A/N: The absolutely amazing graphic on top is made by the phenomenal catastrophall ! And this chapter is also dedicated to her for being an awesome reader and amazing writer!!

"Aldaine Victoria," the principal called my name out.

I got off my chair and dusted my dress. Now was officially the time I'd be done with high school. I'd go up there, receive my diploma and deliver my speech.

I took a deep breath and walked up the stage. The principal gave me a smile and handed my rolled up diploma which I took with a small smile. I honestly hadn't planned a graduation speech so I was just going to wing it.

I cleared my throat and started to say the most random shit that most people say at they graduation speech. What a journey high school has been and blah blah blah.

After I had said my speech I heard a few applause from the crowd and I walked off the stage and over to a beaming Michael.

"Look who finally graduated high school," he said and ruffled my hair which earned him a glare from me.

"Untidy my hair and I'll cut your fingers off." I threatened and he chuckled.

"Congratulations lil sis." He said and grinned at him.

I smiled at him. "Thank you."

Michael was the only family member of mine that had actually attended my graduation(even though he was sick), the rest of my family don't even seem to care that I've finally graduated high school.

I sat back down on my seat and waited for the ceremony to finish.

I sat and watched as the principal called each students names and they all gave their boring speeches which I couldn't care less about. The only person I fully listened to was Ashley.

After the ceremony ended I walked away from the crowd of students and walked over to Ashley who was with her mom and dad. As soon as she saw me her face brightened and she tackled me in a big hug.

"We're finally done with high school! I cannot believe this Victoria!" She screamed while still hugging me.

I laughed lightly at her. "Yes! We're going to leave this hell hole at last."

She pulled back from me, a wide grin plastered on her face. "I don't know...I might miss it."

I rolled my eyes. "That's just crazy talk. It's impossible to miss this place."

Just as I had said that I felt someone's hands snake around my waist. I knew exactly who it was and I found a wide grin making its way onto my face.

"Hello sunshine," Nate whispered in my ear and I felt a few shivers go down my spine at the sound of his voice.

"Well I'll be leaving you two alone." Ashley said and walked away, giving me a wink. I rolled my eyes at her.

I turned around and faced Nate with a grin. "Hey-" before I could complete my sentence he crashed his lips on mine.

It took me a while to realise what he was doing and when I did I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back. He left his hands on my waist and pulled me closer to him.

"Congratulations sunshine," he breathed after we broke apart.

I smiled at him. "Congratulations to you too."

He moved a piece of hair from my face and placed a small kiss on my forehead.

These past few days that have passed Nate was being extra clingy and every chance he had to kiss me or hold me, he did. It was like he was making the best of me before he left, and his time to leave was getting nearer and nearer. It still troubled me that he was leaving but I never brought it up because I didn't wanna have any more arguments with him; not when he was going to leave soon.

"You look absolutely stunning, you know that," he complimented and I felt my cheeks fill with blood.

I looked down so he couldn't see that I was blushing and muttered a quiet 'Thank You'.

He chuckled and lifted my face up. "I know you're blushing, Sunshine."

"Oh shut up, I'm not!" I shot him a glare.

"So I'll see you tonight?" Nate asked me.

I raised a questioning brow. "What's tonight?"

"Well, everyone is probably going to be partying over graduation and I don't feel like spending my last few days here with a bunch of drunk teenagers so I thought we could do something together."

To be honest I didn't feel much like partying either and the last I checked I had no plans tonight, so what not better than to spend it with Nate. Besides, he was leaving in two days time so what not better than to spend as much time with him as I could.

"Sounds good to me." I told him.

He grinned at me. "Great! See you tonight then," he pecked me on the lips and then walked off into the bodies of people.

I walked around and congratulated a few of my distant friends and then I was going to go over to my brother, ready to go home, until I got stopped by someone I least expected to stop me.

"Gerald?" I said feeling a little shocked. He hadn't spoken to me ever since our last encounter and now here he was, stopping me.

"Hey, I just wanted to say," he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well, I just wanted to say congratulations on graduating." He said and extended a hand out.

If I said that I hadn't missed the sound of his voice I'd be lying. It felt so good to actually hear him say something to me. Even though he was awkward as hell I still wanted to jump around in joy over the fact that he was actually speaking to me.

I felt my heart leap with joy. Maybe. Just maybe we could give our friendship a try again. Maybe we could mend all the wounds that we left on each other and go back to being the way we were; happy and carefree.

