perfection of hope | ✔️

XXIII

"WE OUT BITCHES!" Amelia screams, throwing her hands in the air.

"baby you can't just says that," Ethan says laughing.

"i can do whatever i want now, i'm FREEEE!" i start laughing, convinced that my best friend had taken some drugs during that graduation ceremony.

two hours we sat there. listening to speeches and watching awards being handed out. Sebastian threw a chalk bomb at one of the teachers while Ethan threw one at the principal. that was the highlight of the two hours.

none of us six won anything. not suprised. Jaymes left the second it ended claiming that the school didn't own him anymore so he didn't want to have to look at it ever again. i don't blame him.

"guess who's back," i turn to see Seb and Ace walking towards us. Seb got taken away for 'ruining' the ceremony. Ace went with him.

"Sebo! my man," i say putting my hand up for a high five. he laughs slapping his hand against mine and turning to Amelia and Ethan.

"i thought this was going to be cooler to be honest. like everyone runs outside and takes their hats of and throws them into the air and shit ya know," he says in a bored tone.

"that's just in the movies hermanó," Ace says walking over and draping his arm across my shoulders.

"fucken bullshit man," Seb mutter. i laugh at how he's genuinely mad about it.

"um aside from Sebastian's tantrum here, guess who got into Brown?" Amelia yells.

"the colour?" Seb asks with a frown on his face.

"what?" i ask bursting out laughing.

"the collage dipshit," Ethan says rolling his eyes, "i'm going there too,"

"i'm proud of you Amelia," i tell her.

she smiles. "where are you going?"

"not sure, i might not even go. i'm taking a gap year for sure," i say shrugging.

"me too," Ace says.

"me three!" Seb bursts.

"is he on drugs?" i whisper to Ace. he shrugs.

"i have no clue hermosá," he says laughing softly. i shake my head laughing aswell.

my life took a massive turn this year. a ran into the bad boy. became best friends with his friends. we made a big family. i was kidnapped. met a nice boy who brought me back to my family. i realised i was in love. and now i've graduated.

never once at any point did i think any of this would happen but i wouldn't have changed it for the world. getting kidnapped wasn't my best moment but i made a new friend. Eli comes and hangs out with us sometimes when he can. Ronan's in jail so he has the freedom he didn't have before.

i've been to the gang compound a few times and the people there aren't that bad. they are friendly and quite funny. i'm glad Ace has that family, even if he doesn't want to be there it's good that he has that support.

speaking of Ace and family, the shit with his mum and dad got worse. talking turned into a massive fight and he came back to the house balling his eyes out. they had kicked him out, didn't want him around anymore. me and the boys went back the next day to get all his stuff and bring it back to mine. now he's looking for an apartment.

Cole met a little boy at the park when Ace and i took him there and they became friends instantly. his name is Will and he's been coming over almost everyday and slept over last night. Cole was ecstatic. i'm glad he's happy.

mama and papa have been getting lots of work which is good. they love their job so i'm happy they get to sped a lot of time doing what they love. they've left Cole home with me this time. i'm glad their trust levels have gone up with me. i mean it's not like i'm five, i can take care of us both.

"i wanna go to a party tonight. who's up for it?" Seb asks, breaking me out of my thoughts. Amelia shakes her head.

"can't, i need to pack," she says.

"what for?" he asks frowning. i don't know how he graduated i swear.

"Brown, my god," she says rolling her eyes.

"yeah me too bro. sorry," Ethan says, slipping his hand into Amelia's. awww.

"whatever. what about you two?" Seb grumbles turning towards Ace and i.

"sorry hermanó, i'm taking my girl here out on a date tonight. another night tho sure," Ace tells him, pulling me closer towards him.

"i'm taking my girl here on a date," he mocks and i chuckle lightly, "whatever i'm going home. later losers," he yells walking over to the parking lot and getting in his car.

"well we better go too. we both gotta pack and i wanna sleep," Ethan says walking forward slightly. Amelia nods.

"yeah babe it's a long drive and i'm not prepared to crash," she laughs. she lets go of Ethan's hand and walks up to me pulling me into a hug.

"i'll be back soon but until then i'll miss you," she whispers. i nod.

"i'll miss you too. you better call me every night," she pulls away.

"i will," i hold out my hand holding up my pinky.

"promise?" i ask.

"promise," she wraps her pinky around mine.

"come on baby let's go," Ethan walks over and grabbing Amelia's hand. he leans forward and presses a kiss on my cheek.

"cya Gray, stay safe," he says walking away.

"i'll try E," he just laughs and continues walking towards his car with Amelia.

i turn and look at Ace who's already got his eyes on me.

"what are we gonna do?" i ask.

"i want to go home and cuddle with you and watch movies," he says softly with a small smile.

"okay baby," his smile grows and he leans down kissing my lips.

"i love it when you call me that," he says smiling still. i shake my head.

"come on loser," i laugh. pulling him to my car. Ace runs ahead of me and stands in front of the drivers side. i unlock the car and hop into the passenger seat, chucking the keys to him.

he starts the car and head down the road and away from the school. soon enough his hand finds its way to my knee. a small gesture that shows so much.

"i wuv youu," he sings. i smile at his cuteness and put my hand over his.

"i love you too," i tell him. he blows me a kiss and turns his attention back to the road.

he's not perfect. neither am i. none of us are for that matter. but that's okay. because when you meet someone you love they will love you with your imperfections because everyone has them. you learn to accept them.

Ace taught me how to have hope.

Ace is mine.

Ace is my perfection of hope.

the end.

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