It was kind of crazy to Ezekiel that he was here. That he had on the blue gown and the cap to match. He had been wearing it for a good 3 minutes and he already hated the fact that the little yellow tassel kept hitting him in the faceâplus he felt like a complete goob. The good news was that the whole senior class looked just as gooby as he did. Well, almost all of them. Somehow, one girl managed to look absolutely flawless with her long blonde hair and that angelic face. For the last three days, Ezekiel had been having a hard time getting the girl off his mind. It wasnât just any girl eitherâit was the one girl that heâd never had. The one girl heâd gone years and years being just friends with. The one heâd held countless times as she tucked her face against his neck and cried softly in his arms. It was the girl he always laughed and said "weâre just friends" whenever people would ask about them. But every single time heâd uttered those words, he couldnât help but wonder why. Why were they just friends?After all, they had both seen each other with all the wrong people. They had both comforted one anotherâspent many nights laying in bed laughing quietly together until the sun came out. It all just made no sense.
Why? Why, why, why?
As everyone began lining up, Ezekiel reached out just in time to grab her arm and pull her in for a quick hug. âWe made it,â he whispered, turning his head to press a soft kiss against Isabella's cheek before pulling back. His own face lit up as he saw the wide smile on her lips, feeling her hand find his and give it a quick squeeze before she was on her way up the line. "Youâre leaving at the end of the summer. Donât get too ahead of yourself. It wont work out." The words repeated over and over in his head even as the music began and everyone took their seats on the stage. Ezekiel was doing his best to pay attention as people began with their speeches, however he kept finding himself distracted as he noticed that familiar head of hair a few rows ahead of him. It was hard to believe this was the girl that had him laying in bed all night just staring at the ceiling. He had found himself thinking about how this was their last summer togetherâhow in a few months he wouldnât be sneaking into her bedroom window every time get drank a little too much, or how he couldnât just drive ten minutes to see her face. It had all hit him hard, the realization practically slapping him in the face. And he just didnât like it. He didnât like it one bit.
It seemed like this whole thing was taking forever, until finally they began calling off names. Ezekiel allowed his attention to go back to the task at handâlistening to them go through the alphabet, one name at a time. And finally he heard that name he knew very well. âIsabella Rowe.â Part of him wanted to scream at her to not get up, to not take that paper, to not leave. He could feel his stomach tightening as he watched her take each graceful step forwardâhis heart nearly beating out of his chest as he noticed her glance back and their eyes meeting instantly. This wasnât right. This couldnât be it. There was no way Ezekiel was just going to let go of these feelings. There was something there that he couldnât deny anymore. And if he only had three months to act on those feelings, well then he he would do it; and not waste anymore time in doing so. He would give her everything he had always told her she deservedâheâd be the guy that she was waiting for. And they would make it work.. they could do it.. couldn't they?
The minutes ticked by, and soon everyone had been given their diploma and their caps were being tossed in the air. There was a loud cheering, but honestly Ezekiel couldnât even focus. He allowed a smile to play on his lips as they all left the stage and soon it was a room full of graduates screaming and laughing and crying and hugging. âEzekiel!â The familiar voice caught his attention, his features softening as he watched his family coming towards him. Of course, his mother was head of the pack, her arms quickly wrapping around him and hugging him tight. âI am so proud of you.â She practically sobbed against the shiny material he had on. âThanks mom,â he said with a small laugh, rubbing her upper back. âNo need to cry though.â âNo need to cry? My baby boy is all grown up! And soon heâll be out of my house and o-o-on his own.â Ezikielâs eyes widened as she burst into tears, glancing up at his father who gave him a quick nod and wrapped his arm around his wife. âYou have fun at your graduation party, we will see you tomorrow for a celebratory dinner,â he spoke, giving Ezekiel a quick pat on his back. Saved by dad.
As soon as he gave his sister a quick hug he found himself searching for Isabella again. He offered friendly smiles and had a few hasty conversations. He honestly wasnât in the mood to chat. He had something he needed to doâsomeone he was dying to see. And then he saw her. Just as she was looking in his direction their eyes met again, and quickly he was walking over, his arms wrapping around her waist. âHey,â Ezekiel said with a wide smile, glancing up at their other friends crowding around them before right back at her. âI was wondering if you wanted to go get something to eat, then go out for a while? I know thereâs that whole celebration and what not but I donât know, I just thought we could do somethingâjust the two of us?â He had to admit, he was actually nervous. That didnât happen all that often, however he hadnât felt this way about any other girl before so it made sense. âMy treat of course,â he added with a small laugh, loosening his grip as one hand lifted, allowing his fingers to move to her hair, pushing a loose strand behind her ear. âSo.. yes?â He asked after a moment, unable to pull his gaze from hers.