Hey Wattpad!
So... last official chapter... I can't believe it...
Anyway, quick shout outs to the dedication, CammeiCarole. She helped me figure out Matthew's occupation and.. well... you'll find out in the epilogue:)
And also to @MichelleValens. Check her out, she's cool:)
I think I'll do the long "thank you to these people" in a separate "chapter"...
Anyway, hope you like!:))
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
Rania was discharged from hospital on Thursday, and was told by the school that she was graduating but that she had to come to a couple of days of summer school to make up the hours.
“Shouldn’t they not count this against me? I mean, it’s hard raising a kid! This is only my second day and already I’m exhausted.”
I was about to say something when Brittany started crying.
Again.
We were at her house right now, trying to get ready for graduation. It was Friday now, and I was supposed to be spending the night. Matthew had been staying here too, but we’d decided to send him home to get some sleep since he’d barely got any during the time in hospital.
Rania sighed, walking over to Brittany’s little crib. It was set up at the foot of her bed so it was easy to reach yet not in the way of the door.
“See? This is normal!” Rania picked up Brittany, rocking her gently. “She’s probably hungry…” She glanced at me, as though waiting for me to leave. When I didn’t, she added, “I have to breastfeed.”
“I’m leaving!” I rushed out quickly, meeting Misty in the kitchen. “Brittany’s hungry.” I explained.
“Gotcha. So what did you want to do?” Misty asked.
“Well, I’m going to eat your ice-cream. What about you? What have you been up to since the last time we really talked?” I asked.
“Well, I’m still doing yoga. I actually met someone. I don’t think it will go anywhere though.” Misty sighed.
“Aw, why not?” I asked, sadly. Misty deserved to find someone. It seemed that everyone now had someone except her; she needed a guy in her life.
“No real reason.” She shrugged, but I could see that she was upset.
“Hey, what is it?” Maybe I could convince Cam to help me kick this guy’s ass?
“I haven’t told anyone about this yet.” She told me, obviously putting it off.
“But why not?” I insisted.
“Because he’s different to the guys I would usually go for.”
I almost groaned in frustration. “Give me a straight answer here, Misty. Seriously, what’s different about this guy?”
“He may or may not be married.” She admitted.
I gasped. “How did you guys meet?” I asked, shocked. I wasn’t judging, I’d never do that, but I was surprised. I never figured Misty for the “other woman” type.
“He works as an exercise instructor at the gym where I go for yoga. We started talking and I didn’t even know he was married so I flirted back. I’ve been on a couple of dates with him, and he told me about a week ago that he had a wife.” She dropped her head in her arms, and suddenly I felt old. Much older than any seventeen year old should feel.
“Does he love her?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. She’s been cheating on him, which is why he started doing it himself, but…” she trailed off.
“Do you love him?”
She shook her head. “We’ve only been talking for about three months.”
I didn’t know what to say. What was I supposed to say? I’d never been in a situation like this, and hopefully never would.
“Well, enough about me. How are you and Cameron doing? Rania hasn’t really told me anything.” Misty asked, and I smiled.
“I love him. It’s insane, crazy, and I can’t believe it, but yeah. It happened.” I told her.
She squealed loudly. “That’s great! Does he love you?”
I nodded. “He even sung in front of the school to say it.”
She squealed again, and I knew she was trying to get her mind off of the guy. “That’s so cute!” She turned serious. “Can I just ask… did you talk about what happened?”
I didn’t need her to elaborate; I knew what she meant. I nodded. “Yeah. That was a conversation I’d be happy to never have again.” I admitted, fiddling with the necklace under my shirt.
“I can’t blame you. Are you excited to graduate though?”
“Hell yeah! I can’t wait to be out of high school. I mean, I’m taking a year off but I think it will be nice to have some no school time.”
“What about Cam? Are you guys going to break up?”
I shook my head, smiling slightly.
“What’s that smile for?” Misty asked, sounding a little excited.
