I can't believe it, today is graduation day. All 6 of us, we did it! Yes, the 6 of us. Of course, Chyanne and Owen were still together. They spent a lot of time together at Owen's apartment. I'm pretty sure she has more than just a drawer, I think a whole damn dresser!
"Babe!" Danny called, breaking my thoughts. How rude, but also how very him. He jogged into view, our eyes meeting in the mirror. "Oh girl, you lot hot!" I rolled my eyes. His compliments usually sounded something like that, but he meant well.

Danny was really good at being romantic, just not with his words. He sweeps me off my feet and carries me places or he'll bring me flowers. On my birthday, he had a cake pop waiting for me in every class. With all of those little things he did, I could easily overlook his strange way of compliments. My favorite compliment was when he told me I have the perfect ears.

Owen sat patiently on the couch playing a game on his phone. Greg and Serenity laid on the floor, cheek to upside cheek, playing would you rather. Their questions were always so strange but neither of them minded.
"Would you rather only have to wear women's underwear for the rest of your life or be missing every other finger and toe." Greg thought carefully about his answer. I stared, waiting for an answer. Please god, don't pick the fingers and toes, please!
"Girls have like long boyish underwear, so I think that one." I exhaled in relief. We'd all gotten used to the strange questions by now, and secretly we all played along in our heads.

Serenity has been part of the friend group for about 9 months, she and Greg ran into each other in the hallway. Literally. Coffee went EVERYWHERE. His white shirt was covered in wet, blonde marks that clung to his skin. Her pink shirt mirrors his but the spots looked darker on her shirt. Serenity was flustered and so beside herself. She apologized but because it was Greg he just threw his head back in laughter. There wasn't an ounce of color in her face but he was pink from laughing so hard.

After his fit of laughter, they made eye contact. Serenity was still pale and confused but seemed leased flustered.
"I'm really sorry. I will buy you a new shirt, I promise." He was still smiling at her.
"Are you okay?" Greg was always a kind, caring guy. He had a tougher exterior but was a giant mushball on the inside.
"Am I? Yes? Are you?"
"Do you want to grab some coffee?" He ignored her question. Serenity looked like she lost touch with reality, and without knowing Greg I'm sure you'd feel like you had. "Maybe this time we can drink it and not create a fountain." His smile never wavered as he looked at her.
"But-"
"Listen, it's fine." I couldn't peel my eyes away from them.
"Uh, I suppose. But I'm paying." She argued back.
"Great, then it would be rude to let your guest sit alone at a table." He lightly grabbed her wrist and pulled her with him.

Since then they have been Serenity and Greg, oddly they work well together. Greg had one girlfriend between when Owen and Chy started dating until now, but we don't talk about her.

"Baby," Danny's hands gently laid on my shoulders. "Can you see if Chyanne is ready, please?" I nodded and wiggled my way out of his grip. He joined Owen on the couch. They were both in slacks and nice button-up shirts.

I quietly entered Chyanne's room. Immediately, I could smell her; cotton candy and other sweet things, then I could see her. She was standing in front of her now barley used bed. Her blond hair was curled in big Hollywood curls. A pink and purple floral dress hugged her perfectly. It wasn't her choice, it was mine. This girl wanted to wear dress shorts and a nice shirt. Tisk, tisk Chyanne.
"You look beautiful," I spoke softly. Our eyes met in the mirror. I wanted Chyanne to dress up for today, I knew there was a surprise coming. Danny has a big mouth. A smile graced her lips.
"We're really graduating." Her eyes seemed dazed with memories.
"Come here." I held out my arms. Slowly she let me hug her. We stayed like this, longer than we should have.

A gentle knock came at the door. We untangled ourselves and looked up at the tall figure in the doorway.
"Hi." She whispered.
"Hi," Owen whispered back. Part of me took credit for making these two come together but apart of me knew better. I think they'd always find their way to each other. They were like magnets, one always attached to the other.

Owen's eyes sparkled when they looked at Chyanne. I remember when she told me he said 'I love you' for the first time. Her cheeks went pink and she tumbled over herself. I thought he was crazy for saying it so soon, but the truth was, it wasn't. They had been talking for weeks and knew each other well. At that moment I realize they loved each other, long before either chose to admit it.

"You ready?" His low voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Chyanne just simply nodded with a soft smile. We dropped our arms and she migrated to his side. Like I said, magnets.

In the living room, everyone waited for our arrival. No one had moved from their position since I left. Everyone looked as we entered.
"Look what the cat dragged in." Danny smiled widely.
"Is it a better shirt? Because what you're wearing is awful." She replied quickly.
"Thank you!" Chyanne had gained more confidence since Owen. Her comebacks were better too. Danny looked down at his shirt.
"What? I like it."
"That's the problem, you have no sense of fashion." She walked by the kitchen.
"Who's dress are you wearing?" He called after her.
"You're angel of a girlfriend." Their banter was amusing, I couldn't help but smile.

