The auditorium was filled with navy gowns and hats as we all sat. This was the second graduation for the day with many more to follow. From our group of friends, Tyson and Sean had graduated Friday night. Rose and I were this afternoon. We both had spent hours making sure our appearances looked okay when walking outside to see the overcast weather.

"I still don't think these curls will stay." Rose had muttered as we had made our way into the building.

"They should stay long enough for pictures inside," I reassured her and smoothed down my collar of my gown.

Rose said nothing about Patrick as we had made our way inside and followed the rest of the graduates to their respective seating.

"I'll see you after." She hugged me real quick and went closer to the front as her group would be going before mine.

Taking a deep breath, I walked over to my section and sat next to the girl who was second to last in our class. It really sucked having a last name at the end of the alphabet.

"Hey Dasha," Susan smiled and patted the end seat while I just smiled.

"At least we aren't the last group going today."

"Yeah, everyone should still be awake when we walk." Her short hair was pulled back with numerous clips as she fidgeted with her dress.

"It's just like high school, on the walking part." I reassured her.

"Yeah, just receiving an expensive paper this time."

One of the guys from our class turned around and winked. "It'll be alright. Be glad we're not the very first person to walk this morning. Anyone know who's giving the opening speech?"

"Heard it was from the sociology department." Susan shrugged.

I knew Hayden had already given a speech Friday when the guys walked and we had all sat proudly to watch. Today he was sitting with the rest of the staff on the side rows. Tyson and Sean I'm sure had managed to sit somewhat close to where he was and would make up for his cheering when I walked. I admit, it was going to be hard to not kiss him after I walked the stage. Thankfully my parents would let us go back to his place to do all of the pictures and celebrating.

My phone vibrated as I checked to see a text from Hayden. My brightness was already low so I wouldn't have an issue reading it in such a large audience.

'You look beautiful. My family is here to cheer you on as well. I love you and will see you in a few hours to properly congratulate you.'

I smiled and replied back with a quick thank you and reassured him I could wait on the congratulations, hinting he would be surprised at what was under this gown. My face couldn't have been any more red when I sent the message and turned my phone off as the first round of speakers began.

"Hello and good afternoon. We are very proud of these students who are about to embark on their new journey today and step foot into the adult world. Our department chair, Dr. Weatherford was supposed to speak today, however he had a family emergency. So I'll be delivering the speech before inviting a guest speaker up here shortly." A professor of Psychology spoke, who's name I didn't know.

"Wonder who the speaker is," the guy in front of us murmured. "I heard one year they got the Vice President to come and talk."

We sat and listened to him go on and on about how our degrees would get us far in life and everything we already knew. No offense to him, we were just ready to walk the stage and celebrate.

"The guy I'm about to bring up here is someone who is about to finish their masters and go onto get their PhD in psychology. He has written quite a few articles on leadership around the world and the ways that diversity effects our everyday decisions and has a book on the way to being published. Please put a warm welcome for Mr. Patrick Metlock."

'You've got to be fucking kidding me.' My eyes sprang open when I saw my ex get up from the front and walk up onto the stage. This was a sick joke.

Whipping out my phone I texted Rose and my parents. 'WTH do I do?! I can't go up there.'

Rose replied first, 'Dash you don't have a choice. You have to get your diploma. Also WTH when did he get so popular?'

'I have a restraining order... he's not supposed to be here! How was I supposed to know that he had gone off in his free time to become successful? Rose he's going to ruin this for me.'

Graduating wasn't supposed to be stressful to this degree, what was I supposed to do? I looked up to see my parents frowning and Hayden glaring at Patrick who was talking freely about something. He was going to have to win this one.

'Rose... what if,' I began the text as his words hit me.

"And I would like to specifically congratulate a special friend of mine who will be walking the stage today. Miss Dasha Watkins."

"No he didn't," I breathed as the guys in front turned around and looked at me.

"Damn Watkins, we didn't know you were friends with a famous person!"

"Trust me... I had no idea he was working towards fame." I answered back and dared not to move to much in case Patrick could find me in the swarm of gowns.

My dad texted me back with a frowning emoji and no other reply. I don't think they had any way of helping me without causing a commotion. I also knew that I wouldn't be able to see Hayden at all until we got back to his place, but Patrick would be expecting that... Fuck me.

