Orginally, this chapter was suppose to be part of Chapter 29, but it was to long. Even this chapter is longer than I expected. I decided to keep this chapter very light toned and humorous.

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Chapter 30

I was surprised to see Marco standing by the front door as I came downstairs. I had forgotten for a second he would be coming to Dylan's graduation too. Paige quickly embraced Marco in a tight hug.

"Hey!" Marco exclaimed as Paige wrapped her arms around him squeezing him tight.

"Well, your looking all spiff for Dylan's graduation." Paige complimented taking a quick look at him, "I like the tie."

Marco glanced down at his yellow tie with black polka dots, "Thanks," He said awkwardly, "Dylan gave it to me for my birthday."

"Hey." I broke in as I made my final decent on the last stair.

"Alex." Marco smiled stretching out his arm to welcome me into a hug. I graciously excepted his invitation and met him in an embrace.

"Hey Marco." I said warmly. It was always nice seeing him again. We broke apart and he took a quick scan of me from head to toe.

"Wow." He said grinning, "I know this is an important day, but I didn't expect you to go all out for it."

I rolled my eyes, "It's all Paige's fault."

Marco raised an eyebrow to Paige and Paige rolled her eyes in return.

"Well, you should have seen what she was going to wear. I had to intervene." Paige said folding her arms.

There was a moment of silence as we all struggled for something to say when Mrs. Michalchuk entered.

"Alright, are we all ready to go?" She said looking around at us all.

Paige, Marco, and I all nodded checking ourselves out of habit to make sure we had everything. We all simultaneously agreed we were ready to go. I double checked to make sure I had all my camera equipment.

Mrs. Michalchuk looked like she was almost ready to let out a smile when she seemed to notice something.

"Bill?" She asked looking around. There was no answer. "Bill?" She questioned again more forcefully. Still no answer. "Bill!" She had risen her voice to a yell now. Finally Mr. Michalchuk came running down the stairs he was trying to tie his neck tie as he raced to the bottom.

"Coming, Maggie." He said.

"What on God's green Earth?" Mrs. Michalchuk questioned, "Look at the time!" She said pointing to her wrist watch.

"I told you wanted to leave early! The seats are first come first serve and I want to make sure I get a good view!" Mrs. Michalchuk complained throwing her hands in the air.

"Sorry, Maggie." Mr. Michalchuk replied adjusting his tie in the mirror.

Paige, Marco, and I all remained silent.

"Can we get a move on now?" Mrs. Michalchuk asked.

"Yep, all ready." Mr. Michalchuk said grabbing his coat.

Mrs. Michalchuk let off a little frustrated smile then turned to face Paige and me.

"Alright dears." She said handing Paige a bag, "Here are some cloths for after the ceremony."

"After?" Paige questioned.

"Well, I don't think you want to help Dylan move out in that." She said looking at Paige who was dressed up in a nice white long skirt and a formal top.

Paige smiled as she took the bag. "Thanks, mom."

Mrs. Michalchuk glanced at me, "Why, Alex. Don't you look wonderful!" She exclaimed.

"Thanks." I smiled.

Mrs. Michalchuk took a step forward reached out her hand and grabbed my cheek. "All adorable and so grown up." She said pinching my cheek.

I let off a small sigh thinking back to the conversation at dinner last night. I looked over at Paige who had her hand up to her mouth trying to hide her laughter. Marco was also looking in the the other direction trying to act as if he didn't notice anything.

"Sorry, dear. I couldn't resist." Mrs. Michalchuk chuckled letting go of my cheek.

My face much have turned at least five shades of red. I brought my hand up to my face to hide it's brightly red color. I looked over at Marco who was still facing the other direction. He glanced over at me and chuckled at little.

"Yes...you do look so adorable." Marco joked his laughing getting a bit louder.

"Shut up." I said pushing him back. Paige finally let her laughter out.

"That was...cute." She chuckled. I rolled my eyes. I didn't want to admit it, but I actually enjoyed that Paige got a laugh of it.

