This was it. The sun was shining high, the sky blue and clear. This was suppose to be the second happiest day of my life, maybe third... kids... marriage... graduation... yeah, that sounds right. Today was suppose to be the third happiest moment of my life and do I feel happy? No. I feel awful. I want to go back. I want to relive the best experiences of my life. Like the day me and my friends met back in kindergarten. Or all the summers we spent camping over night in TJ's backyard. Or the time TJ told me he liked me, even loved me. Our first date, first kiss, first everything happened while we attended these classrooms. Why would anyone be excited to leave that behind.

Because Ashley, everyone needs to move forward in life, create new experiences. Grow. Up.

My heart sank. The voice in my head was right. I needed to move on. If I stayed a high school student forever, how was I suppose to have kids? Get married? Have grandkids?

You couldn't, now shush, they're about to say your name!

"Connie Spanger..." Applause. "Ashley Spinelli..." I take a step up the stage and breathe in. My principal, vice principal and super intendant along with the senior teachers were standing in a line ready to shake my hand. I took the scroll and gripped hands with every single teacher and headed for the edge of the stage where, right before you leave, someone takes your picture.

I headed back to my seat and waited for the rest of the seniors to have their name called. I looked around. Most girls were crying and holding each other and most guys were messing around, flipping off their caps and joking about. I looked ahead of me and staring right back at me was TJ, a few rows ahead. He gave me a wink and turned back around. I sighed. Why am I not happy?

"Oh Ashley! We are so proud of you!" My mom comes squealing from the crowd when the ceremony finally finished.

I gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks mom. I just wish dad was here," I said.

"Oh, but he is sweetie, look." Mom pulled out her tablet and held it up to me. On the screen was a tan, pudgy black bearded man with soft, teary eyes.

"Hey sport," came my dads voice.

Ok, here come the water works. I couldn't hold it in anymore. My chest got tight and I couldn't control the tears.

"Daddy," I started crying. "I'm so glad you were able to see me graduate."

"Me too Sweet Pea. You look so beautiful."

"Thanks dad."

"Hey Spin, Gretchen wants a picture of us- Oh, hey Mr. and Mrs. Spinelli. So nice to see the both of you," TJ looked down at the tablet and smiled.

"Mr. Detweiler, it's nice to see you again as well. Are you taking care of my baby girl?"

"Yes sir, just as you asked me." TJ put his arm around my should and pulled me into a hug.

"Thanks for showing up dad, but Gretchen needs her pictures," I smiled and waved good-bye.

The crew was standing under a tree chatting and laughing. When we walked up, Gretchen squealed in excitement.

"Come on! I need a picture of all of us!" She grabbed my wrist and dragged me into the circle.

"OK Mom, we're ready." Gus handed his mom his camera. We all shuffled into a group and faced Mrs. Griswald.

"Ok kids, smile!"

Flash!

The picture was taken and we all laughed.

"What are you going to do Ashley?" Mr. Griswald asked. I turned and smiled. "Now that you're graduated an' all."

"I'm going to go to the community college and start a degree in animation." I replied. It was my hidden talent.

"Oh, well, that's a shame. A tough girl like you would do fantastic in the military, just like Gus here," He slaps Gus on the back and he exhales loudly.

"Thank you sir." Gus breathed.

I sighed. No one wanted me to go to school for art except TJ. He was so supportive. But everyone else expected me to do more. Maybe I will, so what if I don't?

TJ grabbed my arm and pulled me aside.

"It's okay Spin, don't listen to him." He assured me.

I nodded and gave him a kiss. A flash filled our faces. Standing in front of us was Gus with a goofy grin and his camera in his hands.

"Smooth." TJ joked and chased after him.

"Don't rip your gown! It's a rental!" I yelled after them. They just laughed and kept running. I checked my watch for the time. Only a few hours until the graduation party at Vince's house. Maybe I should get home to change into a more... fitting outfit.

The whole senior class was in Vince's backyard. Someone managed to sneak in some kegs in the bushes so under-aged teenagers were getting drunk from left to right. Everyone was doing their own thing, drinking, gambling, smoking, getting high, messing around. The four Ashley's were standing around the pool in their bikinis giggling about something when someone ran up to them and pulled them into the pool. Ashley A., the leader of the group, giggled with flirty delight. Ashley Q. on the other hand growled with frustration and kept mumbling about how it took her 5 hours, 4 hair stylists and $1,200 of daddy's money to get her hair perfect.

I scuffed and turned to the tiki bar where Vince was standing with a red Solo cup.

"Can you believe it? My parents had to leave right after the ceremony to my brothers graduation in New York tomorrow." He chugged the rest of his beer. "I get the whole house for a week!" He smiled widely.

"Randall, one more, and one for the lady." He leaned on the counter.

"What'll it be Miss Spinelli," Randall popped up from under the counter. His what once was curly red hair, was straight and fell just past his eye brows. He still had that weasel looking face that always made him untrusting.

"Bud please." I said. He handed me my own red Solo cup and I chugged it down. Nothing more refreshing than a good, cold beer.

I suddenly felt sick. I slammed the cup down and looked at Randall.

"What the hell did you do to my drink?" I demanded. I leaned over, thinking I was about to throw up, but nothing happened.

"Nothing, I swear!" Randall pleaded. I believed him, after all, I watched him fill my cup and didn't see him put anything in it.

I groaned loudly.

"Get... TJ..." A sharp pain stabbed my gut. It was worse than cramps, I knew that for sure. It was a pain I had never felt before. I fell over onto the ground groaning.

"Spin, Sweetheart, what's wrong?" TJ was by my side, slowly and carefully, pulling me into his arms.

"I hurt," I was gripping my stomach, afraid that if I let go, my insides would come out. My vision started getting blurry and my words turned into gibberish.

"Don't worry, I got y-"

I don't remember anything after that, at least, not until I woke up in the hospital.