Been Here All Along

02| enlistment

"Sometimes it lasts to love, but sometimes it hurts instead." - Adele

*4 years ago*

My row stood as it came to be our turn. As each name of my classmates was called, we ascended the stairs slowly. Within the next two minutes, I'll be officially graduated from Justice High School. I never thought this day would ever actually come.

"Josie Pappstein." I straightened out my gown and proceeded to the stage where I'd receive my diploma. "Josie will be attending University of Miami this fall."

I began with taking my diploma from Mr. Haxer, one of my favorite teachers at Justice High. I intentionally took as many of his classes I could. After shaking his hand, I moved on to shake the hands of our principal and vice principal.

At the end of the stage, I did as directed and paused to smile and held up my diploma for a photo.

As I got to the bottom of the stairs, it's like I could feel everything around me coming to a close. Everything I had ever known was reaching its end. There was roughly 60 more students to be announced and then we'd officially be Justice High alumni.

I remember coming to my brother's graduation three years ago when I was a freshman, thinking about how far away this date seemed to be from me. Yet, now it's here and it feels like I was a freshman only two weeks ago.

The time passed painstakingly fast. Before I knew it, we were throwing our caps in the air, congratulating one another, and hugging our neighbors for one last time.

Four years of drama, love, and heartbreak all came to an end now.

The second I laid my eyes on Ian, I took off in a sprint toward him, not even realizing I was running in 3 inch heels. I jumped into his arms as soon as he was within reach and he spun me in the air. It felt like a cliché movie scene.

"We did it," I smiled at him, my arms still wrapped around his neck as he set me back on my two feet.

"Yeah." Ian's ocean blue eyes looked distant, as if he was holding something in that he's been dying to tell me.

"What is it, E?" I cocked my head to the side so I could get a better look at his eyes that he was clearly trying to avoid from mine.

"It's nothing, Jos," he lied. Right to my face. He should know after 5 years that I can read him like an open book. I wasn't buying this. "We can talk about it tonight, okay?"

Tonight, after everyone enjoyed the day with their families, our graduating class would be meeting at Westchester for a congratulatory party.

"Okay," I agreed, feeling anxious about whatever it is that was so deep that he couldn't just talk to me about right now. "I love you." I rubbed my thumb over his cheek and smiled softly at him.

"I love you, too, Josie Elle." All worries vanished as Ian pressed his soft lips to mine. "I'll pick you up at 9?"

"See you then." I blew Ian one last kiss before sauntering off to find my family or Kaila — whoever appeared in my line of sight first.

"Jos," the voice of my boyfriend's best friend called after me.

"Hey, Mason. He's back that way." I nodded my head in the direction I'd just came from. I swear, I spent at least half of my high school life telling Mason or Ian where I'd last seen the other. They can never seem to keep track of each other.

"Thanks," he chuckled, waving as he jogged in the direction of Ian.

~•~