Chapter 16

(Italics inside like this.) = Inner thoughts

Bold like this = emphasized words.

[Stuff in these = actions while speaking]

*-*-*-* = Time passing

I use ; instead of : to prevent conflict with word program when writing text messages.

They don't always mean wink.

The story picks up at Rosewood High. Commencement ceremony has just started.

Aria's POV*

I adjust my cap and check the tassel is on the correct side. (Stupid thing won't stay in place) I can't understand the alumni speaker and know that Spencer's speech is next so I dig my phone out fix my gown scroll through the contacts tap Emily's name and type, "I'm bored. I can't understand this guy. Want to play?" push send and set my phone in my lap. I return the snide look I get from the person next to me. I feel my phone pick it up and read, "Can it wait? Spence is next." I reply, "You have heard her speech. I helped write it. But if you don't want to I understand." And send. (Come on babe.) I set my phone in my lap as they introduce Spencer. I cheer and applaud. The crowd settles and Spencer begins her speech.

My phone vibrates in my lap. I smile pick it up and read…

Emily, "What do you mean by play?"

Me, "I can't send dirty pics if that is what you're implying."

Emily, " ;( but would you?"

Me, "Maybe. You owe me one btw. I know not now."

Emily, "Oh yea. ;) If can't show tell? What might go with previous pic?"

Me, "Could be nothing to tell."

Emily, "Oh :,') no shocker." (I have got to learn these smiles. Is that blushing?)

Me, "It all matches. Wish you could feel how soft now."

Emily, " ;( me too. I feel 'em so soft & getting damp…then I start to remove 'em."

Me, "Oh yea something new…I'll stop you and unzip your dress."

Emily, "That's right. We haven't undressed each other fully."

Spencer finishes her speech. The crowd applauds.

Me, "Lol. Way to kill the mood. More later live. Better go. No tripping. ;)-"

Emily, "You mean stumbling from a vibe in panties? I'm waiting like in practice."

I laugh and put my phone away. The person next to me gives me a dirty look. I smile at her and turn to face the stage. I sit there for a few minutes I know she was in the same English class as me but I can't think of her name. I glance at her to jog my memory.

She says, "What could be more important than the valedictorian's speech?"

I smile and say, "Did it make you want to oust the current politicians? I helped write that speech. So don't think I don't care."

She replies, "Good for you. Sorry but I think it's rude to use ones phone during important stuff. And yes it did. You are Aria right? I'm Kate"

I say, "Yea. Nice to meet you Kate. Most of the time I would agree with you. I did have it on silent. Sorry if I distracted you…" I motion to Kate. I cheer for Emily and watch her take her diploma face the crowd move her tassel to her left wave and walk behind the curtain. I look back to Kate and say, "Sorry I had to cheer for my girlfriend. Kate I really haven't meant to ignore people at school. It's a really long story why, but I am sorry I didn't know your name. We were in the same English class." She nods. A brief awkward silence and Kate says, "I don't know the whole story but just from the news I get it. And I'm sorry for what happened to you. Good to see you are doing well."

I gesture to Kate and cheer for Spencer.

I say, "Sorry one of my best friends. Thanks. Hope you have all the best today."

Kate replies, "Same to you. I'm the first of my friends to go."

I just nod politely and watch the rows of students rise in front of me. I wave at Hanna as her row stands. She waves back as she walks to join the line in the isle. The row I'm in stands and I walk in the line to the isle. As we walk and get closer to the stairs I can't see but I hear Hanna's name and cheer. I get to see her move her tassel and walk away as I reach the bottom stair. I step up as the others in front of me walk onto the stage. I pause at the top step until my name is announced I walk to the front of the table and hands me my diploma shakes my hand and congratulates me. I turn and walk to the front of the stage move my tassel to the left wave at my mom and walk behind the curtain.

Emily Hanna and Spencer practically squish me to death. We release the group hug and I hug Hanna and Spencer individually. I come close to tackling Emily when I went to hug congratulate and kiss her. I feel her start the deepen the kiss and as I return…

Hanna says, "Okay you two don't make me get the hose. We have some major partying to do." I grown as Emily pulls away. I slip my arm 'round her waist feel hers come around me over mine as we walk off the stage out the door and down the hall. I squeak, "We did it!" as we walk to turn in our gowns.

