Hey guys, I hope ya'll are okay and life is treating you good.

I know I am so bad at updating, but I am so grateful that you guys have stuck to me always.

Hope you enjoy this chapter.

It was graduation day and I was freaking out about my speech. I had written it, but standing up in front of everyone was freaking me out. I stood in the quad everyone buzzing around with their parents and friends in their blue gowns and caps.

I held my speech in my hand looked up at the school building and took a deep breath and go to walk up the stairs when I hear my name being called.

"Brooke, Brooke" I turn around to see Julian walking towards me. I haven't seen or spoken to him in months. He just seemed to have disappeared after finding out about Nicki being pregnant.

"Julian?" I kink up my eye brow "what's up?"

"You look amazing" he smiles. I could see his eyes travelling my body.

"Don't do that" I demand really not in the mood for this right now.

"I'm not doing anything" he says "I'm just stating a fact"

I roll my eyes and sigh "what do you want Julian?"

"I heard you chose California instead of New York"

"Yeah I did" I nod

"I'm going London for college" my eyes widened in shock. I didn't even know he wanted to go somewhere so far away.

"London?" he nodded "that's crazy. How are you going to be a dad so far away?"

"Nicki is coming with me. My parents want me to do this with her. They have bought us a small house near campus for me for me go to college and for her to look after the baby"

"Wow" I nod. I didn't think his parents would be so okay with him being a dad right now, but knowing them they funny want more embarrassment with him being a dead beat. I didn't think he would agree to it. To lose his bachelor days to be changing diapers "well I wish you and Nicki all the best"

"Thank you Brooke" I nod and go to turn away "I'm sorry you know" he says quickly.

I turn back around "I know you are Julian. I know you are" I give a small smile and head into the building.

I stood standing with my class as row after row of seats were filled with families and friends. I scanned the crowd looking for my parents and felt a sadness wash over me as I couldn't spot them. I knew mother probably wouldn't have come, but dad said he would. I didn't think he would disappoint me.

Principle Turner read out my classes name and we all walked out with everyone cheering and applauding. We take our seats and graduation begun.

I could feel my hands begin to sweat as it got closer for me to walk up in front of everyone and read my speech.

"You'll do great pretty girl" I hear Lucas whisper to me as he took my hand in his and gave it a little squeeze.

I nod giving him a half smile but still very worried.

"It gives me great pleasure to have this lady be our valedictorian. She has worked super hard and over come so much the past few years and I am very proud of the women she is becoming. So please give a round of applause to our 2018 valedictorian Brooke Davis"

Loud noises came from the crowd as everyone cheered. Rachel and the girls were the loudest cheering me on as if we were at a cheer competition. I took a deep breath and stood to my feet. I finally let Lucas's hand go and he smiles up at me.

"You've got this baby"

I nod finding my confident self and strut through the crowd and towards the stage. I had to try and not think of it too much.

I stood on stage staring at all my peers and their families and friends. It was a lot. Well here goes nothing. I take a deep breath and look down at my speech.

"Hi" I smile "I'm Brooke Davis and my high school experience has been amazing. I made some really good friends that I know I'll have for life. Me and my girls have been friends since forever and they made my school experience the best and I love them for that, but now we are parting to go off to college and it makes me super sad to know I will be starting over with having to make new friends and I am terrified"

I looked out into the crowd and see Peyton, Haley and Rachel tearing up as I am. We knew we were parting, but it has only recently hit us that next year we won't be together.

I blink back some years and try to steady my voice "you know my life was already planned for me ever since I was little. My parents planned everything. My husband, my job and everything else. That is all I knew and I was on that journey wanting to please them and it was easy. I didn't have to look and find my husband they had done it for me already. I had that easy life, but then just before senior year that life they had planned crashed around me and suddenly I felt lost. I had no plan for my future anymore. My future was going to change and this time I could take charge and I did" I saw my Dad looking at me with a smile on his face and Lucas mouthing that he loved me.

