Hey guys, I was supposed to upload this chapter awhile ago but was honestly feeling bad because of a variety of things. This is the second to last chapter, so bear with me.

Massie

Massie had endured so many hardships that it was almost impossible to believe she survived. From the bullying that no one ever faced consequences for and to Kendall assaulting her but never facing consequences. There was so much more, but those two really stuck out to her because she never thought she would make it through.

Surprisingly, she did though.

Massie always thought if it hadn't been for her family, TPC, and Landon she may have not made it, but she found out she was just as strong by herself. It was truly an improvement from the beginning of the school year and look, she was graduating now.

She still couldn't believe the day was here after endless days of homework, extra credit, and study lectures. It seemed too unreal that she had to pinch herself. Excitement and anxiety coursed through her veins, but she just couldn't wait. A new chapter was about to happen, and she was ready for it.

She looked at herself one more time in the mirror and left her room. She descended down the stairs where Kendra, William, Landon, and a couple of other family members waited for her.

"You look beautiful," Kendra gushed. "Here, let me fix your cap." She said, not being able to keep herself from fixing Massie's cobalt blue graduation gown and cap. "Moooom." Massie rolled her eyes. "It's fine."

Kendra insisted on pinning Massie's graduation cap down and cleaning her gown of non-existent lint. "I just want to make sure you look good!" she said. "You know we're all so proud of you. I can't believe you accomplished so much." Kendra's eyes started to tear up and William kissed her cheek. Massie couldn't help but hug both of her parents.

Then, she went around to greet her aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins—all of whom couldn't stop talking about how proud they were. Massie wanted to tell them it was just a high school graduation, but she knew every little accomplishment meant so much to her family.

When everyone started to pile in their cars, Massie went over to Landon who was standing in the corner. "Hey, you." She said. "Why weren't you over there with my family?"

Landon straightened his tie and replied, "I wanted you to have some time with your family."

Massie looked down at the ring he gave her shining on her finger and looked up at him with an intense gaze.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he laughed.

Massie smiled and said, "No reason except I love you."

"I love you too." Landon replied. "And Massie, I just want to say I'm so proud of you. You've came a long way from last year and I'm so happy to have the pleasure of being in your life. You pushed through and that's what makes you so strong."

The way Landon said the words nearly moved to her tears and she couldn't help but give him the longest kiss ever.

His words stuck with her from the time she made it to graduation rehearsal to the end when she sat in her seat anticipating the final moment. As Principal Burns made a couple of remarks, Massie couldn't help but feel overjoyed as she was leaving high school in the past and moving on. She had pushed through. She had been strong. She didn't think she was going to ever make it but in the end she proved herself wrong.

She almost killed herself last year but was glad she didn't. The fact that she was alive was a miracle in itself.

Principal Burns stood on the stage with the happiest look Massie had ever seen on her. "Students," she said joyfully. "Please rise and move your tassels to the left." Massie tried to contain the excited outburst she knew she was about to have and stood to turn her tassel. "Congratulations! You are now the Briarwood-Octavian Class of 2016."

Alicia

"Well, today is finally the day." Noah said to Alicia. They were both in his room, preparing for the big event that loomed ahead.

"Yeah, I can't believe it." Alicia replied back and looked at herself in Noah's webcam—since mirrors weren't an accessory to guys room like girls. "How do I look?" she asked, twirling around in her gown that was just slightly open enough you could see the black and white dress she wore.

"You know the answer to that." He said and kissed Alicia on her forehead. Alicia couldn't help but beam as she smiled up at him. "You don't look too bad yourself, you know?" she laughed.

He stepped back and faked an exaggerated shocked face. "So, I am looking bad," he joked. "No, I'm just playing and hey, we should get to going. Grandma and grandpa will meet us there."

After taking a couple pictures, they walked out to his car and drove to the church. On the way there, Alicia couldn't stop thinking about how happy she was. Last year, she was cold and bitter, but this time was different. She had a boyfriend who adored her, was kind of back in the good graces of TPC, and had signed up for community college. As for other parts of her life, like her family, it was currently pending but she knew it would get better.

"So, hey," Noah said. "Let's talk about the living thing. My grandparents don't mind but—"

Alicia patted his hand and said, "Don't worry. It's taken care of."

Noah looked shocked and asked, "Really?"

