"I can't believe you are graduating today. It feels like just yesterday you were a little girl playing catch with me." my dad says looking at me from my room door.

"Is it bad luck to see the valedictorian before the graduation?" I ask playful fixing my clothing in the mirror as both of my parents stand in my doorway.

"That's only with weddings sweetheart." my dad says with a small laugh causing my mom and to smile.

I have missed him so much, and can literally feel tears about to come pouring down. I said I wouldn't cry today, but I am just so elated.

"You aren't crying are you?" my dad asks coming into my room lifting up my chin up to look at him.

"No," I say trying to hold back the water that was threatening to flow.

I seen my mom leave when there was a knock on the front door. It's probably time for me to go rehearse.

"I'm proud to see that you've become a wonderful young woman. I knew you could do it." he says hugging me and the fact that I finally had him back caused tears to spring to my eyes.

"I've missed you so much." I say squeezing his tall stature.

"I've missed you more kiddo." he says letting go and wiping the tears off my face just like James does.

People were right when they said girls pick men similar to their fathers or father figures.

"We have plenty of time for things to get sappy, but right now Chloe needs to head to school." my mom says with James right beside her in a white button down shirt, black tie, black slacks and black loafers.

It was the exact outfit I had picked out for him yesterday, yet he looks way better in it today.

He looks devastatingly handsome as usual, but there was one thing out of the ordinary. His hair, instead of his beautiful light brown curls being everywhere they were tamed.

"You look stunning Chloe." James says taking in my appearance.

I have a cute simple white dress with a thin straps, pockets and a pair of white stilettos. My hair was no longer wild as it's usual curl pattern was, but has straightened.

"You don't look too bad yourself." I tell him walking over to him giving a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Let me get some pictures of you two." my mom says pulling out her phone.

"Aw come on mom." I frown not wanting to take a picture right now.

I still hadn't figured out how to end my speech, and I would have to give it on less than three hours.

"Princess, let's just take a few pictures." James says and my mom smiles super wide.

"Fine," I reply leaning into James as my mom snaps a few photos.

James didn't do his normal weird couple poses. He for once was taking decent photos which made me laugh to myself.

"What's so funny?" James asks in my ear causing me to laugh as my mom snaps a few more pictures.

"James, do you mind taking one of all three of us?" my mom asks politely and he nods his head yes.

"Yes ma'am." he says taking the phone from her and waiting for us to pose.

I threw my head back as James took a picture. I then put bunny ears behind my mom and dad's head. Last but not least I took a decent picture smiling with teeth and all.

"Oh my gosh Chloe you are a strange one." my mom says once she sees the pictures and I laugh.

"Why thank you love." I say as I curtsy and my dad laughs.

"You two better get going, so you both can rehearse before graduation." my dad says James and I say giving my dad at curt nod.

"I love you papa see you later, and you too my star." I say giving both my mom and dad a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"We love you too mija." my dad says as James and I walk down the stairs careful not to fall.

"You and I both know you haven't finished that speech." James says as we make it out the door.

"Why do you know me so well?" I ask him poking out my bottom lip.

"Put that lip back in your mouth before I bite it." he says ignore my question.

"You must have been dropped on your head babe because you are quite strange." I tell him and he laughs looking at me we a playful glare.

"No I wasn't, and it's only because you are just my strongest weakness." he says and I look at him trying to process what he said.

"Well aren't you just a big ole softie." I say poking at his solid chest.

"Once again princess, only for you." he says grabbing me by my waist in the middle of my parents' driveway.

"You're going to get your clothes all wrinkled let me go." I say trying to get out of his grip without falling over my own two feet.

"Give me a kiss then I'll let go." he says staring into my brown orbs with hint of amusement.

I just took this as a time to look him over once more. He truly does look better than he ever has before, and that's saying something.

"Is there something on my face?" he asks after a minute passes and I'm still looking at him.

"Nope, I'm just thinking of what I could have done to be blessed with someone as fine as you." I tell him and  a smile forms on his face.

"You think I'm fine?" he asks with a small laugh.

"Don't make me regret telling you J." I tell him wrapping my arms around his neck.

"I'm sorry baby it's just hard to believe." he says looking at me bringing out faces closer together.

"Well it's true." I tell him looking at his lips for a brief second.

"I know you want to kiss me, so why don't you just go for it?" he asks with a small smirk on his face.

