“So tell me again why your sister is coming?” I asked, trying to be nonchalant.

Jazzy looked up from the book she was reading and paused for moment to register my question. She inserted a bookmark in-between the pages where she stopped and place the book on the coffee table.

“She’s been living with my parents for a while now and she always wanted to be independent. She wants to move out by the time she’s in college and she’s going to a university at a nearby town, just half an hour drive from here,” she explained, “She’ll be looking at some apartments where she can live and she said that she might as well visit while she’s at it.”

My mind blocked out everything after the word college. It’s fast approaching, everything will soon be different. Some of my college applications came in already, I applied for five schools and I’m still undecided where to go.

More importantly, what will happen when everybody leaves for college? I’m pretty sure it’s not a walk under the sunshine like high school. It’s actually sculpting you to be what you will be doing in the near future.

Will I still be with Drew after graduation?

It’s a whole different environment. It’s unpredictable and such.

“Celeste, are you alright?” my eyes focused once again and I saw Jazzy’s face etched with concern.

“I’m alright,” I waved of, turning of the TV, “I’m just tired, if you don’t mind, I’ll go to bed early.”

“Fine, just call if you need anything.”

I nodded and stood up, climbing the stairs and entering my room. On my desk were the two college papers that have been sent last week. I was still waiting for three more – I was delaying my decision for as long as I can.

I lay down on my bed and stared out of the window. I knew that I was going to regret that I didn’t closed my curtains but somehow, I just needed the comfortable view that being on the top floor of one of the highest buildings in the city provided.

There were no colleges in this city, I would have to leave this place sooner or later. The nearest college that I applied for was a two hour drive from here. It was impractical if I would to drive for that long every single day. That means, I was going to move out after graduation.

So I just laid there for the longest time with Savannah bundled in my sheets beside me, wondering where Drew was going.

*

*

*

“He was so sweet,” Annabelle gushed, a grin never leaving her face.

She was on cloud nine ever since she came back from her date with Mark. It has been a week and she was still talking about him.

Ah, to be young and in love.

We were seated at our usual cafeteria table as I checked out the paper works Claire obediently filed for me. The DJ was reserved and so were the many props. All I needed to do was to balance the budget we had left for the designs.

“Are you taking him to prom?” Lillian asked, eyeing the posters that have yet to be posted around the school.

“I hope to,” Annabelle replied, “How about Charlie?”

“I don’t know,” she answered with a sullen face, “He has a busy schedule and he has no idea if he can make it that night.”

“Hey girls,” I started out, pausing their conversation, “What are we going to do about college.”

They eyed each other carefully, each processing an answer inside their head.

“We’re nearing the end of our senior year,” Jessica sighed, pushing away the salad she was eating, “Honestly, I’m scared of what will happen.”

“Will you and Blake still be together?”

“I don’t know. Blake got a football scholarship two states away from the college I applied for.”

“Lillian, how did you maintain a relationship with Charlie?” I asked, turning to our only friend who got a taste of a college other half.

“It wasn’t easy,” she admitted, “We’ll call each other every single day but we only see each other during the weekends when he goes home.”

“Who goes home during the weekends?” Blake suddenly pops up, claiming the seat next to Jessica, followed by Lucas.

“Charlie,” Annabelle answered, “We’re talking about college.”

“College?” Drew pulled the chair next to mine and sat on it, “Pretty deep topic for a conversation.”

“It’s fast approaching,” I shrugged, “Prom preparations will be done soon and after that, it’s goodbye high school.”

He was silent for a moment, contemplating on what he would say. We never actually talked on what will happen after we graduate. Everything was happening at lightning speed, it was difficult to catch up.

The thing was, we all don’t know where we are heading in our friendship. Jessica was going to a fashion school in New York, Lillian was off to California to prep herself for law school, Annabelle was going back home to South Carolina, Blake – as said by Jessica – was going three states away from New York so I have no idea where. Lucas, well, he has yet to say what his plan was and so had Drew.

One thing for sure is that, we will all be torn apart.

When the days passed, my mind kept swirling about it. Even when I took the liberty of visiting Ariel while Drew went to work, I kept thinking about the future.

Using the key Drew handed me before we parted ways, I unlocked the front door and went inside.

“Ariel, where are you?”

“Living room!”

I discarded my bag on the coffee table and looked at Ariel who had her casted leg elevated on a throw pillow. The bandage that was once wrapped at the side of her head was finally gone but if you squint your eyes, you’ll be able to see the stitches near her hairline.

“How are you?” I asked, sitting on the coffee table which was able to support my weight.

“Had my better days,” she shrugged, trying to be light and fun though I could see the suffering in her eyes, “How’s my daughter.”

“She’s alright,” I answered. As long Ariel couldn’t walk properly, I managed to convince them to let Savannah stay in my house. We all knew that Ariel was still too immobile to take care of her and Drew is far too busy to do so.

“Thank you, Celeste,” she suddenly stated with a huge grateful smile.

“For what?” I asked , a little bit confused.

“Honestly, everything,” she sighed, “You cheered my Drew up, you became the big sister Savannah always wanted, you’ve been helping this family non-stop and I couldn’t thank you enough.”

“It’s nothing really, I just want to see you guys happy.”

She studied my face for a moment before gesturing me to help her into a sitting position. I did and transferred the pillow to the coffee table where she settled her foot and I plopped down on the spot next to her.

