Graduation came swiftly, taking in the state-wide cup for football. The boys stood proudly side by side as Mr. and Mrs. Mylin snapped pictures of them in their gowns and caps.

"I'm so proud of you boys!" Mrs. Mylin hugged them to her large bosom. "My boys! Chase, with your football Scholarship and my Connor, with his honour roll." Tears welled in her eyes.

"Oh Mom!" Connor pulled in Mrs. Mylin for a tight squeeze. "You've raised us into fine young men."

She wiped Tears from her cheeks and Chase high-fived Connor. "We really are brothers, you know?"

"I've never thought of you as anything else." They hugged each other, clapping each other's backs.

That night, Chase partied hard. With his sandy blonde hair and sensual blue eyes, he had no problem winning over every single girl in graduating class, some of the taken ones too. Connor, however, left the party early with one special girl; Kely Sharp.

After that night they'd hooked up, Connor couldn't resist and he called her the following evening. They went on a date, quiet and public, and Kely realized that she was as taken with him as he was her. They hit it off right away and soon were almost inseparable, but Kely was going to University in Canada, and Connor could not follow.

"I'm going to miss you, baby. " She said into his chest as they hugged under the stars.

"I know, Kely. It's been a good time." He kissed the top of her head. "You're my girl, but I'm glad you and life are moving on."

He heard her sobbing, and pulled her back gently by the shoulders.

"Hey! Hey. Kell-Bell... it's okay." His voice was soft as he tried to cope with her tears. He reached up and wiped her face dry with gentle palms. "I hate seeing you cry , baby. " He tucked a stray curl behind her ear and she met his glowing eyes.

"It's gonna be so different without you. I won't have you there with me whenever I need." she sniffled.

"I'll always be around. Write me?"

"I'll try."

They stood there a long moment before Kely pulled his face down to hers, their lips meeting in a soft kiss. Their lips danced together; a sad dance bidding one another farewell.

When Kely pulled back, her face was red and covered in tears again, and Connor's eyes were wet.

Her hand caressed the side of his face." I love you, Connor."

Connor blinked and his own years spilled down his face. "I love you too, Kely. "

He kissed her palm before he took it in both his hands, slipping a box into her hand.

"What's this?" She said, her eyes alight with curiosity, wiping away tears.

"Open it." Connor still held her close, but let her enough room to open it.

She popped the small black satin open. "Oh, Connor! It's beautiful."

"May I?"

"Mhmm."

Connor gingerly took the necklace from the box and fastened it around her neck, pulling her hair from beneath it. When she turned around, the small heart-shaped diamond pendant fell in the small of her chest.

"You were my first love. You'll be in my heart forever. " He kissed her softly again.

"Goodbye." Kely hugged him tightly one last time before turning and submerging herself into the crowd.

For a moment, the earth seemed to stand still, everything in slow motion. Connor was the only thing that wasn't a massive blur. He stared at the spot Kely disappeared, potentially never seeing her again.

From the muted world, he heard his name being called. He wiped a tear from his eye before facing his caller.

"After party time, bro," Chase clapped him on the back and they made their way to Connor's pick-up, ripping their gowns off revealing dress clothes, perfectly fitting.

"First night of the rest of our lives. " Connor smiled, his white teeth sparkling excitedly. He started the truck.

"Bring it. " Chase reached over and blared the radio, forcing everyone in the Parkin lot to listen to "Carry On My Wayward Son" as they left.