"I'm the boss J, so don't tell me what to do got it baby?" I ask him and he nods laughing a bit.

"You got it." he tells me still in my personal bubble.

I unwrap my arms from his neck and take a hold of his face. I lean in and crash my lips on to his feeling a million sparks.

I know we have somewhere to be, but I honestly can care less. This moment was ours and no one could stop it but us.

"As much as I would love to stay here with you doing this we need to get going." James says breaking away from out kiss after a minute or two.

"You're right, but as soon as this is all over just me and you." I tell him hoping that we can finally spend time with each other without any interruptions.

"You know I want that as much as you, but we will be leaving soon. I think we should spend time with our family and friends while we still have the chance." James tells me opening the car door for me.

"I hate that you're always right." I say to him as I get into the car closing the door.

"Back to this speech when are you going to finish it?" James asks getting into the car as I shrug my shoulders.

The truth is I have everything that I want to say I just don't think it's going to be as great as everyone expects.

"What's that I didn't hear you?" James asks as he puts on seat belt waiting for a response.

"I did finish it." I tell him looking out the window as he finally pulled out of the driveway.

"Then why didn't you say that princess?" he asks glancing at me through his peripherals.

"I don't know if it's going to be as memorial as a graduation speech should be." I tell him honestly as I continue to stare out the window.

"Chloe, I know if you wrote it then it will be amazing." he says grabbing my hands that were resting in my lap giving them a kiss.

"I hope so." I say giving him a small smile.

"Know so babygirl." he says stopping at a red light.

I know I'm supposed to be confident in myself, but I can't help to feel insecure about this whole thing.

"Melissa why does everyone seem to hate me?" I ask putting my things into my backpack.

"What do you mean?" Melissa asks scrunching up her face in confusion.

"They point at me, turn to there friends whispering and then starting problems with me in the hall." I tell her with my backpack now on my shoulders.

"I know this is pretty much overused, but they are just jealous. Jealousy comes in all shapes and sizes. You are a beautiful girl with an amazing personality and everyone who gives you these looks knows it. They don't have what you have, and that makes them feel threatened and uneasy about how they see themselves." Mel explains to me and I nod my head.

"I don't know if they notice that I don't see myself the way they do." I mumble to myself hanging onto everything she told to me.

"Baby, you okay?" James asks as I look at him with tears waiting to fall down my face.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?" I ask him noticing we were in front of Shipley's donut shop. Melissa and all of out other friends decided that we would meet her before going to school.

"You look like you want to cry." he says looking at me with concern.

"I'm just overreacting." I tell him and he gets out of the car closing the door and coming to my side.

"Come on." he says opening the door then opening his arms.

I get out of the car and wrap my arms around his waist. People were looking, but I didn't really care. I didn't wear any type of makeup so I was free to cry into his shirt if I needed to.

"Tell me what's wrong princess." James says rubbing my back soothingly as I whimper in his arms.

"I guess I finally realized that no matter how much I've been through there will always be more to come. People always talking about me for no reason. I've done nothing wrong, and it just makes me think I'm not going to be respected as I'm giving this speech. This moment is supposed to be one of the best things J, and I don't know why I'm crying." I tell him as he continues to rub my back in small circles.

"Baby, not everyone will like you. I love you, your family loves you and your friends. People will always judge you for whatever reason, but you shouldn't let it phase you babygirl." he says placing a kiss into my hair.

"I don't know what I'd do without you." I say to him wiping the few tears that fell from my eyes.

"Well you never have to think about that because I'm here to stay Chloe." he says making my whole face heat up.

"Well enough of the emotions for now; I'm putting on my big girl pants." I tell him and he laughs lightly letting me go.

"Ready for some donuts big girl?" James asks and I laugh at how weird that might have sounded to the people walking past us.

"Yes sir." I say grabbing his hand as we walked into the place.

"It's about damn time you two showed up!" Melissa yells standing up from her place walking over to me.

She has a long sleeved black dress with a bow on it. The dress fit her perfectly, and showed off all her curves. She also has light makeup and black stilettos to compliment her outfit.

"Look at you looking like you looking." I say to her making it noticeable I was checking her out.

"Right back at you sister." she says looking at me from head to toe.

"Hey James!" Jason yells from his seat causing me to laugh.

They act like they are in a relationship and it's just plain weird.

