SIXTY FOUR

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As I've stated before, it's crazy how life can change very drastically in several months. If you'd have asked me where my life was heading only a few months ago, I wouldn't have known. There would be no college, no boyfriend, and no graduation. My mind would be scrambled in several different places with a bad attitude, guard up to everyone, and a hopeless me sitting in my bed crying to Gossip Girl season 4 episode 2.

But now? I'm graduating, baby.

I was sitting here. Cap and gown. Looking out onto the mainstage in the middle of our football field. And it was amazing.

Everyone said that graduation was overhyped and, don't get me wrong, it was extremely, unnecessarily lengthy but every so often I had to pinch myself to remind me that this was it. I was officially becoming a high school graduate.

"May I introduce, our Valedictorian, Miss Rya McCoy." Principle Cunningham announced.

And yep, Rya got Valedictorian! Apparently, security camera picked up Christopher Knowles getting down and dirty with a few Drama students on school grounds and soon he was out and Rya was back in.

She panicked to me over the phone about what she was going to say in her speech like she hasn't been memorising it off-by-heart since the Ninth Grade.

I watched as she made her way up to the microphone, my smile growing bigger with each step she took. She drew in a deep breath, staring out at the crowd before speaking.

"It's weird to stand here and realise a huge milestone in our life if finally over." She began. "Ever since we walked through those doors four years ago, I know that half of us already wanted to leave."

Laughs echoed in the crowd along with a few expressed agreements.

Rya smiled, "It's safe to say that high school is an experience like no other. The four years that we spent here, hour after hour, day after day, is ending and it's bizarre to remember back to those days where we were just fourteen and trying to wonder what our life would be like when we finally stepped through those doors and became high schoolers. How many friends we'd make? How many friend's we'd lose? First parties? First relationships? Joining a club or two? But let me tell you the one thing I've realised in my four years here."

I smiled brightly at her as she caught my eye. "No matter who you are, where you come from, whatever struggles you have faced, if you look in that mirror every morning and see you – the true you, you're doing okay. And if not, that's okay too. I think we'd all be lying in saying none of us have tried to change. Whether it was to fit in, impress a boy or girl, follow a trend... hide in fear of what others would think."

She stared at me for a moment before I nodded for her to keep going, "Just remember that, no matter what, the only person living your life is yourself and if you stay true with that, things will end up okay."

She took a pause before continuing. "Several of us sitting here today will have never crossed paths. Some of us deemed we were worse or better than others, there is no denying it. But looking out on everyone from up here, we are all just kids trying to get by, trying to figure this shit – I mean stuff out." A few people laughed at her accidently slip up.

"Sorry." She cringed at Principal Cunningham who only shook her head and chuckled.

"So if there is one thing high school has taught me, it's to look behind the facades. See what truly lies beneath the stereotypes and cliches, understand why people are the way they are." I felt myself begin to choke up at her words.

With once final breath, she gazed out onto the crowd before her eyes landed on me again and she smiled softly, "There's a small saying I've come up with, if it's cliché or not, I don't care but see them for who they truly are. Love them because of it."

My head turned back to see Roman siting a few rows away. His eyes were watching me the whole time as I caught his glance, and we shared a smile. I saw him for who he truly was and loved him so much because of it. However, I found that in myself. I saw me. The real me. And, as cliché as it sounded, I was leaning to love myself more and more each day.

The field erupted in applause and cheers as Rya finished her speech and went to collect her Diploma.

"Miss Rya McCoy, Valedictorian and future student at Columbia University." The announcer announced as Rya shook hands with Principal Cunningham, collected her diploma and moved the tassel on her cap across. I was so proud. This girl had worked her ass off for years and now she did it. Valedictorian and studying Pre-Law at Columbia. I was watching her fly and I was so happy to cheer her on all the way.

I waited some more, hearing students names get called out as I watched proud parents from the bleachers cheer and take videos.

"Sienna Callum." The announced finally said as I made my way up the stage to collect my diploma. Holy shit, this was actually happening!

