A/N: Because you guys are so awesome and I love you all I'm updating again today. Thanks again for all the reviews, follows and favorites.

CHAPTER FIVE: Graduation.

The graduation ceremony was finally over. Lacey was relieved she didn't have to sit on the uncomfortable plastic chairs any longer. She abandoned her robe and hat before walking over to Gemma and Clay, hugging them both. She smiled when she saw Chibs, Tig, Piney, Bobby, Opie and Donna standing there behind them. Her smile faltered a little when she didn't see Jax. "I'm glad you guys came."

"We wouldn't miss it for the world, baby girl. I'm so proud of you. We all are." Gemma smiled.

"Your ma would be proud too." Piney said when she hugged him. She gave him a small smile. Today was another one of those days where she wished her mom was still alive. She hugged everyone else as they congratulated her.

They left the school wanting to get out of there as soon as they could. Lacey didn't want to spend a minute more than she had to. Chibs had his arm slung across her shoulders as they walked out the gate. "I'm ready to party, are you?"

She reached out stealing his cigarette out of his hand and brought it to her lips. Chibs didn't protest this time as she took a drag from it. "Not just yet Uncle Chibs, I need to go do something first. I'll meet you guys at the clubhouse."

"You need someone to go with you?" she heard Clay ask.

"Na I'll be fine." She smiled and waved as she watched them all leave before making her way to the cemetery.

The cemetery let Lacey think about everything and anything. Right now she was thinking about Jax. She'd been avoiding him the best she could since what happened in the clubhouse. She was confused by her new found feelings for him, the jolt that went through her when they touched, her pounding heart when she saw, the way she blushed when he made some flirty comment, winked and/or smiled at her. It was all new to her. Connor didn't even make her feel the way Jax did. There had been no jolt.

She sat down in front of her mothers headstone and ran her fingers over the lettering. "So I did it. I graduated today and in under just over four weeks I start at UCLA." she paused to take a deep breath. "I wish you were here today. I miss you so much. I hope dad and Uncle John are taking good care of you up there, just like the guys and Aunt Gem down here have taken good care of me." she paused for a few seconds, looking down at her hands then back at the headstone. "I better get to the clubhouse before they send a search party out. I'll try come see you before I leave for LA. I love you always."

She ran her hand over the headstone once more before standing up. She walked out the gates and frowned when she saw Jax waiting there, leaning against his Dyna. Even though she'd been avoiding him she was still disappointed that he wasn't at her graduation. He held out his spare helmet to her.

"Thought you might like a ride to the clubhouse."

"How'd you know I was here." she asked not taking the helmet.

"Your mom is."

She snatched the helmet from him and put it on before climbing on the motorcycle behind him. She leaned forward to speak into his ear. "Just so you know, I'm pissed at with you."

"These are for you since you won't stop stealing other people's and buy your own." Tig said slamming a packet of cigarettes and a lighter on the table, in front of her.

She laughed picking them up and took one out. The only people she stole cigarettes from was him, Chibs and Jax. "Tiggy, you shouldn't have."

"I didn't buy them." he admitted.

"Who'd you steal them from?" she asked grinning.

"Chibs."

"He's gonna kill you." She laughed louder than she did before. Tig shrugged his shoulders and walked off to get himself another drink.

She shook her head as she put the cigarette between her lips, lighting it before inhaling the nicotine. She looked down at the bottle of beer in her right hand. She sure was going to miss the guys and Gemma. A part of her didn't want to go to college but she knew if she didn't she'd have the club, Gemma and Donna kicking her ass all the way to LA.

She looked up when someone sat at the table, frowning when she saw it was Jax. She stood up grabbing the cigarettes and lighter. She had no right to be mad at him. He should be the one mad at her for being a bitch all week.

"You still not talking to me?"

She didn't answer him as she walked away. He got up and followed her outside. He took her arm and pulled her away to the side of the building away from everyone. "Let me go, Jackson!"

"Not until you talk to me."

"I just did." she glared at him but made no move to leave when he let go of her arm.

"I'm sorry I missed your graduation." he sighed. "I had something I needed to do."

She scoffed. "Like what? Getting your dick sucked?"

"I know your mad because I didn't go but you're the one that's been avoiding me for the past week. I didn't know if you fuckin' wanted me there or not!"

"So you were getting your dick wet?"

He rolled his eyes. "Sorry to disappoint Darlin' but I haven't thought about my dick all day." She remained silent. She wasn't glaring at him anymore and she didn't look like she wanted to get as far away from him as she could. "I was out getting your graduation gift. It took longer than I thought it would." He reached into the pocket of his jeans.

She watched as he pulled out a jewelry box and handed it to her. She took it, letting out a slight gasp when she saw the necklace. It was a small silver crow hanging from a thin silver chain. She wasn't able to tear her eyes away from it. "It's beautiful, Jax."

"I had it custom made. I thought you could have a little something of home wherever you go."

"This is definitely the best gift I've gotten today. I love it." She hugged him. "I'm sorry for being a bitch to you."

"Don't worry about it." He took the box back from her, taking out the necklace. She turned around and held her hair away from her neck as he put it on her. She didn't miss the jolt that happened again when his fingers brushed the back of her neck and the feeling of his hands moving to her hips.

She turned back to face him as she held the small crow between her fingers, her eyes locking with his. He smiled and leaned into kiss her. She turned her head so he caught her cheek instead of her lips. He turned her head and crashed his lips to hers before she could protest. All rational thoughts left her as she melted against them.

After a minute or so they broke for air. Jax rested his forehead against hers. Both of them needed to catch their breath. Lacey still had her eyes clothes. "We shouldn't be doing this."

"Why not?" She opened her eyes to look at him. She thought she saw a flash of disappointment go through his eyes like last week.

"Because we're friends Jax. Friends aren't supposed to do this. It's wrong."

"It doesn't feel wrong."

"It does for me." she lied.

Jax laughed, shaking his head as he stepped away from her. He always saw through her lies. "You're a terrible liar."

"Please Jax, don't -"

"What's the real reason you can't do this? Because you seemed perfectly fine with it on your birthday." He frowned, cutting her off. She looked to the ground and muttered something he couldn't hear. "You're going to have to speak up, Darlin'."

She sighed looking back up at him. He was right. Their friendship and all these new feelings she'd never felt before weren't the only reasons she was holding back. "I don't want to be Tara."