"Have you been crying?" Melissa asks once James walks off towards Jason and Cole.

"A little." I tell her not feeling the need to lie.

"Why? Did that pretty boy do something?" Melissa asks causing me to laugh.

"No, it had nothing to do with him. I was just a little overwhelmed." I tell her not going full into detail.

"Let's go get you cleaned up then you can tell me all about what happened with dad." she says with a smile on her face as she grabs my hand pulling me to the restrooms.

"Where are you taking my wife?" James asks loudly making everyone look at him strangely.

"Y'all better not be married right now or I'm going to whoop you both." Melissa says sternly causing me to double over in laughter.

"We aren't married Mel chill." I tell her and she wipes a non-existent bead of sweat off her forehead.

"Okay good because I was about to say." she tells me walking to the door of the women's restroom and opening it.

As soon as we both get into the restroom she rushes over to the paper towels. She grabs two or three and goes over to the sink running water over them.

She finally comes over to me and dabs the wet paper towels under and over my eyes.

"Now spill all the beans." Melissa says looking to make sure no one was in the restroom stalls.

"Well long story short Chris kidnapped my dad, and made us believe he was dead all because he didn't like the fact that my dad was like the center of attention." I tell her and she looks at me with a confused expression.

"He must be one crazy dude because that didn't even sound like a legitimate reason." she says and I laugh nodding in agreement.

"That's exactly what I said." I tell her as she washes her hands with soap and water.

"Well I know you're hungry, so let's go get those donuts." Mel says drying her hands and hooking arms with me.

We walk out of the restroom with smiles on our faces ready to devour these delicious donuts.

"Monster mode fully activated." I say along with Melissa causing the guys to throw there heads back in laughter.

"You're so weird." Cole says as Mel sits on top of his lap making him quickly shut his mouth.

"I see you bestfriend." I sat as I take a seat next to James.

"Eat y'all dounts, so we can leave." Jason says with amusement.

"Roger that." I say grabbing a donuts and stuffing half of it in mouth.

We sat there for a little longer enjoying each other's company as we ate our breakfast. Is was time for us to get going to school, so we can get our caps and gowns.

"I don't understand why they didn't just give it to us yesterday, so we don't have to be there do early." James says taking the car out of park.

"Look at you J; still complaining about the time even though this is our last day in high school." I say with a small laugh as we make it to a stop sign.

"Still everyday counts princess." James says sticking his tongue out at me.

I can't believe that in less than two hours I will be giving a speech at my highschool graduation.

"We're finally here." James says parking into the student parking lot and coming to my side to open the door.

"James, before we go in I wanted to tell you something." I tell him and he looks at me grabbing both of my hands.

"Spill the beans my lady." James says and I smile.

"I never told you that I overheard Mr. Finster talking to you about being high in his class. I don't know why I felt the need to tell you that after it's been so long." I tell him remembering back to that day when I first gotten curious about this mysterious guy in front of me.

"I already knew my love." he says and I stare at him in confusion.

"How?" I ask him still confused on how he could have seen me if I was being the door.

"I just seen you Chloe, no simpler than that." he says with a small laugh as I just look at him.

"Well I guess I told you that for nothing." I tell him an he laughs pulling me into a tight hug.

"Everything you say to me I will be sure to listen to it." he tells me after releasing me from his bone crushing hug.

"Same here; now let's go before we don't have enough time." I tell James as I head in the direction of the auditorium.

When we finally arrive there were so many people gathered around taking pictures in there caps and gowns. This may have been one of the most beautiful things I've seen: people's success.

"James Villanueva and Chloe Anderson." James says to the lady with the clipboard in her hands.

"Over here." the short brunette says walking us over to our attire.

"Thank you." James and I both day in unison as she hands us our caps and gowns.

I hurriedly took mines off the hanger and slid it on to my body and head. The cap and gown is black and the gown colors were red. I had a few honor cords as well.

"You look great." Janes says taking in my appearance.

"You do too." I tell him honestly the gown and cap did him justice.

"Want to go find the others, so we can snap a few pictures?" I ask James and he nods taking me over to where Mel and Jason were standing.

"J and C!" Jason and Melissa yell in unison causing people to look back at us with weird expressions on there faces.

"M and J!" James and I yell in unison making people from all over the room laugh at our childish behavior.

"Stop yelling in here you should know  better!" The lady who gave us our robes yells.

