And so the summer days passed us by all too quickly, and our results were finally here. We had decided to meet up at the school before hand, taking the plunge together into the next step of our lives. We arrived at the college around the same time, to find that we weren't the only ones to arrive early for this day.

Hannah and Nance waved us over to them, their faces awash with nerves as they tried their hardest to find any other topic rather than discuss our results. Me and John Paul followed the pattern but the four of us ended up not speaking at all, just smiling at each other nervously.

Finally the time had come, and by some chance of a miracle we all got our results we'd been hoping four. The girls had pulled us into a square of jumping lunatics in the common room.

We then made a swift exit, heading towards the Dog for a celebratory drink. To pass the time, we discussed our plans, which led to John Paul finally revealing that he'd applied for Trinity as well, and would now be studying English and Music, graduating 2012. The girls cheered, crashing to his sides in a tight hug as I smiled at him with pride and love.

Arriving at my home, the girls rushed to the bar shouting for shots! Mum was serving and told them she'd bring a round over on the house for getting our results. Sitting at a table with John Paul, I smiled at him shyly before sliding closer to him and resting my head on his shoulder.

"I think we better start looking at flats, see how much a hovel in Dublin is gonna cost us." He joked, resting his arm across my shoulders.

I looked at him, still shyly smiling, "Actually, I've already gotten in contact with some landlords, and I've found a place that I think will suit us... and I've kinda already asked to check it out with one of his friends who owns a bar in the centre for a job and a DJ spot for you...." I trailed off, waiting for his reaction.

"What's it like?" he asked me, as the girls returned to our side, nattering on about how nice my mum was being to us all.

"It's quite big actually, it's split over two levels... but what it makes up for in height, it loses in width... but I think it'll suit us."

He smiled at me, kissed me, before we joined in with the girls conversation of what our futures may hold.

Mum arrived soon after, carrying a tray filled with shot glasses, a couple of bottles of lagers, two large white wines and a bottle of tequila.

She made us promise to take the tequila slowly before passing out our drinks and some menus, informing us that our lunches would also be on the house.

"Alright, now hand over those results son, I wanna see how well my genius of a boy did!" She exclaimed, clicking her fingers in an effort to speed me up.

I passed her my envelope and she cheered as she read the results out to herself, before calling Jack over so he could see them too.

As Jack was reading my results, mum was chatting with John Paul about his results. It still surprised me at how well mum had come round to John Paul being my everything, but as the pair of them spent more time together, the closer they seemed to get. Having said that, the same was true for me and Myra. I was often offered a wide variety of meals and sandwiches and drinks whenever I was round John Paul's house.

John Paul's phone rang, and he stood up to retrieve it from his pocket. He told me it was his mum, and I made space for him to answer the call in privacy as mum and Jack returned to the bar and got back to work.

Which left me with the girls. And a full tequila bottle.

Nancy poured the first round, and soon we were knocking them back.

–

I awoke the next morning to a jackhammer in my skull and a furry tongue. I sat up, coughed multiple times and finally realised that I wasn't alone in my bed: John Paul was draped across my chest, hugging me like I was a stuffed animal from his youth. I couldn't help but laugh.

But that was a mistake, because we both ended up groaning at the anguish that too much tequila can create.

Mum was soon in my room, having gotten used to the sight of me and my boyfriend wrapped in each others arms as she came in to drop of clean clothes or pick up my dirty laundry.

This morning, she came bearing ice water and pain killers. John Paul and I both gratefully accepted them before she told us that a fry up would do wonders and set off to make it.

I made the call for us to take a shower, and as we both swallowed the medicine with the chilled water, we exited my sty of a room and took a long hot shower together, interspersed with some kisses and giggles.

Once dressed in clean clothes, and looking a lot more human, we entered to the kitchen just as mum was serving breakfast.

"Thanks for this Frankie, I'm so hungry." John Paul said, smiling at her gratefuly.

