Miranda's POV

This was it. The beginning of the end, or at least that's how I looked at it. School ended over two weeks ago, and yet we still hadn't officially graduated, due to the school postponing it in order for the students to properly grieve Liam's death. It hurt seeing him evaporate from our lives, knowing that he wouldn't be with us anymore, but what hurt more was knowing that over the next few months I would be preparing myself to leave this town, the town I thought I hated, the town that had brought so much misfortune into my life, and yet even thinking about leaving brought a few tears to my eyes.

"Miranda?" My mother called knocking lightly on my door not waiting long enough for an answer instead just barging into the cluttered room "Are you ready honey?"

"Almost" I answered scanning my reflection playing nervously with the bottom of my dress, I was never one to turn down the chance to wear a dress I was a lot like my mother in that way. I took every opportunity to dress up, throwing on accessories and high heels whenever I could. It helped to distract me from the chaos which surrounded me, focusing my attention on looking nice, instead of the drama and tragedy that was my life was the only thing that keep me sane. "Do I…?" I began to ask turning to face her my words immediately disappearing when I noticed the tears rolling down her cheeks "Mom?"

"I'm okay" She said her voice cracking as she took a seat on the edge of my bed swiftly wiping the tears from her eyes careful not to ruin her makeup "I just can't believe your graduating today, everything has gone so fast"

"I know" I agreed slipping into my shoes shuffling over to my bed "It feels like just yesterday that Emma and I were tiptoeing into Rosewood High scared out of our skin, afraid that we would get lost, afraid that we would fail all of our classes, afraid that we wouldn't fit in.."

"And now look at you" She grinned tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear "You both got into a great college, your both graduating with honors, I couldn't be more proud the only thing that would make this better is if" Her voice faded as her eyes dropped to the ground, I knew she was thinking of Connor, there wasn't a day that went by that she didn't think of him, it was hard not to think of him, there were at least fifty pictures of him around the house, and plus his bedroom was basically a shrine dedicated to him.

"If Connor was here" I finished giving a faint giggle "If Connor were here, he would probably throw a water balloon at me when I went to get my diploma, or he would spike the drinks at my graduation party"

"I could see him doing that" She laughed her smile bringing light to the dim room "I wonder where he gets that from" She stated her eyes darting towards my door where he leaned against the frame his arms crossed firmly over his chest

"I never did anything like that!" He said stepping further into the room draping his arm around my shoulder pulling me into a tight side hug "Are we ready?"

"I think so" I replied once again tugging at my light blue dress silently admiring the way it complimented my piercing blue eyes, it was strange, the fact that my eyes and my mother's eyes were practically exact replicas although biologically speaking she wasn't actually my mother. "Shall we?" I asked extending my arm towards the door doing my best to cover up the sound of my beating heart, the nerves of graduation finally exposing themselves.

It was terrifying, I'll be the first to admit it, walking into the school for maybe the last time passing by each of my old classes, running my fingertips on so many of the lockers where Emma and I had several of our most heated discussions, strolling past the girl's bathroom where oddly enough I spent majority of my time, whether it be hiding from Jess during freshman year, or hiding from teachers after ditching their classes.

"Hey" I heard someone greet tearing me from my thoughts "Are you thinking about going in?" He asked noticing that I was lingering by the door to the auditorium my parents having already gone inside

"I'm not sure yet, I don't think I'm ready to let all of this go" I explained gesturing around the quiet hallway my eyes catching the various posters that lined the walls "It's harder than I thought it would be"

"I know what you mean" He said straightening his graduation cap "Ever since I got here I couldn't wait to leave, and now that the time has come, I don't want to go" His blue eyes connected with mine the simple action speaking more than words could ever express

"You know we spoke for the first time right over there" I said giving a small smile as I pointed down the hallway towards our old history classroom

"Oh, yeah" He laughed holding his head in his hand as he did his best to stifle his laughter "That was an interesting conversation"

"Mindy? Right?" The blue eyed bad boy asked running to catch up to me

"Miranda" I corrected not bothering to face him my attention solely focused on finding Emma who had apparently mixed into the crowd of students shuffling to their next class

"Your friends with the girl with the big green eyes, right?" He questioned a stupid smile erupting on his lips as he thought of her "Emma" He spoke her name as if it were the most beautiful thing in the world, which it might have been

"Best friends why?" I asked finally turning to face him leaning my body on the lockers near the classroom peering over my shoulder every so often in search of Emma

"Is she dating anyone?"

