The Graduation List

27 - Dating

 A/N: okay wow there's one chapter left and an epilogue, kinda crazy but i'm really proud of this book, thanks for reading friends!

A few days later i'm woken up when I feel kisses along my neck, I sigh a smile coming to my face as I open my eyes slowly. "Good morning beautiful" I peer over my shoulder at Eli who is smiling at me, "morning" his arms tighten around my waist bringing my back to his chest, "I love waking up next to you darling" I smile snuggling back into him as he kisses the skin where my t-shirt has slipped off of my shoulder. My stomach grumbles, Eli laughs into my shoulder, I blush as I get out of his arms to slide on some legging's knowing that my roommates would not appreciate me walking around the house only wearing Eli's Badgers t-shirt. "Come on superstar time to get up and eat" he smiles as he sits up on my bed running his fingers through his newly cut hair, I watch him slide on some sweatpants and a shirt before the two of us make our way to the kitchen.

I'm leaning against the wall as I watch Eli put on his shoes in the front entryway of the house, "you ready for tonight?" he asks, I nod thinking about the red dress I have in my closet for the hockey team's awards night. He smiles, coming over to me before lowering his head to press a gentle kiss to my lips, "see you at 6:30" I grin as he squeezes my hip before leaving the house. My feet take me back to my room, where I fire up my laptop to watch some movies to make the day go quicker. 

+

When 5:00 rolls around I shut off my laptop before taking a quick shower. I get back to my room, the towel wrapped around me as I grab some underwear before sliding on my robe to wear as I do my makeup and hair. As i'm sitting in front of my vanity finishing my makeup Emily strides into my room, "ready for the hair?" I smile putting down my makeup brush, "yeah all set for you" she grins before rotating me in the right direction as I see her taking the curling iron from where I plugged it in earlier. 

The doorbell rings an hour and a half later as I slide on my heels, I smile grabbing my clutch a I walk out of my bedroom making my way to the entryway. When I get there Sierra is talking to Eli so neither of them see me walk in, my heels click on the tile floor making them turn to me. "Have fun children, don't do anything stupid" I roll my eyes at my roommate who leaves the room, my eyes look over at Eli scanning over his well fitted suit while biting my lip. He clears his throat making my gaze return to his face, he smiles, "ready gorgeous" I nod as I walk to him, Eli kisses my head gently before pulling us out of the house towards his Jeep. "Have I told you that you look absolutely stunning?" I shake my head, "nope" he takes my hand interlacing our fingers, "well you do, and i'll probably never stop telling you" I smile as I look over at him while he drives towards the venue. As we sit in silence my thoughts go to back to my job offer overseas, I open my mouth ready to tell Eli, but he speaks first, "I have some really good news" I close my mouth to listen, "tell me" he looks at me for a second before looking back at the road, "the Columbus Blue Jackets signed me to a contract" I gasp my eyes wide, "are you serious?" Eli nods while smiling, I lean over grabbing his face to kiss his cheek. He laughs his gaze still on the road, "i'm so proud of you, when did you find out?" Eli smiles, "right when I got back to my dorm this morning, I wanted to tell you in person" I give him my best smile as I remember the news I need to tell him. "You okay darling?" I shake my head looking at my concerned boyfriend, "yeah i'm perfect" he nods as the grin reappears on his face, "I can't believe i'm dating an NHL player now" I tease getting another chuckle out of him, "not quite yet Anna" I shrug as I keep my hand in his for the rest of the car ride.

+

The two of us step into the hotel holding the awards, I'm smiling as we make our way to the ballroom assigned to the hockey team. "I've never been to anything like this" I say to Eli as he interlaces our fingers to guide me into the room filled with his teammates and various guests, "I think you're going to love it, the food is always a highlight" I giggle as he kisses my temple before taking us to one of the round tables. My eyes brighten when I see Gwen at our table sitting next to Graham, she looks at us and jumps up before running over to give me a hug, "you look amazing" I shrug, "you look even better" she also shrugs and we burst out laughing. When the laughter dies down Gwen links our arms pulling me to sit down, "have you told him yet?" my smile fades away, "no, but I was going to! he told me he got signed by the Blue Jackets before I could and I don't want to ruin his happiness by telling him that i'm going to be moving away" she places a hand on my arm, "Anna..." I sigh looking down at my lap, "I know, i'll tell him tomorrow I swear" she nods as she squeezes my arm gently, "nothing like graduation day to tell the love of your life some bad news" I frown at her words as she gets up leaving me alone at the table. Eli ends up joining me minutes later, I put on my most believable smile hoping that he can't tell that something is wrong. 

At the end of the night I take off my shoes as Eli guides me back out of the hotel to the parking lot where is Jeep is, "i'm so proud of you E" the hockey player smiles as we get outside, he shrugs before effortlessly lifting me so that I don't have to walk to the car barefoot. My arms go around his neck, "okay its way more than a shrug, you got signed AND you won the top senior award" he looks down at me with a small smile, "I love you darling" I grin up at him, "love you to the moon and back handsome" he sets me down gently so that he can unlock the car, before helping me into the passenger seat. I sigh leaning my head against the window as Eli drives out of the lot towards my house, "that sigh did not sound good" I peer over at the blonde who looks concerned, "i'm fine, just tired from that amazing event" he squints to see if i'm hiding something, "are you sure? you can tell me anything Anna" I smile shifting in my seat to tangle our hands together in my lap, "i'm positive" he smiles and the rest of the ride is spent in a comfortable silence.