Spencer says, "Don't forget we have to be at my house first. Anyone know what that is all about?"

Three together answer, "No." We link arms and walk to the changing room.

*-*-*-*-*Later at the Hastings's residence.

Ashley Marin's POV*

I mingle around checking to see if everyone has arrived. I walk over to Veronica and nod for her to gather the girls. I take a sip of my wine set the glass on the island feel my pocket to see if it's contents were still there. Veronica says, "Can I have everyone's attention please. Thank you. I would like to say congratulations to Spencer and her friends. We, us mothers, decided that Ashley should be the one to speak today, being that it was her idea. [She looks at me.] I want to thank you again for everything." I smile at her and step from behind the island look at Hanna and her friends and say, "Thank you Veronica. I am happy that I got talked out of doing this Friday. Having everyone here is much better. Hanna, Spencer, Aria and Emily. We have watched all of you grow up and go through some major events in your lives but the bond of friendship between you was never broken. That is a very rare thing in the world. Before all the recent mess I was fortunate enough to have some very smart friends in business and when I was given a tip on an investment I shared it with Ella, Pam, and Veronica. We all figured that buying Ford motor company stock at less than two dollars a share would be a good way to boost the college funds we had for you girls. I will spare you from the rest of the details and say that we did very well with that investment. Girls now that you have made it out of High School and after all the mess we decided that you are strong and smart enough to decide what to do. [I walk over taking four envelopes out of my pocket] Do not open these until I say!" I hand out the envelopes Hanna starts to open hers. I yell, "Hanna Marin!"

She stops looks at me and says, "Sorry mom." I walk over and take a sip of wine. I set the glass down look at the girls and say, "Before you open those, I want to say that we are so proud of all of you and after some debate we agreed that we can trust you with what is inside. There are a few details that we can go over later. I know you are anxious to get to your party. Okay you may open." They open the envelopes there is a moment of silence before they shriek jump up and scatter towards their parents. Hanna runs at me and about knocks me down as she hugs me and says, "Thank you. This is real right?" I laugh and say, "It is as real as this hug honey. I love you." She says, "I love you too. You're the best and not just 'cause of this." We release the embrace and I watch the others hugging and talking to their parents. I see Veronica walk over and start to set up the plastic glasses walk over to help and say, "Thank you again for all your help in this." She replies, "Happy to. I can't thank you enough Ashley." Ella and Pam join us and I ask, "Who wants to do the toast? I think I have said my piece."

Pam looks at Ella points to Wayne hugging Emily and Aria as she says, "Looks like we have even more to toast to. I have to admit I wasn't sure Emily would ever find someone. She had the crummiest luck before Aria. I am so happy to see her with someone that truly makes her happy. Ella I..." Ella hugs Pam and says, "I know Pam likewise. They do make one another happy. Please thank Wayne for me I haven't had an opening to do it myself. I'm glad one of us picked a good one. [She motions for Veronica and I join them.] We all did a damn good job as parents though." I add, "It wasn't always easy." Veronica says, "I think they taught us a few things about friendship along the way." We all nod and separate as our daughters join us. Hanna jokes, "Come on break it up. I declare this a tear free zone."

Spencer is holding the Champaign bottle. Aria says, "We have no words that can fully express our appreciation for everything you do for us." as she finishes arranging the glasses. Spencer pops the cork and starts to pour a little into eight real glasses as she says, "A toast this important in plastic is disrespectful." Hanna and Emily hand out the glasses as Spencer pours. We gather in a circle and look at each other. Hanna speaks first, "I got this. [She raises her glass high.] Here is to the best ff...frikin moms ever!" We laugh raise our glasses and drink.

END

A/N I figured I would just let readers imagine where the new graduates lives will go from here, and possibly inspire someone to write a continuation. I may get to it in the future but not likely since I have a new job that takes up a lot of my time.

Here is the math for the stock.

$5,000 invested each = 2,500 shares X 30 dollars profit per share on ford stock = $75,000 each.