I stare at myself in the mirror while simultaneously trying to control my breathing. Just wearing the cap and gown makes everything so surreal. Twelve years and I'm finally here, we all are. Well, almost everyone.

I shake my head to rid my thoughts of him. I'll face him soon enough. "The colors suit you well." I turn to see my dad in the doorway. He points behind him, "Hunter left for school already."

"I just wanted to see it on before tonight." I explain, unzipping the gown and taking it off. I neatly put it back in the garment bag.

My dad walks up to me, touching the tassel of my cap. "I remember when I graduated. Your mom was valedictorian." He chuckles lightly. "You look a lot like she did." My parents didn't get together until college but they went to the same high school. According to my dad, they were from two different groups in high school.

I reach up and take the cap off, setting it down on my bed. "What made you want to stay in Brookview?" Once their business kicked off they could've moved anywhere. I never understood the appeal of staying in this town.

He lifts his shoulders up in a shrug, "Olivia got pregnant and we couldn't think of a safer place to raise you." His eyes get a look of regret in them, as if he made the wrong decision. It ended up not being so safe after all, "Dad what happened wasn't your fault. It could've happened anywhere."

"I know, I know. I'm not sorry we stayed I'm just...proud you're leaving. Don't take that the wrong way. I would love to have you here forever but, you're not letting anyone hold you back. It's brave." In all eighteen years of my life my dad has only said he was proud of me three times. The first time when I got my first A+, the second when I decided I didn't need a babysitter anymore, and now.

Now definitely takes the cake. I wrap my arms around him in a hug, it's something we don't do often but I had missed. "I love you, dad."

"I love you too, Livia."

"Knock, knock." We pull away and look at my mom. "If you don't leave now, you'll be late." A soft smile plays on her lips, I'm not sure how much she heard.

Nodding, I adjust my clothes and grab my stuff. "I'll see you guys tonight."

"Front and center." Dad jokes, waving me off.

This is it, I think to myself.

The whole day is spent taking my finals. Once my last class is over I sigh in relief. I've never been so excited for the day to be over with. Luckily, the teachers graded our tests as soon as we finished. I aced all of my finals, even math.

After school all of the seniors make their way to the auditorium for a quick practice round before actually graduating at 6pm. "Hey you." Shawn greets as I walk in. "How was your last day?"

I smile and walk up to his desk. "Stressful but I made it. I can't believe it's all over." I never really imagined this day, I feel more nostalgic than anything. I guess that's what happens when you spend four years of your life in the same building.

"Yeah neither can I. I really liked teaching here." It's now that I notice the boxes filled with his stuff, on the floor beside his desk. He still has another week to finish putting grades in the computer, but tomorrow he's leaving for good.

A part of me is begging for me to ask him where he's going but I can't. We both decided it was best for me to not know. "I'm sure you'll do great at your new school, Professor Morgan."

"You think so?"

I nod, "As long as you don't date any of your students."

He smiles wide and beautiful, "Well it's a good thing I only have eyes for one person-" He checks his watch for the time. "-And as of twenty-seven minutes ago she's no longer my student."

It's a strange feeling, seeing Mr. Morgan as just another guy instead of one of my teachers. A feeling I'm going to have to get used to. We've spent so long hiding from others, pretending we didn't love each other when people were around. After tonight we won't have to hide. It doesn't matter though, he'll be long gone. He's already sent movers to his house and called his mom to use her private plane. Everything is being set into motion and I won't see him again until the wedding.

"What's wrong?" He asks me.

I move my hair out of my face, "It's nothing I was just thinking about you leaving tomorrow."

Shawn walks around his desk to me. His finger comes up to lift my chin. His eyes are piercing, "You know I hate that I'm leaving you right?" When I don't say anything he licks his lips and kisses me. "I love you, and that's not going to change over time." Maybe not, no matter who I'm with I'll always love him. It doesn't change the facts though. We won't ever be together again.

I stop those thoughts and push the tears back. I don't want to remember this as a sad moment. I want to remember us knowing how we feel about each other and choosing to do what's best for ourselves. "I love you too, Shawn."

He smiles again, "Good, now go practice for tonight. I'll see you out there. I'll be the one handing you your diploma."

He kisses me one more time before I pick up my bag and walk out.

I lift up my fingers to feel my lips. I remember exactly how he makes me feel and pray I never forget.

Mr. Morgan meets my gaze when he says, "I'll make this quick. The principal has made a new program for all of the AP teachers in order to take some of the pressure off. We're supposed to pick a peer tutor or TA for the year. I picked you."

My mouth opens in shock, "Why me?"

"Because you were efficient in detention. I also read your report for the civil war project. You and Mr. Simmons did a very good job. You're smart Livia, I think you'd be a good TA."

