Dear Elle,

1. Graduation.

Dear Elle,
Con-graduation!
I'm sorry. That was bad....but it made me laugh.
Congratulations on your High School Graduation! Even though I am not there to cheer as they call out your name (although I'm sure Brad will be cheering loudly enough anyway!), I am so very very proud of you!
I've always been proud of you no matter what you decide to do. Your achievements and your hard work I'm sure, has every College that you applied to waiting anxiously to see if 'Elle Evans chose them'.
I know that you and Lee both have your heart set on UC Berkeley as College Number 1, but it is ok to choose somewhere else.
June and I had the most amazing time at Berkeley and I have no doubt that you and Lee will have the same...but it's okay if you go somewhere else FOR someone else.
Lee might be mad at first, but he will understand. Don't listen to those that say 'you lose the old you' - meaning the old life and friends you had.
You don't.
Things do change, I won't lie, but sometimes the strongest friendships are the ones that have the greatest distance. And when you finally see each other again, it's like you only saw them yesterday. You and Lee will be fine - no matter what you decide to do.
Your Dad can help you as much as possible, but you my clever girl will have already figured out a way if it's not enough in order for it to be enough. Brad will miss you, but will also be ecstatic that he can finally use your bedroom.
Now, I think I have kept you from the celebrations long enough.
Congratulations baby girl.
Walk onto that stage with pride over what you have achieved.
Throw your hat high in the air and hopefully I'll catch it.
Take hundreds of pictures with everyone.
Soak up the last day as a Senior and know that everything is good and I'm with you every step of the way.
I love you.
Always,
Mum

Elle POV

'Rochelle Evans!'

I smiled as I walked across the stage. I couldn't see them as I continued forward towards the middle of the stage to get my diploma, but I could definitely hear them.

My family.

My love.

My best friend.

'Congratulations!' I took my diploma and waved towards the crowd and headed off the stage and back to my seat.

I collapsed next to Lee, thanking my lucky stars that I didn't trip!

'We're almost there' he smiled as Rachel grinned on the other side of him. The line continued to move as student after student grabbed their diploma. Some were crying and some were far too energetic,  jumping off the stage and hi-fiving the crowd.

Once the last student was through, the mood shifted. There was a static in the air, an excitement that only comes when you know something is just there.

When something that you have spent the last few years of your life doing, surrounded by those that have come to be the very best of friends and the prospect of not seeing them everyday. It plays with your emotions - happy, sad, terrified.

I was so excited for the next chapter, but I wasn't ready to close this one just yet.

We watched and cheered as Vivian walked onto the stage and began her valedictorian speech.

I grabbed Lee's hand, 'You ready?' and he nodded. I smiled at Rachel who took Lee's other hand.

This was it.

High School was almost over and I was about to walk out of here with everything that I wanted. Harvard and Berkeley would get a decision as I played my Mum's words again in my head - it's okay if you go somewhere else FOR someone else. Lee might be mad at first, but he will understand.

I knew where I wanted to go. I had fallen in love with the campus and the people. I was being offered a scholarship and a chance to join their soccer team.

Both my head and my heart knew that this was the right decision.

'Ready?' Lee danced, he was literally bouncing in his seat, along with the rest of the school year.

'.....KICK ASS. Maya Angelou' Vivian finished and suddenly we were all on our feet. Cheers and screams from the crowd surrounded us and we tossed our hats in the hair.

Everyone was on their feet and we managed a mass group hug before we were pulled in all directions by our families who wished to congratulate us.

I didn't feel Lee pick me up and spin me around, before I was embraced by another set of arms that I knew too well.

'Congratulations Elle', he whispered as he kissed me briefly before I was in the arms of my Dad and brother.

I remember hearing about dinner reservations and party celebrations, promises of keeping in touch and reuniting in summer.

Once Lee and I had circled, June and Matthew announced celebrations were to continue at their place for everyone. Noah's arms found me again as he lead the way as we headed back to the cars.

Rachel and Lee were behind us followed by our parents, in this moment I hoped my Mum was right - the strongest friendships are the ones that have the greatest distance.

'Hey Elle? Did you hear back from Berkley yet?', Lee asked as I felt Noah come to a stop and squeeze my hand.

Now or never Elle.

'Yeah. And Harvard', I felt Noah's hand tense in mine, his eyes searching my face for an answer he was hoping would come.

Our parents had caught up to us and caught on to the conversation. College Admissions.

'Lee....' his Mum started.

'Elle....' my Dad prompted.

I met Lee's eyes and smiled and I tightened my grip on Noah's hand, before letting go and stepping forward and whispering into Lee's ear.

His eyes widened as he pulled me in for a hug 'I knew it! Let's have some fun with this....', he whispered before wiping away my stray tears and turning back to our family. Noah was once again by my side, his arm coming to wind around my waist, keeping me close.

'I'm going to......Berkeley!' He grinned as Rachel kissed his cheek and his Mum enveloped him in a hug, while he was met with congratulations from the rest.

Everyone but one.

Noah was focused on me.

'You should congratulate Lee' I said but he stayed still. As I playfully pushed him towards his brother, Noah rolled his eyes as he pulled his brother in for a hug.

'Proud of you bro!'

Lee pulled back, sending me a wink. 'Do me a favour Noah? Take good care of her, cause she's coming to Harvard with YOU!!'

My heart exploded with the reaction that I received and I didn't know where to look first - June burst into tears, my Dad looked like he was about to burst into tears, my brother was screaming 'YES!!!' and Noah, once he came back to life after the shock, pulled me up into his arms - his brothers words resonating with him.

'Harvard?'

'Harvard' I confirmed as his lips crashed onto mine.

Watch out Cambridge.

Here I come.

See you soon. xx