You got this Andie

Just do it

Okay...

The rounds of applause surround me as the hundreds of parents—either cheering or crying—sit in their seats, watching their children grab their diploma.

My stomach churns due to the nerves and excitement that I'm finally graduating. I did it.

I did it, mum.

"And for the last time... Let's hear it for class 2020!" I turn my head to my left, Mia and Josh are staring at each other and I turn to my right with Cole's dazzling smile looking at me.

He grabs my hand into his and I see Seph, Noah, Ash and Bryce's head pop out from beside him. I laugh when Seph makes a stupid face and Noah playfully nudges him in the ribs.

They do make a good couple.

We all exit the stage and Nadia bombards both me and Josh with a hug. "I'm so proud of you!" She cries and once Nadia has hugged us both, so does Mark.

When Nadia hugs me again she whispers in my ear, "I know I keep saying this but it's because it's true. She would be so proud of you right now." My vision blurs because of her words and god I wish she was here with me right now.

Through my tears, I can see someone staring at me in the distance. Everyone walks straight past them and for a second, I think I'm the only one who can see them.

I blink repeatedly, trying to make my sight clear again, and with my free hand, I wipe my eyes. My vision finally focuses and I know who it is instantly.

My mother's standing meters away from me and she's smiling.

I must be hallucinating or something because there's no way she's here but I just enjoy it while it lasts because it's going to be a while until I see her face again. I smile back and a tear drops onto my aunt's shoulder.

"Mum?" I whisper and pull back from Nadia's hug, hoping she didn't hear me, grasping my necklace.

Wherever you go, I go.

It looks like she's nodding and I stand there, astounded. She says something, I can't hear her voice because of the noise from the crowd but I can tell what she says by reading her lips.

"I love you." I wipe my eyes again hoping to get a clearer look at her but when I move my hand away, she's gone. My heart sinks but I look to the sky and smile.

She's still with me.

Wherever I go, whatever I do, she's still watching me. Just like she said to me, she's always with me. Even if I can't see her...

I'm brought out of my reverie when a squealing Mia comes into sight. "We did it! We actually did it!" She hugs me.

"I know! I can't believe it!"

"Neither can I, we actually got through it." Josh chuckles, walking towards us to join the conversation.

"We survived high school!" Noah shouts and I hug him. I'm so glad I got to finish this year with him.

"Congratulations, Princess." I hear Cole's voice say from behind me so I spin around to look at him.

"We did it, Coley Woley." I tease and he rolls his eyes playfully. I throw my hands around his neck and hear him whisper against my hair.

"I love you."

I pull away to stare at him and say "I love you too." before kissing him.

"Hey, guys." I wave at Seph, Bryce and Ash who are all stood behind Cole. "So, what's the plan now schools over?"

"Well you know, go to college, get a degree blah blah blah. The boring stuff." Seph shrugs and the weird looks Ash and Bryce shoot him, make me laugh.

"What he said just less... weird," Bryce says.

"Yep, just college."

"You must be so happy and excited now that Cole is—" Seph starts.

"Not yet, Seph." Cole grits his teeth and interrupts him before he can finish his sentence. I frown at him confused.

Is he keeping secrets again?

"I want to go see my mum, will you come with me?" I smile even though my curiosity is killing me right now. I'm dying to ask what all that was about.

"Bye guys," I smile and wave as we turn to leave, not forgetting to say we must celebrate later on.

As we get into the car, I speak up first. "Why were you so rude to Seph back there?" He huffs a little and I decide to ignore his rudeness.

"I wasn't rude."

"Yes, you were. What was he going to say anyway? You didn't let him finish, just cut him off."

"Princess, I promise I will tell you later. Just no more questions about it at the moment, okay?" I sigh but agree by nodding my head and realise he probably can't see me because he's driving.

"Fine."

"How are you feeling?" He quickly glances at me before turning back to the road.

"I'm good, I just can't believe we're going to college."

I wish you could come with me.

"I mean with your mum not being here to watch you graduate." I try my best to fight a frown.

"I'm okay." The low level of my voice says the real answer.

We get here quicker than expected and when we pull up, Cole heads to the trunk.

"What are you doing?" I ask when he picks up a box before locking the car. "Why are you bringing that?" I ask another question, hoping he'll answer this time.

