Graduation day.

I cannot believe I made it to this very moment.

Never in a million years would I have thought I would graduate on time and have a plan for my life that is somewhat separate from Riley Matthews.

I look around at the sea of gowned classmates, bubbling with nervous chatter and excitement. We are the young ones, this is our time.

Our time to take on the world, to make a difference.

I look back to Riley and she beams at me. She mouths "IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING?"

I laugh and smile back.

Mr. Matthews steps up to the podium to begin the commencement.

With that, the ceremony begins.

/

It was a moment of exhilaration, where time seemed to cease. In that precise moment, I felt my world expand and shrink with each beat of my heart.

"Maya Hart."

The first step felt heavy, the second even heavier.

I approached my destiny, though I felt submerged underwater.

I could see tears brimming the edges of Mr. Matthews eyes, as he shook my hand. He held it longer, as if to express what he could not. I smiled to him and received the diploma.

The weight lifted and I could breathe again.

Then, it was Riley's turn.

We all stood up, the class of 2015.

I turn around and meet Riley's eye, we both smile as we take off our caps and throw them as high as we can.

She runs over to me through the raining caps and crushes me with the biggest hug.

"We did it Maya! We did it. I can't believe it" Riley gushed, crying.

"I can't either, Riles. Can you believe I am going to head off soon?" I respond, while putting my arm around her shoulder as we walk out of the gym.

"I know, two weeks" Riley says softly.

"But, we'll make the most of it, I promise," I whisper as we approach the Matthews clan.

Mrs. Matthews runs over and gushes, whilst hugging the death out of both of us.

"Girls, congrats! I am so proud of you both!"

Riley runs and spreads her arms and shouts "We are Kings of the world! Fear us world, we are coming for you!"

"You know, I don't think the world is ready for that," Lucas laughed, approaching us and giving us hugs.

"Not one bit," I smile "but maybe that's a good thing."

"Riley, you mean?" Lucas asks before whispering "I know you like her Maya, why don't you tell her?"

"Lucas, what if I screw things up?" I reply, "What if I lose her friendship? She's my family."

"I wouldn't have said anything if I didn't know that it was mutual," he replies with a slight smile.

I might have seemed confused, he leans and whispers "I dated her you know… we broke up because there was someone else she loved more."

Me?