》New Years

Graduation

Stella's POV-

As promised, Jackson was here to pick me up right on time as we headed to school to prepare for our graduation ceremony. Jackson are I are as nervous as each other for him to meet my parents. Unfortunately his parents couldn't make it from China, but I bought two plane tickets for us to visit at the end of the month. I will give them to him after the ceremony.

We walked into the hall, our intertwined hands swallowed by our gowns. Jackson kissed me on the cheek before heading to his seat. He was the last of the students to be called up, all the way down at W. Meanwhile Cath and I were seated at H and I, and Mark was somewhat in between at T. Unfortunately I was stuck next to Jaebum, and his leg kept sneaking closer to mine.

Soon the lights dimmed and the head of the University announced his arrival on stage, producing a boring speech and thanking us for a wonderful year before students began to be called up.
"Catherine Haneur" The MC announced, I cheered as she walked up on stage, posing for the cameras and collecting her diploma. Mark could be clearly heard over the rest of the crowd.
"Stella Imoya" It was my turn, I proudly walked across the stage, collecting my diploma and posing for the cameras. The crowd cheered but I couldn't see anybody, the bright lights shining in my face.
"That's my girl!!" I hear Jackson yell, causing me to smile. I quickly walked off stage as they called up Jaebum. I headed back to my seat, giving Mark and Jackson a wave before I spotted a face in the crowd. My stomach dropped, what was he doing here?? I thought I'd never see him again. It was Jinyoung.

"Mark Tuan"
Cath cheered, as the lanky boy made his way across the stage. I sat still, trying not to panic as the boy who hurt me so many years ago was near me once again. Cath turned to me and rubbed my back, assuring me that he couldn't be him, that he had moved to Korea to start life as an idol. He wouldn't be back in LA watching his high school girlfriend graduate from university.

"Jackson Wang"
The MC snapped me out of my thoughts as I loudly cheered. A smile spread across his face as he posed for the cameras.
"Students, I hereby announce that you have officially completed your schooling. Congratulations." The whole cohort cheered at these words and rushed to greet family and friends. I went in the opposite direction to find Jackson who was already with Mark and Cath. Cath was explaining to Jackson about Jinyoung, apparently Mark had seen him too.
I received a text from my mum letting me know she was outside with Mark and Cath's parents. "Let's go" I said, turning around and almost colliding with someone's chest.
"What's the hurry sweetheart?" Jinyoung said grabbing onto my arms and pushing me back lightly in order to see my face.
"Get your hands off of her" Jackson growled, placing himself between Jinyoung and myself.
"Hmm you finally moved on Stella?  A downgrade as expected." Jinyoung smirked, "You don't need to act like you actually love her, she believes it rather easily if you ask me"
"What do you mean?" Mark asks calmly.
"I mean Stella believed I was really in love with her, when really I was just using her." He paused before continuing. "Jackson was it? Hm I've heard her scream my name louder"
I could feel the heat flaring off of Jackson. I reached for his arm but was too late, his fist connecting with Jinyoung's jaw, leaving the boy unconscious on the floor.

"Lets go" Mark says, leading us out of the hall. 
We headed over to my parents, I could feel Jackson tense up as they were in sight. I squeezed his hand reassuringly.
"Stella!" Mum exclaimed as they both wrapped me in a hug.
"Hi Guys! I missed you lots!" I pulled away and pulled Jackson closer. "This is Jackson, my boyfriend." He shyly smiled and shook my dads hand as Mum pulled him into a hug.
"She's a hugger" I whispered in his ear as he stood beside me. My parents headed back home and Jackson and I decided to walk back to my apartment.
"Are you alright?" He asks, rubbing circles on my hand with his thumb, a habit I've learnt he does when he's worried about me.
"Of course, I had my knight in shining armour to save me this time" I beam at him as he blushes and kisses my temple. "Besides, that screaming thing isn't true, we never had sex" I said, leaving Jackson stunned as I ran up the stairs into my building.