"You'll find out soon." Is all he says while smirking.

"What is it?"

"Princess, I love you with every single part of me but for the love of God, stop asking questions." He laughs.

"But you have to admit, it's a little strange. You're bringing a box to my mum's grave. What use is a box?" He gives me a look and I put my hands up in surrender.

"Okay, okay. I'll stop, I promise." We both start walking and all I can think about is that stupid box.

"What could be in it? Who even brings a box to a grave." I whisper to myself and Cole bursts out in a fit of laughter.

"You do know that I can hear you, right?" I cross my arms but when I go to say something, I realise we're here.

"Hey mum," I say softly, kneeling down onto the grass and rest my hand on her gravestone. "You remember Cole from last time he was here, don't you?" Cole is still standing so I look up at him. "You can sit you know," I say lightly and he does.

He puts the box down and shuffles next to me. I turn back to my mum's stone and start talking.

"Well it's official, I graduated. It was weird actually, I thought I saw you. Was it you? You were just standing there and then I blinked and you were... gone." I say the last part quieter than the rest.

"You both probably think I'm absolutely crazy," I laugh, "It just felt so real." Cole takes my hand and I lean into his side, quickly smiling back at him.

I carry on speaking to her for a while and so does Cole.

"Well Miss Mitchell, I do actually have something for Andie. I thought I'd do it here and she's been driving me crazy about it ever since I got it from the trunk." He picks up the box and hands it to me.

"Wait, it's for me?" I ask, gripping the box.

He nods, "This is why I told Seph to be quiet earlier, he was going to ruin the surprise."

I don't rip the box in half to spill it's contents like I want to, but I do shake it near my ear.

"Good job it isn't anything fragile." Cole teases and I laugh. The box is pretty light so it must be something soft. I open the box and it's a jumper.

"You're so sweet," I smile. "You got me a jumper with my college logo on it." He's smiling and pushes it closer to me.

"Take it out." I do just that and there's two. Both the same colour, both the same logo, they're identical.

Wait a minute...

"There are two jumpers. One for you and one for me." My head snaps up from the box to look at him.

"What?" I whisper. No way.

"I applied for a few colleges including your one but I wanted to surprise you." He's grinning like crazy and I jump onto his lap.

"Are you kidding me right now? I love you so much!" I practically squeal. I kiss him but not for a long because we're sat at my mother's grave.

Not the most appropriate time for a make-out session.

*****

"Hey, freak! That's my milkshake, you have yours right there!" I snatch it out of his hand and he fake gasps.

"Did you just call me a freak? How could you..." He wipes a fake tear away from under his eye and I giggle.

"You're such a goof." I laugh and take a sip from my half-empty milkshake thanks to my boyfriend.

"Last time we were here, I wanted to kiss you so badly." He says and I lean across the booth to peck his lips.

"Better?" I ask and he smirks.

"Maybe but I think you should do it again just to check." He answers back and I laugh.

"And when you danced here last time, it was the cutest thing I've ever seen in my life." I laugh again but blush slightly.

"Well if we're talking about past things that have happened here, I have one." I snicker and he groans.

"Don't you dare, not this again." The situation with the fly is the funniest thing I've ever experienced. He is never going to live it down.

"Two burgers and fries." The waitress interrupts us and once she's gone I munch on a fry.

"I'm even more excited for college now that you're coming with me." I say, "Are you? Excited I mean."

I look across to him and we're smiling at each other.

"Being there with you? Always."

>>>>>
AUTHOR'S NOTE:

And... That's the end😭 I started this book last year and have finally finished rewriting it🥺 I really hope you enjoyed it and I'd just like to thank everyone who has followed this story and me. It means so much more than you could ever imagine and I'm extremely thankful for every single one of you because just knowing you enjoyed my story means the world.

Andie and Cole, I love you both millions

I'm excited to say that for the past 4+ months I have been planning a new story and im beyond excited to start writing but it isn't as cliché and I really love the characters!

Please Comment, Vote and Follow My Page💜

P.S: I have a instagram account where I post edits (usually after, tvdu, obx etc) and occasionally book edits. It's @aftertvd so if you're interested, be sure to check it out! You can dm on there if you want as well ❤️