Exchange For a Year

Chapter 44

Aph's POV

Exams were finally over and we could at last leave the forsake place of high school. The only downside it that I must return back to Spain after this, I've met too many amazing people for me to not be upset by my departure.

"Ready to graduate Aph?"

"Yes. No. Maybe."

The girls and I were getting ready with our graduations gowns and party dresses underneath cause Lucinda agreed to host everyone for an after party. None of us could be bothered getting changed after the ceremony so we all just stashed out outfits underneath our grad clothes.

"Come on Aph, we're all gonna miss you but you're coming back asap aren't ya?"

"Yes I am,"

"Then it's only gonna be see you later,"

I guess Nicole has a point, she does seem to be the voice of reason around us these days and I plan on getting back as soon as possible. I want to spend the rest of my life around these people and Aaron. Especially Aaron. Meeting him changed me so much for the better too. Once we're all in our fully dressed and ready we hear beep beep from the street. Outside is a long gleaming white limousine and all the guys are waiting for us on the lawn.

"Well ladies, ready to be free?"

Wandering downstairs, all the parents are gathered, all of them ready to take pictures. Of course I look different because I have a different type of robe to match with all the other exchange students. The force us all into lines for the picture.

"Smile. 3...2...1. Goodbye high school!"

"GOODBYE HIGHSCHOOL!"

As much as I want to laugh and celebrate, something's missing, someone is missing. I always imagined graduation with my mom and dad either side of me, proud of their little girl for doing something incredible but I guess not all dreams get to be a reality.

"Hey Aphmau," Eric calls from the house

"Yeah?"

"We all pitched in and decided to get you a graduation present, you deserve everything you get after tonight."

I stare blankly, whatever is he talking about. A semi thick envelope gets pushed into my hands by Aaron and they all gather around me. My friends all eager for me to see what it is, I gently open it. I'm speechless as a chucky object falls onto the ground in front of me.

"Is this really......"

"Its for both of us mi hija, they all can't wait for us to live here."

Now in front of me, she was there beaming with joy and pride. She still looked the same but I could see in her eyes she was a very different person after this year. After everything she's lost this year, she's here, she gets to see the family I've made and the new life I've chosen and she gets to be there with all the other parents, watching their kids graduate.

"Mom? How did you get here?"

"Ask them,"

Eric and Derek share a smile. Without thinking a run over and hug them both at once, well as much as I can with my small body.

"Thank you!"

"Its really us who should be thanking you kiddo you supported my sugar pea this year and I'm thankful for everything you've done for her,"

"And you changed Aaron's life for the better, because of you my son is happy again, so you deserve this. Now hurry up before you're all late."

I squeeze my mom tight before following suit into the limo and shutting the door behind me. Aaron wraps his arm around my shoulders. I've never felt more at home than I do right now.

"And finally Travis Vulkrum. Congratulations on completion of your higher school education and I wish you well on your journey's to the future. Now I'd like to do our presentations of the exchange student certificates, first off Alexandra Jennings from Australia....... Aphmau Shalaskashala from Spain.... I hope you had a lovely year at Phoenix Drop High and I wish you safe travels on your return home."

"Congratulations to all of our young students up here this evening and I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your evening and farewell from myself and all your past teacher here at Phoenix Drop High."

We've officially finished high school, our glasses all chink together as we toast our first official party as senior year graduates. We've got about a week before our flight back to Spain so I plan to make the most of this next week and am gonna make sure I've got contact with everyone. As Nicole said it wasn't goodbye it was just see you later and damn I was gonna make sure of it.

A/N: SECOND LAST CHAPTER, I do hope all my lovely readers have enjoyed this story and I do hope you'd like to stick around for more books and a sequel to this one! I do really appreciate the 7k reads and almost 500 votes and all the comments (I love reading them btw). I never though I'd get here with my writing after reading my old work 🤢. So TYSM for all your support and I do really hope you choose to stick around.🥰

2023 me is blown away cause this book as come very far and I have too. Weird to look back and see how much I don't know about being pregnant and giving birth.