The car ride to school was mostly vacant conversions. Owen drive in his SUV and Chyanne rode shotgun. She was silent.
"What happens after?" She finally blurted out. Everyone turned to her.
"Honey, what?" Owen looked at her. The light was red.
"Are we still friends?" Her eyes were only on him. "Do we stay friends for a few years and then it fades out the older we get?" I could hear the panic and nervousness in her voice. A loud laugh ripped through the car. We all looked back at Greg.
"Chyanne, we aren't in high school anymore. These kinds of friendships last." Chyanne slowly closed her mouth. "I've known these dudes for years. You've known Sandy for years. That isn't one of those things you just give up. Sure we might drift a little because we grow up and start having our own lives, but our friendship doesn't end." The car was silent. The words echo with the truth. "Let's make a pack, every May 23rd, we have dinner together, no matter what." Danny piped up. We all searched each other's faces. It seemed like a good idea. A reason to never lose touch.
"I'm in." I was the first to pipe up.

Everyone in the car agreed, even if we weren't together, but something told me we all still be with our current partners. Danny pulled me in closer.
"Speaking of growing up," he whispered. "You want to move in with me?" My eyes flickered to Chy. I thought about what Owen had said. Without hesitation I said,
"Yes." He smiled warmly and kissed my cheek.
"Good. We might have to get rid of all the pajamas. Who needs those, we have birthday suits." I rolled my eyes at his dirty humor. Birthday suits were only for special days. So basically, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Some Saturdays. I further pushed myself into Danny's side. It was a small step, a step towards forever.

The field next to the school was filled with thousands of chairs. Some for students, but most for parents and other family members. It was like high school but on a mass scale.

I sat nervously in my seat. I didn't dare search for my friends, I would want to get up and run together. Admittedly I'm a secret pack animal. I like to be with my group. My legs bounced up and down as the Dean went over his speech. Could he read any faster?

In no time we got to the names. My stomach swirled with anxiety and refreshment. When the names started to be called I was too nervous to clap for anyone. I watched them cross the stage and the rows before me start to dwindle.

Suddenly, I was standing in line behind a girl I didn't know, my mind went blank. I forgot how to walk or talk. Everything was silent, it all disappeared.
"Sandra Benson." My name echoed briefly over the waves of people. My heart was screaming in my chest. I think I shook everyone's hand a little too hard with a big smile plastered on my face. Could it really get any better than this?

In my seat, I watched and waited for the rest of our crew. I clapped loudly for all of them, pride swelling inside me. Today was no doubt the best day of our lives, Chyanne didn't have the slightest clue.

After all the names were called the Dean gave one more minor speech and congratulated us on our crowning achievements, graduating college. The class erupted with hoots and cheers. We did it! We were all officially college graduates, well on our way to success! Most of us anyways.

After we tossed out caps and cheered until our voices gave out, I weaved in and out of clumps of people looking for my friends. I saw Greg first. I linked arms with him and dragged him behind me.

Slowly we assembled like the Avengers, ready to fight the real world together. Dispute how different we were and that we would inevitably grow apart in some way, we were a team. One hell of one at that.

Eventually, our family members found us too and engulfed us in a crowd of pride. My eyes landed on Owen. He talked with Chyanne and both their families. I wonder who all knew.
"Baby!" Danny scooped me up, swinging me around like a child. I couldn't help but bubble with laughter. "We did it!" He sang.
"We did it!" I cheered.
"We did it!" Everyone joined in with a fist in the air.

My family told me how proud the We're and brought me tons of flowers. I didn't have the heart to tell them I hate flowers. Why would I want to watch something so beautiful slowly die?

Danny and Cheyanne's Family congratulated me too. We were such a tight-knit group it was not surprising when we got bum barred with dozens of 'Congratulations!' and 'You did it!'s. It was actually quite nice.

In time students and their support groups started to funnel out and move on to the real world. The 6 of us stayed around talking and laughing. We always had something to say.
"I can't believe I didn't fall!" Serenity laughed at her own clumsiness.
"I was so nervous, I thought I was going to puke," Chyanne added. Owen pulled her close and gave her a quick kiss in her hair. It was something he did so often, it didn't even phase her.
"I think we should go out for dinner and drink, we need to celebrate!" Danny hooted loudly. Everyone cheered in agreement.
"Just one more moment." Chyanne finally said. "I want to take it all in, one last time."

Slowly she spun taking in the past for the last time. Part of me joined her in the reminiscing, the other part of me was too stubborn to let myself feel sad about leaving. Owen dropped to one knee with a box in his hand while Chyanne was busy looking elsewhere. When she turned around, she immediately stopped. Goosebumps raced up my arms as I'm sure they did hers. Danny and Greg pulled us, girls, in close, watching the magic before us. We all knew her answer, but Owen was still nervous.
"Chyanne Stevens, will you marry me?" His voice shook as he spoke. A sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob came from Chy.
"Yes." She said threw her hands. He stood up to kiss her but instead, she completely engulfed him in an embrace. This was the moment they started their very long journey down the road happily ever after.

<3 * <3 * <3 * <3 * <3 * <3

Authors notes:

Oh my gosh! Hello! Thank you so much for reading! I will admit this was probably one of my favorite/best story ideas! Ahhh! I can't believe you're reading this (you're probably like "that makes two of us"). I have many more story ideas coming (it takes me some time, but I promise they're coming!). I'd love for you to check out any of my other stories and I'd LOVE to hear what you think! I really want to say thank you so much for your love and support of this book. It warms my heart. Until next time!
-M. Harris