Chapter 12: Graduation

This is it. The last day of my school life. As soon as I pick that degree, the adult life oficially starts. And, I still have no idea what I am gonna do after this whole mess is worked out.

Sam is not here with me on this special day, and although it makes me a bit sad, I understand he has his own things to deal with. Carlisle, on the other hand, is sitted in the back row, looking like a proud father. As he should be, his children are also graduating, even though they had done this thousands of times and probably will do much more in the future. Esme was sitting by his side, looking like the sophisticated lady that she is, all smiles and composure, an aura of perfection around her. Completely the opposite of myself.

I, on the other hand, was a mess. My hair was dry and lifeless. I was sweating and could feel my armpits soaking wet. The dress I decided to wear was an old one, that I found on the things that mother left behind. The in dress in itself was not the prettiest thing i've ever seen, but it was in a much better condition then any one I had in my closet -except the burgundy dress from prom night that I refuse to even look at.

I look at Esme once again with a death glare. Honestly, how can someone be so fucking perfect all the time? As if she could read my thoughts, suddenly her eyes are on mine and I freeze completely. Her eyes are so kind, the expression on her face is of a very proud mother, and it surprises me that she would still look at me that way. With a motherly love that I've never really received from my own mother.

It made me feel even worse, though. Ashamed that a second ago I was so blatantly glaring at her. I look away i second to late to escape from her gaze, but right on time to devote all my attention to Jessica, who is getting ready to make her grand speech.

"When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up..." She starts, and immediately the room is silent. "...Our answers were things like; Astronaut, President or in my case, a Princess." A little laugh escapes from me, because I can certainly imagine a little Jessica dressed up as a princess, daydreaming about princes and castles. "When we were ten, they asked answered rock star, cowboy or in my case, a gold medalist." I remember of the time I wanted to be a singer and can't hold back a happy sigh again. "...But now that we've grown up, they wanted a serious answer. Well, how about this - who the hell knows?" And the question was so honestly what I have been thinking over and over again in my head for months now. I can't help but to laugh out loud at her statement, a little surprised actually that everyone else seems to be feeling exactly the same. "This isn't the time to make hard and fast decisions, this is the time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Fall in love – a lot. Major in Philosophy because there is no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind and change it again because nothing's permanent. So make as many mistakes as you can. That way someday when they asked what we wanna be, we won't have to guess – we'll know." The speech is finished with the whole crowd standing up to applause. Many cheers and laughter can be heard all around me, and I finally let myself relax a little and enjoy the last day of my school life in Forks High.

Change your mind and change it again because nothing's permanent. She said.

And, you know what. She is absolutely right.

So make as many mistakes as you can.

I wasn't so sure anymore about going to the party later. My first instinct was to go to La Push to be with Sam and the guys, but my feet where killing me, so after hugging my schoolmates goodbye, I went straight home to take the damn heels off. Why the fuck I decided to wear such a thing in the first place is beyond me. Imagine how hard it was to ride my bike, on a dress and heels. Yep.

I take the cursed shoes as soon as I step into my living room, throwing them somewhere by the corner and going straight to my room, already pulling the dress off. These damn things...

Opening my closet's door, I pay no attention to the pile of clothes shuffled inside, grabbing a skinny jeans and throwing on a clean shirt with an pretty enough cleavage. Then with my leather jacket on top and some boots, i was ready. I stare at myself in the mirror -shocked- only now realising that i was dressing up for the party, and actually trying to look nice, for once. To finish things up, I tie my hair up into a ponytail, because honestly there was nothing else I could do for it.

As if on cue, there is a knock in my door. I go down the stairs in record time, almost falling once when I hit the bottom. Opening the front door, I can't help but to let my disappointment show in my face, when I see the person that was standing on the other side.

"You don't need to look so sad." Jacob complains, with his big arms crossed over his broad chest and a cute pout on his lips.

I sigh, already regretting on opening the door. "You never visit me. So, whatever you're here for, it's not good."

"Tsk. Don't be a baby. I visit you enough. And, nothing happen." He roll his eyes, as if annoyed but look down, a little blush rising on his face when he adds. "I just thought you would like a ride to the party."

Oh. So that's why. Huh? The little shit was trying to sneek in by using me. Clever. But not smart enough to fool me.

"You mean the party at the Cullen's house?" I ask, this time I am the one crossing my arms over my chest, a smug smile growing in my face.

"Yes."

"I thought you weren't invited." I reply, nonchalantly.

"Of course I was." He said, annoyed.

"Was that, before or after you kissed Bella?"

"..." He is trying really hard to look innocent. Staring at the floor as if it would somehow help him.

"Jake." I sigh, tired of this conversation already. "You can't go. Bella doesn't want to see you."

"Of course she wants. I'm her best friend." He complains, looking much more like the boy he was, and not the man he looked like.

"Excuse me. First, her best friend is me." I reply, to which he just rolls his eyes once again. "Second, Edward hates you and showing up at his house is not a good idea. And third, you were officially uninvited the second Bella punched you in the face. Which, may I add, must have been awesome."

He just stares at me first, then exhale loudly. "Cass, you don't even like Edward, so stop pretending you care for his feelings and get in the car already. I know Bella is mad at me, and I want to apologize, but it is really hard to do that when she won't even answer the phone..."

"Okay, fine. You won on the Edward part. " I smirk slightly, closing the door behind me and walking to the Rabbit that is parked on my sidewalk.

As I get inside, I am not surprised to see the rest of Jacob's gang patiently waiting for us. "Hey guys!"