"It's no wonder, the amount you lot got through last night. Just be glad it was on the house, or you wouldn't be able to afford to move to Dublin. Speaking off, me and Jack have a small gift for you two – I'll wait for Jack to finish with the delivery before giving it to you."

"Frankie, you really didn't need to." John Paul said, as I stuffed my face with the greasy food.

"I know, but we wanted to. Now just eat up and I'll a fresh pot of tea."

I smiled at him as he blushed to his ears, before carving up a sausage and spearing it with his fork.

Mum was pouring tea and adding sugar and milk when necessary when Jack returned, accepting his mug with thanks.

"Did you...?" He started, but nodded after mum had shook her head, implying no.

"I'll just get that gift now," She smiled, rushing off to their room, I presumed. She returned, and I expected her to be carrying place mats or towels or something, but she carried only a small card.

"It's just a little something," she shrugged as she passed me the envelope. I threw a questioning look to Jack and John Paul, the former only smirking at me and the latter raising his eye brows.

I opened to the envelope and pull out a "Congratulations!" card. Upon opening, a key fell out onto the table top. I picked up as I read the card, "Congrats, Craig & John Paul, on doing so well in your exams! We hope that your future together in Dublin is what you want, but we want you home at all major holidays and birthdays!" The slanted script of my mothers handwriting was cheering at me from the card.

I passed the card to John Paul, as I stared open mouth at my mother and step-dad, the key hanging from my finger tips.

"What's this?" I whispered, clearing my throat in attempt to remove the shock from my voice.

"That," Jack started, " is the key to your flat in Dublin. We've already paid the deposit, and Myra and us has paid for the first two months rent, to get you two on your feet."

I was going to make another comment, when a knock came at the door.

"That'll be Myra now," Mum explained, pushing back her chair and getting to her feet. She opened the door to reveal Myra and Jacqui, who was carrying a bottle of champagne, and not just the cheap stuff!

"Well, did you give them it yet?" Myra asked, her voice full of excitement.

"We just did... I think they're shell-shocked." Mum laughed, leading the McQueen's to the other chairs available around the breakfast table. She then moved to the fridge and grabbed a carton of orange juice and six glasses.

"Too early for alcohol, but buck's fizz should be just right!" She explained, passing out the glasses as Jack took the task of popping the champagne cork. He moved to the kitchen, and started the twisting motion that ended with the opening of the bottle. He poured the fizz into our glasses and then mum poured the orange juice.

"To Dublin!" Mum cheered, raising her glass. Everyone then followed suit with the cheer.

–

All too soon, the day arrived that we were making the move to Dublin. The car park of the Dog was empty, apart from the Dean-Osborne collaboration (minus Jake... It hurt, but it's not my problem) and the McQueen's.

Mum was in tears, smiling through them. And I was grateful that we had got to this in the months since she found out about my and John Paul's sudden relationship. She had grown to have a deep fondness for me... which she told a few weeks ago during a night of drunken fun for both the families as a goodbye party.

I hugged my way through the family, laughing as Darren practically burst into tears after we hugged before running back into the pub.

John Paul was attached at the hip by Micks, who was in floods of tears. She really didn't want him to go, but she was happy for him. Mercedes and Jacqui were gruff and quick with their goodbyes, but I caught the pair of them checking each others mascara soon afterwards.

Tina had handed him a copy of her favourite book, and wished him all the luck. Carmel gave him 20 euro, telling him it was for phone calls home.

Finally, the taxi arrived and we were for the off.

We stared out the back of the taxi at them, waving goodbye until we couldn't see them any more.

"No turning back now," I stated.

"Not that we would," he replied, grinning at me.

"No regrets?" I asked.

"None. You?" He returned.

"Never."

"I love you," I kissed him.

"I love you too," he kissed me back.

He rested his head on my shoulder, and I rested my head on his. And as we trundled off in the taxi, I couldn't wait to get to our little flat... I couldn't wait to start making a future with him.

"I can't wait for it."

"Adventure of a lifetime," I replied, "I'm so glad you're coming with me."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."