The first round of graduates got up to walk the stage as Patrick stepped aside and the Professor from Psychology stood with their diplomas ready. The President went up to announce the names while Patrick stood last in line to congratulate the students on graduating. Fuck I was going to have to shake his hand... no I wasn't, I could just glare at him and walk by...

By the time it came for my group to stand up I was shaking and trying to keep myself from stumbling. Rose had stared at Patrick as she walked by but didn't shake his hand, she acted like her diploma was too important to hold while she "maneuvered" in her heels. I planned on doing the same thing.

There were thirty-five in my group and me being the last meant that I still had time to overthink the whole thing. We were slowly walking across and I was trying to remind myself to breathe as this was my moment and he wasn't going to take it away from me.

Susan walked proudly across the stage and shook Patrick's hand just as vigorously as she had our Professor before crossing the stage. It was my turn.

"Dasha Watkins."

I gripped the railing and made sure my feet were set before crossing the platform to grab the certificate I had worked so hard for. Cheering broke out from one side of the auditorium while I made my way across and felt my heart swell for a moment.

"Congratulations," Professor Collins shook my hand before handing me the navy cover.

"Thank you Sir." I smiled and forced myself to keep the smile up as I shook the Vice President's hand and someone else from the University before approaching him.

"I told you I would see you on your big day." He grinned as I gripped both sides of the diploma.

Patrick took the sign and brushed it off as he enveloped me in the most awkward hug I had ever felt in my whole life.

"I hope you realize that you could be arrested for this." I hissed in his ear.

"Oh love, please try, your fiance would be right behind me if you do." He whispered back and pulled away. "I'll be seeing you soon baby."

I walked quickly off the stage and went back to my seat as calmly as I could without breaking down or screaming. How he had managed to pull this off was beyond me.

Pulling my phone out I texted Hayden and kept my eyes on the screen so no one could watch my face. 'He's going to win.'

'Just for today, but he won't touch you ever again. I'm going to make sure of that.'

Not being able to tear myself away from the screen I could only imagine Hayden's face right now. Let alone my parents.

'You'll go with Tyson and Sean back to my house. Your parents are already aware of the situation, but we'll only meet there to then continue to Duran and celebrate there. Don't worry darling, he won't ruin your day.'

'I love you' was all I could think of and counted down the minutes until the last two groups walked the stage. Celebrating in Duran wasn't going to be bad, I loved his family anyways.

'Hayden ride with Nina, that way he won't know what car you're in. We'll go to Tyson's and leave from there. I don't trust him.'

'I'll leave with her but trust me love, he's here and will he kept busy by plenty of people. We'll slip out once this is over.'

Breathing in relief I opened my diploma to see the copy of the paper that would soon be mailed to me. It was funny how we all went somewhere for four years just to receive an expensive sheet of paper.

"And now, class of twenty eighteen, you can proudly stand up and pat yourselves on the back. You are officially alumni. Congratulations." The president stepped back and clapped as everyone rose including in the stands and clapped. We had made it.

"One! Two! Three!" Voices rang out as people threw their caps in the air and cheered. The celebrations could finally begin.

I held onto my cap and diploma while moving in the direction of my parents. Rose would follow behind me and be able to make it out without bumping into too many people.

I saw Tyson first from the railings and pointed at an exit I was heading to. He nodded and grabbed Sean and my family to head towards that direction as I continued moving in hopes of getting some air.

Walking into a smaller room where some of us had been held I looked around at the few students who had already reunited with their friends. One of my professors was hugging students as they saw them and congratulating them on doing a good job. It was a bittersweet moment I realized to know I wouldn't be seeing any of these professors again.

"Dasha."

I turned around and saw my first Business Professor, Harry Wallace, smiling and opening his arms.

"Professor Wallace!" I hugged him tightly, "I didn't know you were here."

"I was able to make it, just not on the stage." He chuckled and waved at someone from behind me. "I'm so proud of you and how far you guys have come. If you ever need anything, please let me know. I would be more than happy to serve as a reference."

"Thank you." I smiled and felt someone put their hand on my shoulder.

"Congratulations Dasha." Hayden's voice was quiet as I turned and smiled before hugging him tight before letting go.

