Moments

Chapter Sixteen

"Willow Mai Hale"

I heard screams as I walked up the stage to grab my diploma. I shook his hand, grabbed my diploma then walked to the other side of the stage.

This was it. I graduated high school.

Ivy, Sam, Chrissie, Amanda, Thomas, Shane, and Ben were all here to see me graduate, which I was so thankful for. I missed them so much. They all grabbed me in a hug and said 'congrats.'

After the ceremony had ended and pictures were all taken, we headed back to my house. Tyler, Grace, and Sierra came over, as well. We ate junk food, watched movies and just celebrated.

Dad soon came into the room handing us glasses of what looked like champagne.

"Let's have a toast. Don't tell your parents I gave you alcohol." We laughed raising our glasses. "I'm so proud to have such an amazing daughter. I'm proud of the woman I've met and come to learn so much about. I feel like I just got you in my life, and now you're leaving back to New York to go to Columbia University to pursue writing. But, this will still be your home to come back to. You just say the word and I'll be there." I smiled as I got up and hugged him.

"I guess I'll say something, too." I sighed looking at all the people who have such a huge spot in my heart. "Sam, Chrissie, Amanda, Thomas, Shane, and Ben; you guys are seriously the weirdest but most amazing people I've let into my life. You know how to make me laugh and always know how to have a good time. I'm so thankful to call you my best friends."

"Of course," Ben said giving me a smile.

I looked at Grace and Sierra. "Grace and Sierra. Coming here was definitely not easy, but you two made it worth it because you guys came into my life. You can be so impossible at times and relentless, but I love you two so much. You've done so much for me and I just want you to know how much I appreciate you two."

"We're always here for you, girl," Grace said raising her glass to me.

I looked at Ivy. We both smiled at each other knowing I was going to be extra sentimental with her. "Goober," she laughed. "you are not my friend and not even my best friend, you are my sister separated by birth. My soul mate sent down to look after me and be by my side. No one else on this planet knows me as much as you do, and I know you loved my mom almost as much as I did, but I know she saw you as a daughter to her." She looked down smiling. "Ivy, I love you so much to the ends of the earth and you will be the maid of honor in my wedding no matter who else comes into my life. You are such an amazing woman that is so strong willed and I know you will do such big things in life, and I can't wait to applaud you along the way." She shot up and grabbed me into her embrace.

"I love you, too, goobey."

After hugging she sat down and I looked at Tyler. There's so much to say about him, but no words could compare to how I feel. "Tyler, you seriously are something. But, you're my something and I wouldn't change it for the world. We've only known each other for a short time, but that short time means so much to me. We went through so much, but we made it through and I can't wait to make it through the rest of life with you. I love you, baby."

"I love you, too, beautiful."

I smiled moving to my dad. "Last by not least. Dad, my whole life I had imagined who you would be, how you would be, you were always just a dream my whole life. But, then my dream finally came true. You may not have been there in the past, but you're here now and I'm so thankful for you to give me a chance to be your daughter. No matter where I go, what I do, and what I become, you'll always be my daddy and I'll always be your little girl.

He hugged me then looked at everyone. "Cheers." He said raising his glass with us and then we took a sip.

I looked around at all the people I loved.

And at this moment, I knew I had my family with me forever.

~~~

"I'm going to miss you," Tyler said as he held me closer.

"I'll be back in a month, okay. You can't get rid of me that easy." He laughed as he tightened his embrace.

I heard the intercom in the airport announce my flight was boarding. We sighed as we let go of each other go.

"Just a month." He assured me, more like himself, though.

"More like four years." He looked at me with that look. I laughed. "I'm just saying." I gave him one last kiss.

I moved away from him to go hug my dad and say goodbye.

"Call me when you land, okay," Dad said giving me a stern look.

"Of course."

I was leaving for New York for college. Tyler was staying here, in California, to go to a state college. I knew it was going to be difficult with long distance, but I knew if we could get through everything else, we could get through something as little as distance. I walked to my gate, gave them one final wave goodbye before I disappeared to the airplane.

Goodbye California.

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