"So what I'm trying to say is that don't ever let anyone not even your parents plan your life the way they expect it to go. If you're not truly happy then live the life you want. I learnt the hard way, but I am so much happier with being in charge of my future and doing what I love. So class off 2018 let's go out there into the big world and live the best lives" everyone cheered and an applause came. I waved and then walked off the stage.

"We've done it" Rachel ran up to me "we've graduated"

"That we have Rach" Peyton smiled

A tap to my shoulder caught my attention. I turned around to see my dad there smiling back at me.

"Hey Cookie, you were great up there. I'm so proud of you" he pulled me into a hug.

"Richard there you are. I lost you in the crowd" a slim blond hair lady walked up behind dad with a white teeth smile "you must be Brooke. Your speech was really good"

"Erm..." I looked from her to my dad "thank you. I'm sorry who are you?"

"Oh right sorry cookie. This is Monica" she linked her arm with dad's and realisation hit me.

"Monica" I repeat and he nods "as in Monica reeds real estate"

"Yeah that's me" she beams a smile at me.

"Daad" I drag out turning back to him "Where's mom" Monica's smile dropped and she looked at dad.

"You haven't told her yet Richard?"

"I haven't had a chance yet" he replies

"Haven't told me what?"

"Maybe we should go out for dinner and talk"

"Or you could just tell me what's going on dad. Where's mom? What's happening"

"Your mother has left Brooke. After we had that dinner and she wouldn't accept Lucas she went back to New York and packed her stuff and she left"

Wait what... she is that mad that she actually left dad. Left me. I didn't think she'd go that far.

"Wait what" I just didn't understand. I thought they were happy. I mean yeah I know my mom is a massive bitch sometimes, but I didn't think they were this unhappy to just end a marriage in such a way "I don't get it. I thought you were happy. I thought... and how did this happen with Monica. Its only been a couple months since I've seen you dad. Why did neither of you call me and let me know or I don't know fly out here and tell me instead of turning up to my graduation with someone else"

"I'm sorry Brooke" was all he said

"Sorry" I mimicked "that's all I get. A flaming sorry" I honestly couldn't believe this. What was he trying to fully tell me that they were getting a divorce that it was a tempt thing with him and this real estate chick "a phone call dad or a face time that's all it would have took"

"Cookie I know and I'm sorry. I didn't realise how much it would affect you"

"How much it would affect me? Dad you just turned up to my graduation without Mom, but with another lady. How could you not think it would affect me"

I knew then he regretted doing it the way he did. Parents sometimes. They just don't think.

"Brooke there you are" I felt Lucas wrap his arms around me from behind placing a soft kiss to my neck "I've been looking everywhere for you" he then noticed my dad. He quickly stood up straight and his hands dropped from my body "hello sir I didn't notice you there"

"Its okay Lucas and please call me Richard" Dad replied "Brooke we really need to talk before I head back to New York"

I nod "okay fine. Tomorrow night. Tonight is the graduation party on the boat"

"Okay sweetie. Well you have fun and be careful. I'll get the details about dinner to you tomorrow" he kissed the side of my temple and then he and Monica walked off. Monica have a wave bye and then they left.

I watched as they disappeared into the crowd of proud families and friends "what was that about?" Lucas asked "looked like a serious conversation"

"Yeah erm... thats my dads new erm... girlfriend I suppose" girlfriend. Dad's new girlfriend. Lady friend god knows, but it sounded weird coming off my tongue. Leaving a very nasty taste behind. I didn't like it, but I didn't know how to feel about Mom leaving. She didn't and hasn't even called or emailed. Nothing. I'm hurt. Truly hurt by that.

Then again I shouldn't be hurt. I know that women like no other. I should have known she would do something like this when dad doesn't agree with her. She leaves and pouts, but apparently this time dad didn't crawl back to her. Oh no... he throws a beautiful blond into the mix instead. Oh yeah that's going to go down well.

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Love you all so much. Roch xoxo