I found a genuine smile make its way onto my face.

Just then I realised that I hadn't shook his hand back and he put it awkwardly into his pocket. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and hug him instead of a handshake, but I refrained because that might just screw everything up.

"Congratulations to you too!" I said with a grin.

"You seem happy," he said, sounding a little awkward still.

Right now, I felt really happy. I was done with high school, and more importantly, Gerald was once again acknowledging my presence.

"I guess am," I said. "Well at least in this current moment."

His gaze shifted to the ground for a moment and then he looked up at me and gave me a small smile. "I'm glad that you finally are happy." He said. There was what sounded like tinge of hurt in his tone, but his eyes showed no sign of hurt.

"So, you've decided what your plans are for after school?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Yeah I'm going to go to UCLA and get a BBA."

I decided not to tell him about the part where I  was going to take over my brother's company because he didn't know about his condition.

"That's great!" He said.

"I guess so," I said with a shrug. "What are you going to do?"

He let out a breath. "I'm going to go to a university in London and take things from there."

I felt my heart sink at his words. London? So he too was moving? God, how could I be so stupid! Of course he was going to start his own life. I'm just going to remain in his past. Our friendship is done.

I forced out a smile. "Wow, that sounds great!"

"I guess I just need a fresh start." He said and shrugged.

I nodded at him and kept my tone nonchalant. "Good luck in London then." Then without waiting for a reply I walked away from him.

I felt like such an idiot for even for a moment to consider that our friendship could've been mended. It was too broken to be fixed, we'll never be the same again. Heck, who knows if I'll ever see him again once he moves to London.

****

"We're here." Nate said as he parked his car.

After I got home Nate came not long after and said we were going to some fancy restaurant for dinner.

Feeling that my graduation dress was appropriate enough for a fancy restaurant I left it on and only changed my shoes to a pair of black pumps.

I opened the car door and jumped out. Nate looked at me and rolled his eyes.

"What?" I asked him.

"Leave it to you to ruin a guy's plans of being a gentleman."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Too bad."

"Could I at least hold your hand?" He asked with his hand outstretched for me to take.

"You may," I said and placed my hand in his.

He intertwined our fingers and led me into the restaurant. We walked into a very fancy looking Italian restaurant with snooty looking waiters in black and white suits.

"Reservations for two," Nate told the guy in a black and while suit at the entrance.

"And your name?" He asked Nate.

"Elington."

"Ah, right this way."

The stern looking waiter led us to a table at the end of the restaurant where not too many people could notice us allowing us some privacy. It was a round table with two chairs which were opposite each other.

Nate pulled out the chair for me and I gave him a smile and sat down. He then walked over to his chair and sat down. The waiter passed two menus to the each of us and then walked away.

"Decided what you're going to order?" Nate asked me.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Nate, I just got the menu now. It doesn't take two seconds to decide what you wanna eat."

"Can't even ask a simple question anymore," he muttered and earned himself a glare from me.

"It wasn't simple it was stupid," I told him and smirked. "Kinda like you."

He placed his hand on his chest and gave me a shocked look. "How dare you call me stupid!"

"With my mouth," I replied sarcastically.

He opened his mouth and then closed it. He then looked at me for a moment and then ran a hand through his hair.

"Victoria, I am going to miss you so much." He said softly and placed his hand over mine which was on the table.

"It's not too late to stay, you know." I told him even though I knew what his answer was gonna be.

He sighed. "It unfortunately is, sunshine."

I moved my hand from under his and nodded stiffly. I knew he was going to say that. It would've been too good to be true if he would've actually decided to stay back.

"Victoria-" he started but I cut him off.

"Nate let's just not talk about this and eat, alright?"

"Yeah fine," he said and looked down at his menu.

****

"So baby pull me closer in the backseat of your Rover," Nate sang at the top of his lungs.

"That I know you can't afford," I sang loudly.

"Bite that tattoo on your shoulder."

"Pull the streets right off the corner."

"Off that mattress that you stole."

"From your roommate back in Boulder."

"We ain't never getting older!" Nate screamed out as the beat to the song dropped.

We were sitting in his bedroom singing along to Closer by The Chainsmokers at the top of our lungs.

After dinner, which was slightly tense then become normal after a while, Nate brought me over to his house because none of his family were at home (his dad was still in the hospital; he had no idea where his mom was and his sister was by their grandparents house).

