Hold me

Chapter 13

*Graduation Day*

Today is the day I've waited my whole life and now that it's here I don't want to be up there. I don't want to do the speech, I don't want to be up there and not see Lee next to our classmates. I put on my dress, a pair of high heels, my gown, and cap. I looked myself in the mirror one more time and put on the necklace Lee gave me for my birthday. I walked downstairs where my moms were waiting.

Little Belle was wearing a dress and Lee's necklace, it was a little big on her but who am I to tell her not to wear it. I forced a smile, and we all got in the Limo. Bri, her mom, and her sister were already inside the limousine. No one said a word on the whole ride, when got to the school you could feel the sadness. Bri walked with me to where the principal was and she looked at me and gave me a sweet smile.

I'm now sitting by the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian. The Valedictorian was gonna do the speech first, followed by the Salutatorian. I was going after them. As the ceremony went on and I kept staring at my classmates where Lee should've been. I heard them call my name and I got up and forced a smile. I cleared my throat, "Today is the day, where one of the most important chapters in our lives began. We've prepared our whole life for this day, for this exact same moment. Some of us have an idea of what to do with our lives but some of us don't, and that is completely okay. This is the chapter where we are going to make a lot of mistakes, some of them are gonna mark our lives forever and some are going to teach us. It's okay to fall as long as you get back up because giving up is not an option. Life will hit hard sometimes, I recently lost someone very important to me. Most of you knew her, she was an amazing girl. She didn't get to finished her journey, and that truly breaks my heart. We used to dream about this day and now I'm standing here in front of you all but she is not here, I want every single one of you to fight for what you want. I believe that we all are capable of doing whatever we want, as long as we set our minds to it. So I want you all to go out there and be the best version of yourself, be nice and kind to others. Live your life to the fullest and never give up on your dreams" I said and the crowd erupted in applause.

"I'm so proud of you Nugget," mom said. "You did it," said mommy. "High Five!" Said Belle. Everyone was smiling, I looked for Bri and when she saw me she ran up to me and hugged me tightly. "We made it!" She said and I nodded. We both looked up at the sky and smiled. We went out to eat at Bri's and I favorite restaurant and talked about the future. "I want to be a Doctor," said Belle. "Really?" I asked. "Yes!" She said. "Alright, alright," I said and she smiled. "You gotta work hard though," said Bri. "I will," she said just like you two and Lee," she said and I felt the lump in my throat. "Yes," I said and we all smiled at her.

After dinner, Bri and I decided to go see Lee, when Bri parked the car. We both got out and walked to Lee's grave, we both sat down and Bri hold my hand and gave me a smile. "We missed you today," I said, "It wasn't the same without you," said Bri. "It wasn't supposed to end like this," I said. "We were supposed to graduate together and then travel around the world," I said. "Oh Lee, you have no idea how much it hurts to know that you're gone," I said feeling the tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Belle is doing better, my moms adopted her so there's nothing to worry about," I said "We will take care of her with our lives," Bri said. We stayed there for a few more minutes and then we drove back home. Bri dropped me off and then went home to her mom and sister. I walked upstairs to my mom's room to find them with Belle in bed all of them asleep. I smiled to myself and then went to Lee's room, I sat on her bed and took a deep breath remembering all our funny moments. She was smoking cigarettes, at least it wasn't weed even though this is way worse. I took one out and lit it, I walked to the balcony and smoke one.

I know this isn't something I'd do, but right now it's making me feel better, feeling the air on my face made me feel so calm, and the pain is numbing slowly. I went downstairs to get the booze my mom keeps on the left cabinet. I went upstairs to my room with a bottle and started drinking. I felt the tears rolling down my cheeks and I grabbed my car keys and drove to Victor's house. I barely got to the door and knocked. "What the hell Gabby!? Have you lost your mind!?" He Asked. "Nah, I just lost my sister," I said laughing with tears rolling down my cheeks. "Let's get you inside," he said helping, he sat me on the couch and went to the kitchen.