Dedicated to AllysaBethc for the amazing banner in the side! :)

So this takes place later on in the year and is the last chapter before the epilogue.

As much as I don't want to say it, this chapter made me sad. I'm not happy that this story is ending!

Thanks for reading! :)

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Six months later…

            I stood up whilst clapping and cheering as I watched my brother be handed his diploma.

            “Oh, thank goodness he graduated,” my mother muttered under her breath as he walked down the stairs, and let out a bellowing ‘woohoo!’

            I grinned and sat back down once the next name, a girl whom I didn’t know, was called. I looked through the crowd and saw the top of his hat then laughed.

            P. Brandt gots it going on.

            Needless to say that he was going to leave it blank until I got a hold of it. It made all of our friends when Jace walked in with it on. Of course they didn’t know that when I made it with him I had teared up with the thought of him leaving to college. With a hug and promises to call each other, I always calmed down.

            Jace and I were best friends but nothing more than that. There were still moments where we had to catch ourselves from leaning in for a kiss or hugging too long or making hints about a relationship but everything else was perfect. As the year had coursed on, I met with some more people from Julliard, got straight A’s and we even won state for dance.

            Jace made it into Duke University in North Carolina, around 3,000 miles from where I lived and ten hours by car from Julliard. Visiting would be hard if it even happened. He tried talking to me about it all the time but I kept on pushing it off. I didn’t want to talk about him leaving. I didn’t want to talk about anything concerning the future because everything was just so perfect in the present.

            Next year was going to be horrible, I knew that. All of my friends were seniors and would be gone but yet I’d be left behind with no one. I was sort of planning on Dillon failing his way out but even he was accepted into a good college here in California and would be attending it with Alyssa. The two were still going out, surprisingly.

            Today, graduation day, was one that I had been dreading for months on end. Jace would be leaving tomorrow morning for Duke and would be making his new life there. One without me in it.

            I clapped absently for the other graduates while continuing to think about Jace.

            I still remember that conversation the night that the boy’s soccer team won state. How I said that there was a possibility of us becoming more than friends after school is out. That’s now impossible because he’s leaving and I’m staying. Long distant relationships never work. There’s no point in even trying.

            I want a relationship, that’s not a lie. In the time since that conversation Jace hasn’t gone out with one single girl. Not even on a simple date. He told me things that he’s never told anyone else before and I told him things as well. He’s my best friend. I’m sure I know him even more than Dillon does.

            Dillon supported our friendship and we didn’t really see him much because he was always with Alyssa. Jace and him were still like brothers, nothing will change that.

            “Jace Harley.”

            I stood up and screamed out as Cara and Ms. Harley did the same in front of us. Jace walked up to the stage, took his diploma, and as he made his way down the stairs he looked up to the stands, caught my eyes, and winked. Cara smirked up at me and I looked away with a secret smile.

            The rest of graduation passed by slowly. I cheered for the people I knew, listened during the speeches, and laughed as all the graduates finally got to throw their caps up to the ceiling.

            That’s it. They’re officially graduates. I’m officially alone in high school now.

            We walked down there and as soon as my brother walked over to us, I engulfed him in a hug.

            “Good job, Dill,” I said into his shoulder. “You can move out now!”

            We pulled back and he ruffled my hair. He spoke quietly so only I could hear him, “Of course. You can have my room too! There’s even a stripper pole built into the room. It’s perfect for those times with Jace—“

            “Okay!” I said loudly and pushed my brother away. “I think it’s time to go to dinner now—“

            “Without saying ‘congratulations’ to me?” I knew exactly who said it.

            I turned around and ran into the arms of Jace. He chuckled into my ear and wrapped his arms around my lower back. His familiar smell wafted my nose as I hugged him tightly.

            “Congrats,” I mumbled into his shoulder and squeezed him harder.

            “Oh, break it up!” Dillon stepped between us. “You’ll see each other tonight at the party. You can say your goodbyes then because you won’t see each other for a long—“

            “Dillon!” Our mother scolded when she noticed that I was seconds away from crying.

            My brother eyed me and stopped. “Fine. Let’s go to dinner. Graduating is hard work. It took me thirteen years to finally get it done.

            I smiled lightly and Dill wrapped his arms around my shoulders as we left the Harley’s. I turned around as I walked and saw Jace give me a little wave goodbye. Tonight would be the time where we have to say it again, that time we know we won’t see each other for a long time.

