Long Distance

Flowers.

4 months later

[Aria]

It's been four months since everything happened. Four months since Mason cheated on me and four months since I last talked to him. For the first month he wouldn't stop calling or texting so I had no choice but to block his number to keep me from responding.

Over the last three months, he would try calling here and there but was never able to speak to me.

I had told my parents about what happened, and after calming down my father who was ready to fly to New York and hunt Mason down, they both comforted me and supported my decision to cancel the engagement.

I had somewhat gotten over what happened, but deep down some part of me knew that I would never forget about Mason. Despite my attempts to distract myself from everything, something always had to bring my mind back to him.

Things between the group had changed as well. For starters, Matthew had a hard time hanging around me knowing what Mason had done. He said he believed me, but deep down I knew he wanted to stick up for Mason, and I didn't blame him.

The last few months of school went by in a flash as well. Aside from my final exams, I'd say things ran pretty smooth. To my surprise, Ethan hadn't been a problem.

I hadn't talked to him since the day I got out of the hospital, and fortunately he hadn't made efforts to change that despite the fact that the news of me and Mason's breakup had spread through the school like a wildfire and I was sure Ethan had heard of it by now.

The news of what had happened at Madison's party had blown up as well and apparently, I wasn't the first girl Ian had tried to harm. Once the news got out, several girls came out confirming that this wasn't the first time Ian did this to someone. The man got serious jail time and his friends who filmed were reprimanded as well.

Aside from all that, I was grateful that I hadn't had as bad of a reaction to the breakup as I thought. I did have a week where I refused to leave my room and eat and another week full of crying. Then there was senior prom that I was way too heartbroken to attend.

I felt terrible when Madison missed prom as well to spend the night with me. Knowing that I had robbed her from one of her most important nights forced me to toughen up about the entire Mason situation and finally get my shit together.

I sat in front of my vanity, finishing up my makeup and leaving my hair in loose curls. Today was our graduation day and I couldn't be more excited to close this chapter of my life and open a new one.

"Are you ready for your big day, princesa?" My dad says as he lays his hands on my shoulders. I look up at him and nod, standing up to embrace him in a hug.

"Let's do this," I say.

My mom is waiting for us downstairs and she compliments me on how beautiful I look.

After dozens of pictures and selfies, we finally head out and make our way to my school where the graduation will be held.

When we arrive Madison and Kris immediately spot me and rush over for a group hug.

"Are you ready?" Madison says excitedly and I nod, grabbing both of their hands in mine.

The graduation starts right away and I'm grateful that it was such a beautiful sunny day out. We wouldn't want last year's tragedy to repeat itself.

Mr. O'shaughnessy, our principal gives his opening speech and soon kids are walking up the stage to receive their diplomas.

"Aria Mendez," he calls and I can hear my parents and friends scream my name as I make my way up to the podium where he hands me my diploma.