*Sorry for the long wait you guys. I had a lot of assignments and studying due and I didn't want to write anything I didn't mean. (Please read the author's note at the end y'all)
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"Its the one's that care, the one's that are willing to do anything just to see you smile...... are the one's worth fighting for."

-Kamoyrocks ❤
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Julia's POV

Tomorrow will be my birthday.

June 3.

My birthday.

And I'm not gonna lie, I am excited. Usually, I would let just say stuff like "oh, its just a day" or "I don't like celebrating it" but I was actually excited this year.

I'll be eighteen. Eighteen. An adult. And its not just that, I'll be going to college. I will no longer associate with high school. Especially since the school will be letting us graduate in July.

I was so happy for this new step in my life.

I had people who cared for me. Who loved me. Who would doing anything for me just to make sure that I was doing okay.

Yes, I must agree that the last few months have been rough and all, but I'm actually glad that some of those bad stuff happened to me. Because I wouldn't have gotten the experience.

I wouldn't have learned what I know today. I've learnt from my mistakes, the battles, struggles and trials. I've learnt better from the worst experiences.

And I couldn't thank God more than for the things he's put me through.

And I'm so glad that I'm stepping into another stage in my life where I can learn about new lessons and challenges. Whatever life has in store for me, I'm ready.

...........

"Were are we going?" I ask as we get into the limo.

"We're going to explore a little bit. You know, just to get to know this place a little better." Jace says, placing me in his lap.

"I can't wait to try some jerk chicken." Alex says licking his lips.

"Me too. Girl, I hear that they are great!" Ethan says, pushing up his lips in a sassy way. The limo starts to drive as everyone gets comfortable.

"I can't wait to see some Jamaican girls, walking up and down with their cute butts. Don't get me wrong, I love you Julia, but if I can't get enough of you, just imagine the other girls here." Drake winks.

"You're never gonna give up flirting with her huh Drake?" Brook says shaking her head.

"Nope, I'll always flirt with Julia whether Jace likes it or not. After all, I am the pencil that should go into Julia's sharpener."

"Oh my god." Lucus rolls his eyes, making me giggle.

"I don't mind." I say, making Drake smirk in triumph.

"You don't?" Alexander questions shockingly.

"No. If anything, Drake is the smoothess person I know. Its a shame that I'm not with him." I tease, feeling Jace's jealousy grow by the minute.

"What?!" Jace shouts from behind me, making me jump.

"Sorry Jace. I guess Julia has finally gotten over you and wants to come and get with this juicy steak." Drake teases.

"I'm just teasing my love. You know I only love you." I smile, kissing him on the cheek. He relaxes, tighten his arms around me possessively.

"Aw Jace, don't be like that. We all know that you and Julia are forever." Brook smiles.

"I do know. Which is why she's mine." He emphasizes. Drakes chuckles, lifting his hands in mock surrender, making everyone laugh.

............

"This place is amazing." Alex says, getting unto the car ride.

We were at Emancipation Park, were they had an amusement park right beside the beautiful it.

It was simply amazing, the rides, the people, the laughter and the warm atmosphere etc. It was great and I couldn't wait to make some memories here with my friends that I loved dearly.

"Remember that this day is all about Julia, Alex. We're making her enjoy the last few hours of being a kid before she turns eighteen." Brook says, shaking her head at her boyfriend.

"Yeah yeah yeah, you've got to try this ride with me you guys." He says cheerfully, clapping his hands like a 5 year old.

"Alright fine." Alexander says, following by us getting in seperate cars.

"Its two per person." The conductor with a fair skin complextion says. "Or else you don't know how to count...black girl." His glare is directed right at me.

For some reason, I'm not surprised at the fact that he's racist.

"Don't pay him any mind baby." Jace whispers to me, rubbing my arms soothingly. "Come, let's ride together."

"Yeah." I say softly, taking his hand.

"Oh no, it doesn't work like that." Ethan says, getting out of his ride. "There's no way I'm letting you off that easy."

"Ethan no." Alexander stops him with his hand. "Just forget about it."

"No! You piece of pig. What is wrong with you? Don't even answer that. Your names says enough already. Mr. Hoggingdoodoo? Oh my god man." Ethan finishes with a huff. The guy inwardly gulps, looking away from Ethan.

"I'm sorry sir, please forgive me. Enjoy the ride." Hoggingdoodoo says shakily, leading me towards Jace's bumper  car.

"That's more like it." He says smugly, getting in a car of his own.

"Nice." Drake says, fist pumping him. "Alright, let's do this!"

We drove with joyfullness, as everyone stared at us wierdly. There was a point where Alex was driving the bumper car, until he fell out of the car. I don't know how, because I was almost sure he strapped himself in.

Lucas, was having the time of his life. I've never seen him smile so brightly. He had the most contagious ever. Alexander was too focused on hitting Ethan and Ethan, well, he just kept making fun of him for trying to hit him because he was driving way too fast.

Brook kept on laughing at how many times Alex fell out of the car. Drake was being himself, throwing pun lines at me as he continued to drive. Like, 'I would ride him as fast as he's driving this car.'

And Jace, well, he never left my side.

And I, just sat and observed how blessed I am to have these people in my life. Looking back at my life then and now, I couldn't thank God enough for letting these amazing people in my life.

Because I don't know where I would be without them.

.............

