My head was throbbing and my throat was dry. I kept my eyes closed and shielded from the florescent lighting. A groan escaped my lips.

"Spin?"

"Ashley?!"

TJ and my mom were close. I felt Mom's hand on my shoulder. I slowly open my eyes and find myself in the nurses office of the school. TJ was standing behind my mom who was sitting in the chair next to me. I tried to sit up but got dizzy and nauseous.

"Take it easy honey," Mom soothed.

"What happened?" I mumbled, slowly sitting up, making sure I don't vomit everywhere.

"We were talking about finals when you passed out. You hit your head on the table behind you when you fell." TJ said, stepping closer. "The tests must have done a number on you to make you faint like that." His voice had concern tethered into it.

"Well, no concussion," The nurse said, walking into the room. "But you need to take the next few days easy. No sports, no driving heavy machinery, and make sure to watch your step at graduation. Those gowns can do some damage if you step wrong." She explained, scribbling notes onto her clipboard.

"What time is it?" I asked, grabbing TJ's wrist to look at his watch. 4:32pm. Oh. My. God. I missed my psychology final! I started breathing fast.

"Ashley, are you okay sweetie?" Mom asked, grabbing my hand.

"I missed," inhale. "A final!" Exhale. I started to get dizzy. I was actually excited to graduate, mostly because not a lot of people believed that I would. I was such a trouble maker in the old days, most people assumed I would drop out and join a fight club. And if I missed a final, I don't graduate.

"Don't worry Miss Spinelli, I already contacted Mr. Harper on your condition. You can take the final now if you're up to it or tomorrow during free period." The nurse said, looking over at me.

I started to feel better. I don't know what was up with me and these anxiety attacks, but it's getting really frustrating.

I scheduled a retake with Mr. Harper on my psych essay before school the next morning. I took my own car this time to let TJ sleep in before school. The test was simple, mostly me giving a persuasive essay on diagnosing a mental patient for insanity, being the reason why she robbed four banks and murdered twelve people. Mr. Harper said I had the makings of a good defense attorney but I really can't see myself wearing suits every day and attending meetings. Besides, being a lawyer can be dangerous. You typically jump onto the head hunt list for defending a murderer.

I finished the test and handed it to Mr. Harper.

"Miss Spinelli, may I have a word before you head to breakfast?" He asked. I stopped at the door and turned. Mr. Harper was a young teacher, maybe late twenties. A lot of the girls in school had a crush on him. He had shoulder-length brown hair and was very tan, like he lived in California or New Mexico, and because of the tan, it made his blue eyes look like crystal orbs. Very handsome. Not my type.

I approached his desk.

"Yes, sir?" I brushed my bangs out of my eyes.

"I can already tell by how dedicated you were at taking your final, that you will get a passing grade,"

I smiled. He has always been so nice to me.

"I've known you since freshman year when I had you in my orientation class. You were wound up, up-tight, spunky and rambunctious."

I looked down, suddenly feeling ashamed for putting him and my other teachers through the chaos that I reigned.

"But I also watched you grow and blossom into a smart and well-respected young woman. I don't mean to step over any lines, but I am very, very proud of you."

A smile formed on my face. I could feel my cheeks flush with slight embarrassment.

"Thank you sir."

"Be sure to see me before leaving forever, ya hear?" He gave me a wink. I turned on my heal and headed out to the hallway.

"Leaving forever"? Why couldn't I stay young and in the same spot forever? Never say good-bye. Never watch anyone leave. Why couldn't this moving on thing be easier to swallow?

The rest of the day was popping by classrooms and picking up our final grades and stopping by the library and dropping off our books.

"I thought I would never miss these old hallways..." TJ said, taking my hand as we headed to our last class of the day. I started to feel sick again.

We finished our rounds and headed outside. The sun was shining high above our heads. Our friends were sitting around a bench under a tree outside the school by the football field. Gus and Mikey were in a deep conversation about something. Vince had a basket ball spinning on his finger and was blowing bubbled with his gum. Gretchen was laying on top of the table mumbling about science-something-something-chemistry.

"Hey guys," TJ and I said.

They greeted us with smiles and hellos as we sat down. We talked about the finals, how well we did and about graduation. Looks like we all made it. The final leap into the big world beyond high school. All we need to do now is make it to the ceremony.