"Miss Callum has been offered an Academic Scholarship to study English at the University of North Caroline, Chapel Hill in the Fall." The announcer then went on to say.

That's right, baby. I got the freaking scholarship! I woke up one morning to my parents sitting at the breakfast table with the envelop in front of them, nervously waiting for me to wake up and open it. When I finally did and saw the 'CONGRATULATIONS' I freaked out and was an emotional wreck because suddenly all that hard work had finally paid off.

When I told Roman later that day over the phone, he immediately got in his car and drove round to my house to give me the biggest hug in the world, and later that evening we went out to dinner with my parents and sneaked away to have some quick celebratory sex in the bathroom stalls whilst my parents boasted to the waitress about how they're daughter got a scholarship into a top college.

Crazy day, am I right? But if there's one thing I've figured out about my life so far, was that it rolled with crazy.

I reached Principal Cunningham who handed me my diploma and shook my hand. "I have to say, Sienna." She began, "I had my doubts to begin with but all I can say now is well done. Really well done."

"Thank you." I beamed and caught the eyes of Mr Wright sitting with all the teachers giving me a big thumbs up. I returned one back to him and moved my tassel to the other side of my cap before walking back down.

I spotted my parents in the crowd, cheering a waving, my mom still trying to work out how to use her phone and my dad telling every person around them that that was his daughter. It was too funny to not laugh at but at the same time, my heart swelled. They were proud of me, that's all I've wanted them to be.

I took my seat and waited for the rest of the names to be called. When Roman's was, I clapped hard and when the announcer explained he had gotten into the University of Pennsylvania, I clapped ever louder and cheered. I even managed to spot his parents in the audience and my heart melted.

Afterwards, I found my parents who gave me massive hugs and my mom raved about how she managed to get my whole walk on video.

"We're so proud of you, sweetheart." My mom then wrapped her arms around me.

"So proud." My dad ruffled my hair, "North Carolina here you come!" it was only then I realised he was wearing a UNCCH baseball cap. "Go Rameses!" he then cheered.

"Dad!" I laughed with a small groan.

"I'm allowed to be as embarrassing as I want, it's your graduation for crying out loud!" he defended and pulled me into a hug. Urgh, he had a point.

"Where's Roman?" My mom asked. I looked around to try and spot him in the crowd of students and their gushing family when a pair of hands covered my eyes.

"Yeah, where is Roman?" I could easily tell it was his voice and pulled his hands away.

I rolled my eyes, "Very funny."

He sent me a charming smile and kissed my forehead. "Nice cap, Sir. However, I have to say that the Quakers are better."

My dad shook his head with a small chuckle, "Don't test me boy." He pointed at Roman who raised his hands in defence.

"We're really proud of you too, Roman." My mom gushed. Both of my parents adored Roman and what made it even better was that our parents got on great too. My mom and Roman's mom found out they had a common love for The Bachelorette and my dad was talking about joining Roman's dad's gym.

"Thank you." Roman sent my mom an appreciative look. "My parents want to know if you guys want to come round for dinner tomorrow night? My mom wants you to teach her that soup you made last time, Jia."

"Aww, of course! We'd love to." My mom nodded and my dad nodded too. "Where are your parents?" she then asked.

"Talking with Mrs Sanders, one of the Science teachers. They'll be over in a minute." He explained and my dad was about to say something back when a high-pitched shout cut him off.

"Bitch! We graduated!" Rya came running towards me and flung her arms around me, tipping me backwards but luckily Roman's hand was there to keep me steady.

"I know!" I laughed in response.

"We actually graduated! Mother fucker! Eee!"

"I know right?! As if! we actually fucking did it!"

"You girls have not changed since kindergarten." My mom's chuckle brought us back and Rya pulled away to hug both of my parents. "Your speech was beautiful, Rya."

"Thanks!" she grinned brightly. "I had some great inspiration." I sent her a smile back.

"Are your parents around here somewhere, Rya? We'd love to catch up with them." My mom then asked and Rya nodded.

"They're talking to Principal Cunningham but I'm sure they wouldn't mind if you interrupted." She pointed over to where they were, and my parents made a move to leave.

