~The End~

A week later...

Chesterfield high buzzed with the chatters arising from the axis where all of the graduating class were seated, the noise bouncing off the walls in beautiful echoes of excitement. Each of them donned in their red and yellow gowns and caps, stood out in the glam and glitter, further beautifying the hall. They were delirious with happiness at leaving high school for college; what they thought was a life of ease. Other than that reason, most were glad to discover that in the new world they were about to venture into, there would be little or no supervision from their pesky teachers, neither would there be parents breathing down fire everytime something went wrong.

What other feeling could be more intoxicating than freedom?

Principal Winston stepped up to the podium to give his speech, congratulating everyone of them for their resilience and hardwork so far from middle school up till the present moment. From the moment he climbed on to the podium, while the junior classes paid rapt attention to his words of advice, most of the senior students had fallen into a light slumber in a mock show of how boring he sounded. At the end of his long speech, he bade them all the best wishes as they embarked on a new adventure which he called "Life". There was a round of applause for him the moment he was done and went back to his seat.

The officiating personnel for the event climbed back on the podium with a dazzling smile at the cheery audience. "That was a beautiful one from Principal Winston. Thank you so much. Next, we have a speech from our valedictorian..."

°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Dolores Huerta jostled out of her father's car in a mad haste, her cap getting caught in the wind. She reached out to catch it swiftly. She was late despite being told that she was the student to give the valedictory speech. She was in shock when she received the email stating the news. As much as she wanted to refuse it, she couldn't because it was too late to. However, she wrote her speech in a paper to avoid the gaze of the audience.

The click-clack of her heels against the hallway resounded as she ran quickly to meet up with time. Winding into a corner, the door to the auditorium was packed with the guests who were just about to walk in.

"Oops! My apologies." She said as she shoved in-between a pair of people walking in together.

"--Dolores Huerta?"

"I'm here!" She yelled from the doorway. The sea of heads seated turned at the same time at her response. "I'm so sorry, I'm late."

Thankfully, she caught sight of Adelina in the crowd and tossed her purse towards her. The girl didn't seem pleased about it but swallowed her protest for later. Dolores smoothened her gown with her sweaty palms, plastering what one could identify as a fake smile to the master of ceremonies. He handed over the mic to her and stepped away. She slowly turned to the audience, stunned at the number she was seeing.

"H-hi everyone..."

°•°•°•°•°•°

"Dolores!" A voice called while she was being squeezed into different hugs by well wishers and some of the students who she didn't even know. Dexterous but curious, she pulled away from them to search for the owner of that voice.

Simeon waved excitedly at her, quickly closing the distance between them in a run to lift her off her feet and swing her around. He decided to set her down when her pleas drew too much attention. "You, Dolores Deniel Huerta, had the audacity to take away best graduating student from me. How dare you?"

"Well, I can't answer that now. But I'll say, thanks for all the books you referred to me. If you hadn't, maybe it would have been someone who isn't even our friend. Anyway, you're such a sweetheart for giving valedictorian up for me." She cooed, gently patting his cheek.

"Whatever makes you sleep well at night." He  swatted her fingers away with an eyeroll. From behind him, she spotted Adelina, Nicolas, Aurora and Isaias approaching them. It was Aurora who first stepped up to her with a hug.

"Congratulations."

Dolores replied with a smile of her own. "Thank you." Then she leaned closer in a conspiratorial manner. "I hope you've been giving Nicolas more trouble than he's worth?"

"Course I have. He hasn't completely finished paying for all of his crimes. After making me believe his car was a gift, he's in so much trouble." She concluded, then moved aside for her father who stepped forward to engulf Dolores in a hug.

"Thank you for coming into my boy's life. I wonder where he'd be if it wasn't you."

"I should thank him rather. Even though he used to be a bully, there remained at least an atom of kindness inside. It was thoughts of you and Aurora that kept him sane. He kept me sane." With that, they both turned to gaze at Nicolas who kept swatting Aurora's fingers away from his face. As though being aware, he raised his eyes to catch her staring. Her breath caught in her throat at the gorgeous smile he sent her.

"I'll be leaving to see your father now. Have fun." He strolled away with a pat to shoulder which she didn't even acknowledge. She had long stopped paying him any attention.

At the same time that she opened her mouth, Adelina stepped in front of her, abruptly cutting her view of Nicolas. Her smile hesitant and wavering. She fiddled with Dolores' purse, lips pinched together in worry as though unsure of what to say. She tried to speak when she was suddenly enveloped in a hug.

"I'm sorry for being such a jerk to you these past few days. I should have realized what was happening between you and Grayson." Dolores squeezed tighter, her voice coated with regret.