"What a hypocrite." Melissa says and we all start laughing.

"Guys let's take pictures." I say remembering what we came over here for.

"Let's do it." Jason says walking up to a stranger handing them his phone to take pictures of us.

We all leaned against the wall making in some type of manner.

"One... two... three." the guy says snapping multiple pictures as we made different types of poses.

"Thanks man." Jason says retrieving his phone looking at the pictures the guy took of us.

"Man, we look good." Melissa says looking at the picture and I nod in agreement.

"Who knew that we would all end up friends?" James asks staring at the pictures a little bit longer.

"Everything happens for a reason." I tell him and he smiles throwing his arm around my shoulder.

"I'm glad it did." he says looking at me and giving me a kiss on the forehead.

"Okay lovers no romantic stuff Jason and I don't have our significant others right now." Melissa says interrupting the little moment James and I were having.

"Get over it then." James says kissing me on my mouth making me laugh.

"Eww get a room!" Melissa and Jason say backing away from us.

"Okay." James says and I hit him in the shoulder.

"Stop playing J." I tell him and he laughs.

"Are you two done?" Jason asks his hands over his eyes.

"Yes, now uncover your eyes." I tell him and he does.

We just stand around talking and taking pictures making memories.

"Class of 2017 settle down." the principal yells now standing on the stage as everyone quiets down.

"I have to tell you all a few things before we go outside for graduation. Everyone will be seated in alphabetical order, and your seats will be labeled. When I call the first person on your row you all get up in an organized line." Principal Moyer instructs us.

"Any questions before we leave?"  he asks into the microphone he has been using.

No one says anything, so he just nods his head getting off the stage. As soon as he gets off the stage it becomes noisy.

"I won't be anywhere near you." James says with a small frown on his face.

"Don't worry I will still be cheering for you the loudest." I tell him grabbing his face in my face making him look like a fish.

"Pinky promise?" he asks placing his hands on my lower back.

"Pinky promise baby." I say placing a kiss on his plump pink lips.

"I love you." James says between kisses.

"I love you too." I tell him letting go of his face and pulling him into a hug.

"You both make me sick." Jason says gagging making me laugh.

"Never would have guess little Chloe would partake in public display of affection." Melissa says with a smirk playing on her lips.

"Only for me." James says sending a wink my way.

"Stop it." I say getting out of his embrace my face completly red.

"Everyone it's time to go." Ms. Ramirez from the front office says into the microphone causing everyone to get silent.

"This section head outside." Ms. Ramirez says pointing everyone who was by the door.

She continues to dismiss us all until we were all by the exit.

"Okay guys when we get out here I want you all to find your names." Ms. Ramirez says walking out the door.

"This is where we all separate." Melissa says dramatically and we all laugh.

Melissa's last name was Cortez and Jason's is Smith.

"I'll be cheering for you all." I tell them as we walk out of the building.

"Same here." Jason says with a smile on his lips.

Once we get to where graduation is being held my mouth slightly drops. There was a big stage with a podium, and over a thousand chairs. The bleachers had a few families in it.

We would be starting in less than thirty minutes, and I was beyond anxious.

"You'll do great babygirl." James says giving me a tight hug before he walked off to his spot.

I walk to the second row of chairs to see my name was on the last seat. I took at seat as my nerves began to set in.

The crowd was expanding every few minutes, and before I knew it we were getting started.

"Good afternoon everyone!" Principal Moyer says into the microphone as everyone grows silent.

I tuned him out after we did the pledge and everything. Diplomas will be being passed out soon, and I was shaking with anticipation.

"Jenny Aburn." Principal Moyer says and the crowd cheers as the fires row stands.

A few minutes later and it was finally my turn to receive my diploma.

"Chloe Anderson." Principal Moyer says as I step on stage shaking everyone's hand along the way.

I finally got the piece of paper that look so unimportant yet couldn't be anymore significant. I seen James, Melissa, Jason and the rest of my family stand up yelling their heads off.

I finally got of the stage returning to my seat. After a few minutes it was Melissa's turn to grab her diploma.

"That's my sister!" I yell jumping up clasping as she walks across the stage with a smile on her face.

Time was now flying by and it was now James' turn to receive his diploma.

"Woo James!" I yell standing up clapping widely as a cup my hands over my mouth.

