~5 Months Later~

Today's graduation. I haven't seen the guys in five months, their flight gets in this afternoon, tonight's the ceremony. I look around me, everybody at school is really jittery today. I open my locker, and my three best friends crowd around me.

"Happy graduation Mia!" They shout and squeal. I hug each of them. "The guys get in today," I whisper. The three of them squeal again. They're huge Anthem Lights fans.

First, there's Maggie. She has dark brown hair, and pretty eyes framed in her glasses. We're going to college together, since we're majoring in the same things.

Then there's Paislee. She has brownish-blondish hair. She's always smiling. People think she's really shy, but once they get to know her they find out she's not.

Lastly, is Beth. She has long light brown hair and glasses. Beth is the "Alan" of our friend group and keeps us all in line.

"We're having the post graduation party at your house," Paislee decides. I nod, "Okay. But tomorrow, the guys are all mine, okay?" Maggie and Beth let out a couple giggles and salute me.

The whole rest of the day goes by in a blur. Before I know it, school's out. Alan texted me that he's going to be picking me up this afternoon. I'm glad, because I hate riding the bus.

I walk out of school, and into the parking lot. It's a sunny, spring afternoon. I look around for Alan. At first, I don't see him, but then I spot him. He's sitting on a bench, checking his watch.

"Yo Big Al!" I exclaim. His head shoots up, and he rises to his feet. I run up to him, and he gives my the biggest bear hug ever. "I missed so so so so so much, pretty girl," he says, kissing the top of my head. I sigh, "I missed you more than you'll ever imagine." We stay in the position for a few minutes, then break apart.

"Where's the car?" I ask. He shrugs, "It wasn't that long of a walk. And I thought you'd appreciate the time to catch up." I nod, "I do, but you're carrying my backpack." I had him the bright purple backpack. He slings a strap over his shoulder, and strikes a pose, "How do I look?" I stifle my giggles, "Absolutely fabulous."

We talk and catch up the entire way home. I can't believe Alan's actually back- after five months without him this is surreal. We get back to my house, and I enter the kitchen and see the rest of the guys, wives, and kiddos.

They don't notice me, so I run over to Chad and jump on his back. "Who is it?" He asks, using a weird accent. "CHADSTER IT'S ME!" I squeal, and he flings me off onto the sofa. He picks me up and squeezes me in a very, very, very tight hug. "I missed you so much, sour patch kid," he says. "Chad. I. Need. Air," I remind him. He loosens the hug just slightly, he really missed me.

Next, I greet Caleb. "Missed you kiddo," he says, holding me close and stroking my hair. "I missed you too, Cabey," I tell him. He jerks away from me, and wags his finger, "Normally I wouldn't let you get by with that, but it's been five months. So you're off the hook just this time." I grin, and laugh.

"Joey!" I exclaim, jumping onto his lap. "Mia! How've you been, homie?" He asks, pulling me into his chest. "Good, Joe. How 'bout you?" I reply. He shrugs, "I was missing you. Five months is too long."

AveryJade, Presley, and Rowe all come over to me. "We missed you Mia!" They all chant. I climb off of Joey, and hug the three of them tightly, "I missed you guys too." They begin babbling on about all I missed. I smile, it's like I'm a big sister again.

Brycie, Fallon, and Kelsey all wrap me in a hug. I hug them back. "We prayed for you, Mia," Fallon says. "And we were wondering if you'd allow us to help you get ready for your graduation?" Brycie asks. I nod, "Of course you can. I'd be honored." They all smile at me. "We better get started," Kelsey says, "the ceremony's only a few hours away."

I lead the three of them upstairs to my room. "This is my graduation dress," I announce, holding up a short sleeved, lavender dress, covered in different colored flowers. The sleeves are cuffed, and it just hits my knee.

"It's beautiful, hon. You're going to look so pretty," Brycie says. Kelsey plugs in a curling iron, automatically begins curling my short hair that falls just below my chin. Fallon and Brycie get started on my makeup.

About an hour later, I'm ready. I have on my dress, and a creme colored cardigan over it, and some creme sandals. I walk downstairs, because it's almost time to leave.

Of course all the guys whistle as I enter the living room. "Wow, baby girl, you've never looked so beautiful," Alan says. I feel my cheeks becoming red. "You look great! Now let's get to that graduation!" Chad exclaims. The minivan is crammed full, and there's still not enough room for everybody. Alan and Chad walk with me back to school.

We get there and Paislee, Maggie, and Beth run up to me. I hug them all again, and compliment their dresses.

Maggie's is yellow, and she looks like a bright ray of sunshine, especially when she flashes her stellar smile.

Paislee has a blue maxi dress on. It makes her look absolutely beautiful, especially with her strait hair down, and a single braid framing her face.

Beth has on a pink dress, that has quite a few sparkles on it. Adding her own twist, she's rocking her rainbow hightops.

As the rest of my family join us, I take this opportunity to introduce my girls to my guys.

"This is Maggie, Paislee, and Beth," I say, "they've became really close to me over these past few months." The guys all shake their hands, and greet them. I can tell the girls are trying hard to not freak out.

After that, we head towards the auditorium. Everybody finds their seats, while us four girls dash off backstage to get our caps and gowns on. The rest of our class are already sitting in their seats, and we struggle to get their before the curtains open.

Our principal, and class valedictorian say their speeches, then our names begin being announced in alphabetical order.

After waiting, it's finally my turn. "Mia Hart," the principal says. I stand up and walk across the stage, and accept my diploma. A few rows back, I can see my family. They're all clapping and cheering. Alan and Josh, both have tears streaming down the faces. They're proud of me.

After the whole class has received their diplomas, my principal makes an announcement I wasn't expecting to hear.

"Now, I'd like to present the band Anthem Lights, singing their song Best Thing," he says. I throw my hands over my face, as my whole class walks off the stage, carrying their chair.

The guys all walk onstage and sit around me. "We'd like to dedicate this song to one of the best things in our lives, Mia," Alan says, as the song begins playing.

I can't stop crying, this is the nicest, most meaningful thing anybody has ever done for me. They sing their song, and the auditorium erupts in applause. The four of them hug me tightly. This is the best possible way for me to end high school, with my best things.