*** COMPLETED *** Think About You [A G-Eazy Story, Sequel to If I'm Lucky]

Chapter 40: "You're gonna be great."

Graduation had ended exactly how I thought it would - in tears.

I was backstage at the arena, saying goodbye and taking pictures with everyone that I had worked with over my last four years.

"I can't believe it's all over now," Tyler said as he hugged me again after we got a photo together. "What are you going to be doing?"

"I'm moving to Manhattan in a few days," I said with a smile. "I accepted a job as the Head of Music Business at Spotify, and then we worked out a deal where I could go on tour with Gerald and work from my laptop because I'm his social media manager."

He smiled at me with a nod.

"That's awesome," he grinned. "Congratulations, Rachel. You really deserve it. I'm gonna be a producer back home in Florida for my local news station."

"Nice!" I laughed. "Should be easy for you. You have tons of experience."

We talked for a few more minutes, and then I went to go find a few more people before going to find Kaitlyn, Grady, and Gerald in the crowd outside.

"There she is!" Gerald said as I walked up to them. He wrapped me up in his arms tightly as he kissed my head. "I'm so fucking proud of you, baby. Wow, I can't believe you're finally done."

"I know," I laughed as I looked down at the diploma cover. "I cried enough back there, I'm not sure if i can cry anymore."

Kaitlyn took our picture, and then I took one with Grady and Gerald, and then someone took a photo of all four of us, and then Kaitlyn and I took a few photos.

"I'm so proud of you, Rachel," she whispered in my ear after she hugged me. "After everything you've been through this past year. You're so strong."

"Oh, stop it," I laughed as I felt my face get hot. "Don't make me cry again," I said as I hugged her tightly again.

Grady had been taking photos of Kaitlyn and I hugging and crying, and we finally pulled away from each other after a few minutes.

Neither of my parents came to graduation because somewhere in between everything else that was going on, they had gotten a divorce, and neither of them were happy that I was moving to Manhattan. They didn't bother to call me and wish me good luck, so I didn't bother with calling them.

After all of the excitement had died down, we started to walk back to the rental car.

"I'm so hungry," I said with a laugh as I walked next to Gerald, squeezing his hand. "Can we go get something to eat before we all part ways?"

The four of us ended up at Red Robin because neither Kaitlyn or I wanted to go anywhere fancy, plus we were tired anyway.

"And what can I get for you, doll?" The waiter asked as he looked at me. I felt Gerald's grip tighten on my leg, and I rolled my eyes slightly.

I ordered my food and then looked across the table at Kaitlyn when the waiter started talking to her.

"And what about you, babe?" He asked, waiting to take her order. Grady's facial expression changed and I bit down on my lip as I laughed slightly, shaking my head.

"He's definitely not getting a tip," Gerald said as the waiter walked away. "Nobody hits on you," he said as he draped an arm around my shoulders.

"Calm down," I said with a laugh as I pinched his cheek, kissing him. "He didn't mean anything by it."

Kaitlyn leaned against Grady as she sipped her drink, shaking her head.

"I thought it was cute," she smirked, looking at Grady. "Oh, come on, he's just a high school kid trying to hit on us. I'm sure you and Gerald were way worse in school," she said as she looked at Gerald. "Using hall passes to have sex."

Gerald laughed as he sipped on his drink, keeping his arm around my shoulders.

"Alright, I wasn't the best kid in school," he said as he winked at me. "But I have Rachel now, I'm a changed man."

We ate our food after it came, and Kaitlyn and I felt bad, so we left the poor waiter a tip as we left.

Because we were flying to different places, we drove separately.

Kaitlyn and I stood by Gerald's rental car, hugging tightly once again.

"Call me when you land, okay?" Kaitlyn said as she pulled away from me. "And once you know your schedule, we need to plan a visit so I can see you. You take good care of her, Gerald," she said as she glared at him.

"I'll call you," I reassured her over and over. "I can't wait to hear all about your new job. You're gonna be great."

Kaitlyn walked over to say her goodbyes to Gerald.

"I kinda hate you a little less now," she said as she hugged him. "Take good care of my best friend."

"Thanks," he laughed as he hugged her back, pulling away. "I'll watch over her. I'll be 15 minutes away from her. Good luck at your new job."

I gave Grady a hug goodbye as I wiped my eyes again.

"Be good to Kaitlyn," I said as I hugged him. "She's my best friend. And I know she really loves you."

Grady smiled at me as he pulled away.

"I promise to take good care of her, Rachel," he said as he opened the door to set his camera in the backseat. "Good luck at Spotify. I'm so proud of you."

We all stood there talking for a little bit longer before it was finally time to go our separate ways.

"This is it," Gerald said as he held my hand with his free one, looking over at me. "Are you ready for the rest of your life?"

"No," I answered honestly. "But I wasn't ready for anything else that happened, and I got through it."

We drove to the airport, and nervously waited for our flight to Manhattan. I was so nervous, but I couldn't wait to begin the next chapter of my life.