Adelina pulled back, her eyebrows drawn together in sadness and surprise. "How'd you know that? Nevermind. I should be the one apologizing to you instead. I was wrong to neglect our friendship for something superficial, something that couldn't even last."

Dolores smiled at her even though her best friend's expression was far from cheery. The once fierce girl appeared to have lost some weight and the bags underneath her eyes which she tried to conceal using makeup hadn't completely disappeared. Despite all, she looked hopeful, perhaps she had given in to whatever fate had thrown her way.

"It's okay. Stop beating yourself up about it. I want you to know that it's his loss. You have life ahead of you, other guys to meet and most importantly, college. Don't let his family's opinion of you weigh you down. Got that?"

A sincere smile wormed it's way into her dull face, brightening the contours of it. "Congratulations by the way. You deserve it." She paused again as though she remembered something. "You're yet to tell what transpired between you and Nicolas."

Dolores laughed in delight. "Thank you, and that's a story for another time. Today, we have fun and forget about the past. We just got out of high school for crying out loud."

"I finally get to talk to the famous Dolores Huerta whom everyone wouldn't stop talking about. They have become even more familiar with my girlfriend than I am." A voice startled them from behind.

Adelina tossed a brief look over her shoulders, sighed resignedly. "Seems he's here for you. I'll go talk to Simeon or pull his hair. He's annoying half the time anyway." She strode across the soft grass towards Simeon and Aurora who were arguing over something.

Dolores smiled briefly then turned to find the intruder and her smile broadened. She stepped closer to him, her fingers reaching out to grab his. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting, kind sir."

Nicolas shrugged. "I had no choice. By the way, congratulations. I was so proud when I heard your name being called on stage but when we didn't see you, I instantly took back my pride. We need to work on your punctuality."

She sighed, squeezing his fingers in worry. "I know, I know. I can't afford to be late to my classes when I get to college." They both laughed at that. Soon, her expression suddenly switched into a downcast one. "Nick, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it, babe?" His eyebrows were drawn together in worry.

"Dad said I'll be leaving the state to study elsewhere. I don't really want to go somewhere I won't see you. I'm scared to do it on my own." Her voice trembled.

He pulled her into a hug. "That's not an issue, babe. We can always call, skype, FaceTime and see each other during the holidays. It doesn't matter where we are or how far apart we are from each other's company, just promise me that you wouldn't forget us." His gaze bored intently into hers, conveying in them all the love he had for the girl in his arms.

"I won't." She firmly stated, her eyes never leaving his. In one swift motion, she swept into his arms, tightening her embrace around him. He reciprocated the hug with a kiss to her forehead and her plump lips when she stared up at him. However, their moment was ruined as someone slapped a hand against his back.

"You can ravage each other like animals some other time but for now it's time to keep memories. Picture time!" Simeon yelled at the couple when they wouldn't step away from each other. Frustrated, he shoved both along until they got to where the rest of their classmates stood.

"Simeon!" Aurora yelled with her phone held up to her view. "Say cheese!"

Like that, high school was over for them. Dolores looked around her, grateful for the people senior year brought her way. Amongst the reasons she had to be grateful for, was the absence of what seemed to be her neverending nightmares.

Of course, she never stopped thinking about her mother but it was only for the best that she tried to move on from the hurt. From what she'd learned so far, there was no gain dwelling on the past. To top it off, her asthma which she wore as a stigma was nowhere to be found. No traces. She was now completely free. It had once been a time of the bad and the ugly but now was for the best to take the wheels.

°•°•°•°•°•°

Meanwhile, Carlos sat in a van with his movements restricted by the handcuffs on his wrists and the officials who flagged both sides of him. When he and his father had been charged to court, he only managed to escape being sentenced to life imprisonment in jail by the skin of his teeth. His father on the other hand wasn't as lucky since he was responsible for both murders. The court declared Carlos' offences were fueled by his father's unstable mental health and anger. Also, at the time the offences were committed, he was still a minor. He was, however, to first be contained in a mental health facility to conduct various tests and treatments before being taken down to jail to serve his terms. Afterwards he'd be released to live like a freeman on the condition of supervision from whoever the court picked. If he was seen fit to live amongst people without exhibiting any questionable traits, the leash on him would be released.

However, all the aforementioned was yet to take place. The van conveying him had just left the courtyard and there was still a long way for him to go. He was being escorted to the state's mental health facility, away from causing further harm to anyone. That would be the last anyone in his town would hear of him.

Or would it?

~~~{•}~~~

I'm so happy y'all for your love and support so far
You've been so helpful towards the success of this book with your votes, reads, advice.
channelgirl345 Thank you so much for helping out a great deal.
Lest I forget, I was thinking about adding a spin-off... Two in fact... To this book
The three books are going to be called the 'Afloat" series.
Just stay tuned lovelies. In other words, till we meet again.
Ciao!