"Alright! Look at the time! Let's go!" Mrs. Michalchuk yelled as she was racing through the house double checking everything, "Everyone, into the van!"

Nobody wasted a second before we all piled into the van and we were on our way.

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The car ride there was pretty much silent. Mr. Michalchuk drove and Mrs. Michalchuk sat in the front seat. Paige and I sat in the second row of seats, while Marco sat in the back row. The ride itself was very peaceful. Everybody just kind of stayed quiet and enjoyed the ride. It wasn't until we had almost reached Dylan's University did Mrs. Michalchuk start yelling again.

"No, Bill! You can't go that way!" She would yell at him, "Look at all this traffic!" She exclaimed throwing her arms up in the air.

I could not recall ever seeing Mrs. Michalchuk this angry and impatient.

"That way! Turn that way!" She demanded.

"I can't go that way, sweetie." Mr. Michalchuk replied staying surprisingly calm.

"Oh, we are never going to find parking." Mrs. Michalchuk said more to herself than to anyone else.

"We will, honey." Mr. Michalchuk replied glancing arround at all the direction signs posted on the roads.

"We are going to be late." Mrs. Michalchuk complained.

"We are not going to be late. We have plenty of time." Mr. Michalchuk replied not taking his eyes off the road.

Mrs. Michalchuk remained silent to his reply. She was looking out the window in despair. I glanced over at Paige who's facial expression suggested this was normal Michalchuk behavior during important events because Paige acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

After about fifteen minutes of driving in circles and almost crashing about three times we finally managed to find parking. Mrs. Michalchuk quickly hurried us out of the van and made us practically run to the stadium the ceremony was taking place in. Now normally such a fast pace of walking wouldn't have bothered me, but today I was actually wearing high heels and my feet had started killing me a half a block in. We finally reached the entrance of the stadium and I was more than happy for us all to finally find our seats. Paige and Marco were on both sides of me while Mr. and Mrs. Michalchuk were on my far right. The sun was already beginning beaming down on my face making me start to sweat and I couldn't help but wonder why the University was having an outdoor ceremony. Below all the graduates were visible in their black caps and gowns but they were to far away and I was unable to spot Dylan.

I leaned back a little bit placing my both arms on the arm rests and closing my eyes for a second. I suddenly felt a hand over mine and I open my eyes to see Paige pulling her arm away. She had subconsciously put her arm on the arm rest.

"Oh, sorry." She smiled.

"No." I said removing my arm completely. "Take it." I smiled.

"Oh no, that's okay." Paige replied blushing a little bit.

"No, really." I said folding my arms to show I had no intention of the using the arm rest anyway.

Paige grinned a little bit before placing her arm on the arm rest again. She glanced at me quickly and then looked down at the graduates. I pretended not to notice.

After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, the ceremony finally began. The ceremony started by the university band playing the national anthem and then the graduation song while the graduates took their seats. They walked in single file and in line, filed into their seats. I had to endure what seemed like hours of speeches from the Dean, teachers, and guest speakers which was only intensified by the pounding heat of the sun. Finally they began to read off the names. One by one each student went up, received their diploma, and shook hands with the Dean and a few other people I wasn't quite sure who they were. Finally, Dylan's name was called. I was startled as Mrs. Michalchuk stood up applauding and screaming Dylan's name.

"Dylan!" She yelled waving. Dylan rose from his chair and walked up the steps of the stage. I could also hear the voices of Marco, Paige, and Mr. Michalchuk as Dylan received his diploma. I also let out a hoot for him.

"That's my boy!" Mrs. Michalchuk called out again.