"Your speech was really amazing, Rya." I complimented. I knew most Valedictorian speeches were cliché and hers was in a lot of senses, but it was meaningful. That was what mattered most.

"Yeah." Roman agreed. "How does it finally feel to be Valedictorian?"

Rya let out a yawn, "A little overrated."

  Roman and I widened our eyes in disbelief at her before she started laughing.

   "Kidding! It feels fucking amazing!"

Thank God for that.

"Sienna! Rya!" Leah approached with Adam and Taylor who were immersed in conversation.

"Hey!" Rya and I greeted simultaneous.

"How does it feel to have your ass out of high school?" Rya then asked.

Leah smiled after giving us both big hugs, "So good! UCLA here I come!" she grinned happily. UCLA? Damn, that was insanely far, but, for some reason, it suited Leah. I was positive that girl was going to flourish in college.

"What are you majoring in?" Roman then asked her.

"Business." She replied. "A little cliché, I know but I like it." Fair enough. I couldn't imagine Leah in a business-y position but maybe she was what the business world needed – a little fun and bubbliness because I heard that most of those fuckers were boring as hell.

I laughed a little at my thought before being tackled by a small frame. "Eeek! Congratulations!" the voice of Skye rang through my ear. Skye.

I hugged her back tightly, feeling the overwhelming emotion tumbling through my body of her just being here.

  Roman had told me she wanted to come to the ceremony, but they weren't sure if she'd be allowed yet. Looks like she was and thank God she was because she had suddenly made this whole day so much better.

"Thank you." I whispered. Skye was here and she was alive, and I could tell Roman was thinking the exact same thing as she went over to hug him and he lifted her off her feet because of their incredible height difference.

"God, it was boring as hell – well, apart for you two accepting your diplomas, oh and Rya's speech but OMG, it was boring apart from that." we all laughed at her commentary when Roman but her down and I noticed the confused looks from Leah, Adam and Taylor. Not many people had any idea Roman had a sister and so this must've looked bizarre.

"Um, this is Skye... my sister." Roman awkwardly announced to them and Leah sent over a kind smile.

"Cool, I love your hair." She complimented.

Skye beamed, "OMG, thank you! I wanted to dye it pink, but no one would let me so I bleached it before the pink dye was taken away and now I look like frosty the snow-girl but I'll live because one day I'll sneak out and do it – oh! Like that movie I saw the other day and –" she suddenly paused and cringed. "I'm rambling, aren't I?"

Roman laughed and ruffled her hair, "A little bit." I could understand it because Skye has had such little contact with other people for so long so her excitement must've been off the charts to be around so many new people.

"I had no idea you had a sister, dude." Taylor spoke up, extending a hand to Skye. "Hey, I'm Taylor."

Skye's face went bright red. "Oh, um, h-hi." She reached out and shook his hand back. Poor thing, she also had so little contact with boys she was probably freaking out inside. She was also only fifteen staring at an eighteen-year-old so either way she was a blushing wreck.

Rya and I shared a small chuckle before Leah then announced. "I feel like we should all get a picture together, you know, before we all leave."

"Yeah," Rya agreed, "Sounds like a good idea. Skye?" she passed her phone over to Skye who nodded.

Before I knew it, we were all standing in a crowd with Skye in front, angling Rya's phone before Rya shouted.

"Everyone say: fuck high school!"

Roman chuckled behind me as we all shouted out the words with way too much enthusiasm as Skye snapped the picture and handed the phone back.

"Aww cute!" Leah gushed as she looked over Rya's shoulder.

"I know right? I'll send everyone a copy."

I gazed at the picture too and suddenly it hit. Everything was coming to an end, and everyone was moving on. It was sad to some extend but I couldn't be more excited because I saw so many bright futures for everybody. A chance to start a new. A chance for life to finally begin.

"I heard that Abigail Coalson is having a Graduation party so we should probably get ready for that." I said and turned back to Roman to see him agree with me.

"Wait!" Rya suddenly burst and reached in her pocket.

I furrowed my brows, "What's that?"

