-Lightning's POV-

"Light, what if I choke?" Tifa asked.

"You'll do fine. Now go you're on." I said as Principal Shinra announced our valedictorian. I had no idea why I was up on stage, some honorary position of acting or something.

"Thank you, Principal Shinra. Hello fellow peers, today is the day we will walk out of this school as tomorrow's heroes and future leaders I hope that when we leave this school, that everyone will do something extraordinary with their lives even if you believe it is just extra ordinary. I know relationships will end. So let's make new ones. I know that mistakes happen so let's learn from them and I know that when we get stuck in the Monday morning traffic, we will all be riding in the carpool lane past the other people."

They was scattered laughter before Tifa began again.

"Even though you weren't prom king or queen or valedictorian or you didn't get drafted for a college sport doesn't mean you can't do something amazing with your life. It's your choice. So let's all leave with our heads held high, cause we are the epic class of 2015!"

Tifa moved her graduation cap cord to the other side signifying that we were all graduates. Then she tossed up her cap, everyone else did the same.

I met her after she shook hands with half the administration.

"Tifa! You did amazing!"

"You think so? I feel like a 13 year old wrote my speech."

"Well than that 13 year must be badass." I joked. I decided to tell her about my acceptance into Cocoon State. "Tifa, I got into my dream college…Cocoon State University."

"Really? I'm so proud of you! But I won't be able to see you as much!" We started hugging and then the water works began.

"Why the tears?" A voice that we hadn't heard in months and it felt like someone that had died was now speaking to us again.

"Z-Zack? What do you guys want?" Cloud was standing next to him. Tifa raised her fist but then she ran off into the crowd. Zack followed after her, leaving me and Cloud.

"Hi." Cloud said awkwardly.

"What do you want Cloud?" my words came out harsher that intended.

"Lightning, what happened to us?"

"We choose sides and then it got in the way of our relationship, what is so hard to grasp?"

"Lightning, I mean- damn this is harder than I thought it was gonna be." He muttered.

"Cloud, please spit it out, I have to go soon."

"Please, don't go. I have to tell you. Lightning, I'm not good at this lovey dovey, mushy gushy, heart to heart stuff even though I seem all emotional."

"Cut to the chase."

"Lightning what I'm trying to say is that will you marry me?" My heart stopped when he said that. I thought that he was kidding but he got down on one knee, he pulled out a little black box. "Will you marry me?" He opened it. Of course, there it was a beautiful little ring sitting there.

Now, I wish I could say that I said yes and I stayed with him. I also wish that I could say that Tifa and Zack made up and got married and we all lived happily ever after. But fairytales don't exist.

"Cloud, I can't. No." The words felt bitter as they escaped my mouth. I ran to the parking lot, hiding my face as tears ran down it.

I ran to my car and I threw off my gown and I was wearing jeans and a tank top underneath. I hadn't said good-bye to anyone. I slipped into my car and threw the gown in the backseat along with my other possessions. Last night, I had packed up all my stuff and I was leaving after the ceremony.

I drove away, I left Cloud there. He poured out his heart in front of everyone and I rejected him. I hadn't even said good bye to Tifa. I was just leaving them all behind me, running away.

I pulled over to the side of the road. The tears were unbearable. I turned on the radio. The song playing was not making the situation any better. I glanced at my hands on the wheel and I looked at my tattoo, every day it reminded me of Cloud, and now it was just triggering the tears.

Never planned that one day
I'd be losing you And on my 18th Birthday
We got matching tattoos

Used to steal your parents' liquor
And climb to the roof
Talk about our future
Like we had a clue

In another life
I would be your girl
We'd keep all our promises
Be us against the world

In another life
I would make you stay
So I don't have to say
You were the one that got away
The one that got away

I drove off leaving all of THAT behind.

TO BE CONTINUED...