"Let me stop you right there" I said holding the history textbook tightly to my chest "She's not interested in you" I lied not wanting to accept the fact that Emma would be more than likely to jump at the chance to date someone as good looking as Noah "And plus, someone else likes her so…"

"Who?" He probed running his hand through his dark hair tousling it nervously

'"Why do you need to know?" I challenged my tone growing more and more tense by the moment

"I'm just curious, that's all. Is it that guy who sits in front of her?" He asked referring to Blake Brawn the dumb football jock who did everything in his power to date every single girl in the school

"No!" I answered quickly fidgeting uncomfortably on my feet "You don't need to know who it is" I complained attempting to side step away from him

"Shit" He cursed under his breath blocking me from my getaway as he stepped in front of me "It's you! You're in love with your best friend" He stated a look of utter glee crossing his face

"I still don't get why you never told her?" I said looking up at the boy who stood in front of me proud of how far the two of us had come "I mean you could have, and yet you didn't"

"It wasn't my place, although the two of you would have made a hot couple" He commented swerving out of the way just before I could smack him "But if were being completely honest you and Tori were a lot hotter"

"Thanks" I smirked following Noah inside the auditorium searching the crowded room for our assigned seats "Hi" I greeted waving in Emma's direction as I descended into my seat, secretly wishing I was seated beside her instead of Maria a girl who I barely knew.

The principal called out various names patiently standing at the podium as each student received their diplomas every one of them wearing the same proud look as they returned to their seats "Amy Fields" He called out watching as Amy strutted up towards the podium happily receiving her diploma. I hated to admit it, but I was mad that my friendship with Amy had ended, if you looked passed all of her transgressions she was a great girl, she was determined, dedicated, passionate, and caring perhaps if things have gone differently Amy and I would be friends instead of Jess and I "Emily Fitz" I couldn't help but smile when I heard him call her, I had never once referred to Emma as Emily in the many years of our friendship her full name never sounding right when I said it. "Jessica Khan" I craned my head around the auditorium in search of the blonde "Jessica Khan" The principal repeated after his first failed attempt to beckon Jess

"Noah!" I hissed leaning forward in my chair desperately trying to keep my voice quiet "Noah!"

"I don't know!" He answered before I could even ask my question, the brunette looking around him in search of his sister before grasping the attention of the principal signaling him to move on

"Noah Khan" The principal called out a round of laughs exploding through the auditorium as Noah approached the principal sticking out his tongue as he snatched his diploma "Victoria Montgomery" A uncontrollable grin grew on my lips as I heard her name, carefully watching her as she stumbled towards the podium Tori walking extremely slow most likely to ensure that she didn't fall, the girl never being too good with keeping her balance. I couldn't express how happy I was for her, she wasn't even supposed to graduate this year, an entire year early and yet here she was the youngest one at this graduation, graduating with probably the highest grades. My heart was pounding when I noticed it was almost my turn with every name announced I came a step closer to receiving my diploma, a step closer to my new life. "Miranda Rivers" I jumped onto my feet forcing my hair out of my face as I reached the podium taking the diploma in my hands, memorizing each and every moment that followed, memorizing just how I felt when I realized this was it, this was the end of Rosewood High.

"To pooped to party?" Tori asked sitting on the tire swing with me her graduation cap still balancing perfectly on her head "Don't you want to dance with everyone else?" She questioned her eyes making their way over to the makeshift dance floor where Emma and Noah were captivating everyone's attention with their routine to Fifth Harmony's Worth It, which I have to admit wasn't too bad.