Alicia smiled and said, "Yes, really." Then, she told him the story of how her Aunt Maria called Alicia last week to sincerely apologize for Nadia's behavior and how she had spiked after the affair. Bad news aside, she offered Alicia to come stay with her Hamptons and move to New York City with her in the fall. "So that was the surprise I wanted to tell you today." She informed him.

Tyler squeezed her hand. "So, we're both going to NYC. I'm sure we'll have tons of adventure." He remarked.

"Yeah babe." Alicia replied. "I love you. Now, let's go get our diploma."

Alicia couldn't contain her joy as she sat in one of the church's pews. She was so ready for the future and couldn't wait for what it brought. She had changed in every way possible and couldn't be happier. She had a rocky start the first of the fall semester, but she had managed to make it through. And that was why she was proud.

On stage, Principal Burns said into the mic, "Students, please rise and move your tassels to the left." When everyone did so, she waited for a few seconds and roared, "Congratulations! You are now the Briarwood-Octavian Class of 2016."

Dylan

"So, how does it feel, my dear?" Merri-Lee asked as she watched Dylan rub dust from her gown in the bathroom.

"Graduating? It's a huge relief beyond comprehension." Dylan responded back and swept past Merri-Lee to go downstairs. Of course, Merri-Lee would say more words to her than she ever did in a week on her graduation day.

"Dylan, sweetie, wait!" Merri-Lee called and chased after her while clutching her growing baby bump.

Dylan couldn't wait to leave and walked out the front door. "I'm meeting up with the girls to take pictures." She said. "I don't want to be late!"

"Don't be rude to mom." Ryan said, where she stood in the foyer. "Hear her out."

Dylan spun around to face Merri-Lee on the threshold. Nothing her mother could ever say, would make up for all the year-long neglect. "Yes?" she arched an eyebrow.

Merri-Lee gave her a sad smile and said, "I know, I haven't been the best mother, but can we start over? Forget everything happened." She pleaded. "Let's start over by me saying that I'm so happy for you. You didn't let none of this beat you down and continued on."

Dylan sneered and stared from Merri-Lee to Ryan. "Whatever." She said to her mother—more so to the both of them, but made it clear it was for her mom. She started for her car, but Merri-Lee still followed. "Dylan, please!" she begged. "It's all I ask you!"

Dylan whipped around, already feeling annoyed. "I didn't let it beat me down, huh?" she snapped. "I have bulimia, mom. I have scars. I have cuts. I have emotional wounds. I have all this baggage from guys I slept with. So, I'm sorry if I don't feel cut out to hear an apology."

Without another word, she slid into her car and drove away.

As Dylan sat in one of the pews, waiting for the ceremony to wrap up, she tried to think positively.

All she wanted right now was to focus on the present and the future. She didn't want to live in the past anymore and let her mistakes determine her future. It didn't have to be that way. She learned so many lessons in the past and she would learn so many more in the future.

Dylan's phone buzzed and she looked down to read a text from Cole asking her to look behind her. She turned around and saw him a few pews away, beaming at her and mouthing "I love you".

Dylan gave him a sweet smile and texted back, "I love you back even if we're not with each other".

The one major lesson Dylan had learned, was not to put her happiness in the back pocket of others, because it was susceptible to backfire.

"Students, please rise and move your tassels to the left." Principal Burns said on the stage. Dylan tried not to smile as she realized it was the moment she was waiting for—the ceremony had gone by so fast! As soon as the tassels moved to the left, Burns shouted, "Congratulations! You are now the Briarwood-Octavian Class of 2016."

Kristen

Today was supposed to be the day Kristen graduated, but instead, she would be in the pews watching her friends. She could've been up there but fucked it up when she thought a C+ would fuck up her transcript. She slept with a married man and ruined his wife's life. Believe her, she truly regretted it.

Now, she stood in the church entrance next to her dad being shunned by everyone that walked by. Marsha even ignored her and refuse to be seen with her. She was still upset about everything and Kristen doubt she would get over anytime soon. In her eyes, Kristen had thrown away everything to become a teacher's prostitute. The only person sticking by her side was TPC and her father.

"Why can't they just let us in already?" Kristen asked her dad. "I'm tired of people looking at me." She groaned.

Her dad pushed his glasses up and said, "Relax, honey. Everything's fine." He gave her a reassuring hug.

Kristen leaned against a grandfather clock and looked up at the ceiling to keep from crying. "But it's not dad, mom hates me!" she whispered so no one could hear. "I'm going to summer school instead of a university like I should be going to."

