Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. blah blah blah.

Angela's POV

"Angela, up the back!" Mr Varner barked at me. I nodded not wanting to push him while he was in this frantic state. He seemed to be at his limits. I briefly pictured him with steam coming out of his ears; it didn't seem too out of place right now. I shook my head to clear the mental image. I started walking towards the back of the line but paused when I heard my boyfriend's voice. "But Mr Varner, I'll just be a second."

"No, back in line Cheney. Everyone needs to be ready."

He sighed but didn't argue as he trudged back into his place, sending me an apologetic look. I smiled in his direction and in turn took my place in line, five spaces behind one of my best friends; Jessica. As soon as I made eye contact she was speaking, before I even got in hearing range.

"Oh my god! We are graduating. Finally! Can you believe it? It's finally here yet it seems to have come on so fast. It's so hard to wrap my head around. I'm going to miss everybody so much. Oh my god. I hope I don't trip. What if I trip? How on earth will I live it down? My graduation ceremony, one of the most important events of my life, and I trip! I'll have to walk extra carefully. What if someone else trips? What if I laugh? Will people think I'm mean if I laugh? I mean, it'd be totally embarrassing for them, laughing at them would make them feel worse. I wouldn't want people laughing at me if I tripped. I suppose I can laugh if other people laugh. But I can't laugh alone. That would be shame. But I wouldn't be able to help it if Bella trips and you have to admit, it's more likely to happen then not. Just imagine it! Her face all red as she blushes. Now that would be funny."

I cut her off, "I don't think it would be funny. She'd feel really embarrassed. She's self conscious enough as it is." I couldn't deny that there was a high chance of her falling though. Bella was quite clumsy, but of course that wasn't her fault.

"Self conscious is right, but smug at the same time. I still don't understand why Edward chose to go out with her. I mean, she's not even very pretty."

Jessica tossed her hair back, obviously picturing herself with Edward instead. Jessica's snide comments bothered me a little, but I knew it only came from jealousy. Jealousy could really change a person.

"Looks don't matter Jessica. Edward and Bella are just right for each other. Besides, you have Mike."

I knew what she was thinking by her face expression. When Bella had first moved to Forks she had been the centre of attention. Mike, Eric, and Tyler among others had competed for Bella's heart, only to be disappointed when Edward showed interest for her; the two soon becoming an item. Bella had been the first girl Edward had approached since his family had moved here. It was only to be expected that Jessica was bitter and couldn't help but partly dislike Bella; she had been turned down by Edward before Bella had even arrived. I suspected that, deep down, Jessica knew that her envy shouldn't be taken out on Bella. But being the monster that jealousy is, it's hard to control. Better for Jessica to break their friendship then be hurt further.

Jessica started saying something about how Mike doesn't even come close to Edward in the looks department, but broke off as she spotted someone arrive. I looked up in response. Mr Varner was getting even more stressed as the time to organize slowly slipped away. He was ordering Edward to get into place when Jessica called out. "Hey Bella!" She glanced up when she heard her name, but she seemed preoccupied by her thoughts. Surprise filled her face as her eyes locked on Jessica's cheerful wave. Before she had the chance to wave back, Edward stepped forward and kissed her quickly before going and standing in line. Jessica had been right when she compared Mike and Edward; Edward really was unbelievably attractive. But he didn't really appeal to me; I'd found love. Ben was the perfect boyfriend, and I was lucky to have him.

Bella was staring after Edward with something like guilt on her face. It seemed like something was wrong. I debated whether or not to ask her or let her think in peace, as Jessica called out again. "Down here, Bella!" There weren't many obstacles, as almost everyone was organized now, yet Bella still had difficulty keeping upright as she walked down to us. Edward watched her protectively; he would be there in second if she began to fall.

Jessica was babbling before Bella was even close enough to hear. "You look great Bella! Is that a new outfit? Love it! Are you excited? I know I am. This is so amazing." Bella's face was curious as she examined Jessica's newly found acceptance of her. I stared at Jessica too. She was contradicting pretty much everything she had said just a few minutes ago. "I mean, it seems like we just met, and now we're graduating together. Can you believe it's over? I feel like screaming!" Sometimes I wondered whether Jessica's lungs were larger than the normal size. She never seemed to need many breaths.

"So do I," Bella muttered.