He made me his TA and ever since then we've gotten closer and closer. If I hadn't said yes where would we be? I can only imagine he's just be Mr. Morgan and I'd just be Ms. Gardner. Thank God I said yes.

At 5:47pm my parents walk in and come up to me. "These are for you but I'll give you to them later." My mom informs me about the flowers in her hand. I thank them and look around, I can't find Shawn anywhere.

"Thanks, they're beautiful." I say.

Finally, he walks in. When our eyes meet his posture softens. He changed into a suit and shaved, something I've only seen a handful of times. "It's nice to see you Mr. and Mrs. Gardner." Shawn greets both of my parents.

My dad shakes his hand as a formal gesture, "You make me feel old, it's Olivia and Danny." He corrects him.

Shawn agrees and then turns to me, "Are you ready, Livia?" I nod, letting my parents know I have to get in line. Shawn walks with me, placing his hand on the small of my back as we walk. Shawn must sense my nerves because he leans in and whispers in my ear, "Just relax."

We get to my row and he takes a step back so that I can get to my seat. Becca is a few rows in front of me and Jenny a few rows behind. It's alphabetical so Seth is a few seats down. I look over and smile at my friends, we're all about to be called up, handed a piece of paper, and then truly finish high school.

Shawn walks up to the stage behind the valedictorian, ready to begin his speech. He talks about the future and how we've all been through something tremendous together. How we'll remember high school for the rest of our lives as either the best or worst time.

Once he's finished everyone claps and the principle takes his place. Mr. Litton calls for the first two rows to stand. Then begins to list off our names. I clap louder when they call for Becca. She chose Mrs. Ryle to hand over her diploma.

The rows continue to stand up and before I know it, Seth stands up with just a few more people between us. I stand beside the stage and try not to think about all the people watching me. The person in front of me walks up the steps and I look over at Shawn. He grabs my diploma and then the principal calls my name. "Livia Gardner."

I take in a deep breath and walk up the steps to the stage. When I get up to Shawn he smiles at me and hands me my piece of paper. Then he reaches out his hand for me to shake. His hand is strong but soft, and he gives me an extra squeeze before letting go. He instantly makes me feel calmer. "Congratulations, Ms. Gardner."

Mr. Morgan lets go, knowing we both have to move on.

I go back to my seat and clap at everyone else in my class. This whole year has been filled with so much drama, that I almost feel relief at the fact that it's all over.

Our principal announces our class and wishes us a successful future.

Pretty much immediately, I rush to Jenny. "We did it!" She chimes as she clutches onto my arms.

"Yeah and I'll never have to wake up at an ungodly hour again." Becca says as she meets up with us.

I laugh. "That's not exactly true."

She crosses her arms over her chest. "While I'm traveling it is."

Jenny lets go of me. "When are you and Luke leaving?"

"A couple of weeks." She puts her hands on Jenny's stomach. "I'll come back closer to your due date."

Jenny's due date is July 2nd. Only a few days after I get back from the wedding.

"Livia! Get your friends. I want to take some pictures!" My mom calls. We all make our way to the front of the high school outside. All seven of us pose a few different ways. Very much like we did at our prom, but this is different. There's a sense of pride and achievement spread throughout each of us. Our smiles are as genuine as they come. "Oh, Mr. Morgan, you should get in there." My mom suggests when she sees him walking by.

I hold onto my flowers a little tighter. "I don't know I-"

"I think you should. There's a spot next to me." I say, looking over my shoulder.

Shawn smiles awkwardly but walks over to my side. "Smile." She instructs. I can't help but turn to look at him just as she takes the picture.

Once the pictures are over my dad suggests going to dinner with him. Only Becca and Jenny agree to it because the others already had plans with their family. Shawn starts to walk away but I grab his wrist, catching him by surprise. "Aren't you going to join us Mr. Morgan?"

"Yeah Mr. Morgan come one!" Becca adds.

He looks me in my eyes, trying to search for something I'm not so sure of. After a moment he stops searching. "You can call me Shawn now." He says. "I would love to join you guys." Just like that he's no longer Mr. Morgan.

I'll never forget the time I asked him to call me by my name. He knew right away I didn't like being called Liv. He thought my name was pretty. Shawn understood how it felt not liking the name some people are determined to call you. That's why he goes by Shawn instead of Kevin.

I'll always respect that about him.

Becca pulls me away so that we can begin walking to her car. "I can't believe it's all over." She tells Jenny and me in disbelief.

I can feel Shawn's eyes on me and look up at my friend. "Everything is going to change." They agree, not knowing that I'm talking about my Ex-history teacher right behind us.