Nicholas Grey Must Not Die | ✓

18 | Bridges

"It's like catching lightning, the chances of finding someone like you. It's one in a million, the chances of feeling the way we do. And with every step together, we just keep on getting better"

~ Can I Have this Dance? (HSM 3 Soundtrack)

The next few months passed like a blur. Nick took the basketball team to State and won. Prom came and passed, with David Morgan and Kate Ashton winning Prom royalty. Most of the senior class, including Nick and I, partook in the senior prank by putting chickens owned by one of our classmates, Jess Madison, in the school and letting them roam freely. We almost got suspended, but our principal realized there were too many of us and that he couldn't possibly suspend hundreds of students a couple of weeks before graduation. 

Throughout the months, Nick and I divided our time between school, each other and other important matters as best as we could. However, we were spread too thinly and so some days, our late phone calls were all we had of one another. The time we missed from each other added up and I just ended up missing him so much. I was eager for graduation day to arrive because that will be the day we would both be set free from our responsibilities for at least two months, which we can spend together undisturbed. 

And today was that day. Thank God.

Even though I was more than glad to be graduating, I felt an odd sense of nostalgia as I looked at my backpack, filled with all my notes and books from my senior year.

My mom stood behind me, curling my hair and sniffing quietly as she tried to keep from crying. I felt the same way because soon, I'd be moving across the state to Southern California. It'll be my first time being away from my parents for longer than a day. Sure I can just drive a few hours or take a quick flight back, but that still meant they weren't going to be as easily accessible as they've been all my life.

"All done!" My mom tried to say, her voice breaking.

I shook my head, unable to sit still any longer. I turned around to face her, seeing the silent tears that ran down her cheeks. "Oh, mom. Thank you. Thank. You." I whispered, the lump in my throat making it painful for me to talk any louder. I pulled her into one of the tightest bear hugs and locked her in for a long time. She whispered how much she was going to miss me and I told her how it'll be the same for me once I leave. I mean, I'm not moving out until in two months, but Nick and I decided to take a trip across the world over summer to spend the time we missed out on. Our parents had unanimously agreed to let us. They're paying for our trips as our graduation gift. We're supposed to leave for Australia first thing tomorrow afternoon. 

"I'm so proud of you, baby. You've grown into the brave, kindhearted, bright young lady your father and I hoped you'd be," she replied, caressing my hair softly. She pulled back and planted a strong kiss to my cheek. Then she fully pulled back to catch my eyes and gave me a proud smile that made my eyes flood with tears. "Oh baby," she said, wiping my tears away, "please don't cry, because then you're gonna make me cry and you know how I am once I get started."

"I love you to Pluto and back, mom, you have no idea," I said to her, the strength in my voice getting stronger by each word. 

"I love you, too, sweetheart," she responded, "and I'm positive I have more than an idea of what you're talking about."

A loud giggle escaped me. "How's dad doing?"

She chuckled. "He cried a lot last night and went on and on about you leaving us. This has to be the most emotional I've ever seen him apart from the day you were born."

Instead of laughing along, a new batch of tears fell down my cheeks. I swapped at them angrily. "Ugh, I don't want to cry today. I'm gonna go talk to dad, is he in your room?"