Aria's POV

I looked over at Cider, who was practically shaking to death. "Calm down, Cider. It's fine."

"It's not fine! I refuse to accept this stupid fate of ours!"

"Don't panic, gosh." I groaned, slapping her cheek lightly. We were walking to school today instead of taking cars, because Cider didn't want to see Theo quicker. I, on the other hand, am practically the only one of us girls who actually want their mate. Heck, I don't even call Hunter my mate. I don't even call him my boyfriend. I call him my best friend...that I just so happened to kiss, cuddle, and Netflix and chill with.

"I know you aren't good with Theo, and I respect that. They've all been an asshole at least one time during this experience."

"Except Hunter." she smirked, wriggling her eyebrows. I blushed, a flustered expression on my face.

"Sh-Shut up! I'm an honorary gay."

"What does that have to do with loving Hunter?"

I pointed at JJ, who was whispering to Angela and their other friends that consisted of all boys and one other girl. JJ and Angela pointed at me, and their friends all looked up at me. I could see Hunter, Ian, and Theo staring at me and Cider from the side of the school, and I knew Cider could see them too.

JJ and Angela began walking over to me, a phone in JJ's hand. "What do you want, boy?" I sighed.

They giggled mischievously. JJ tapped on his phone and shoved it in my face. I saw a Five Nights at Freddy's 4 jumpscare with Freddy, making me scream and jump ten feet in the air. They both laughing and began running away.

"I WILL PERSONALLY STUFF YOU INTO THAT ASSHOLE OF YOURS." I yelled, running after them. I slapped JJ across the face, making Angela laugh even more. I walked over to the two jerks' friends, putting on my best smile.

"Oh, hello there, Jackass Junior and Angela's friends. This is Jackass Junior's friend, and she wants to give you an uncomfortable experience." I grabbed JJ and pushed him into one of his friends that looked gay, making them kiss.

"Oh, and this." I pulled out my phone and pressed play on YouTube (it was already opened to a jumpscare because you never know when you need to scare somebody sh*tless), showing them a FNAF 4 jumpscare of Foxy. They all screamed like little girls, backing away. I bowed dramatically and walked back to Cider.

The four boys were laughing from the distance, making me smirk.

Me: Shaddup

I texted Hunter. I heard his phone buzz, and he laughed even more.

Hunter: Sorry, shut doesn't go up :3

"Well, Elsie has taught you well." Cider chuckled as we walked into school.

"Zoë plus Elsie is trouble." I sighed. "Cider, why don't you like Theo?"

"He's possessive to the max! He wouldn't like me if I weren't his mate, and he's controlling."

"He's only possessive because he likes you. He's also kind. And maybe he would like you if you weren't mates. Just talk to him. He is hot, right?"

"Yeah..." she muttered.

"Then talk it out! I know you two bang-bang-banged a few months ago."

"Wh-What?! No!"

"You wouldn't have done that if you didn't care."

Cider sighed as we went to my locker. Even though there was nothing in it and we didn't bring our binders, we still went there to meet up with our friends. I still can't believe this is literally our last day of high school ever. I'm glad to escape school for now, but it's kind of sad.

I'll miss the cool teachers. Yeah, I can't believe I'm actually saying that. I mean, I never had a true friend besides Hunter. It was until this year that I found friends that were my gender, and were nice. This year has been the most chaotic, but it's also been the most worth it.

"I think I'll decide by the end of the graduation ceremony." Cider said.

"I mean, you kinda have to." Ui chuckled, walking up with a familiar face. Their hands were interlocked, and they both looked happy.

"Tanner are you going to college?" Elsie asked.

He shrugged. You see, Tanner came back Monday for testing, and he immediately found Ui. They hugged, and Ian told us all his condition better than he did before. Basically, he's not going to be able to speak that often, but that doesn't mean he can't. His wolf has taken over his human body, leaving his own thoughts and actions in the back of his head. He's a lot more possessive of Utica due to his wolf being 'in charge', but other than that, he's perfectly fine.

"I know Theo and Ian are taking a gap year because they have to take over the pack." Tanner said slowly, trying to process every word. Utica rubbed his back, smiling encouragingly. I'm glad they made up.

Suddenly, the warning bell rang, and we all sighed. Today is a short day, because at four o'clock, our graduation ceremony is happening. It's sad. Angela will still be stuck here in high school, and I might never get to see her again. Oh well. It's not like we were close or anything.

"You all ready for the final five hours we're spending in Mr. Silas's class?" I asked sadly.

They all hummed in response, equally sad, and we all walked in the direction of our favorite teacher's gay ol' class.

* * *

Cider's POV

This is it. It's time to say goodbye to another world, and hello to adulthood. It's also time for me to decide if I'm going to spend my entire life with Theo or not. It's crazy, because I never thought I'd actually be thinking about these things at age eighteen. Werewolf culture is weird.

