Becoming Brooke

42.

"Today we celebrate a chapter of our lives that sadly yet rewardingly has come to an end." Dinah stood infront of the entire student body, in her cap and gown. Graduating as the schools Valedictorian.

"As the chapter ends a new one begins for all of us, it may seem sad at first but I believe the people we are graduating with are people that will be in our lives forever." Dinah smiles as she makes eye contact with Normani, then Ally then Lauren then Tori.

Ally was sitting in the row infront of Lauren and Tori since their last names were somewhat close together. Normani had graduated as Salutatorian so she was in the seat next to Dinah's.

"After these four past years you'd think we would all be prepared for this day but believe it or not, i felt as if I blinked and it was all over...its safe to say that these last four years will be the years we all be thankful for for the rest of our lives, so no matter what obstacle you all encounter after this day, always remember we are stronger than we think we are, smarter than who we wished to be, and loved more than anything." Dinah takes a shakey breathe as she ends her speech,"So class of 2020...we did it!"

The field erupts in a roar of applause not only from the students but from the stands of friends and family.

The seniors all grab their tassels and do the ceremony of moving it from the left to the right. Ally looks behind to see Lauren smiling at her, and gives her a wink.

The senior class throws their caps into the air, and run to hug one another as the ceremony concludes.

"I love you baby." Lauren says as she places Ally's cap back on her.

"I love you back."

The couple reach down and give one another a kiss before joining their friends in a picture.

Patricia smiles and holds the camera up, "Everyone say 'We did it!"

"WE DID IT!"
-

It was the end of May and Lauren has been dating Ally for about nine months months, they had enjoyed and experienced the rest of senior year together. They went to prom, went to crazy parties, took a week off together for spring break, even got a page in the yearbook for "cutest couple."

Now it was all ending. Ally was leaving in a few days to start her summer schooling.

Lauren was nervous, not because of the fear of breaking up but the fear of something happening to Ally and she's not there to protect her.

"Babe I'm gonna be okay, it'll only be for a month then I'll have two months to come back and enjoy the rest of summer with you." Ally reassures Lauren for the hundredth time as she packs.

"I don't want you to go." Lauren frowns and Ally thinks it's adorable, so she goes and sits on her lap. "You know this will only make us stronger, besides Tori will be here to keep you company."

Lauren and Ally look to Tori who was making a mess in the kitchen as she cooks with Patricia and Clara. Or at least tried to.

"Mija I told you to make tea, I promise we got everything else." Patricia says as she grabs the knife from Tori.

"Yeah thatll be interesting."  Lauren laughs and hugs her girlfriend, "You gonna miss me?"

Ally's face goes soft and she smiles,"Every day I'm not with you I'll be missing you."