*Knock, knock, knock*
"Elena, it's time to wake up! The big day is finally here!" Jenna was at the door trying to get Elena out of bed – but she wasn't sure why.
Big day? What big day? Elena thought to herself. All she could think about was Stefan, who she hadn't seen or heard from in exactly one month from today.
Graduation. Elena groaned, rolling back over, covering herself head to toe in comforter.
It was finally time for her and her friends to graduate from Mystic Falls High and move on to bigger, better things. That's what everyone kept saying anyways, "bigger, better things." She was certain nothing was better than being with Stefan. Although no one understood her relationship with Stefan, they respected her feelings when he left. She still had no idea as to why he left though. One night he was holding her in his arms while they watched a movie and the next day he was gone. Left without saying a word – he didn't even leave a note. She tried confronting Damon to get answers, but he was busy with some new girl named Katherine. Even if he hadn't been, Stefan made Damon swear he wouldn't say a word to Elena about him. He wanted Elena to forget about him completely, but he of all people should know that trying to forget about the person you would die for is impossible. No matter how hard either of them tries; neither can go a minute without thinking about the other.
"Elenaaaaa" Jeremy waltzed in Elena's room, plopping down beside her on the bed.
"Come on, you should be excited your graduating from our boring-ass high school today. You get to leave me here to fend for myself while you move on to bigger, better things!"
There it was again, "bigger, better things."
"Jer, it's like 9:00am. Graduation isn't until 4:30 this evening. ". Elena was still hiding in her blankets.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. But we're all going to The Mystic Grill for lunch as an early celebration, remember? You, me, Jenna, and your friends... Bonnie, Caroline, Matt and Tyler. You do remember them, don't you?"
"Okayyyy. I'm up, I'm up." Elena came out of the comforter cocoon she had created for herself, squinting at the sun shining through her window. It's time to face graduation day. A day she had looked forward to when she was with Stefan. He was supposed to be at lunch today, but not anymore. Not since he abandoned her without a word.
"That's more like it! Today is an exciting day for you Elena. I know you're still…upset, but don't let the past bring you down. It's time to start looking forward again, okay? I love you. I'm going to leave now so you can get ready. Promise you're not going to cover back up and fall asleep again?"
Jeremy was the best brother Elena could ever ask for. Ever since their parents died unexpectedly, Jeremy stepped up as the man of the house and took care of everything. He managed this all while maintaining good grades in school, and never missing a class – even if he had the flu. Jeremy did the opposite everyone expected him to do, and Elena was grateful for that.
"Promise" Elena said, holding out her pinky finger to her brother.
After they linked pinkies, Jeremy got up and left her room – leaving the door open behind him. Elena hated her door open so he knew she'd have to get up if he "forgot" to close it.
Elena rolled her eyes, knowing that Jeremy left her door open on purpose.
Sure enough, she got out of bed. After closing the door, she drug herself into the bathroom stopping at the mirror.
Jeez. She put her hands on her cheeks and massaged her eyes. Elena looked as if she hadn't slept in weeks. The bags under her eyes were too large and too dark for someone her age. Ignoring the bags, she turned on the shower and waited for it to heat up.
Today is a new day. Today I will smile and laugh with my friends and family. Today I will try and enjoy this closing chapter in my life. Today I will not center my thoughts around him. Today I will be happy.
She undressed, stepped in the shower and repeated those words until she believed herself.

When she stepped out of the shower, she felt different. Like a weight had been lifted.
Jeremy is right, today is a day for closing this chapter of my life and that means leaving Stefan in this chapter.
Elena dried her hair and threw on gym shorts, a tee and running shoes.
"Mmmm. Smells delicious Jenna!" Elena said, running down the stairs.
"I made your favorite! French toast, scrambled eggs and crispy bacon. You ready to eat?"
Jenna was smiling ear-to-ear. It was moments like this that made her feel like a good guardian, like her sister would be proud.
"Umm, I was just about to go for a run and might get sick if I eat beforehand. Mind if I eat afterwards?"
Elena normally went for runs every Saturday morning but hadn't since Stefan left. She knew Elena running was a good sign and wasn't going to stop her obvious progress.
"I don't mind at all. It's not completely done yet anyway. I'll keep it warm in the oven for you."
And like that, Elena was out the door.
"That's weird…" Jeremy walked into the kitchen.
"I know!" Jenna said, "What did you say to her this morning? It's like the old Elena is back. It's nice."
"Agreed."