"I honestly love this song so much," I said as the music played loudly.

"I know you do." Nate said and chuckled lightly.

"I mean how could you not?! It's so beautiful and amazing!" I said and rested my head against a pillow.

He scooted closer to me and rested his head next to mine on the same pillow. "I can name something else that's more beautiful."

I frowned. "What?"

"This girl who's currently sitting next to me. Her name is Victoria and she's the most beautiful thing I've ever laid my eyes on." He said with a wide grin.

I found myself, once again, blushing at his words. But I covered my cheeks with my hair so he couldn't see.

"You're a cheesy idiot." I said and hit him lightly on his chest.

"But you love this cheesy idiot, don't you?" He said and lightly flicked my nose.

I rolled my eyes and laughed. "Unfortunately, I do."

He moved his body even closer to me and wrapped an arm around my waist. My whole body was pressed against his and my heart was beating so fast I'm pretty sure his neighbours could hear it.

He moved his face close to my ear and whispered. "Unfortunately?"

Goosebumps traveled down my spine at his husky whisper.

"Wh-what?" I croaked out, barely finding my voice.

I was honestly slightly confused by what he meant by 'unfortunately?' but that was probably because my brain was currently scrambled by Nate's body on mine.

"Never mind," he said and then crashed his lips onto mine.

I was completely taken off guard by his kiss; I was frozen. Only until he moved his hand from my waist and placed it on my upper thigh,I realised what was happening and I finally kissed him back.

He moved his mouth from my lips and started kissing my jawline. He sucked on my sweet spot and earned a low moan from me.

I moved my fingers to his shirt and stared unbuttoning. Once his shirt was unbuttoned I ran my fingers down his torso, needing to feel his skin against mine.

He moved his lips from my neck and rolled onto his back on the bed. He then pulled me by my waist on top of him, so I was lying on top of him.

"You're beautiful, you know that?" He whispered and stroked back a piece of hair from my face.

I opened my mouth to reply but before the words could leave my mouth, he once again crashed his lips on mine. I kissed him back with just as much as intensity. He moved his hands to the back of my dress and paused at the zipper. He broke the kiss and looked at me intensely.

"Sunshine, are you sure you wanna do this?"

I honestly didn't know why he was asking me if I wanted to do this. I mean we had done it before so it's not like it'll be the first time.

I gave him an assuring smile and nodded. A smirk came onto his face and he then opened the zipper to my dress and pulled it down my body, leaving me in just my underwear. He tossed my dress aside and then placed his lips onto mine again. He trailed his hands down my stomach, giving me goosebumps everywhere, and rested them at my waist.

He moved his mouth from mine and gently stroked my cheek. "I love you so fucking much, Victoria."

I placed a quick kiss on his lips and then smiled at him. "I love you too, Nate."

*****

*knock* 
*knock*
*knock*

My sleep was rudely broken by an impatient knock on the door. I opened my eyes and looked to my side and seen that Nate was still fast asleep. Slight beams of sunlight was streaming into the room through the curtains.

Whoever was knocking on the door knocked three more times; sounding more impatient this time.

"Nate?" I heard a feminine voice call.

Crap, it sounded like his sister's voice!

Feeling slightly panicked, I gently tapped his shoulder to wake him up but he didn't even move. 

I let out a frustrated huff and this time hit him on his arm. He just stirred slightly and remained asleep.

"Ugh, I'm just coming in." His sister said and I heard the door click.

My eyes widened. What was she going to do when she found me wrapped in her brother's arms naked and on his bed at this part of the morning?

"Nate?" She said softly. I quickly rested my head on Nate's chest and pretended I was asleep so I didn't have to face the embarrassment.

She gasped and I heard something which sounded very much like glass fall onto the floor with a loud bang.

"Oh my god!" She exclaimed.

I guess the sound of breaking glass was enough to wake up Nate because he woke up with a start and lifted half his body off the bed causing my head to fall from his chest and onto the pillow.

"What the fuck happened?!" He said, still sounding half asleep.

"I could ask you the same thing, Nate!" His sister screeched.

Realisation seemed to dawn on him by the expression on his face. He ran a hand through his hair and let out a sigh.

He turned towards my direction and I quickly shut my eyes so he would think I was still sleeping.

"I know you're awake," he said softly and caressed my cheek.

Oh well, no use pretending when he knew I was awake. I opened my eyes and looked up to a Nate who was looking longingly at me. I felt my cheeks redden.

