Chapter Seventy-Three:

Last week flew by. It was graduation day before I knew it. I can’t believe it’s actually here. It’s unreal.

We were seated inside of the gymnasium at school. Everyone’s family and friends are crowded in the bleachers around us. I spotted Doug, Holly, Tony, Oliver and Hayden in the stands. They waved at us. I smiled and gave them a small wave back.

I don’t think my parents would be stupid enough to show up here, but we planned for it, anyway. Expect the unexpected and nothing can catch you off guard. Those are words that I live by.

I forced myself to pay attention as the principal started calling names. I cheered loudly, when they called Zacky’s name. He grinned. I’m sure he’s overjoyed to get out of this place. We all are.

The names dragged by slowly. We don’t have a massive senior class, but it’s not exactly miniscule, either.I cheered for all the guys.

Finally, my name was called. I stood up and walked to the stage. The principal handed me my honor’s diploma and shook my hand. Mr. Matthews handed me a carnation and I shook his hand. They smiled at me and I walked off stage and took my seat.

It wasn’t long after that, that we were declared the class of 2014 and our class song started playing.

‘We are the champions, my friends, and we’ll keep on fighting ‘til the end.
We are the champions – we are the champions.
No time for losers, ‘cause we are the champions of the world.’

We stood up and threw our caps into the air, much to the principal’s dismay. I found the guys and Brian picked me up and twirled me. We kissed for a minute and he set me down, so we could leave the room.

The hallways filled with excited chatter as newly graduated students filled them. The energy is electric. It’s awesome.

---

Doug rented some restaurant party room for the evening. I was psyched. We were all told to dress up. Holland helped me get ready. She surprised me with a gorgeous, altered vintage dress. The under layer is a warm, champagne color. The top is a dark, midnight blue lace. The back is almost completely sheer, except for the lace and beading embellishments.

The front has a strapless, sweetheart neckline. The tops of my shoulders are covered in the same sheer material as my back, with minimal lace. The rest is reminiscent of the 20’s. Lace covers the majority of the front and bottom.

Holly had even thought to get me a backless bra. The straps are translucent and the straps in the back go along the small of my back and you can’t really see them. I put on the dress and put on a pair of nude lace boyshorts to match my new bra.

She fussed over my hair and helped me perfect a finger-wave up-do. I settled a pearl headband around my forehead to finish it off. I had bedroom eyes and burgundy lips. My makeup was simple and elegant. I looked like a classier version of myself.

“Come take a look, Baby.” Holly told me. I stood up next to my full-length mirror and looked at the finished product. I gave a small spin, so I could see the loose pleats on the bottom of my dress fly around me. I giggled and Holland smiled. “You look beautiful.” She beamed.

I hugged her, tightly. I have a feeling that she had the dress taken in at the sides, because it fits a lot snugger than you’d think flapper dresses would.

She placed a long string of pearls around my neck. She wrapped it around my neck a few times, before knotting the end of the longest strand. She placed her hands together and looked at her work.

“Aren’t you a vision? Brian’s mouth is going to hit the floor when he sees you.” She promised. I blushed. “What about shoes?” She asked me, like the thought had completely slipped her mind. I bit my lip and walked over to my closet. I came across a pair of heels that she obviously put there, to surprise me. I turned and saw her watching me from my closet doorway. She was smiling as I picked one up. I dragged my fingers across the vintage heel.

They match the champagne color in my dress and are only a few inches tall. I took them back into my room and sat down on my bed to put them on. Once I strapped on the Mary Jane’s, I looked at Holly for her approval.

“This is because Hayden won’t let you dress him up anymore – isn’t it?” I asked her. She laughed.

“Partially, but I also wanted to surprise you. Did I do alright?” She asked me. I nodded.

“This is amazing. Thank you, so much, Holly.” I told her, hugging her, again. She hugged me back, just as tightly as I was holding her.

“We do pretty well for ourselves; don’t we? I mean, for a make-shift family… We’re doing pretty damn well.” She murmured. I nodded, against her. “It feels like you all are my kids, in a way. You know? Sometimes I forget that Hayden is my only child. I don’t mind. I’ve always wanted a big family. I never had one growing up. And Doug, he’s a good man. He already thinks of you all as his children. We seem to all fit together pretty well.” She admitted.

“I couldn’t agree more. You’re more of a mom to me, than Lynn has ever been.” I told her.

I felt her start to tremble against me. I was about to ask her if she was alright, when I felt warm teardrops hit my cheek. I led her to my bed, so we were level, and kept hugging her. I let her cry it out. It didn’t take very long for her to let it out.

“It’s not fair.” She whispered.

“What’s not fair?” I asked her, quietly.

“What you kids had to go through. It’s not fair. None of it was fair.” She explained, angrily.

“We made it out okay.” I tried to tell her, as she pulled away. She hiccupped, but didn’t seem convinced. “We all made it through okay.” I promised her. She gave me a small smile, before mopping off her face. We both got up and I grabbed an off-white clutch and threw my phone and wallet inside.

“Try to have fun tonight.” She told me, as we walked downstairs.

“I will.” I promised.

“Good.” She smiled and handed me a long jacket.

---

I beamed at Brian as he twirled me. We’ve been dancing since we got here. I didn’t know he had so many moves. I love it. And damn, does he clean up nicely. I didn’t even know that he owned suit. He wore a very, flattering pair of gray slacks, a black tie, a light blue-grey, button-down shirt, and a gray vest. I repeat – damn.

The song changed to a slow song and I leaned my head against his chest. He held me against him and I enjoyed the warmth of his arms.

Out of nowhere, a flash went off. I turned to see an excited Doug taking pictures of everyone. I can’t even be mad about it. He’s like a little kid in a candy shop. It’s adorable.

“Ace, do you want to get some air?” Brian asked me. I looked up at him and nodded. He took me by the hand and led me to the terrace that overlooked the beach. I leaned against the railing and Brian wrapped his arms around my torso. He rested his chin on my head. “Have I told you how amazing you look tonight, Ace?” He asked me. I shrugged. He had, but if he wants to tell me again, I’m not about to stop him. “You take my breath away.” He told me, quietly.

I turned to face him. He cupped my face and kissed me – really kissed me. I felt it in every pore of my body. He had my body singing for him. I grabbed the top of his tie and pulled him closer to me. We kissed until we were both panting and in dire need of air.

I groaned when I saw him, flushed, lips swollen, and lust-filled eyes. God, I want him. He slid a hand down my back and let his rest on the curve of my ass. He gave me a firm squeeze.

“If I knew you looked like that in a suit… I would have asked you to dress up for me, a long time ago.” I whispered, my voice raspy. He smirked.

“As much as I’d rather stay out here, we should go back inside, before they notice we’re missing.” He told me. I nodded.

We walked back inside and saw Samantha and Matt dancing. I smiled. They’re a pretty picture. Beside them, Hayden is single-handedly trying to get everyone to twerk with him. Jimmy’s face is a cross between amusement and terror. He’s letting Hayden twerk against him, but isn’t joining him. He’s just moving his body to the music. Johnny and Oliver both found dancing partners. Tiffany was leading Zacky in some dance, but I’m pretty sure that she was trying and succeeding in bringing sexy back. Doug and Holland were even dancing together.

It’s nice. Tonight feels like a fairytale. It’s been good food, fun, friends, and dancing. Even Doug’s men are getting their dance on in the outskirts of the room. It’s a night that we all needed. We should have these more often.

Notes

Some happy feels for everyone! Sorry about the late update. Yesterday was a bad day. New chapter up tomorrow evening!

Xo Xo,
Katie