Graduation is as boring as I thought it would be. I have to sit in this disgusting red gown while in a hot gymnasium filled with other students. We're called up one by one to retrieve our diploma's and it's the absolute worst. Even with the AC on it feels like we're sitting out in the summer heat. I want to scream and rip my hair out but I love my hair too much to do that. Instead, I end up waiting until the ceremony is finally over.

I'm free!

"I can't believe we're graduated!" Olivia squeals, jumping into my open arms the moment she can. I spin the girl around in circles for a moment before placing her back on her feet.

"Yeah, doesn't feel real, does it?" I smirk at the diploma in my hand. Well, it's fake, the real one will be sent in the mail but, whatever, it's the thought that counts!

"Speaking of things that don't feel real." Olivia gestures behind me causing my head to turn back and find Jace sitting in the bleachers. They are currently letting everyone out to join their loved ones on the gym floor. Jace is kind of stuck at the moment behind everyone so I've got some time until he gets down here.

"It was definitely sweet of him to come," Olivia says with a nod. "Have you talked to him about whether he's actually serious yet or not?"

"Oh yeah, I asked him yesterday while I was sucking him off. We made excellent conversation."

Olivia plunges her fist into my gut. I cough at the unexpected hit then rub the sore spot while grinning at her glare. What? She walked into that.

"I'm serious, Mylo! I'm worried."

"You shouldn't be, besides, you have yourself to worry about." I point behind Olivia to her beloved Sonya, who is looking over at us with a huge smile. Her black hair is curled around her shoulders, the red of the gown only making her deep brown skin more beautiful. Olivia is practically a pile of goo while looking at her.

"Ah...y-yeah, w-we're going to the movies t-tomorrow." Olivia waves like a lovesick puppy at the girl who waves excitedly back. These two are going to kill me.

"I swear to everything in this world that is sinful and impure, if I don't hear there was at least some tongue action at the theater I will end your life."

Olivia flushes furiously at my "perverted comment" that has her storming off a moment later. I laugh but smile when I see her walk right over to Sonya. She seems more than happy to see Olivia, even pulling her in to take a few pictures. I don't get why she's so worried, from my viewpoint Sonya totally has a thing for her too. They better get together or I will find Cupid and murder that little fucker!

"They make a cute couple."

I jump at the sound of Jace's voice, turning to face the boy that has somehow made it to my side. He smiles and goes on to play with the tassles hanging off my graduation hat.

"Red suits you," he says with that stupid fucking smile of his that makes my toes curl. Gah, stop, you're making me imagine what else that mouth could do. I cannot get a boner in this damn thing!

"Thanks." I slap his hand away, removing the hat afterwards so my hair can be free. I had to use bobby pins to get the thing on right so I pull those out too, allowing my hair to fall just above my shoulders. I brush most of it from my face, ruffling it a bit in hopes to keep it back.

"Where are your parents?" Jace asks, turning his head from side to side in an attempt to find my them.

I can't blame him for asking. Graduation day is when all the folks come out to see their kids walking across that stage. They are crying, taking pictures, hugging and congratulating their kids on a great achievement. It's natural but, for me, I always knew mine wouldn't be here.

I shrug and respond, "My mom isn't around anymore and my dad is on a business trip overseas. He'll be back-" I tilt my head to the side while trying to remember the exact date. "Next week? No, maybe the week after."

I scratch at the back of my neck upon realizing that I can't remember the date. Eh, it shouldn't be surprising though. He leaves and returns so often that I'm more accustomed to him not being there at all. It's perfectly normal to me but, for some reason, it appears to bother Jace.

"He couldn't make it back for his kids graduation?" Jace asks with a furrowed brow. "Surely he knew the date and could have found some way to get around work to be here."

"It's no big deal. It's just graduation."

"It's a huge deal, Mylo!" Jace argues with a scowl while I'm left staring at him in confusion. "Your parents should be here to tell you how proud they are. You worked hard to graduate and you're even going to college that...that's a great accomplishment."

My chest suddenly feels a little tight. While Jace is staring at me with this serious expression, I'm not sure what sort of face I'm making. My cheeks feel a bit warm but I think my forehead is creased. I don't really know and I'm not really sure what I'm feeling and that makes me uncomfortable.

"Ah, well, too late to complain about it now," I say with yet another shrug of my shoulders. "He's not here but you are." I pat the boys' cheek, which seems to shock him. "What a cutie, are you going to give me a reward tonight?"

Jace doesn't appear happy with my aversion but, thankfully, he drops it. Rolling his eyes, he insists that we get a picture together. I'm more than willing and go running off to my car in order to retrieve my camera. I'm back in no time, quickly pulling my hair up into a ponytail to concentrate better.

I kind of ignore Jace a bit, not that I mean to but when I'm taking pictures everything else just sort of fades from existence for me. I'm focusing on the people I'm capturing in my lens, what are they feeling? What do I want people to feel while looking at his photo? What is the best angle? When can I take this shot? I'm basically doing a free photo shoot but it's our graduation. Obviously we need pictures to commemorate the moment!

I make sure to take multiple ones of Olivia. She's smiling in every one and blushing like crazy in the few I get with her and Sonya. I even drag Jace into a few, which he seems a bit hesitant to do but caves after the second or third time. It isn't until the end of the night that Jace finally gets me to take a breather.

"I wanted us to get a picture together," he says, stealing my camera from my grasp, which is never a good thing. I'm ready to gnaw his hand off when he suddenly pulls me into his side. My cheeks warm at the feel of his arm wrapping around my shoulder, pulling me close so that he can lean his head against my own.