I looked around. Rania was apparently still with Brittany, so I pulled out my necklace, showing Misty what was on it.
She looked from the necklace, to me, and back again in shock. “Did he-?”
I shrugged. “It was kind of a mutual promise thing.” I told her, shoving the necklace back into my shirt. “We haven’t told anyone else yet, so you’re the only one who knows right now.”
“That’s… are you two sure?” Misty asked, sounding more parental than I’d ever heard her.
“Yes. I mean, sure it’s only been eight months, but we’ve been through more crap than some couples who have been together for years.”
Misty nodded her head a little. “That’s true.” She smiled suddenly. “Here I was thinking you would never settle down.”
I laughed. “I didn’t think I would either, but Cam’s different.”
“I’ll give you that much. Make sure you get Rania’s reaction on camera when you tell her.” Misty told me.
“What reaction?” Rania asked, walking in while holding Brittany. She was doing surprisingly well considering. I was expecting her to get that after birth depression thing, but so far she was doing amazing.
“The reaction when they tell us we’ve officially graduated.” I lied, quickly.
“Oh. Mom, you’re going to be there. You don’t need Tay to film it.” Rania sighed, taking a seat. “Tay, can you hold Brittany for a minute? I really have to clean up, and then probably pass out for a good few hours.”
I laughed. “Go sleep. This is probably the only time you’ll get a chance to.”
Rania smiled gratefully, handing Brittany to me before she left, shutting her bedroom door.
I looked down at the little baby, who was currently out like a light. In just a couple of short hours, she’d be crying again.
“You really would have made an amazing mother.” Misty commented.
I looked up at her, and gave her a small smile. “Thank you.” I muttered, before looking back down. Maybe in time, I could look down at my own. Right now, I was definitely ok with holding onto Rania’s for a little while.
The next morning, the only reason I woke up was because Rania’s alarm clock wouldn’t shut up.
“I changed my mind, I never want kids.” I yawned. Brittany had woken up a total of eight times in ten hours. I’d ended up getting around four hours of sleep in total.
“Sorry.” Rania said, yawning too. “God I’m tired. Do you think we can take a nap between all the crap we have to do?” She asked me.
I frowned, before remembering why I’d slept over in the first place. “Holy crap! We’re graduating!” I said, sounding more awake than I felt.
“Yeah…” Rania looked at me, as though waiting for me to get to the point.
“Rania, we’re done with high schools! We’ll be actual adults now.” I told her. Couldn’t she see how much more freedom we’d have? Granted, she’d have less than me, but still.
Rania’s eyes widened. “Well, shit. Guess we are. What a crazy year, huh?”
“Absolutely insane.” I agreed.
The next couple of hours passed surprisingly quickly, with us alternating between taking care of Brittany and getting ready for pre-graduation. We had to be there by 11AM to practice for the 4PM ceremony. Apparently by the time the practice was over, there was maybe thirty minutes to be ready to do it for real.
I was still in shock; where had the school year gone? It seemed like just yesterday me and Rania were freshman, and now…
I’d decided on a knee length denim skirt and an elbow length black blouse which I put on over a grey tank top. I slipped on the boots I’d worn to Emma’s New Year’s Eve party, and smiled. I didn’t add much make-up, just a touch of it to make me look good enough for pictures.
“Are you ready to go?” Misty yelled.
“Is Brittany’s car seat ready?” Rania shouted back.
“Yes! Now hurry up! I don’t know how long it will take to get there.”
I sighed. “Are we really ready?” I asked Rania, who just picked up Brittany.
“I don’t know. Guess we have to be now, don’t we?”
The journey there was silent apart from the occasional whine from Brittany. I spent the time taking pictures of her and putting them on Facebook, while also texting Cam. He was already there, and waiting with Matthew who was freaking out about how Brittany was doing.
It only took about thirty minutes to get there, and Matthew was eagerly waiting at the entrance. The second the car pulled up, he ran up to the window.
