BitterSweet (Editing){Complete}

Chapter Twenty-Six- A Bittersweet Goodbye

3 months later

Today, was finally the day that everybody been waiting for. It's the day that we graduate. Excitement rushed through my core because finally after twelve years, I'm starting my life. I'm leaving this town for the big city and nothing was as fulfilling as that. Besides the fact that my best friend was moving with me.

Hours passed and the class was finally ready for the graduation ceremony to begin. As I stood on the stage to give the salutatorian speech, I couldn't help but give the valedictorian a sly smile. I always told him, I would out speech him. After that, I begin.

" As the graduating class of 2019, we are exceptional students. We've have accomplished so much in the years that have passed. And I have learned so much from all of you, regardless if we talk or not. We have many accomplishments as we are here today to be rewarded the diploma we rightfully deserve. Years of struggles and here we are. Suspended in the air, holding our breath in hopes that we make it far. And I hope we do. We are like a tree, growing towards uncertainty, but hoping we grow tall and strong to stand out. And we should. We are the dreamers of this generation. Today is not the end, it's the start of a new beginning. To a new dream." Once I finished, the stadium boomed with applause. I took a seat and waited for graduation to end.

We all decided to meet at Golden Carol after departing the stage. I run to my family and boasted in their congratulations. Some were still shocked that I ranked number two out of the 300 students attending my school. I rolled my eyes, just because I was a premature baby doesn't mean I'm brain dead. A certain saddens suddenly overtook me as I wish my dad could have been here to see me. After all what a daughter without her father? He was taken from the world way too soon to see me off in it. I wipe the traitorous tear from my eye as I started to make my way to my car. But before I could do so, Stephen stopped me in my tracks.

"Hey," he whispered with a sad smile.

"Hi."

"Looked great today. Your speech really touched me."

"Thanks, I meant it to. Meant for it to touch the whole graduating class."

"I just wanted to say, I'm sorry how this didn't work out between us."

"I'm sorry too."

"Just so you know, those were some of the best days of my life. If only I wasn't such a screw-up, you know. I guess, you leaving kind of ruin my whole healing process. I honestly thought I was going somewhere with you."

"I did too, but I guess that's life. It screws you over. Literally, something that you did."

He scratched his head sheepishly before saying, "I guess I did. So what college are you going to?"

"Somewhere far from here. I got to leave this town behind me."

"That doesn't answer where."

"I got accepted to UC Berkeley. So I'm going there. I'm planning to double major in psychology and English. You?"

"I'm not going to college, I'm joining the Marines."

"Gosh, how noble and risky that is."

"I'm aware."

"Well, I hope you find what you are looking for in life one day. I really do, even though it sucks it couldn't be me," I say with a bittersweet smile.

He stared at me with remorseful eyes before saying, "I hope you do too." And that's when I walked away from him, finally straying off "our" path and beginning a new one. After everything we've been through, it was hard for me to walk away, but I knew deep down there was nothing left for me on that path anymore. I did my part by shaping him up and carving him multiple paths to take and him vice versa. And with that in mind, I wasn't afraid of starting over again because I knew it'll make my journey that much sweeter.

"Life is bittersweet... But the further you travel the less it will become bitter and the more it will be sweet. Bittersweet."

- Cece G