We watched the television screen for a moment. I have no idea what was playing but I tried to concentrate on it to occupy my mind. As you can tell, I’m not good with awkward silences.

“Celeste.”

“Hmm?”

She muted the volume and faced me with seriousness claiming her features. She opened her mouth to ask something that would bother me for days, weeks or even months.

“Do you love Drew?”

Liking him was one thing, love is a whole different level. I confirmed my feelings for him on the night of the winter formal and that was months ago. Surely I couldn’t have fell in love with for that amount of time we were together?

Well, could I?

Ariel was still waiting for my answer. Her expression wasn’t expectant or anything, it just reflected full curiosity. She didn’t expect me to say no but at the same time, she wasn’t expecting to say yes.

Looking down on my lap and fidgeting with my fingers, I mumbled, “I’m not sure yet.”

She raised a hand and carefully patted my head as if I was a child, “Take as long as you need. There’s no need to rush.”

That’s where you’re wrong, Ariel. High school is ending, the future is something no one can predict and I don’t want to leave Drew without sorting these feelings out. Everything in our lives is reaching the speed limit, we’re all going at such a fast pace.

And that is also the reason why I couldn’t get a blink of sleep that night. I kept tossing and turning; high school was a peaceful memory for me up until senior year came.

I met Drew, the Smith Brothers came back wrecking havoc to the balance of my social life. I’ve learned that the guy who has been bullying me since we were kids actually likes me, my best friends each found a guy to call their own.

*

*

*

“Move that sign a little to the left!” Claire commanded to the guy who was on top of the ladder, tying up the sign by the gym doors.

I gathered up the posters on my left arm and gestured for Drew to follow me. This time, he wasn’t so reluctant in volunteering a helping hand in the dance preparations.

He helped me put up the prom posters around the school. Plastering every single wall and corner with the information about the dance of the year.

“Perfect,” I said after taping the last poster up, “What do you think?”

“I still can’t see the point of doing all these effort for a little dance.”

I gave him a look and held his hand, interlacing my fingers in his as we started to walk back to the gym, “This not just a dance, it’s the dance that marks the end of our high school life,” I told him.

“I thought graduation was the end of our high school life.”

“Prom is when it’s your night. The one night that you can see your whole high school flash before you, the time where you dance with forever.”

“Dance with forever?” he questioned.

“A common saying is that whoever you date and dance with on prom will be the person you’ll be with forever.”

“That’s so corny,” he bluntly stated and I let out a giggle as we entered the gym once again.

“And sweet,” I added, grabbing my bag from its spot on the bleachers.

“I better head to work, want a ride home?” he asked, slinging his bag on his right shoulder. Being the dutiful boyfriend that he was, he took the liberty of driving me to and from school. Looking at the time, I knew he was already late for his job so I declined.

“I’ll just grab a ride from one of the girls.”

He nodded and leaned down to give me quick peck on the lips, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I’ve started to become accustomed to his unwarned kisses though I still feel like I’m going to faint whenever he does so. Saying a numb goodbye to him, he left.

I caught Lillian in the hallway who looked like she just came out of dance practice.

“Hey, Cel,” she smiled at me, speeding up her walk to fall into step next to me, “How’s prom preparations?”

“Good,” I shrugged, “Can I catch a ride home?”

She nodded while fishing for her keys in her pocket, “Come on, I desperately need a shower.”

Something was up, a huge grin never left her face even when I saw her in the hallway. During the drive home she kept humming gleeful tunes while tapping the steering wheel happily.

“Are you going to tell me what got in you in this jolly mood?”

She let out a tiny squeak before her grin became bigger – if that was possible.

“Charlie said he could make it to prom!” she squealed.

I couldn’t help but smile at my friend. She was head over heel in love with Charlie, she even admitted it herself that she loved him with all her heart. The guy was extremely loyal for being in a whole different environment away from his girlfriend. Maybe that’s why Lillian fell for him in the first place.

“Lillian, how did you know that you were in love with Charlie?” I asked, taking her by surprise.

“Is our little Celeste finally in love with Drew Everett?” she teased after a little while.

My face reddened as I looked out of the window, “Just answer my question.”

She let out a hearty laugh before answering, “I just know. When I look him in the eyes, you’ll just realize it. When you’re in love, your mind and heart no longer thinks about pleasing yourself but also pleasing the guy.”

She did have a point. No matter how unselfish you are, one’s mind and heart always revolves on oneself but as Lillian puts it, it’s also about the one’s love.

When she stopped in front of my apartment building, I gave her my thanks and got out. Before I could get too far, she called me back and I walked to her open car window.

“What?”

“Did Drew ask you to prom yet?”

 -----------------------

Hello guys! A big sorry that I didn't upload last week but I was extremely busy, my mind couldn't even fit the idea of writing a new chapter. We're nearing the end because they're talking about graduation already and also, prom is dawning upon us. 

Question: How are you guys? I feel like I haven't actually asked how are you guys, I think I'm so selfish that I keep ranting about myself when I have no idea what's going on with my lovely readers so go comment below.

Remember a few chapters back when I made you guys comment vanilla for a Drew POV, now, include the word chocolate for a peek inside Lucas' point of view.

Comment, vote and follow! Love you guys, mwah!