The Way We Made It Happen [UNDER PAINFULLY SLOW EDITING]

Epilogue

-Zayn's POV-

"I'm nervous" I said, my palms were sweating , I wiped them on the dark blue robe I had on.

"Zayn, son. Don't think, just go and do it. If that's what you want and you're confident about it, go ahead" My dad said, his hands on either side of my face.

I took in a deep breath. "Yeah, dad. I'm confident." I managed a watery smile.

"I can't believe my son is graduating from university" My dad said, slinging his arm across my shoulder.

"Zayn, honey, you're an amazing son and an amzing person, nothing is ever going to change that" My mom said, wrapping her arms around me.

"I know Ma, I just hope it's a yes" I said, smiling down at my mom.

"And now, I call Mr. Zayn Malik, one of the finest students Princeton has nutured. Come on stage Zayn and say a few words." the Dean of the university said from the podium.

I looked back at my parents one last time before walking onto stage. I strode up to the dean and collected my diploma.

Every year, the first four students of each honours class have to give a speech. Hannah stood first in her honours class and had already given her speech. I scanned the hall and my eyes settled on her in the front row.

In these past four years, Hannah and I have grown so much as people. When we started dating we were just 17 and now we're 21 and still very much in love. 

We've had our own share of fights and rough patches but it was all worth it in the end. I have seen her become woman of beauty, intelligence and grace over these years, just as she has seen me change.

She looked up at me, a grin streched across her face.

I smiled back,

"Hello everybody. As everyone here knows, I stood first in my honours class in Enviormental Sciences and have received an honoary degree. I would like to send a massive thanks to the entire faculty for making this happen, all the teachers who have helped me come up over all these years. It's been four years since I've been at this University, but it hardly feels like it. Princeton has given me some of my best memories and I will always cherish it. I would also want to thank my parents, of course who made it possible for me to accomplish my childhood dream, albeit, Princeton University. But there's one more person, the one who made me capable of standing here and making this speech"

I looked over at Hannah and saw her eyes getting moist and a goofy grin still on her face. I smiled at her and continued,

"I would want to send a massive thanks to my girlfriend, Hannah Baker. Hannah stood first herself in her honours class. As it's no secret that Hannah and I live together, she's the one who made every strenous, assignment filled night possible without me pulling my hair out, either by making me my favourtie thing for dinner, massaging my shoulders or simply making me coffee at 3:00 am while I worked on assigments. She's my support system, my best friend, my confidante and my everything. And Hannah, thank you for that. I love you" I said, finshing my speech.

Every single person in the audience clapped, it was thunderous. 

I got off stage and made my way to Hannah in the front row. I slid into the seat next to her, taking her hand in mine.

"I love you too, Zayn" she said, leaning in to kiss my cheek.

I smiled at her and looked up at the stage where the last speeches of the evening were taking place.

Princeton, a dream that I had since I saw a catalogue of it. I had made it, and now this dream was accomplished.

I thought back to how Hannah and I slogged through our senoir year just to be where we are right now. I remember spending all weekend buried in our books and nothing else.