            Dinner went by quickly and then our parents headed out for a night at a hotel because they were letting Dillon keep the house for party. ‘No alcohol, of course!’ My mother had said before they left. Right. As if that’s going to happen.

            Dillon called his friends to come over to help set up while I headed upstairs to get ready. I knew the party was going to be amazing but I didn’t want it to happen. I didn’t want this night to happen.

            The hot June weather was already clear in California so after I stepped out of the much-needed shower, I threw on some shorts and a tank top before straightening my hair. When I was done with everything, I walked downstairs to see friends like Luke, Sean, and Alyssa helping out but Jace wasn’t there yet.

            I absent-mindedly started moving some of the alcohol from one of the trucks someone brought and into the house. After that was done, I helped with moving all of the expensive vases and such into my parent’s room upstairs. When I came back down, I went to sort out the food on the counter when someone’s hands clasped over my eyes.

            “Guess who,” he whispered in my ear.

            I rolled my eyes and removed the hands. Turning around I was staring right into the light eyes of Jace Harley. I leaned against the table and stared at him.

            “You’re late,” I accused with a joking tint in my words.

            He looked down and placed his hands in his pockets. “I, uh… I was doing some last minute packing…”

            My bottom lip trembled, “O-oh…”

            He ran his fingers through his hair and then placed his hand on the counter next to my waist. “Hey, come on now,” he tried to lift the weight from us. “We have tonight to be crazy. Let’s not think about tomorrow, okay?”

            “Fine,” I mumbled and he flicked my nose.

            The party was amazing as expected. The music was in full-throttle, the alcohol was being passed out but neither Jace nor I took one, and everyone was saying goodbye to each other.

            I spent the whole night with Jace. I felt kind of bad for keeping him from the other graduates and people there but when I told him to go mingle, he just ignored me and followed me around some more.

            We danced which mainly consisted of us doing crazy arm throws and such in the mob of grinding, drunk teenagers. Dillon made his debut by showing up shirtless, drunk out of his mind, a pink feather boa around his neck, and an intoxicated Alyssa by his side.  The two were laughing hysterically as they danced up to us, knocking over others in their tracks.

            “This party is amazing!” Dillon slurred and slung his arm over Jace’s shoulders. “Who’s hosting?”

            “You.”

            My brother laughed again. “Oh, then I’m amazing!” he eyed me and Jace. “What about you two? Going to hit the sheets before you say ‘sayonara’ tomorrow? You know, Pey, you could probably get pregnant and have the kid and then he’ll stay for you. He’s already head over heals in—“

            “Okay,” Jace interrupted, red growing on his cheeks. “I think you need to calm down.”

            Dillon crinkled his eyebrows, “What do you mean—“ His eyes widened. “Why the hell is my fucking stripper pole out of my room? I was going to use that tonight!”

            He stomped through us, Alyssa following, and practically tackled the guy who held it up. I smiled at him and turned back to Jace who nodded at me to leave the huge gyrating crowd. He led me upstairs and opened my bedroom door so we could get away from everyone who was left in the party. It was late, people were leaving at different times but there were still those overly drunk people.

            I sat on my bed and Jace did to, this wasn’t unusual. We always came up here after school some days just to hang out but now it was different. A bad wave of air hung over us.

            I looked at the clock: Three AM. I stared up at Jace from under my eyelashes and fiddled with my fingers. “What time do you leave?”

            “Seven.”

            I bit my lip. That means he has to leave within the next hour to make it to the airport and through security in time for his flight.

            “Oh.”

            “Hey,” he crawled across the bed so he sat in front of me and lifted my head up by my chin. “Come on, now. We have… an hour left…”

            “Jace—“

            “Peyton.”

            I had to look up into his light eyes. “Do you remember our talk a few months ago? The night you won state?”

            He didn’t speak for a few moments. “I’ll never forget that.”

            “But back then did you—we—ever expect you to get into a college so far away from me?”

            He shook his head and sighed, “No… Peyton?”

            “Yeah?”

            “I really, really, really like you,” I turned red. “You know that, I know that, everyone in the world knows that. As much as I like you, I can’t have a relationship with you so far away from me. It’s not that I’m worried about you cheating, I know you’d never do that, but rather that I don’t want to be motivated to quit school and move back here.”