I looked to where his sister was and seen that she had a mixture of shock and distaste plastered on her face.

"Are you're just going to ignore me?" She snapped at Nate.

"Iliana, it's honestly too early for this," he said and massaged his temples.

I frowned. It's too early for what? I thought Nate was always patient with his sister.

"No! Why are you with her?! I thought you-" before she could complete her sentence Nate cut her off.

"Because I love her, Iliana! I'm in love with her!"

"You're in love with her?" She scoffed.

Okay I seriously thought his sister was more sweeter and not - well - a complete bitch.

"Yes I am. I thought I've made that clear more than a hundred fucking times." He said irritably.

My frown deepened. He's talked about me? And said that he loved me? More than once?

"Well what about Britney, huh?" She said and crossed her arms across her chest.

Nate's nostrils flared and her shot her a very angry glare. He looked pissed.

Who's Britney? And why'd he get so angry at the mention of this 'Britney'? Something was fishy here.

"Britney?" I asked him and raised a brow.

He let out a frustrated huff. "Iliana, why don't you just give us some privacy?"

She raised her brows. "You're telling me to get out?"

He nodded. "Yes. Now get out."

She glowered at him and then walked out the room, slamming the door on her way out.

I gave him a questioning look. "Who's Britney?"

He cupped my cheek. "Relax sunshine, she's no one. I promise."

I gripped his wrist and removed it from my cheek. I was starting to get more and more irritated as each minute went by.

"Yeah, I don't believe that."

He ran a hand through his hair once again. "Victoria, I literally mean that she's no one. She's not an actual person that I know. Or exists for that matter."

I frowned. "What? That makes no sense."

"You see, I made her up. Iliana didn't want me moving to New York just for her so I made up a stupid story and said that there was a girl that I loved there who's name is Britney. She's all just made up to convince my sister. I don't know any Britney and the only girl I love is you."

I let out a relived breath. I was being stupid and overreacting. Of course Nate didn't have a secret girlfriend name Britney. He's done a lot of things that proved that he really loved me and that's enough for me to believe him. I'd be stupid to pick a fight with him for something so trivial.

"I believe you," I said and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Can't blame me for being possessive, can you?"

He smirked at me. "Of course not, I mean look at me. And I mean after last night I'm sure you'd be even more possessive." He winked.

My cheeks flushed at his statement and I hit him on his shoulder. He winced in pain but I just glared at him in return.

"You're so violent," he said and rolled his eyes.

I just ignored him and grabbed my phone. I pressed the side button and about a hundred texts from Michael asking where I was displayed on my lock screen.

My eyes widened. I hadn't told him that I was going out with Nate. He must've freaked when he seen that I wasn't at home all night and it was already 11 am and I still wasn't back.

I quickly typed out a reply to him.

Me: Hey, I'm alright. I spent the night at Ashley's. Sorry I didn't let you know, I was in a rush.

I clicked send and ran a hand through my hair. I'm seriously such an idiot. Michael was supposed to not be stressing at all and here I was adding to his stress. Ugh, I hate myself!

My phone buzzed with a reply and I opened it instantly.

Michael: Hey, it's alright. As long as you're okay and safe. :)

I let out a sigh of relief. Well at least he wasn't pissed at me.

"Hey, I should probably get going. It's already 11 am and I gotta check on Michael and make sure he's fine." I told Nate and was about get out of the bed but Nate stopped me.

"Oh come on, I'm leaving tomorrow. Can't you just stay a little longer?" He asked me. He looked genuinely disappointed that I was leaving.

I guess I could have stayed a little longer. I mean Michael wasn't worried anymore and he thought I was at Ashley's.

I sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll stay," I told him and his face brightened.

He pulled me by my wrist towards him and wrapped his arms around my waist from the back. He placed his chin on my shoulder and placed a light kiss on my shoulder blade.

I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of his skin on mine. After all, who knows after how long I'll be able to touch him after tomorrow.

"You're amazing, do you know that?" Nate said softly.

I chuckled. "You just told me now."

"I'm going to miss you so much, Sunshine."

I turned around and faced him. I placed a soft kiss on his lips and then looked at him. "We'll keep in contact like you said," I told him.

He nodded. "Of course we will."

"As long as you don't fall in love with other girls," I told him sternly.

"That's impossible because I'm already deeply in love with another girl."

I laughed at his words and placed my lips on his again.

_______