"A surprise." She grinned and handed it over to me. "Now promise me you won't freak out and make me take them back."

I narrowed my eyes in confusion, "Huh?"

"I mean, I can't anyways because I made sure that they were non-refundable but –"

"Rya?!" I cut her off, trying to figure out what the hell was going on.

"Okay, okay!" she waved her hands in the air. "Just open them!"

I shot a look at Roman who shrugged, just as clueless as myself before opening the envelope and pulling out two slips of paper. Tickets?

But not just any tickets... plane tickets. What?

"I did some digging." Rya then went on to say, "And by digging I hired a private investigator."

"You did what?!" I exclaimed.

"Shh! And I gave all the names and information as I could, but you know how private investigators work, they're like masterminds and so these tickets..." she took a deep breath and smiled softly. "These tickets are for you and Roman. To Brazil... I" she took another deep breath, "I found out where your birth mom was buried, Sienna."

All the wind was knocked out of me. My eyes bored into those two tickets and then back at Rya. "You... you w-what?" I couldn't quite believe it.

"Look, if it's too much, don't worry about it. You don't have to go to the grave and you can just go on vacation to Brazil but all the information I could get is there and it'll always be there and –" she had not a lot of time left to speak before I flung my arms around her shoulders and pulled her into the tightest hug of my life.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I whispered, "Thank you." I blinked a few of my tears away, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

She hugged me back just as tight. "It's what you deserve, and I have all the money in the world to do it. My parents agreed and we believe that if there was one person who deserved this in our lives, it's you."

I was so lost for words I couldn't even express the insane gratitude I was feeling. This was truly happening; I was actually going to learn more about my birth mother. Oh my God.

I pulled away and instantly wiped my eyes, only Roman was watching us as the other had gotten swept up into different conversations.

   "Rya you are genuinely the best." I chuckled through a breaking voice. "You need anything in New York, and I'll be there in a flash. I mean it."

"Thank you." She laughed, "But I have a feeling I'll be just fine. Promise me you'll tell me all about it when you get back." She held my hand.

I squeezed it back and nodded rapidly, "Totally." Before I hugged her again. "You're an idiot for making me cry at Graduation." I murmured.

She snorted, "And you're an idiot generally because my GPA is still way higher than yours."

I snorted a laugh too and pulled back once more, wiping my eyes again. "I'll see you at the party tonight."

"Definitely. Oh, and speaking of high GPAs, I'm going to find Knowles so I can rub my Valedictorian in his sweet, little face." She flicked her hair over her shoulder and grinned.

"You do that." I attempted to hold in my laugh but couldn't and took Roman's hand in mine.

  He wrapped an arm around my shoulders once Rya left, "You're actually here." he reminded.

  I was. I was actually here. After everything, all the breakdowns, tears, laughs, loves, and struggles. I had done what I believed months ago was impossible.

   "Yeah." i gazed up at him. "I am."

  And I found Roman along the way.

❦❤︎❦

It was later in the evening, and I was getting ready in Roman's room. Abigail Coalson's party started at 10 and it was currently 9:50, although I was planning on being fashionably late as always.

I slipped on a black minidress and was currently placing on a pair of dark red heels Roman had been eyeing up for the last hour.

"I still can't believe we're going to Brazil!" I beamed whilst I finished up doing my hair.

Roman shook his head in disbelief, "Neither can I. Good thing I learnt the language."

"That'll be such a turn-on, you know. Hearing you speak another language." I took out a tube of lip-gloss and started applying it to my lips.

"Really?" he raised an eyebrow. He was currently sitting on the bed, propped up against the headboard, finishing up a slice for the pizza we order only an hour ago.

"Oh yeah. Very sexy."

He got off the bed and walked over to me, gently brushing a lock of hair behind my ear with his callous fingers before whispering, "Você é estonteante."

It sent shivers down my spine, "What does that mean?"

He kissed behind my ear, "You are stunning."

My heart melted at the translation as he kissed the top of my head and walked back to the bed. The stupid smile on my face remained as I finished up my look for the night and gazed into the mirror.

"I can't decide

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