1 month later.

"Elena! Wake up! You're getting late!"

I groan as I hear Aunt Jenna's voice yelling at me to wake up. I haven't been sleeping at all for the final semester, and I seriously need sleep. I slept only 5 hours at night I'm interrupted again. Man, if I knew I wouldn't be getting sleep, I wouldn't have bothered studying for my exams. Wait, who am I kidding? I slither across the bed and fall down with a "thump" in an attempt to get up. When I start getting ready, thinking its just a normal, boring school day, a voice interrupts my 'oh so consumed thoughts'. "Its Graduation Day! Go take a shower, Elena". I realise its Alaric, and then I realise with a 'bam' that its GRADUATION DAY today! "HOLY CRAP!" I curse out loudly. I just forgot today was graduation! Who does that?! Alaric chuckles at my language, and leaves. I rush to the dressing table and look at myself in the mirror, and damn me if I don't look like a pathetic 99 year old witch with bags of I don't know what under her eyes. I cannot believe this is me. I legit look like a zombie who's about to die again. A 'witchy' zombie.I go the bathroom and take a quick shower and try to make myself look a little better. But I bet even the concealer won't work. I take out my clothes: a dark blue cardigan, dark blue jeans, my black leather jacket, and my black sneakers. I put on a little makeup just to hide my 'witch-i-ness', and head down the stairs. "Morning, aunt Jenna!" I greet politely. "Good Morning!" She smiles at me. "You cleaned up pretty nice, Elena".

"Really? I thought you'd disapprove assuming I took a quick 5 minute shower in my 'not so lovely bathroom' I'm shocked!"

I thought aunt Jenna might insult me but she just seemed to do the opposite.

"Well, at least to showered, girl."

"Jenna!" I laugh while throwing an apple at her.

"Easy, baby." She dodges it and we both start laughing as if there's nothing tragic in the world.

...

I leave my house and head down the street to my school. Mystic Falls High School has been the only school in Mystic Falls since the birth of this town. Almost all of the population of Mystic Falls studies here. The school is quite big. It also holds events such as "football matches, decade dances, homecoming, halloween, beauty pageants," and etc. The football team "Timber Wolves" also has cheerleaders, which i once was a part of. I still am, but I'm not much into cheerleading. I don't quite like it. When I reach there, I hear Caroline's shrill voice yelling at someone, all the way from the background. "NO! YOU WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO PUT THAT THERE, MATT! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU? IDIOT!"

I chuckle to myself. Typical Caroline. When something according to her isn't done, she starts shouting, and even hyperventilating. She wants "PERFECTION" in everything. There's no doubt that half of the school fears Care because of her wrath. I reach forward for Caroline, and try to calm her down.

"Hey Care! Go easy on him. He isn't a designer".

She looks at me and hugs me viciously. "Oh Elena honey. You have no idea how illiterate these boys are. They know nothing about parties! Who says boys are party animals? I swear that's a lie!" She speaks with anger. I can't help but smile at her love for designing, and party planning. She's always so enthusiastic about such things.

"Easy Care, I know boys are pathetic. Come on, let's go grab a coffee." I say, trying to lure her out of this place.

"Perfect! I'm coming with you!" She replies. As we leave from there, Bonnie catches up with us and we all head out for coffee. Because "COFFEE Is the Solution To Everything!" I shout my usual motto which i abide by at all times, and we all go marching to the grill.

...

After our little coffee break, we headed back to school and everyone changed into their graduation gowns and caps. I have to admit that I look like a blowfish in the gown. And no! I'm not saying that I'm fat. it's just that the gown is HUGE. Actually. I'm very, very slim. I could easily slip through the bars of the jail. Nah, Im joking. But yes. I have a very slim build. Very, very, very slim. Even slimmer than Bonnie. Anyway, after the dressing party, everyone headed to the Town Square, and the graduation ceremony was held there. It looked beautiful. And why would it not? I mean along with our school background, Caroline also helped in decorating the town square. There were chairs aligned in rows everywhere. A big stage was kept on the ground where Mayor Carol Lockwood was standing. The mayor was Tyler's mom. Tyler is my childhood friend. After his dad passed away due to a heart attack, his mom became the mayor of this town. Tyler is Matt's best friend and they both are inseparable.

