Evalynn ended up having to do most of her schoolwork online second semester to make up for all the credits she hadn't earned in the fall. Because of it, she barely had any free time to spend with Connor. Her Soulmate had a newfound level of respect for her after hearing the way she had stood up to his dad for Zoe. The younger Murphy had moved in with her Soulmate and the two would often spend nights over at the Hansens with the Hansen-Murphy and Hansen-Kleinman Soulmates.

When Zoe had told Alana what had happened with her dad, the older girl decided that she no longer cared what people said at school. There weren't big changes, but she no longer was scared to be seen hanging around Zoe and the rest of their little group in the hallways. The first time Evalynn entered the school after winter break, it was like everyone in the hallway stopped breathing and stared at her. Collins had been expelled the week of finals before break for what he had done and the whole school knew about it.

Luckily, she had five other people with her for support. Connor, Evan and Jared would glare at anyone who dared to glance at Evalynn the wrong way in the halls. They were willing to fight anyone to defend her, but after the incident back in December, they figured it would be better to stay out of that kind of trouble as much as they could. Zoe and Alana helped Evalynn with her studies, getting her caught up so she was still on track to graduate with the rest of the senior class. Overall, second semester was shaping up really well, with nothing nearly as exciting occurring as first semester's chain of events.

Even though Evalynn was doing much better, she still had her occasional Dark Day. Usually, though, she would talk to Connor or her brother before her thoughts could get to overwhelming and they would help her through it with the help of the others. It was by no means perfect, but they slowly became less and less concerned for Evalynn's safety as the weeks turned to months and winter turned to spring. Before they knew it, it was May and it reached the point where everyone was a lot more lax because it was like everyone could smell freedom just around the corner.

For the seniors, it was graduation and for the rest of the student body and teachers, it was the immanent promise of summer vacation.

Evalynn took a deep breath, staring at herself in the mirror. Over a white sundress she wore the royal blue gown and stoll of the school. Under her cap, her golden waves were pulled back in a stylish updo, with a few curls framing her face. Matching white strappy sandals were on her feet. It was finally that time of year. She had completed all the necessary catch-up work to graduate.

While she stood there, Connor came up behind her, putting his arms around her waist. He was also sporting a blue cap and gown over black slacks and a white dress shirt. His Soulmate had convinced him to dress up somewhat decently underneath since he had somehow managed to scrape through with enough credits to graduate. Everyone in their group was surprised Connor wasn't being held back a year considering he was absent so much of the time.

"Nervous?" Connor asked.

"A little," Evalynn admitted.

"Don't be. You earned this. You went through so much just to be here."

Evalynn turned in Connor's arms, wrapping her own around his neck as she stared into his chocolate orbs.

"Is it bad that I sometimes wish I could go back and make sure I never woke up?" she whispered.

Connor's eyes filled with pain as he stared down at his Soulmate.

"I don't think so... I think that's normal. It only becomes bad if you were to ever act on those thoughts."

His Soulmate buried her face in his chest and he held her tightly, closing his eyes. They stayed like that for a moment before Evalynn pulled away, wiping tears from the sides of her eyes.

"Ready for this?"

"As I'll ever be."

Hand in hand, they headed out of the room, joining their peers as they prepared to make the next big step in their lives.

-FIN-