I say agreeing to this crazy plan.

.....is this really happening?! Oh my gosh......ROAD TRIP!