"Thank you, Professor Blaze." I smiled at how his last name rolled off my tongue and saw Rose and the others coming up behind him.

"Harry," Hayden smiled and began talking to my professor as I launched myself at Rose and held her tight.

"We did it!" She smiled and winked when she saw Hayden standing not too far.

"We did."

Sean and Tyson swarmed us into a group hug as my parents snapped a photo and I just sighed.

"Next stop, California." Sean kissed Rose before looking at Tyson. "The offer is still up for grabs man."

Tyson chuckled, "let me see what my parents think after I spend a month with them."

"They'll be begging for you to leave." Rose teased as I stepped aside to get some pictures with my parents.

"Can we leave soon and head towards Duran?" I spoke quietly to my dad after he snapped a photo.

"Yes, we'll be leaving here once the others are ready. I really am sorry about,"

"It's okay," I assured him and gave my friends a smile. "Ready?"

We snuck out to our cars while everyone remained inside to finish up before the administration would tell us to leave. Rose and I piled into my car and waited for Ty to back out.

"You okay?" She glanced at me to make sure I was still holding up.

"Yeah, I just need to get away from here."

"Agreed."

Once everyone was pulled out we made our way to Tyson and Sean's place before switching up cars. Mainly the graduates piled into one car and my parents along with Rose's followed behind Hayden's. It had been interesting for Rose to explain how her best friend had met her fiance, but they didn't question it after meeting Hayden.

"No more assignments, or all nighters for studying." Sean switched radio stations as Tyson drove.

"Thank God. No more basketball practices either. Though I'll probably still practice because I can."

"Boys," Rose whispered to me as I smiled.

"Now you can finally see Blaze without worrying." Sean changed the subject and caught my eye, "well in Cali at least."

"Yeah, it'll be better once we move out there. And I know as soon as we do, Ty is going to find someone here and we'll have to make a trip back to meet her."

He rolled his eyes, "lets focus on your wedding, Sean and Rose staying together and then worry about me talking to females."

"Maybe Cali has your type." Rose teased as he mumbled something under his breath and turned up the radio.

"Did Hayden ever hint as to what your graduation present was going to be?"

"Sex obviously," Sean teased as I rolled my eyes and Rose smacked his head.

"That's clearly his gift, not hers." Tyson joked while I sighed, I would never live this down.

"No... but even if it was physical... I'm sure it would be something that we don't normally do... and please don't start listing ideas." I added as the guys just looked at each other and chuckled.

"I already know what my parents are giving me for graduation." Sean turned back to look at Rose as she frowned.

"What?"

"Money to get things for our apartment."

She squeezed his shoulder, "my parents offered to lend us whatever we needed too, appliance wise. I told them I would make a list."

"I'll take them up on that offer."

"My parents said something about letting me choose between getting a new sound system I've been wanting or upgrading most of my electronic devices for newer versions. However, I just got that laptop a year ago and the sound system I'm wanting has been on my bucket list for like ever."

"I wouldn't upgrade yet on the electronics, I heard the new version of the galaxy wasn't as great compared to whatever was coming out afterwards."

"That's what I heard too."

The conversation went in different directions as the guys continued to compare Tyson's choices and potentials on moving while Rose and I just sat back and listened. I was still in awe that we had graduated and didn't think it was fully going to hit me until that next week when I didn't have to show up for class.

My phone vibrated as Hayden had sent a text, 'I have a few surprises for you when we get home tonight. I wasn't able to grab them before we left for Duran.'

'That's okay, I just can't wait to actually see you and celebrate without any distractions.'

"Everything good?" Rose asked.

"Yeah, we're good."

Little did I know I would be retracting that statement sooner rather than later.

**I'm so sorry to do a cliff hanger... I really am! But it's Halloween and I felt like this update needed to happen! What do we think Hayden got Dasha for her graduation gift? And does this mean we'll be seeing a certain someone in the next chapter? ; ) I should make a poll to see who we hate more, Missy, Josh or Patrick. They all seem pretty even right now...

Happy Halloween guys! And thanks for being patient on my nonexistent updates! <3 **

But for real, who's the worst antagonist? (please comment, this'll be fun!)

A- Missy

B- Josh

C- Patrick

D- They're all terrible!