Maggie

Finals were happening for us. Nixon and I had short days because we're seniors. We had commencement practices, along with the girls.

After my final, I walked out of the classroom and saw Nixon. I ran over to him. He picked me up and swung me around.

"We did it!" He earned shushes from the teachers.

"We did it."

"Come on. Let's find the girls."

We ran until we found the girls' classrooms and waved. Kat was finishing up. She got up and handed in her final, then exited the room. She jumped on Nixon, and he kissed her. Next was Marcy. The three of us waved as she nodded. She finished, turned in her final, and left. We made our way to Macey's classroom. We plastered ourselves against the glass in the door as she laughed and rolled her eyes.

Macey finished and joined us. "You guys are nuts."

"Who cares? We finished high school," Nixon said.

We walked to the entrance, and I took one last look. High school was over. It's time to graduate and start a new chapter of my life with the Gray brothers and Nash.

I walked out of the school to find Nash leaning against his car, waiting for me. I started walking towards him and broke out into a run. I jumped into his arms after reaching him as he spun me around.

"You did it, baby girl. I'm so proud of you." Nash beamed.

I smiled, then kissed him.

"Come on. We're meeting everyone for lunch. But first, I need to make a stop." Nash set me down.

*****

We pulled up to a factory and got out of the car. Nash walked up to the door. I followed him as we passed machines, along with offices. He walked to a door and knocked.

Nate turned around. "Nash? What's up?"

"Is Ma around?"

"Yeah, she's checking on a shipment. She'll be right back."

"Those idiots! Can't they get anything right?" A voice said.

"Never mind. Your mom is on her way back."

Pat entered and walked over to Nate. "Nathaniel, you need to have a word with the shipping manager. He received the wrong shipment, so it must go back."

"I'll make a call in a few minutes, but we have company." He nodded at us.

Pat turned and smiled. "Oh, hey, kids. What brings you to our neck of the woods?"

"Remember when you wanted me to find direction in my life?" Nash asked.

"Yes," they said.

"Well, I made a decision."

"And?" Nate asked.

"Well." He turned and pushed me forward. "Mags will tell you." He hid behind me.

I turned to him. "Coward."

He shrugged.

I shook my head, rolled my eyes, and then turned back to them. "Nash wants to pursue an art degree."

They both stood there. I didn't know if what I said was okay. You can never tell with Nate and Pat.

"Okay, they're not saying anything," Nash said.

"I stunned them into silence," I said.

"This might be bad. We'll make a run for it."

"I agree."

We crept out of the office.

Then someone said, "Art, huh?"

We stopped, straightened up, and turned around.

"Well, at least it's something," Nate said.

"Wait. You're not mad?" Nash asked him.

"No. Should I be?"

"Well, most parents consider art a waste of time."

"Hun, we're not most parents. Did you hit your head or something?" Pat asked Nash.

"No."

"Are you sure? Because you forget our last name is Gray."

"I'm confused."

"I am, too," I said.

"Nash Nathaniel Gray! You should know better than anyone that we'll support you and your brothers if you follow your dreams. It's better than being a hobo!" Pat said.

"Yeah, hobos are dirty and smelly. Girls don't dig them," Nate said.

"Nathaniel Mark!"

"What? I'm just saying. Don't be a hobo, Nash." Nate nodded his head and winked.

"Ignore your father. His mother dropped him on his head as a kid."

"She did not! Stop telling lies, woman!"

"Yes, she did," she mouthed while pointing at Nate and making faces.

"You're going to school for art. Great! Now, can we get back to work? I need to hurt a shipping manager!" Nate said.

We left as Nate and Pat argued about work. These people might be my in-laws one day. Oh, boy.

We left the factory and met the others. I guess life was moving in the right direction for everyone. Why would it get interesting?