Quil greets me warmly from the front seat, and Embry gives an one arm hug when I sit by his side on the back. Jake gets in the car and starts the engine right away.

The party in the Cullen's house is already in full mode when we arrive. At least ten cars were visible in the front yard. The music coming from inside was loud and catchy. The whole atmosphere around the house was amazing.

"Come on." I half-yell, realising that i didn't need to after looking at the boys face. They looked like dogs when there is too much noise around. Grumpy.

The living room seemed to be acting as a dance floor, but there was people all over the place. Especially in the kitchen, where the snacks where. Lots of greeting and people yelling my name followed me as I walked through the house looking for the owners, or Bella. Jessica was dancing, in the middle of the room, with Lauren, and although we haven't been talking much lately I still stop to talk to her briefly and to compliment on the beautiful speech. I ignore Lauren completely of course, and she does the same to me so I move on, hugging Angela and Ben quickly before of going further into the house.

The boys followed me closely, as I take the steps to the second floor, finally finding the person we were looking for. Bella was definitely out of her comfort zone in a party like this, so I knew for sure that she would be riding somewhere upstairs.

"KlutzBella, what you doing hiding in here?" I say, as a greeting. Making my friend jump awaya from the window that she was currently leaning on.

"Jesus, Cass. You scared..." She stops talking immediately when she turns around and see who I brought with me. Her eyes suddenly turning a colder. "What are you doing here?"

I knew she wasn't talking to me so I quickly get away from her line of sight, before she gets mad at me too for bringing Jake with me.

"Bella..."

I leave them alone to sort things out, grabbing Quil and Embry's arms and taking them away with me. Whatever Jake and Bella had going on, was not our business and honestly, I did not want to have anything to do with it anyway.

"Where are we going?" Quil ask, actually it sounded more like a complain but I did not pay any attention to it.

"We are going back down stairs to have fun like the young good looking people that we are!" I happily answer, winning a snort from him and a little cute smile from Embry.

As we pass through Carlisle's office, I can't help but to stop and hesitate for a second. I left the graduation ceremony so fast, that we didn't really get to talk at all. Well, it's not like he didn't tryed, but I was not really in the mood to see him and Mrs. Cullen being all *'we are one happy family'* thing that they do when they are in front of other people.

"Cass?" Embry quietly calls me -as if he knew exactly what I was thinking- and I have to look up at him, surprised for having spaced out. Is it me or is this kid getting taller every other day?

"Ah. You know...go on without me. There is something I have to do first. I'll see you downstairs in a minute." I bite my lip nervously, at the look in they faces. Quil was obviously not happy but thankfully he did not say anything. Embry was a kind boy so I knew he would not complain either. I wait for them to disappear down the hall before of turning back to the office door.

As soon as I lift my hand to knock, the door opens. Carlisle stands on the other side, a small smile on his face. God, he looks beautiful in casual clothes. He was wearing jeans and white blouse, the most casual I've seen of him lately. He knows I like when he dresses for his age, and by the smile on his face, I knew that he did it on propose.

"Sorry, did I startle you? I heard the conversation from inside and couldn't wait to see you." He looks apologetic for opening the door so suddenly, and invites me in with an hopeful expression.

"It's okay. By now, I am almost used to the sneeking around me, and the special abilities." I reply, a small smile forming on my face, as I step inside his office. "Where is everyone? I've only seen Bella so far."

"Oh. Esme, Rose and Emmett are out somewhere. Alice must be with Jasper, trying to make this party perfect for every each guest. Edward was with Brlla last time I checked. He usually is never far from her." The last phrase was said with a little knowing smile on his face. He looked extremely happy for his son's relationship status.

"And, why are you hiding in here?" I ask, sitting on top of his desk as if owner the place. He did not look bothered by that at all, so I stayed exactly where I was.

"Well, I don't think the guests would appreciate the patriarch of the family walking around on they private party." He smirks a little, and the sight is so sexy, I have to bite my lip to stop a moan.

"It's your house." I remind him, but he looks happy just by being there with me, so I smile a little for that too.

"It is. But it is also an important day for them, for you. Let them have fun."

Change your mind and change it again because nothing's permanent.

Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Fall in love – a lot.

"Shouldn't I be down there having fun too then?" I can't hold back the flirt from my voice, and his eyes seems to darker once he hears my breath hitch.

"You could have fun up here too." His reply is quiet but very firm, and...holy shit when did he got so close?

It was obvious to me now that he was going to kiss me. And even though I still have no idea if I forgive him or not, there was nothing on the world I wanted more than to feel his lips on mine.

The look on his face was, hungry and full of passion. His nose was almost touching mine when...

Suddenly the door burst open and the rest of the crew fill in quickly as if they didn't have enough time or something like that. Carlisle turns to regard the new comers, glaring silently at his children for the interruption. Edward is the first to get in, stopping in the middle of the room to look at us closely. Mind your own business, i mentally reprimand him. Fortunally he does not say anything about it.

Jacob, Embry and Quil get in after Bella and stand a few feet away from the rest. Alice and Jasper are holding hands and she looks quite frantic about something. Bella's eyebrows rise almost to her hair line when she sees me sitting in Carlisle's table. No one says anything for a second, until I finally brake the awkward silence.

"What's going on?"

"She had a vision." Jasper answers. And that it's enough to make me feel afraid and a little bit nervous.

"A decision has been made." Alice simply says. Her voice monotonous, as if she was in a trance right that instant.

"So we are not going to Seattle after all?" Carlisle ask, his voice sounds tired all of a sudden.

"No. They are coming here."