It was my graduation day. For months, years, I had been looking forward to this day. I woke up and showered, taking my time to get ready and look my best. The mirror reflected a girl who was put together and carefree with freshly curled hair and glowing cheeks. What the mirror couldn't see was all the dread and despair underneath her smile. I wasn't thinking about tripping on the stage or taking a bad picture. No- I was thinking about how that night I would be taking illegal drug money to a secret location and stashing it until I could safely deposit it slowly into a bank. I wiped the tears off my face. Breathe, Emma. If you can just make it through this, you can see Grayson again. Grayson.
I thought of his bright, joyful laugh. Nothing was too difficult or too scary to keep me from trying to hear that again. And even more than Grayson, I missed Ethan too. I hadn't even gotten to know him that well. I wanted to become his friend. And I wanted Grayson to be there at my graduation, waiting to kiss me more than anything in the whole world. I closed my eyes and imagined it. I smiled. Okay. Let's get through this. Graduation practice took forever to get through. For people who had been in school all the way through high school, it was amazing how long it took them to figure out how to walk and get their diplomas in the correct order.
Most people went home before the graduation to have lunch with their parents or friends, but I didn't have anywhere to go. Instead, I hung out in my favorite teacher's classroom and helped her pack up all her things. She even called to order in food for us. It kept my mind off of everything I had to do that evening and the fact that everyone but the person I wanted would be there. Sometimes you found companionship in the most unlikely people and Mrs. Stefferson was one of those people.
"Emma, I can tell there is a lot of your mind. There always has been. I don't know what your life is like outside of school, but I want you to know that everything will be okay." She said. I smiled.
"Thanks, Mrs. Stefferson." I said. I always thought nobody noticed that I wasn't okay.
"This may be too personal but you're about to leave school anyway so I am willing to take that risk. When I was growing up, my father was abusive. He always hurt my mother and told me so many time that I was worthless that I believe it was true. I spent years after I graduated trying to figure out who I was, believing all through college that I couldn't make it in the adult world because I couldn't even be a daughter correctly. But I know now that my father was wrong. I have a beautiful family, a successful and fulfilling career, and a chance to tell all the kids who were like me that they are not worthless." I sat down on a nearby chair, unable to hold back my tears. She sat beside me and put her hand on my shoulders.
"Emma, you are so smart. And kind. You can do whatever you want in life. Don't listen to what anyone says to you. Don't believe the lies. Everyone is destined to do good in their own way, and you will find yours. I hope that graduation is a source of hope and freedom to you. I believe you can do anything because I did it myself. You've always been a great student, so go and show the world that. Follow your own path." Then she hugged me and our food came so we ate and talked for hours.
The last words she said stuck with me all through the graduation ceremony. Follow your own path. Was I just too scared to say no to my dad? Could he really keep me at home? Then again- what if I backed out now? There were so many horrible things he could do. All the possibilities and choices filled my head as I pretended to listen to speeches and shaded my eyes from the bright lights obscuring the audience. I was almost glad I couldn't see my father. If I could, I might have had a mental breakdown right in the middle of walking across the stage. At the end of the ceremony, I felt like I had only breathed about three times and my mind was still racing, trying to decide.
I walked from backstage to the audience, looking for my family. Dread filled my heart and face. As soon as I found my father, we would have to leave and follow through with the plan. All the families around me looked so happy and proud. Was my dad even a little bit proud of me? All these thoughts were running through my head, but came to an immediate halt when I looked at the back of the auditorium. Grayson. Every part of my body froze in place, making me warm and cold all at once. My feet carried me straight up the aisle, tears down my cheeks, not even noticing the people I pushed past. I never lost eye contact. As soon as I reached him, I ran straight into his arms, knocking him back a little bit. He just held me until I could collect myself enough to pull back.
"What are you doing here, Grayson?" I said through my sobs. He just wiped my cheeks and held me.
"I couldn't miss your graduation. I couldn't stand the thought of you not having someone who loves you and is proud of you here." He said. I just leaned my face against his chest. Then I looked back up at him. How could I tell him I had to leave? I had to leave to complete a drug deal that could potentially ruin my life forever. He wouldn't be proud of me then.
"Grayson. I-" I took a deep breath. "I haven't stopped thinking about you the past few months. Not a minute has gone by that I haven't missed you. But. My dad- he. He's probably looking for me. I-I have to go." I said. He looked confused.
"Emma, you turn eighteen in three days. Aren't you done with your dad?" He questioned. I hated how hurt he looked.
"Y-yes I am. But it's complicated. I have this thing. He needs me to do this thing, then I can leave. I can't mess it up. And he's waiting. I have to, Grayson or he'll ruin my life." His face immediately grew angry.
"Emma, tell the truth. Is it illegal? Could you get in trouble? Did he threaten you?" Grayson asked. I couldn't look him in the eyes and lie. I just nodded. "No. You're not going. I don't care what he does, you are not getting involved in that. You have enough problems and you're just getting a chance to get away from him. He'll only pull you deeper into his scheme." He looked around for my dad.