"No, I kind of just want to think" I said tapping my fingers on the tire doing my best to ignore the fact that Tori's legs were inches away from touching mine

"Are you thinking about anything good?" She asked removing her cap from her head flipping her hair wildly as she attempted to get rid of her hat hair

"I was actually thinking about you" I confessed nervously "I was thinking about when we met, and how that small moment changed so much, that small moment gave me the best friend I could ever ask for, and a girl who I loved more than anything else in the world"

Mom would definitely ground me if I was late to school again, no tv, no phone, no friends, no nothing. It wasn't my intention to be late to class, in fact I woke up early this morning to ensure that I wouldn't be late but of course my car had to crap out this morning forcing me to run to school, something I wasn't so fond of.

"Sorry" I apologized feeling as my body slammed into a small figure outside of the school watching as her books scattered across the ground. I wanted to stay and help her clean up the mess I had made, but I couldn't risk being late to class, not again! I felt terrible about running into her, I was sure she was a new student the young girl wearing an expression of complete fear her mother having to basically drag her inside. She was pretty, that was all I could think when she crossed my mind, she had that whole hipster nerd thing going for her, a large pair of glasses balanced on her face, her dark brown hair styled in a perfect side braid. I didn't know her name, I didn't know what grade she was in, the only thing I knew about her was that she was pretty. She was really pretty.

"I'm sorry, I know we kind of agreed to only be friends but I.." She didn't let me finish my thought instead crashing our lips together resting her hands on my neck as our lips moved together perfectly the familiarity of her taste practically intoxicating me

"Hate to interrupt, but do you mind if I have a minute with your girl?" Noah said standing awkwardly near the swing set "Sorry" He apologized after seeing Tori's angry expression the girl looking as if she was going to murder him

"I'll be back" She promised taking my hand in hers giving it a tight squeeze before disappearing with Noah

"So what was that about?" She asked taking the seat previously occupied by Tori

"What was what about?" I questioned asking as if I didn't know what she was talking about, not wanting to dive into the topic of Tori and I, the discussion always ending in me remembering all the reasons we had broken up

"Miranda don't be a bitch on our graduation day, just spill" Emma begged punching me lightly in my bicep "Come on!" She begged pushing out her bottom lip desperately trying to recreate the puppy dog face she used to make in the fourth grade, knowing just how the simple look had used to get her everything she wanted

"Tori and I kissed end of story"

"But are you back together or what?" Emma probed giggling like a small child

"I don't know yet, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it" I said hiding my inner excitement as I thought about being with Tori again "Em" I said slowly

"What's up?" She said her green eyes staring deeply into mine

"I love you girl, and I'm really happy that were going to the same school" I admitted feeling tears of happiness drip from my eyes

"Look at blondie getting all sappy on me" Emma teased using the pad of her thumb to wipe off my tears "Why are you getting so emotional?"

"I don't freaking know, I'm just happy" It was true I was overjoyed at the fact that I wouldn't have to leave Emma, I was ecstatic that no matter what happened during my college years I would have Emma right by my side "Listen I have something to ask you"

"Oh my god are you proposing?" She taunted covering her mouth with her hand "I totally was not expecting this"

"You're a bitch!" I whined punching her in the arm rolling my eyes as I tried to ignore her inappropriate laughter

"Nope, you're the bitch I'm the slut remember?" She giggled bringing back the childish insults wrapping her fingers around the chains of the tire swing causing it to swing slowly back and forth "Anyway finish what you were saying"

"No" I declined folding my arms over my chest angrily not happy about how she was treating this conversation

"Miranda, come on I was just joking around please tell me what you were gonna ask me"

"You know my grandma Ashley right?"

"Yeah, we used to go to her lake house all the time" Emma said recalling the memories from summers past

"Well she gave me an early graduation present, and it turns out it's an apartment and I was hoping instead of slumming it in the college dorms could live it up in our own apartment"

"Are you saying that we could live together?"

"Maybe, I mean what's better than living with your best friend? So do you want to?"

"Hells yeah!" She screamed throwing her arms around me pulling me into a tight hug "This is gonna be perfect I get to live with my best friend!"

"And you get to pay rent with your best friend" I chuckled pushing her off of me, Emma despite her small size proving to be quite strong no doubtabley from her years of playing lacrosse

"Emma! Miranda!" Tori said frantically running up to the two of us a strange expression etched across her face as she desperately tried to catch her breath "We have a problem"

Question (answer in reviews): Are you excited to see how the girls do in college?