"Your milkshake looks like shit." Brook says as she eyes her boyfriend's cup distastefully.

"The bad colours are always the good ones." He says as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Where are we going by the way?"

"We're just driving around." Jace replies, burying his face in my neck. I sigh, in content as I continue to sip on my soda.

"That's good. I still want to see some Jamaican girls." Drake says, sticking his head outside.

"Well with your head outside like that, you wouldn't even have a mouth to try and smoothe talk girls with."

"Ohhh." Lucas says, along with Ethan.

"Stop de limo!" I shout, looking at a certain place. Once the car stops, I jump out, running through the gate and stopping before I arrive at that secluded spot.

"A cemetry?" Alexander questions, as everyone comes behind me.

"This did where my mama bury." I whisper.

"Oh my gosh." I hear Brook gasp. "We can leave in you want..."

"No." I say, cutting her off. "I-I want to stay."

"Are you sure?" Alexander asks, sounding worried.

"Yes."

"Then go." Jace whispers behind me, rubbing both my arms soothingly. "We're right here baby."

"Definetly." Lucas nods his head.

Looking at them, I nod walking ahead. My breathing picks up with each step I take as I draw closer and closer towards my mother's grave.

Though the place is muddy from the rain that fell a few hours ago, I still stoop down, coming face to face with my mother's engraved name. Its just like how I left it. There were no tombs on either side of my mother's and I was thankful for that. I just want to see her grave alone. The grass and moss surrounds the tomb, indicating that its been here for quite some time.

Without thinking, I touch it.

"Hey mama." I whisper. "I know yuh not in dis tomb, and I know yuh in a better place right now, but mi just felt like to be here. To say this."

"I'm becoming eighteen tomorrow. I'll be an adult. Taking responsibilities over my own actions. Mi honestly wish you could of been here, to watch mi become a actual woman, but I know you can't." I sniff in sadness. "But that's okay. Your always wid me. Yuh said so yourself. And I'm done thinking that life has no meaning just because your not here. I must move on. I have to. I can't keep hurting myself like this. Staying in one place and feeling depressed and sad that you aren't here. Your gone and there's nothing I can do about it. And I've accepted that. And I want to move on, though I will never forget you, I'm gonna go with my gut on this one."

I look back at the gang and the smike at me. I smile, turning back with a slight heaviness in my heart.

"Looking at my life right now, I think I'm going to be able to make it. I'm gonna be okay mama. I know it. And I'll rise from everything that life has put me through. Because I won't allow my past to bring me down anymore. I am free mama. I finally am. And I'm going into another stage of my life with my head held high and with learnt lessons. I am confident in every step I'm about to take from now. Because I am a warrior. And this warrior is gonna make you proud."

Lifting up, I slowly step back until I feel Jace wrap his arms around me. The tears start to fall but its not entirely of despair. Its tears of freedom.

I was finally free.

I wasn't going to let my mother's death control my future. I was going to move on and be happy. I was goibg to take charge of my life now, and there was no turning back.

"We're all proud of you June." Jace whispers as he wipes the tears that start to fall down my face.

"Yeah, I'm am too." I whisper, looking at her grave. We all stand up there, watching my mother's grave, us standing so brave and proud.

I would never forget this woman. Ever. She had been my inspiration and role model since I was five years old. I was about to throw her away, but I was ready to move on. And I will forever treasure her last words to me in my heart forever.

"Oh, June I love you so much,whatever happin rememba dat yuh special and mi always gonna be witcha ."

"Your birthday is coming. Yuh gonna be one big beautiful 18 year old.  Rememba to always be yourself. And your one of a kind,rare and different. Life goes on. Stay happy and don't let the past get you down. Or make it want to hurt yourself. Don't miss out on life's opportunity. And always make the right decisions."

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A/N: Hello my loves! I hope you liked this chapter. I found it very touching and sweet. Only 1 chapter left you guys. We're almost there. I'm honestly so sorry if there were unfinished parts in this story and I promise to edit it soon.

Reflection: The truth is, they're racists all over the world. We can't change them, nor can we please them. But what we can do is know our worth. We have to stand up in what we believe in and be proud of yourself. Be proud of who YOU are. You are not, and never ever think of yourself as a mistake. You ARE here for a reason, you are here for a purpose. Never EVER let anyone by any means tell you other wise. Listen to your heart, do the things that make you happy. Your opinion, if it doesn't matter to anyone, should ALWAYS matter to you. Because you are your own critic. But never go too hard on yourself. Your trying and your here. You've already won.

Many, many people decide to kill themselves. To be honest, I'm not going to lie to you guys, I sometimes feel this way, but I have to remind myself that if I do, it would solve my problems. It won't make me happy. I won't end up somewhere any better than here. And I've come to a point in my life where I've told myself that I have a purpose to fill here before I die. I may not know what that purpose is, but I know that I indeed do have one that is yet to be filled. I don't like expressing how I feel, but like I should let you guys now.

I suffer from mental illness. I live with depression.

But that shouldn't stop you guys from living life to the fullest. Try and live your life to the best of your ability. You don't have to force yourself to smile, you don't have to yourself to be happy. Whenever life gives you those little moments to even crack open a broken smile, then enjoy it.

Enjoy those little moments.

They only come once in a life time, trust me.

Please take care of yourself everyone, you are deeply loved. Never forget that.

I love you, God bless all you beautiful angels.

-Kamoyrocks ❤