"Grayson. I have to. I don't know what he will do." I said. Grayson sighed. "Then we'll call in an anonymous tip." He said. "He'll never know it was you." I thought about it for a moment. I didn't want my dad to go to jail, but I knew there was no way he could get away with all of this which would mean I would get in trouble too.
"You're sure he'll never know?" I said. Grayson nodded. "Okay. I will pretend to go through with it and then you will call it in." We discussed the details, then he left and I found my dad. He didn't even say congratulations as we left. About half an hour later, I was sitting on the cold curb on a random street when Grayson pulled up and let me in.
"I have never been more relieved to see someone in my life." I said. "I was worried it would be a cop or one of my dad's friends. Did you do it?" I asked.
"I did. I don't know what happened, of course, but I am guessing they are collecting everyone as we speak. We can worry about that in the morning. For now, let's get home. For tonight, nothing matter but you and me. Okay?" Grayson said, taking my hand.
"Nothing could possibly be better than that." I said. I closed my eyes and listened to the radio as he drove to his apartment. When we got there, he made me close my eyes as we walked inside. I opened my eyes to see Ethan waiting to show off a nice dinner and decorations all around with a banner that said "CONGRATS, GRAD!" on it. I gasped.
"You guys did all this for me?! You didn't even know if I would end up here tonight." I said. Grayson smiled.
"I was willing to take that risk. If you did happen to decide to come home with this unworthy, ridiculous guy, then I wanted the celebration you deserve to be waiting for you." Grayson said.
"Also we were preeeetty sure you would end up here. Grayson would have gone to any length to get you here. We've really missed you." Ethan said. We took off our coats and shoes then all sat at the table and ate the most wonderful food. I wanted to stay in that moment forever. I felt completely safe and utterly and completely in love with Grayson. I didn't even think about what happened to my dad. That could wait for the morning.
After dinner, I helped them clean up, then Ethan left to go edit a video. "Do you have some extra clothes? I don't have anything else with me and I'd really like to get out of this dress." I said. Grayson pulled me close and them smirked.
"I think I can help with that." He said, kissing me. I kissed him back. It was as amazing as the first time I kissed him. "Alright, hold on. I actually got some stuff just for you." He could tell I was tired and needed to get comfortable. He walked to his room and returned with a couple bags. "I got you some pajamas to wear and a toothbrush, makeup wipes, shampoo and conditioner and anything else I thought you might need." He held out the bags for me and I just smiled at him.
"Grayson Dolan, you are the sweetest man on Earth. I don't know what it is you see in me but whatever it is, I promise to do it forever in order to keep you. You have saved me twice now." I jumped on the counter and kissed him, pulling him toward me with my legs. He held me and kissed me back passionately. "I love you." I said, looking in his eyes.
"I love you too, Emma. I'll save you a thousand times if I have to. Go take a nice shower. I'll be here waiting." He said. I kissed him one more time then headed to the bathroom. The shower felt so nice after having hairspray and makeup on all day long. I let the hot water work out all the tightness in my muscles then got out and dried off my long hair, putting it in a side braid that laid in front of my shoulder. I pulled out the pajamas he bought me. They were super warm and cozy, a light pink with a white cloud design all over them. They were fuzzy, but the bottoms were shorts. I would be plenty warm with Grayson next to me.
When I stepped out of the bathroom, I headed to Grayson's bedroom to drop my stuff and entered to find Grayson waiting for me with a song playing. It was "perfect" by Ed Sheeran. I set down my things and approached him. "What's all this?" I asked, smiling.
He reached out his hand. "May I have this dance?" He asked. I giggled.
"Why, yes you may." I said, curtseying. I took his hand and he pulled me close, swaying to the music.
"Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?" He asked. I blushed and shook my head. "You look perfect. I missed looking at you. And talking to you. I actually dreaded going to bed because I knew you wouldn't be there waiting for me." My heart was soaring.
"I dreaded sleeping too. You were the only thing that got me through the last three months. All I could think about was how much I missed you. I would sneak to the library to watch your new videos. I was so worried that you would realize how complicated my life was after I left and not want me back when I turned eighteen." He looked me in the eyes.
"You're all I want, Emma. I was worried you wouldn't want to come back." He looked sad when he said that.
"Grayson Dolan, you could go anywhere and I would follow as long as you want me. You're all I want." I said. Then I kissed him as the song finished. We didn't say another word as we got into bed. He held me tight all night long. It felt like heaven to be reunited with Grayson. I didn't know what tomorrow would hold, but it was all worth it for him. Even if my dad went to jail it would be worth it to protect my chances at a future with Grayson. And if I had gone through with my dad's plan, I never could have deserved him. He always showed up when I needed him most. The least I could do was try to improve his life as much as his improved mine. I fell asleep quickly in his arms- warm, safe, loved, and- dare I say it? Happy. I was Grayson's girl and nobody could take that from me.