She couldn't say more than that before Jessica was gushing again. "This is all just so incredible. Do you remember your first day here? We were friends, like, right away. From the first time we saw each other. Amazing." It was true they had been friends at the beginning, but I had a feeling that Jessica had been more interested in the popularity she gained from Bella's presence then Bella herself. There was just too much jealousy there for them to be true friends.

"And now I'm off to California and you'll be in Alaska and I'm going to miss you so much! You have to promise that we'll get together sometimes!" Now I understood. Jessica may seem malicious, if you looked past her phony joyful remarks, but although her tone and words were partly fake, she really was trying to do the right thing. She wanted to patch things up with Bella as best she could before they parted, so their relationship wasn't left in tatters.

In the few times that we had spoken of Bella, I had read Jessica's underlying emotion. She felt guilty for acting so terrible to her old friend, yet she couldn't seem to find a way to get along with her while she was filled with jealousy. She may not be able to admit that it was envy that filled her up with abhorrence, instead of well-earned hate, but deep down she felt guilt for her actions. At least attempting to mend their bond now not long before they parted was better then never.

"I'm so glad you're having a party. That's perfect." I'm sure a fraction of her affection was partially gratitude for the party invite. Both she and Lauren were shocked, yet pleased when they received theirs. "Because we really haven't spent much time together in a while and now we're all leaving. Who knows when we'll see each other again? I wonder if in many years time we'll have a high school reunion, you know, like in the movies. That would be so cool. Just to see everyone and see where people have gone and what they have done with their lives. We'd all look so different! I wonder how well we'll be able to stay in touch. I would hate to lose contact with my friends. But of course I'll be glad to not have to see some people almost every day. That'll make a nice change. But then there are the people I do like seeing. Oh my god, I'm going to miss everybody so much. I think I'm going to cry, seriously. I won't be able to make it through today without crying. Everything is going to change so much."

Bella seemed to be paying attention as well as she could, but I could tell there was something else on her mind. Soon, Jessica had to hold in her saddened words, for the ceremony began. Eric had a long, nervous speech that was quite boring. We'd heard it many times already; commencement means beginning, our lives were ahead of us and if we tried our hardest in everything we attempt then we can achieve anything. It took a lot of control to resist rolling my eyes. Finally, he left the podium with relief and Principal Greene started calling us to collect our diploma. Like Eric, he spoke too fast. Everyone became jumbled and Ms. Cope struggled handing out the certificates to each student.

I couldn't understand why the graduation gowns had to be so hideous. Yellow. Bright yellow. It made everyone look worse than walking lemons, except for the Cullens that is. They looked great in everything they wore. Tyler was purposely wearing his gown backwards as a joke. The boys sniggered as he sauntered up when it was his turn. I could almost see smoke coming out of Mr Varner's ears.

Mr Greene called Jessica's name and she immediately jumped to her feet, almost pushing the people in front of her in her rush. Bella was called next. She rose awkwardly to her feet before having to wait for the line to move forward. There had been occasional cheers as names were called, but the loudest occurred now. Hooting came from the back of the gym and I watched Bella's head turn to send a weak smile their way. I couldn't look to see who was giving the encouragement – I was sure it wasn't just her father – for Mr Greene called my name then. He reached the end of the list and came to assist Ms Cope with handing out the diplomas, congratulating each student as they took them.

The last of us joined the assembled graduates just as Mr Greene said "Ladies and gentleman, your 2007 graduates." The crowd rose to their feet, clapping and everyone pulled off their yellow hats and threw them into the air, shouting and cheering. I was glad to be rid of the ridiculous looking thing. Hats rained down and people began hugging.

I searched through the yellow figures around me until I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I turned and wrapped my arms around Ben. "Congratulations," he said in my ear. I smiled gleefully. I was so happy to share this moment with him. "Congratulations yourself."

My and Ben's family converged around us and a crying Jessica pushed past on her way to hug Lauren. My mum was sniffling, carrying wet tissues. She threw her arms around me as Ben hugged his mother. My father had one twin under each arm so they not be in danger of being crushed by the crowd. There were hugs all around and more tears from my mother before we left.

Within half an hour we were having friendly conversations and banter over dinner at the Lodge. The place was packed. It was loud but the atmosphere was of celebration. I was enjoying myself, despite the unexceptional restaurant choice. There was nowhere fancy to eat in Forks. But here with my family, beside my boyfriend, surrounded by my newly graduated friends; I couldn't think of a better place to be.