Kristen's dad opened his mouth, not sure how to respond.

Kristen just shook her head and went to pick up her phone buzzing in her purse. She looked over her shoulder and saw the ushers had opened the doors. "Save me a seat!" she whispered to her dad who nodded. She went over to an empty hall to pick up her cellphone.

"Hello?" she said.

"Kristen," Gavin said from the other line, "It's me. I'm out."

Kristen practically froze in place as she realized Gavin was actually talking to her. "Hi." She whispered and made sure no one was around.

"Where are you?" Gavin asked her.

"Graduation." Kristen said in shock. She couldn't do this. "Look I can't talk to you, I have to go." She hung up immediately and blocked his number. Kristen surprised herself because she really missed him, but didn't need him as a part of her life anymore

The ceremony went by so fast it felt less than 30 minutes.

The whole entire time Kristen dealt with the idea of Gavin coming back into her life. Did he really love her? Did he want her back? It was all the thoughts Kristen wanted to entertain but couldn't. She destroyed various aspects of her life when she was with him and couldn't go down that the road again.

She had to focus on rebuilding her life again, even if meant cutting out the people she loved the most.

Principal Burns walked on stage, made a couple of closing remarks, then said, "Students, please rise and move your tassels to the left."

Kristen felt a twinge of sadness as she watched everyone rise and move their tassels.

"Congratulations!" Principal Burns boomed. "You are now the Briarwood-Octavian Class of 2016."

Claire

"I'm so proud of you babe, I hope you know that." Tatiana told Claire in the parking lot of the church. She snuck a quick kiss before any religious zealots could reprimand them.

"Thanks, it means a lot, Tatiana." Claire replied back. "I'm just so glad high school is finally done after this. I'm proud of us." She hugged her girlfriend as tightly as she could, not wanting to let her go.

"Me too." Tatiana laughed. "I can't believe I graduate tomorrow, too. Look at us. We're badass and couldn't give a fuck about what anyone says."

Claire was sort of doubtful about that statement. She didn't care what anyone thought or said but it was different when it came to family. A good portion of her family members were dismayed to find Claire dating a black girl and refused to come and support her. She tried not to to let it get her down when she had other family members giving her loving and undeniable support. She didn't need any negativity right now.

"Can I get a picture of you girls?" Judi asked. Before even replying, she pulled out her phone and started to take a bunch of pictures. Claire wanted to roll her eyes and tell her mom to stop but just went along with it. After that, they went inside the church, where everyone was bustling to get around.

Claire had to be her spot in ten minutes and said her goodbyes to everyone until she saw them at the end of the ceremony. On her way to find her seat, she decided to use the restroom, so she wouldn't be that one person that had to get up in the middle of ceremony. She hurriedly rushed in and came out twenty seconds later but bumped into someone.

She looked up and saw that the person was Tyler. Claire stood there in a frozen state as her ex peered down at her. "Hey." He said coolly.

Claire willed her body to work and blurted out, "Hi. What are you doing here? I thought you were in jail."

Tyler didn't give a reaction except a blank stare and pressed his lips together. "I was, but I have connections."

Claire blinked slowly and asked him, "So, what are you doing here?"

Tyler stared at her for a minute and said to her, "I was trying to find you and I did. I wanted to say goodbye. I'm leaving this shithole, I'm going to Virginia."

Claire raised her eyebrows. "Why?" she asked. "So sudden?"

Tyler pinched her cheek softly. "I know this doesn't make sense and is all confusing, but I have to go. For my health and yours. I'll think about contacting you. Goodbye, Claire." He said and left.

It was so fast and sudden that Claire didn't have a chance to make sense of it all. She barely made it to her spot in time.

During the ceremony, Claire had to push thoughts of him out her head. He had said goodbye and was leaving to start a new chapter. It was time for Claire to do the same.

She wasn't sure what the future held but she had a good idea of what she wanted to do. She was a month and a half clean and wanted to look into being a teen mentor for kids struggling with addiction like her. She also wanted to attend college next spring and major in psychology.

It was because of her goals, Tatiana, her family, and friends that she continued to fight like hell through everything and she would continue to.

Principal Burns smiled on stage and said, "Students, please rise and move your tassels to the left." Claire stood up and moved her tassel to the left. The next words she could've never anticipated the most. "Congratulations! You are now the Briarwood-Octavian Class of 2016."