Finally everyone has recieved their dipolmas' and it was time for me to deliver my speech.

"Now welcome the Class of 2016- 2017 valedictorian." Principal Moyer says and I stand up and make me way to the podium feeling the whole zoo in my stomach.

I finally reach the poduim and lean on it, so I can be near the microphone.

"Good evening parents, falculty and my fellow peers. We all are gathered here today in celebration of making it thus far and our education. Today marks the day of new beginnings. These past few years may have not been the best for any of us, but we have made it. Life isn't just feel with the good things, but also bad things.
We all go through some type of pain whether it be physical or emotional. Us being here today shows that we have conquered it all. We are all here because we have dreams and goals that we want to achieve, and most importantly because someone was there to push each and everyone of us. College may not be in everyone's future, but we are all moving on to bigger and better things. Class of 2017, give thanks to whomever was there for you because you never know when they might not be there. Love and appreciate them while you still can. I personally would like to give thanks to the ones who kicked me when I was while I was down, but also to the ones who lifted me up despite their own situations. Everyone has a purpose and everything has a reason for occurring. Pain is like rain; you can't be too sure as of when it will occur and never know when it might end.  Sunshine comes after the rain, and today is our sunshine Class of 2017. All I have to say is keep your head held high, and never give up on what you want out of life. It's been an honor and a privilege to be a student here at Jordan High School. Thank you." I say as everyone begans to stand up and cheer.

I just stepped back smiling as the principal came back up to the podium.

"Now to signify the starting of a new chapter in your lives move your tassels from right to left." Principal Moyer says and every student including me moves there tassel.

"We did it!" someone says in the crowd doing the cliché thing and throwing their cap in the air.

I know it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do, but I threw mines up as well.

After everyone found their correct cap we all gathered around taking a picture.

"I'm proud of each and every one of you, and want you to do your best on the test: life." Principal Moyer says and I smile widely thinking of everything I have accomplished so far.

"Chloe?" I hear the love of my life ask and I turn around to see him with a big smile.

"We did it." I say leaping into his arms.

He catches me spinning me around as if we were in some type of romantic comedy.

"Your speech was brilliant babygirl." he says placing me down carefully.

"Thank you." I say smiling at him when I see our families coming up to us.

"I'm so proud of you both." James' mom says pulling us both into a hug.

"Thank you." both James and I say in unison with smiles on our faces.

My mom, dad, Penny, Uncle Tom and Christian were standing in front of us with goofy grins on there faces.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?" I ask with a laugh staring at my beautiful family.

"We're just so proud of you." Penny says throwing her arms around my shoulders as everyone else joins in making it a group hug.

"Thanks guys couldn't have done it without you." I tell them glancing at James who was talking and smiling with his mom.

I'm so glad he didn't hold on to the past, and just forgave his mother. I admire him so much or just being himself. Over the time of out relationship he has taught me a lot.

"We were think of giving you some time to hang out with your friends, and then come home to celebrate." my mom tells me and I smile my head with an idea already in my head.

"Whatever you do just don't come back home married or pregnant." my dad says making all of us laugh.

"I won't." I tell them giving them one last hug before I went off with James.

"I love you guys." I tell them bending down and kissing Christian's forehead.

"Love you too." they all say as I walk towards James who is already looking at me.

"Where to pretty girl?" James asks throwing his arm around my shoulder as we walk to his car.

"I was thinking to the beach.' I tell him and he looks at me with a smile.

"Sure thing." he says as we reach his car.

He opens the door for me, and then runs to his side getting in. I turn on my phone and go on snapchat so I can record us.

"As a wise man once told me they hate us because they ain't us." I say into my phone then turning it to James who glances at the camera then back at the road.

We continued to drive to the beach, and after about twenty minutes we got there.

"You know why I wanted to come here?" I ask James.

"Why?" he asks looking at me as I step out of my heels and into the sand.

"This where I started to develop a small crush on you, so this is kind of where we started. I thought since we are starting a new chapter in our lives that this would be a great place to start." I tell him and he places his hands on each side of my face.

"Wherever you want to go I'll follow because Chloe Anderson our love story will be never-ending." James says placing his soft lips on mine.

"Promise?" I ask holding out my pinky for him to squeeze.

"Pinky promise babygirl." he says wrapping his pinky around mines.

This promise is the start of our lives together, and I honestly can say I believe it's going to be a good one.