As Dylan shook hands with the Dean they paused as a snapshot was taken of them then Dylan walked back around and took his seat. The applauding had only started to die down when another name was called and the roaring began again. There must have been another good 30 minutes of names to endure before they finally reached the closing speech, and with that all the graduates threw their hats up in the air and stadium roared and cheered again. People quickly started getting up from their seats and started heading down to the field to greet their newly graduated family and friends. Before I was even able to stand up, Mrs. Michalchuk was racing down to the field. I looked at Paige, who shrugged at me and followed behind her mother. I started to walk down the steps but found it extremely difficult in heels. I tripped on more than one occasion. Marco had to help me all the way down. Every time I looked forward I saw Paige practically gliding down the steps without a single problem. Marco and I were the last to reach the bottom of the stairs and Mrs. and Mr. Michalchuk and Paige were already over greeting Dylan by the time Marco and I arrived. Marco seemed to have forgotten about helping me as he let me go practically causing me to fall over as he ran up and greeted his boyfriend with a big hug and kiss.

"Hey, congrats!" Marco exclaimed, "I'm so proud of you." Marco said caressing Dylan's cheek.

"Thanks, mom." Dylan replied grinning.

Marco rolled his eyes, "Okay, that was cheesy."

"Just a little." Dylan joked.

"But you know what I mean." Marco replied giving him a playful hit on the shoulder.

"I know." Dylan laughed leaning in to give his boyfriend another kiss.

"Okay, outta the way. My turn." I said pushing past Marco.

"Well Alex, I didn't know you felt that way about me. You know I'm gay, right? And I kinda see you like a sister." Dylan joked. "It would kinda be like kissing Paige."

I rolled my eyes hitting Dylan on the shoulder. Dylan opened his arms and we embraced in a tight hug.

"Congratulations." I said as I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Thanks." He replied.

We broke and he looked at me for a moment.

"Well, were look very grownup." He smiled. I looked away and god I wish I hadn't. Maybe I would have seen it coming. Dylan suddenly took a hold of my cheek.

"Aww..." He said pinching it, "My little Alex is all grown up." He said in a baby voice. My first reaction was to clobber him, but since it was his graduation and I knew Mrs. Michalchuk would let me have if it did, I refrained from such violent measures. But I was tempted. Marco and Paige busted out into laughter at seeing this happen to me for the second time today. I glanced over at Paige and she quickly shrugged her shoulders to suggest she hadn't mentioned a word of the cheek pinching incident with Mrs. Michalchuk this morning. But by the look on Dylan's face, Paige had.

"Alright, alright." Mrs. Michalchuk said putting an end to the laughter. "Lets get some pictures."

I grabbed my camera bag that was around my shoulder and took out my camera. I removed the lens and got the camera ready.

"Okay then." I said, "Lets just get the graduate first."

Everyone moved aside so Dylan was standing alone. I took a few shots of Dylan in his cap and gown. Then I got a bunch of different shots with the family. Dylan with his parents, Dylan with Paige, Dylan with his parents and Paige, Dylan with Marco, Dylan with Marco and Paige, and Dylan with everyone.

"Alright. That's a wrap." I finished putting the lens back on my camera.

"Wait one moment." Mr. Michalchuk said taking the camera from me and removing the lens, "Get in there Alex." He said waving for me to go stand by Dylan. Mr. Michalchuk took a few shots of Dylan and me and we went through the group again only this time adding me. Finally Mr. Michalchuk looked around for a second.

"Excuse me." Mr. Michalchuk said as some guy passed by. The tall man stopped to look at Mr. Michalchuk, "Could you do me a favor?" Mr. Michalchuk asked.

"Umm..sure." The man said.

"Could you take a picture of us." Mr. Michalchuk asked handing the man the camera.

"Oh, yea. Sure." The man said enthusiastically taking the camera. Mr. Michalchuk walked over to Dylan, "Common guys. Gather in."

We all huddled in for our group picture.

"Alright," The man said holding the camera to his right eye, "Say cheese."

In unison everyone said 'cheese'. Snap.