"Smile," he says, holding up my camera to get a shot of us together. I'm not sure if I smiled or not but whatever the photo is seems to have pleased Jace because he's grinning ear to ear while examining it.

"Can I have my camera back now?" I ask, holding out my hand but the bastard has the audacity to keep my camera to himself.

"Nope," he chirps. "We're going out now."

"Out?"

"I'm sure you're hungry. Lets get something to eat."

Seriously?

I look about the gymnasium to find Olivia is still with her parents. Some people are beginning to leave, likely to head out and have their own celebration. I know Olivia will be spending time with her parents. She did ask me to come along but I didn't want to bother them. Tonight is about Olivia for her parents so I didn't want to intrude.

My plans were to go home and have dinner but...

"Are you paying again?" I smirk at the pout Jace gives me.

"You're going to drain me dry."

"Baby, you have no idea."

I send Jace a playful wink that his him going from 0 to 100 real quick. It seems he has to swallow the lump in his throat because I can see him doing that from here. Sputtering some Spanish that I definitely don't understand Jace spins on his heel and heads out. Obviously I have to follow him because he still has my camera!

I have to take my gown off before we get into the car, quickly tossing it into the back seat. I fix my button down shirt then slide into the passenger side while Jace is in the driver's seat. Carefully, he places my camera in the back, which has me grinning at him. He probably knows I will end his life if he hurts my baby.

"Where to?" He asks before starting up the car.

"Somewhere expensive."

"Really?" He rolls his eyes at me.

"I'm high class. If you can't handle me, we can break up."

"I don't know about high class but you're certainly a hand full."

I scoff, crossing my arms childishly while I lean back into the seat. The entire drive I give Jace the silent treatment while he tries to get me to talk. He's grinning the whole time too, probably because he can tell I'm not actually mad. Damn, I need to work on that because I want him to be shaken up a bit. Sadly, my acting skills aren't on point enough for that and we get to the steak house Jace has decided upon in no time.

Once inside and comfortably seated, I'm looking through the menu trying to decide on what to eat when I notice that yet again Jace is texting someone. It appears that he knows what he wants because he's leaning back in the booth with his phone out typing away. I'm starting to think he's unaware of the face he makes while texting the mystery woman. Well, could be a guy I guess, whatever, either way he's making a face.

He looks love stricken. There's this soft smile on his face that irks me beyond belief. His eyes are half mast with a certain shine to them that makes me sick. He's so concentrated that he jumps the moment I slam my hands against the table.

He looks at me with wide eyes, confused by the smile I give before I ask, "Sorry, were you concentrating on something? I was just going to ask what you were ordering."

"Uh...steak," Jace answers like it should be obvious, which I guess it is since we're at a steakhouse. "What about you?"

"Who are you texting?" I ask, completely ignoring Jace's own question. "The one you should be focusing on is sitting in front of you."

For some reason that makes Jace laugh. I start to feel a bit embarrassed when he actually leans forward to bury his face in his hands in hopes to quiet the boisterous noise he's making. His shoulders are shaking from his chuckles that continue to grow until he's actually in tears. The sight warms my chest in ways I rather ignore.

"W-What's so funny?" I grumble, flushing a bit when our waiter comes by to take our order. He smiles at the both of us before asking if we need a minute. I quickly shake my head and tell him what I want while Jace has to take a moment in order to breathe again before he can answer.

The waiter is leaving when Jace finally says to me, "I don't know how you can be so honest, Mylo. It's a gift, seriously."

"Thanks?" I'm not sure if he's insulting or complimenting me.

"I like it."

My eyes go wide. He says I'm honest? What the hell is that then?

Jace smiles at my shock, leaning forward again so that his elbows are resting on the table. He sits his chin atop his folded hands while his eyes practically bore into my very soul. "Honesty is good, I hope you keep it up. Eres muy lindo."

I hold up my hand, pointing accusingly at him. "I swear if you're cursing at me."

Jace smiles and shakes his head.

"I'm remembering that and asking Olivia what it means."

"If you remember it, you mean."

I knew I should have had Olivia teach me Spanish. I'm going to have to start asking her for lessons if Jace is going to stick around. Wait, I'm saying that as if I honestly think he's going to stay with me, which he isn't.

Whatever, I still need to learn Spanish! It's not fair my best friend speaks it and so does my kind of, maybe, boyfriend! Thankfully he doesn't pull out the Spanish card the rest of the night. We eat our meal, have a good time, even if I don't want to admit it, then drive back to school where I retrieve my car once again.

Like last time, Jace doesn't leave until I'm in my vehicle. I roll my eyes at his actions but for some reason my stomach is feeling a bit warm. I must have eaten something funny at the restaurant.

I'm excited to return home and look at all the pictures I took. The moment I begin looking through them, I smile. There's so many happy faces that it just makes me feel good. I'm definitely sending these to everyone and I have them on my computer in no time, searching through each one while determining which picture is for whom.

However, my searching is put on hold when I come across the last picture of the night. The moment I see it my cheeks burst into flames and my heart practically jumps out of my throat.

It's the photo Jace took of us.

Jace is smiling gleefully at the camera, his pearly whites showing off their natural sparkle. His eyes are wide and excited while his head is leaning against my own. He looks handsome as per usual while I...

My hair is pulled back, a few strands lingering before my eyes, which are glued on Jace. My cheeks are red while my lips are twitched back into this stupid smile. I'm definitely leaning into him and, well...I look like a fucking idiot. I need to delete this picture immediately!

Except I don't and I end up printing it out on the nicest photo paper I have. I don't do anything with it other than leave it on my desk but something tells me that I'm going to end up framing it.