~A few days before graduation~

I awoke with the sun shining through my blinds, warming my face and shoulders. My eyes flickered open slowly, taking in the familiar surroundings of my bedroom, and one that hadn't belonged here for quite a while. Ville sat in my favorite wicker chair that stood in a corner of my room, his eyes closed and head hanging. I suppose that he came in a few hours prior and was waiting for me to wake up. I smiled to myself and then stood from my bed, avoiding the motions that would cause it to creak loudly. I shuffled to sleeping Ville in his chair. I lifted his chin with a single finger and kissed his soft lips in an attempt to wake him. He made a noise, then opened his eyes.

~Ville's POV~

I woke up with Siouxie's on mine. I kissed her back for a moment before she pulled away.

"You weren't supposed to be here until tonight," she said with a chuckle. I smiled.

"Surprise," I whispered. She laughed and sat on my lap before kissing me again. I kissed her lips back tenderly, feeling the familiar sensation I had been longing for since her father passed. But now that she was graduating this weekend, however, she gets to come back with me to Finland. I an truly excited that I will get to wake up with her next to me every morning. She still needs to meet the rest of the band. I told them a close friend of mine's father died, and they remarked at "close friend", and with good reason. I think they will like her as much as I do. She pulled away a bit, breaking the kiss.

"I am valedictorian. I've been preparing my speech for a while now. I am extremely exited to finally graduate," she bragged.

"Can I hear it? Your speech, I mean."

"No," she said smiling. "You get to wait until I actually graduate. Just because I love you doesn't give you priority."

I smiled and played with her hair. "Well, I love you, too."

~Still Ville's POV, Day of Graduation~

I sat in a chair near the front of the auditorium next to Siouxie's mom. Students dressed in cap and gown were called up one by one, and last, Siouxie was called up. She smiled at her principal as she accepted her degree and then he led her to the microphone.

"And now, our valedictorian has prepared a speech. Please give Ms. Suzanne Caillebs a round of applause."

~Siouxie's POV~

I looked out onto the crowd of people and smiled as the principal stepped aside and gave me the floor. I adjusted the microphone lower and took a breath.

"I have been at this school for the past four years of my life. And in these four years, I think that not one person has not been changed by high school, or just having been through it all. I know that I have been. I was a pretty messed up kid, and I still am. But, in the ending of these years, I have healed a lot. I think that a lot of people have, and that is what happens when you grow up, and things end. But when things end, new things must begin. And these new things are what school prepared us for. And this school did an excellent job. The staff here is so supportive, and helped me, and I am sure so many others as well. They helped us to achieve what we wanted to in the best way they could. And I did achieve what I wanted. And more. I mean, I am dating the front man of a famous band for Pete's sake." Everyone looked around and I took a breath. "Go ahead and wave, Ville." A few people gasped and others smiled and waved. "But anyway, my point is that these teachers gave us so much and I am grateful and excited to leave here, and who wouldn't be? But I am also sad. And a little scared. But again, I am confident that school has prepared me and the rest of you for the changes that will happen now. No more certainty from the same things happening everyday. So hats-off to the teachers who are so good at their jobs. Now let's shock the world with the knowledge that our lovely teachers have been kind enough to show us!" I was surprised at the confidence ringing in my voice at the end. The auditorium filled with applause. I smiled and a few teachers hugged me, loving that my speech gave a hats-off to them, and that I seemed to have incorporated most the school. The students fled off the stage, and I was one of the last off. Ville was waiting for me with my mom at the bottom of the stage. My mom was crying and blubbering and Ville was reaching into his pocket for a tissue. He handed her the tissue as I came up to them.

"My baby is all grown up!" She threw her arms around me. After a moment, Ville pulled her off me.

"Don't ruin her gown," he said smiling. Mom blew her nose and wiped her eyes once more before composing herself a bit. I smiled and locked arms with Ville before we started for the gym. Party time!

Mom left with my cap and gown, leaving Ville and I here for the party. Under my graduation gown, I wore my party dress. It was black, obviously, it had spaghetti straps and was several different lengths, the longest was to my knees, ad the shortest was at mid-thigh. It was matte with sheer spiderweb-looking embroidery. My shoes were sheer creepers with a few fat buckles.

Ville and I danced the night away. We had so much fun. I don't know if I had ever seen Ville really dance before. A few people approached us asking if he was really famous, and he replied with a "Yes, just Google capital HIM."

The last song was a slow dance. Of course it had to be Love Me Tender by Elivs. Ville held me close as we did a simple rocking and stepping. Ville sang in my ear quietly along with the song; Love me tender, Love me true, all my dreams fulfilled. For my darling, I love you, and I always will. Eventually the song ended, but we didn't. Ville continued to sing to me on loop, while everyone else shuffled out. We were in our own little universe. I closed my eyes and listened to Ville's sweet voice, and I swear I almost fell asleep. A man tapped on my shoulder, and I realized Ville's eyes were closed as well. The man who tapped me was my principal. I pulled away from Ville and turned to face him.

"Hey, Siouxie. I'm assuming you enjoyed the after party."

"Oh, uh, yea. Sorry, Ville and I kind of left to our own little universe when Love Me Tender played. Sorry. We, can uh, leave then."

"I was just going to comment on how cute you two are." He turned to Ville. "Did you go to school somewhere around here?"

"Oh, um, no. I am actually from Finland."

"Finland? And how did you two meet?"

Ville and I laughed a bit. "He almost hit me with his car." I answered. "I was out smoking, and he was on Vacation, and his brakes were being a bit of a fail." He smiled.

"Certainly an unorthodox way to meet. Well, uh, good luck to you."

"Thanks," I responded as my principal walked away.

I turned to Ville and he pulled me close. I let out a tired breath and he kissed my hair. Now we get to walk home. Not going to be fun. It was now 11:30 at night and around 55 degrees. Why did I tell mom to not pick us up? Oh well. I pulled away from him and took his hand and pulled him towards the door. The walk home seemed long, and it was cold. At least it was for me. Despite the fact that Ville gave me his jacket, I was still freezing. He didn't seem cold, but that didn't really surprise me.

~At Home, Ville's POV~

Siouxie and I walked inside, her close to me with goosebumps covering her bare skin. We both walked to her room and quickly took off our clothes and got into bed. I pulled her in so she was facing my chest. She let out a breath of relief from the cold and fell asleep quickly.