“Hey! How’s Brittany doing?” He asked.
Rania sighed. “Good. Same as she was last time you saw her.”
“Rough night?”
I scoffed. “Nicely put. I’m going to go use Cam’s shoulder as a pillow.” I grumbled, getting out. Misty was going to go and park the car, and I assumed now that Rania and Matthew were going with her.
My phone started ringing, and I answered it quickly. “Hello?”
“Tay, where are you?” Cam asked.
“I’m outside.” I told him, heading for the entrance.
“Oh, I see you.” He said, hanging up.
“Love you too.” I muttered, not seeing him. Someone tapped my shoulder making me jump, and I spun around, getting ready to punch someone.
“Good, because I love you.” Cam smiled at me.
I hit his arm. “Dammit! I’m tired and on edge, don’t scare me like that.”
He just hugged me. “Brittany?”
I nodded into his chest. “I got four hours of sleep last night.” I explained.
“Got it. Thinking of breaking a certain promise?” He asked me.
I shook my head. “Well, it crossed my mind. Then I remembered I don’t break promises, and we probably have years to prepare for that.”
“Thank God. So, are you ready to graduate from high school forever?” Cam pulled away, taking my hand and leading me inside.
It was a big, plain building. The room we were going to was only going to look like anything interesting because of all the people.
“Yeah, I think so. What about you?”
“Definitely. Maybe then people will stop looking at me like I’m crazy when I say I’m in love with my girlfriend.” He rolled his eyes.
“Fair enough. That reminds me, have you told anyone?” I asked, again playing with the necklace. It was still hidden under my shirt.
Cam shook his head. “No, I thought we weren’t.”
“I think we’re ready to.” I said, quickly. “After graduation me, my dad, Jennifer, Misty, Rania, Matthew and Brittany are going out for some dinner. You and Emma can come along, and we’ll tell everyone then. Only if you want to.” I added, looking at him, trying to figure out his reaction.
He grinned. “Hell yeah I want to!” He picked me up, spinning me in a circle.
I laughed at the weird looks some people were giving him. “Cam! Put me down!”
“Whoa, what’s going on?” Matthew asked, and Cam let me stand on my own two feet. Immediately I buried my face in his chest, feeling slightly embarrassed.
“Nothing.” He said, and I could hear the smile in his tone. I couldn’t look at anyone; I think I was actually blushing.
“Tay, what’s going on?” Rania asked, using her new power of persuasive Motherism on me.
I turned to her, staying as close to Cam as I could.
“Nothing.” I muttered, smiling a little.
“Don’t ‘nothing’ me! I will sit on you!” She threatened.
I laughed, pulling a little away from Cam. “You’re not pregnant anymore, Rania.” I reminded her.
She frowned. “Oh yeah… Well, I can chase you now!”
“Shit. Cam, help?” I asked, begging him.
He sighed. “Rania, we’ll tell you after we graduate, ok?”
“I’m holding you to that. Now can we go? I think we’re late.” She said.
I checked my phone, this time in an actual pocket. We had to pick up our caps and gowns still, but there were signs telling us where to go.
I followed said signs, eventually reaching a very busy backroom full of students in my year. The second we had ours on, I looked at everyone.
“So, ready to graduate guys?”
The whole took a grand total of eight hours. No, I’m not kidding. The practice alone took about five, and the actual thing took about three. Who knew graduations were so boring?
Crossing the stage was boring. Nothing interesting happened, except the few parents I knew cheered and some people clapped politely. The only thing movies got right was the throwing the cap. That was fun.
Now, we were sitting in Outback Steakhouse, and enjoying food.
“We’re officially not in high school anymore!” Rania said, holding up her glass for the rest of us to tap.
“It’s crazy!” I agreed.
Cam took my hand, squeezing it lightly. I glanced at him, and he nodded.
It was time.
“You or me?” I whispered.
He looked pointedly at me, and I sighed. Of course.