It makes me wonder if my life would be different if I stayed in Illinois. What if Davis never had that affair? What if my name was still Cilerinne Brunner? What if I never met John all those years ago? Heck, what if I never met Elsie?

Life would be extremely different, that's for sure.

But if I hadn't met Theo, I think I wouldn't have broken up with John. If it weren't for Theo, I'd still be in an abusive relationship. To think John's dead because of me...Heh, actually, it's his own fault. If I he didn't turn me into a werewolf, I wouldn't have killed his horrible ass.

But Theo has been tough sometimes. He can be a real jerk, but then again, I can too. We all have our moments.

I think I just need a new start.

I think he needs a new start.

I think...

I think I know what I'm going to choose.

* * *

"Cilerinne Moses." They called my name, and everyone in the auditorium was clapping. I could hear the screams and shouts of my mom from all the way up here on the podium, making me smile. I shook the principal's hand and took my diploma, walking off the other side and sitting back down. My nerves were still shot, anxious from how everyone's going to react to my decision.

* * *

Utica's POV

"DAAAAAAAD!" I yelled, jumping into his arms. He swung me around like I was three years old again.

"You did it!" he exclaimed as I laughed. He sat me down, happy tears in his eyes. "They'd be proud.

"Aww, minus one hundred man points." I teased.

"I'm allowed to cry for my baby."

"Oh, Dad! Meet Tanner, my boyfriend. Don't kill him." I warned as Tanner walked over to me.

"Hi, sir. Your daughter is an amazing person."

Dad glared at Tanner, and I grabbed Tanner's hand. "Dad, suck it up." I groaned.

"Since it's your graduation, I'll let you all have fun. But we'll get further introduced some time soon."

"Yay! Let's go find the other's and talk." I chimed, dragging him along with me. I saw his eyes go lighter, meaning he was mindlinking either the boys, or both the boys and the girls, minus Elsie.

I dragged him out of the school, almost tripping over my black graduation gown.

Then, the girls and boys all came out one by one. "Guys, it's time." I said.

It was silent for a second before Elsie spoke. "Ian, I want to be with you."

Ian's expression changed drastically. He gasped, smiled, and ran up at Elsie, hugging her and almost taking her to the ground. They laughed and hugged, like a real couple.

"I'm staying with Tanner. Ari?" I directed at Ari.

She blushed, and I winked. "Um...I'm gonna...s-stay with Hunter."

The two blushed (even more) and looked away, smiling, their hands clasping each other.

Then, we all looked at Cider. Even Ari and Hunter did. If she's gonna leave us, I don't know what I'd do. Cider has been such a good friend. She's changed me for the better, and I think I've changed her as well, for the better.

Cider closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I've made my decision."

We all watched her anxiously, leaning in, even though she wasn't too close.

"I think I need a new start."

My heart sank deeply. Cider's...leaving?! She's not gonna be with Theo? With us? But I thought we were her friends...I thought I changed her.

I guess not.

"I think Theo needs a new start." she continued slowly.

The sadness, guilt, and emptiness in the air fogged our minds and clouded our visions.

"I want a knew start with him, and all of you." Many of us gasped, and I tackled her to the ground, which was mostly me tripping over my gown. Cider laughed.

"You asshole! I was genuinely gonna cry!"

"The fact that I actually managed to fool you is a tear-wrencher in itself."

"Yeah, she can't act for sh*t." Elsie sighed happily.

We got up, and I backed up. We watched as Theo walked up to Cider, not too close, but not too far. "I'm honestly, truthfully sorry." he said, remorse in his eyes.

"I want to make things right with you. I was acting a douche when I told you all that crap about mates. You're more than a mate, Cider. You're my one and only. You're my girlfriend. And I wish we hadn't started so rough. I want to make it right."

"Me too. Let's try to get to know each other more, yeah? We don't know much about each other, and that's what being in a relationship is all about."

They smiled, and hugged each other. We all clapped, Tanner, Elsie, Ian, and I whistling.

Cider suddenly pulled away, coughing. "Hey, Mom." she said nervously.

Ooooh, her mom don't know 'bout Theo yet. I thought, smirking.

"Let's all go to The Melting Pot! My treat." Aria's mom said. All of our parents came out here. Even the boys'.

"But it's so expensive." Another lady with black hair and pale skin groaned. She was acting buddy-buddy with Ari's mom, so I'm guessing she's Hunter's mom.

"I stole my husband's credit card." she admitted shamelessly.

"Amen to that!" Cider's mom preached. Like, literally. She pressed her hands together and closed her eyes.

So that's how we spent our final night of normal-ness. Aria, Elsie, Cider, Hunter, Tanner, Ian, Theo, I, and our parents went to The Melting Pot (the parents sat at another table) and had an amazing time.

Of course, I was on my period. And we all know what Ui-Pooey's period means:

Something bad is gonna happen.

Three chapters left.

Double post.

Your welcome.