The Struggles of Growing Up-Completed

Chapter 1

"I can't believe I'm not going to be living here anymore."

Meredith, my roommate and good friend, hands me another box.

"I know, I can't believe it either. And I also can't believe we're graduating." She gushed and I laughed. You're not gonna cry Em, you're not gonna cry.

"I know, these four years went by so fast." She helped me put my collection of Debate trophies, Sudoku tournament certificates and photos from the semester in Sweden, tennis club, reading club, and Environment club into another box.

Yeah, I tried to make the most out of the four years here at Stanford. I loved college so much, all these experiences were amazing. I got to make a difference and actually help people, actually do something. People knew me and befriended me because of similar interests, Because they liked me, not because I was in the tabloids for some months. Not because of my association with Zach Taylor, although that dialed down soon after the annulment, much to both of our reliefs. A broken up arranged marriage isn't shocking enough to put on a magazine. 

I really have no reason to complain, I'm really lucky to have had all of this, to still have Zach, but I wish it wouldn't end. I almost wish I wasn't graduating, but then I laugh at how silly that sounds.

"They did. I'm more afraid of going back home though. I spent so much time trying to get out of that little town, only to go back? I don't know." She put her head in her hands to try to calm down. She's been doing that a lot lately, must be anxiety.

But she has a point.

"You don't have to go back, you know." I said while sitting down next to her.

"That was the deal I made with my parents, remember? As soon as I graduate I have to move back. It was the only way they would let me come here." She slumped.

"Well, you're 22, they really can't keep you there for long. They just miss you, that's all." I reasoned.

"I guess you of all people know it's not impossible to break away and follow your dreams." I looked down at my hands.

"Yeah." She's referring to the whole fight that started, or rather ended, it all. The certain fight that led me here with a marriage annulment. And although these vivid memories do surface frequently, they don't hurt us anymore. At least, not as much, I think. And you know what they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

We finished packing up the rest of our dorm room, which took a long time because we kept talking and goofing around. This would be the last night here, because tomorrow is graduation.

It is bittersweet to be graduating, since I loved school so much, but I have a degree now. I can start my career, which is exciting. Not to mention moving back to LA with Zach. Well, as soon as he agrees. We haven't talked about it, we've kind of been avoiding the subject. Neither of us wants to go against the other, but he probably thinks I want to stay here, or maybe in San Francisco. I do and I don't.

My mom, Sarah, Lor, Dan, and Zach will be in the stands watching me accept my diploma. I know tomorrow will be life changing.

Then again, my life has proven that it can be changed drastically in little time.

"Lor, I'm so happy you are here." I said while hugging my best friend. "Oh, and you brought little Lewis." I said cooing. The same year Lor graduated from college, two years into their marriage, she and Dan had a little boy.

"Yeah, he missed his Aunt Emma. Although he's not as little as you remember him, he's almost a year old now!" She laughed. I put on my stylish earrings and grabbed my cap and gown. We would have to leave in a little bit.