I stood up. “Um, guys? I need to tell you all something.” I swallowed hard, looking at Cam. Couldn’t he help even a little bit?
Somehow our little table went quiet. The rest of the restaurant didn’t. Thank God, that would just be awkward.
“So, for about a week Rania and Matthew have been wondering about this.” I began, taking another unnecessary gulp of air. “I think it will probably save me from passing out if I just show you.” I said.
“Are you ok?” My dad asked, and I nodded. Had Cam even told my dad he was giving me this?
I gave him a side glance, and got a nod. Maybe he was a mind reader, or maybe he just knew me well enough, but it was enough for me.
“Well, um, guys…” I pulled out my necklace, showing the jewelry on it.
It took a couple of seconds, but I finally pulled the beautiful diamond ring off of the chain, and placed it on my left hand. “I’m engaged.”
I sat down, waiting for the reactions.
“Tay, are you serious? You got engaged and you didn’t even tell me?!” Rania yelled.
“Well, we kind of talked about it during prom, the ring was just a promise until we told everyone.” I explained, nervously.
She squealed. “I’m so happy for you guys! Does that mean I get to be Maid of Honor? We have so much to plan!” She got up to hug me, and I laughed.
“Thanks, now hit the brakes. We have time, girl.”
“Yeah, man, congrats.” Matthew said, fist-bumping Cam.
I rolled my eyes. Only guys would be that chill about it.
We ended up having to stand up so everyone could hug us. Emma began freaking out and promised that she would do our wedding planning. After all, she knew us and she was in the business.
My dad waited until the end of the line, forced Cam to sit down, and pulled me to the side. “Are you sure you want this?” He asked me. “Because I said he could, but it is your choice. Are you sure you don’t think you’re too young?”
I nodded. “Dad, I think, and never tell him I said this, but I think if I believed in soulmates he’d be mine. Besides, we can be engaged for years if we really want to. If it doesn’t work out, then it doesn’t work out.” I shrugged.
“Good. I’ll renew my talk with him later.” He took a seat next to Jennifer again.
I just rolled my eyes, sitting back down next to Cam and looking at the ring on my finger. Somehow, I felt better looking at it.
The non-supervised graduation party was at Matthew’s house. Kind of like a bookmark seeing as he also had one of the first ones.
“Hey, remember where we met?” I asked Cam as we walked in.
He looked at me. “Yeah. It was right over there.” He waved his hand by the drinks table. I went over there to fix myself a little shot of vodka, handing him one too.
I shivered slightly as I downed the drink. “Good. Now, do you remember which room I dragged you into?” When he nodded, I smiled. “Take me there.”
He frowned, swallowed his drink, but did as I asked.
When we were in the room, I locked the door, turned on the lights, and straddled him. “Here’s what I want you to do. I want you to do me, and do me hard.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, hoping he was remembering what happened the last time I said that. His eyes widened a little, and his arms circled my waist, pulling me a little closer. “Then, I want you to hold me tight and never let me go.”
“Are you sure?” He asked.
I nodded. “Never been surer.” I said, letting him flip us around so he was on top.
Cam smirked. “Get ready for the ride of your life, Cutie.”
I almost laughed, but his kiss took away all my humor.
I let myself go with the flow, probably sentencing myself to hell for using God’s name in vain a million times.
I couldn’t help it; I felt like this was our first time, like every breath was something I’d never heard before. And when Cam looked into my eyes for the finale, I knew that Rania was right; doing this while loving the guy was definitely going to be better.
By the end of it, I swear I passed out for a good ten minutes, his name a scream on my lips.
And the best part?
This time when Cam said, “I love you,” I didn’t freak, I just smiled, took his hand, and whispered, “I love you too.”
So, it wasn't super long, but HOPEFULLY it lived up to your expectations:)
Just the epilogue left... You guys have no idea how sad I am! I'm almost done with it too, but it will be up on Tuesday:D
LOVE <3
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