Matt is my ex-boyfriend. He and I were joined at the hip during the last 17 years. We broke up during our 18th year. He was basically my crib buddy. So everyone expected little Matt and Elena to be in a relationship when they grew old. As we lived very close to each other and everyone had expectations that me and Matt would date, those expectations made me feel as if I loved Matt as a boyfriend. But then after some time, when the effect of the drug wore off, and I started thinking for myself. I realised Matt meant so much to me but as a brother and a best friend. I was so caught up in everyone's expectations, I started believing that Matt and I could really work. Now He and I are best friends and nothing is awkward between us. And just for the record, I broke up with him. The feelings weren't mutual, you know.

Back to graduation day. Mayor Carol announces the names of the graduates of this year one by one, congratulates them, and then whatever's supposed to happen, happens. When my name is announced, I suddenly feel like I'm going to cry. My parents always wanted me to graduate, and I feel so proud of myself. I wish they were here. As I step on the stage, all the crowd claps for me, and it feels AMAZING. To be appreciated by hundreds of people? That's BRILLIANT! My nervousness fades away, and I proudly receive whatever the mayor gifts me with. I smile brightly for the very first time in a long time and pose for the camera. When everything is done, I step off of the stage, and aunt Jenna, Jeremy, and Alaric hug me all at once.

"I'm so proud of you honey!" says Jenna.

"You did it Elena! I'm so proud, I love you sis!" says Jeremy and makes me emotional.

"Aww, thanks all of you!"

"Well done sweetheart!" Alaric says proudly, and in that moment I see a glimpse of my father in Alaric. Alaric is Jenna's boyfriend. She started dating him 4 years ago when he shifted to Mystic Falls. Alaric was widowed and depressed back then. He is very happy now because of Jenna, and Jenna is also VERY happy. But Alaric was my history teacher and that made things a little bit cringe worthy for a while, but I became okay with it after a few days. You see, Aunt Jenna is also like Caroline when it comes to boys. So I really don't blame her considering she also dated Mystic Falls news reporter "Logan Fell". I'm not surprised.

"Thank you all SO much! I love you guys!" and I hug them tightly.

...

After the graduation ceremony we all head school for the "After Party" in the background. Caroline has done an Excellent job decorating it. There's Beer, and Punch, and so many different types of cuisines, I feel as if I'm in a Masquerade ball. I've never been to one, though. But I so badly want to attend a Masquerade Ball. Unfortunately, there are no such things in Mystic Falls because Late Mayor Lockwood thought that it was old-fashioned. I shrug the thought away and go over to Caroline and Bonnie to celebrate this last day of us being high school students. We all chat, and gossip, and drink. But I don't drink beer, instead I order punch.

Later Everyone starts dancing, except me. I can't do it. I don't know why. I suddenly feel so suffocated as if Im going to die.

The party ends and I go home, but I can't help but feel like crying my heart out. All this day I've been pretending that I'm happy, that nothing bothers me. That the absence of my parents at my graduation doesn't make me want to rip my heart out. Everyone's parents were there. Not mine. I felt like an outcast the entire day. I don't deserve this. I wanted my parents to see me. be proud of me, hug me and say "We're SO proud of you, baby girl!" I wanted them to throw a party, and celebrate my graduation. I wanted them to be happy. I want Jeremy to be happy. "I" want to be happy. But that's not just in the cards, is it? Maybe I deserve all of this. Maybe this is a punishment for setting foot into that horrific party, and bailing out on family time the day my parents died. Maybe I'm never meant to live a happy life. I should just accept that and move on.

"You're no excuse. You're not special. Just accept it and move on, coward!"

The inner voices keep shouting at me and I sit on my bed and cry myself to sleep.

...

Hey Everyone! How are you?

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-Anna