Two Years Later

Two years has passed and its the day I graduated from Lark University. After two years of community college and four long years of University, I am a graduating. Me and the rest of English Lit students are standing in line for our Bachelors in English. Declan was on the stage, shaking everyone's hands. "Juanita Marsden," the announcer said.

I got my Bachelors and shook Dean Michelle's hand. I shook Declan's hand. "Congratulations, Nita," he whispered. "Thank you, Mr. Loughlin," I said. "No problem. Meet me at mother's old house. I got a gift for you," he whispered.

I sighed and smiled. "Thank you for everything," I said, leaving the stage.

After the ceremony, we were at mine and Julianna's house to celebrate my graduation party. My parents, Kyle, Katz, Riley and his parents are here, even Declan's here. "Its weird that I finally graduated," I said. "I'm glad its finally over and now you can start your writing career," my mom said.

I nodded. "My little girl. I am so proud of you, sweetie," my dad said, kissing my head. Riley was pretty nervous around my dad even though they met on numerous occasions. "People, there's something I want to an anounce," Riley said.

We all looked at him. "Riley, what you doing?" I asked. "Nita, we've been dating for two and a half years. When I first saw you, I knew there was something about you that made me fall for you. I know I am this rich kid and you are a gothic girl. I didn't see a gothic girl, I saw the girl behind the outfits, I saw the real you. Nita, you know I love you?" he asked.

"Yes. I love you too," I said. "So I've been waiting for a long time to do this. I want you to say yes," he paused. He took a box out of his blazer pocket and slowly got on his knee. I gasped as he did that, covering my face and crying.

"Angelina Juanita Maria Marsden, will you marry?" Riley asked, opening the box. There was a ring in.

I looked at the ring and it was bigger than I expected. I looked at everyone, including Declan. He walked away. I looked at Riley and nodded. "Yes," I mouthed. He smiled and hugged me. He put the ring on my finger.

"Its lovely," I said. Everyone was cheering. "Let me see, let me see," Julianna said. I showed her the ring and smiled. "You are getting married," she said, smiling. "I am and you want to be my maid of honor?" I asked.

"I would love that honor," she said, smiling. "Welcome to the family, future daughter-in-law," Riley's parents said. "Thank you, Regina and Richard," I said.

Later on, Julianna and Riley were cleaning up. "Hey, I'm gonna go see talk to Declan to see if he's okay," I said. "Okay," Julianna said. "Want to drive you?" Riley asked. "No, I'll be okay," I said, leaving.

Few minutes later, I pulled up to Declan's mother's house that he officially lives in. I knocked on the door. He opened the door. "Nita, what you doing here?" he asked. I went inside. "Why did you leave?" I asked.

"I couldn't stay and watch Riley propose to you, and see you make the biggest mistake of your life," he said. "I am not your student anymore. You can't tell me that I am making a mistake. Even though your marriage failed, that doesn't mean mine with Riley won't," I said.

"Nita, my marriage failed because I married someone who wasn't always faithfully to me. Riley won't be faithful to you. I don't want you to get hurt," he said. "I am not gonna get hurt, Declan. Nina and Natasha are locked up in prison for the rest of their life," I said.

"What if he does, hurt you? Who are you gonna turn to when he does? You won't be able to turn to me anyways," he said. "I would turn to my brother. Kyle punched Keith in the face, he punched Conrad, he's even punched you in the face for hurting me," I said.

"My jaw still hurts from that," he said. "Well you kind of deserved it after you almost ruined his wedding day," I said. "I know that. I didn't mean to. I was mad at you for bring Riley to the wedding as a guest," he said.

"Well Riley's gonna be part of my life from now on. If you can't accept it, then there's no point of me coming around you anymore," I said. He nodded. I got up and headed for the door. "Nita, wait, before you go," he said.

He gave me a gift. "Happy graduation day," he said. I took the gift and left. I got to my car, I didn't drive away. I opened up the gift he gave me. I opened it up and it was a book. 'The Tenth Circle' signed by the author.

I held the book close to me. I started driving back to mine and Julianna's house.

I went inside and Riley was waiting for me on the couch. "Hey, fiancee," he said. "Hey, future husband," I said. "What you got there?" he asked. "The Tenth Circle. Its the copy that the author signed. Declan gave it to me as a graduation gift," I said.

"I noticed he was a little sad about me proposing to you," Riley said. "Well, he's gonna have to deal with it," I said. Riley nodded. He grabbed my left hand and kissed it. "Future Mr. and Mrs. Riley Banks," he said.

I smiled. "Can't wait," I said, smiling. "I'm gonna change into comfortable clothes," I said. "Take your time, fiancee," he said. I headed upstairs to my room. I changed into my clothes into pajamas that my parents got me.

Next Day

I woke up the next morning. Riley woke me up as he brought a tray for me. "What's this?" I asked. "Well, I wanted to bring you a post-graduation breakfast for you and show my fiancee how much I care for her," he said, smiling.

I sat up and started eating toast first but I started coughing. "You okay?" he asked. "What did you put on this toast?" I asked. "Butter and cinnamon," he said. My eyes opened wide as I continue to cough.

"I'm allergic to cinnamon," I said, continuing to cough. "Oh god. Babe, I had no idea," he said. I grabbed my epi-pen and put in my thigh. I gasped and breathed. "Its okay. Maybe I should give you a list of things I am allergic to," I said.

"Yeah, you should. Just in case," he said. I nodded. He kissed my head.

An hour later, I finished writing down all of the things I'm allergic for Riley. "Here you go," I said, giving it to him. "Thanks babe. Well I better get to work," he said. "Okay. See you later," I said.

"Okay. Love you," he said, heading out. "Love you too babe," I said. I headed to my office and started writing my novel that I have been working on. I put my glasses on and looked at my engagement ring.

I sighed. "Am I making a mistake or is Declan just jealous?" I thought to myself. I continued to write. My phone went off and it was Declan calling me. I muted my phone to ignore him. There was a knock on my door.

I was concerned. I got up to check the door through the peekhole. It was Declan. I ignored it and headed back to my office. I pretend he's not even there as he continued to knock. I got up, heading to the door.

"Declan, go away!" I said. "Nita, I want to apologize about last night," he said. I sighed, unlocking the door. "Okay. You got one minute," I said, folding my arms, showing off the ring.Declan looked at my ring.

"Okay. I am sorry about last night. Its was not my place to tell you that 'you're making a mistake with Riley'. I just want what's best for you because I still care about you. I always will. So I am sorry," he said.

"Okay, Declan. You apologized and now you can leave," I said, heading inside. I shut the door on him. I sighed and felt knots in my stomach. After seeing Declan. Wait, I am I having feeling for him again?