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After everyone was finished congratulating Dylan on his graduation, Mrs. Michalchuk said it was time to move Dylan out of his dorm so we could all get home. Mr. Michalchuk went to get the van and park it closer to Dylan's dorm. We all walked our way out of the stadium and past the crowds to Dylan's dorms. Dylan's room was covered in boxed. There were a few cloths and things lying around but for the most part his room looked empty. Paige decided she only needed to changed into tennis shoes but I wanted to get out of my clothing. I went to the bathroom and put on the old pair of jeans and the white t-shirt Mrs. Michalchuk had brought. I was more than happy to take my heels off and replace them with my old tennis shoes.

"I've pretty much packed everything." Dylan said walking to center of his dorm and looking around, "Everything just needs to be taken to car."

Since we couldn't do anything until Mr. Michalchuk returned with the van, we all just hung around for about 20 minutes while we waited for him.

"So Dylan, how does it feel to have graduated from college?" Paige asked. She sounded so proud of him.

"Well, it feels good." Dylan replied happily.

"And I am so proud of you." Mrs. Michalchuk exclaimed playfully pinching his cheek.

"Mom." Dylan whined taking a step back. I was more than happy to see this happening to someone other than me. Marco burst out laughing and Paige brought her hand up to her mouth to hide her smile.

"What?" Mrs. Michalchuk asked, "Can't a mother be proud of her child?"

Dylan nodded scratching the back of his head, "Yea, mom."

"Well, that's one kid I put through the college. Just two more." Mrs. Michalchuk said.

I took a sudden interest to the window at Mrs. Michalchuk words. I was always at a loss for words when Mrs. Michalchuk included me in things without question. I looked back at everyone. Everybody all seemed lost in thought.

"Alright, are we ready?" Mr. Michalchuk said as he walked through the door into Dylan's room.

"Yes." Mrs. Michalchuk replied, "Alright, everybody grab a box and let's start taking it down to the van."

"Alright people, let's hustle!" Mr. Michalchuk joked clapping his hands together. "Move! Move! Move!"

Paige rolled her eyes as she picked up what must have been the smallest box in the room. I on the other hand must have grabbed the box filled with encyclopedias.

"Here, lemme get that." Mr. Michalchuk said grabbing the box from me as I was about to fall over.

"Thanks." Replied more than happy to be relieved of that box.

It only took us about half an hour to finish loading everything in the van. We did a quick sweep of the room to make sure there was nothing left.

"Alright then. Let's all pile in the van." Mr. Michalchuk said as he started walking down the steps of the building. Mrs. Michalchuk, Paige, and Marco followed. Dylan was still standing inside his dorm room looking around. He seemed to be deep in thought. I still had my camera so I took it out. Leaning against the doorway I quickly grabbed a shot of Dylan. The flash brought him back from whatever he was thinking about. He looked at me and smiled.

"Are you okay?" I asked putting the lens back on the camera.

"It's just weird. You know?" He asked, "I mean, everything is going to change and this is kind of like my home. And now I have to leave it and I don't know if I want to."

"No Dylan, " I said, "Your home is downstairs in the van." I smiled.

Dylan nodded grinning a little bit. "I guess your right."

"I always am." I teased brining my hands up in the air and shrugged.

"Dylan? Alex? Are you guys coming?" Marco interrupted as he emerged at the top step.

"Yea, Marco." Dylan replied walking out of his dorm to greet his boyfriend. He put is arm around Marco and kissed him on the side of the head. Dylan looked back through the door to the inside of his dorm.

"Good-bye, dorm room." Dylan Said.

"You will be missed." I joked. There was a small chuckle from both Dylan and Marco.

"Let's go." Marco said turning around to walk back downstairs. Dylan followed.

I don't know why I was compelled to get one last look at the dorm. I knew exactly what Dylan had been talking about. The way he felt about his dorm was the way I felt about his family. They were my home now and I never wanted to leave. I grabbed my camera again and held it up and I took a few more shots of the empty room before closing the door behind me.

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Okay, next chapter I am gonna really start brining to focus moreon Alex and Paige's relationship. Because I don't know about you, but I'm ready for some Palex! I'm not gonna say to much with what's going to happen or what's not going to happen next chapter, but what I will say is the focus is gonna start being on them.