            I bit my lip, “That sounds… right.”

            He gave me a heartless chuckle, “It’s like the universe never wants us to be together, you know? It’s like it’s always drawing us apart.”

            “That’s cheesy.”

            “Cheddar or parmesan?”

            I laughed and looked at him out the side of my eye, “When will I see you again?”

            He pursed his lips, “I don’t know. I don’t exactly have the money for plane tickets all the time…”

            My lip trembled because I was about to cry. “Will… Will you miss me?”

            “Peyton…”

            “No, I just want to know. You’ll be there, hundreds of miles away with new friends,” I took a deep breath, “new girls. I’ll be here, absolutely alone. I just want to know if you’ll miss me when you’re off having the time of your life.”

            He wrapped his arms around me tightly and I pressed my face into his shoulder, letting my traitorous tears soak his shirt.

            “Peyton Olivia Brandt,” he whispered into my ear, his breath tickling it. “I’ll miss you every single day that I’m gone.”

            “I’m sorry for crying… I’m such a girl,” I laughed lightly.

            “No, it’s fine,” he ran his fingers through my hair. “I like when you’re like this. It’s gives me the excuse to hold you.”

            “What a gentleman.”

            “You know it,” I felt him grinning into my hair.

            Finally we pulled away from each other and I knew that it was almost time for him to leave. We weren’t far apart and just staring at each other. Jace’s eyes were locked on mine as he started leaning in.  Before he got too close, I ducked my head.

            “I’m sorry… but I can’t.”

            “I understand.”

            “I just don’t want to kiss and then not be able to do anything else about a relationship and—“

            He placed a finger on my lips. “I understand, Peyton,” he gave me a little smile.

            We were silent for a few moments until he spoke again.

            “I don’t know the next time we’ll see each other…” he started. “But promise me one thing. Promise me that the next time we see each other and we’re both out of college, single, and possibly living near each other, that I’m allowed to kiss you.”

            I smiled, “Yes.”

            “Good,” he grinned back and his phone went off, signaling a text. He checked him phone and a frown appeared on his face. “I… It’s time for me to go.”

            Tears immediately welled up again in my eyes and he hugged me. When he breathed, it was shaking.

            “Please, Pey… Don’t make this any harder for me.”

            “I’m sorry,” I blubbered. “I’m sorry.”

            He leaned away after prying my fingers off of him. I shook with tears as he leaned his forehead against mine.

            “I love you, Peyton,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry that I’m leaving you.”

            “Jace—“

            “Sorry,” he repeated. “I’m sorry that I said that and now I’m leaving. I just needed to get it out before I was gone.”

            He got up and started for my door, leaving me shaking and crying on the bed.

            “Jace!” I called out before he was completely gone. He turned around with a deep, trembling breath. It was like he wanted to get out of there before he broke down as well.

            “Yes?”

            I looked down, unsure of myself, but it needed to be said. After months and months of being with this boy, the feelings have grown to something more than just liking. Something more than I ever felt with Sean. I know I shouldn’t say it, it will just make everything harder but I didn’t stop myself.

            “I love you too.”

            He crossed the room and kissed my forehead, his lips staying there for a few seconds before retreating.

            “I know,” he smiled sadly. “But I’m amazed that you said it.”

            He walked towards the door again and before he left completely he turned around and spoke, “See you… whenever, beautiful.”

            And then he left.

            Five minutes later of crying and watching Jace’s car retreat down the street for the last time, a knock sounded on my door. I didn’t say anything but it opened anyways. Dillon walked in, his hair a mess, but looking more sober than he has all night. He walked across the room and hugged me in the only way a brother could comfort his little sister.

            I held in hope that I would see Jace again soon. The first few months of him being gone consisted of many calls, texts, and video chats, but once the throttle of school took over, contact came less and less until it went away completely. He didn’t come back for the entire first year of his schooling but I knew his family went over there. The next year I didn’t know if he came back to California because I was off living my new life at Julliard.

            I didn’t date. I didn’t really make any close friends. All I did was hope that one time in the future I’d be able to see Jace again.

            That hope disappeared when I realized that it probably wouldn’t happen.

            That all the crap that had happened my junior year meant that Jace and I weren’t meant to be together.

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And now all there is left is the epilogue...