Standing in front of her mirror wearing a white graduation cap with a matching gown that had red stripes on the side, Jesse couldn't help but smile at her reflection.
The day has finally come.
After four years she is finally graduating high school and just around the corner, she'll be attending her dream school, Julliard.
It still seems surreal to Jesse that she'll be in New York for the next fours years, chasing her dreams until she reaches the stars.
Getting to this point wasn't an easy one, but she is grateful to be surrounded by such incredible and loving people, who she knows will always support her and be by her side.
With one last glance, Jesse headed out of the bathroom and made her way downstairs.
Immediately as she reached the bottom steps her nostrils were filled with the delicious smell of food.
Following the smell, she ended up in the kitchen, where her family was gathered together.
"There's the graduate!" Jesse's mother said with a smile before pulling her daughter into a hug.
At her words, Jesse smiled as she hugged her mother in return.
"I can't believe my baby is growing up," Jesse's mother sniffled out, tears gathering in her eyes.
"Mom, please don't cry, or else I'll end up crying," Jesse replied as her mother laughed in return.
"We're just extremely proud of you Jay, we know how hard you've worked and to see you grow into a beautiful, kind, strong, and courageous woman has been a blessing," Jesse's father stated as he came to stand beside Jesse's mother, wrapping a comforting arm around her.
"Dad's right Jess, we're so proud of you and can't wait to see the amazing things you will accomplish in the future!" Nevah added on as Noah nodded in agreement, the both of them wearing proud grins.
Jesse felt tears begin to form within her eyes, though she tried her very hardest not to let a tear slip.
"Thank you guys, I wouldn't have made it here if it wasn't for your love and support. I love you all so much," Jesse let out, her voice wavering from the overwhelming amount of emotions she was feeling.
"We love you too," Jesse's father said before he pulled her into a hug.
Quickly the others joined in the hug, relishing in such a joyous occasion.
Once they pulled apart they all began to dig into the delicious breakfast Nevah made: Nutella pancakes with maple sausage, bacon, and chocolate chip muffins.
And that was only a fraction of the food Nevah made.
Nevah and Jesse's mother insisted that Jesse should have a graduation party, and after much pleading, Jesse finally caved in.
After the ceremony, Jesse's family and all of Jesse's friends, and their family will be returning to her house to celebrate all the graduates.
Of course, Nevah being a top chef would be making all the food for the party, and she was excited to see people's reactions to her new recipes to see if they would be great additions to the menus in her restaurants.
After they ate some food, Jesse received a text from Myles stating that they were outside.
Grabbing a couple of muffins, Jesse greeted everyone goodbye, promising to see them later before heading out of the house.
"Hurry up, we're already five minutes late," Talia shouted from the window of the passenger seat.
With the roll of her eyes, Jesse quickly made her way to the car.
"We wouldn't have been late if you didn't take so long to get ready," Lance huffed out as Jesse entered the car and took a seat beside Myles.
"It takes time to look this good Cunnigham," Talia replied shooting Lance a glare.
"I've brought muffins," Jesse interrupted preventing an argument to break out between the two as they were distracted by food.
The five of them decided to all ride together to the graduation ceremony wanting to be with each other on such a special day.
The last week they've spent every day together and a day hasn't gone by where something chaotic hasn't happened.
The last week serving as a prelude for what an eventful yet fun summer awaits the five of them.
"You look great by the way," Talia said shifting her attention to Jesse.
Jesse let out a small thank you before complimenting Talia and Malia.
The both of the them wearing white dresses that complimented them perfectly.
"You look beautiful," Myles whispered into Jesse's ear.
A smile formed on Jesse's face in response.
Turning her head slightly, Jesse placed a gentle kiss on Myles's cheek as a thank you.
A cheeky grin made its way onto Myles's face at the small act of affection.
Like usual, their hands found themselves interlocked with one another before the two of them submerged into their own conversation, lost in their own world.
In what should have been a ten-minute drive but was cut to five minutes due to West's speeding, they finally made it to school.
Getting out, the five of them rounded out to the front of the car.
"I can't believe we're finally leaving this hell hole," Lance said as they each stared at the building before them.
"Hey, it wasn't all bad. I'm leaving with the best people in the world," Jesse said making grins break onto all their faces.
"Yeah, yall aren't too bad," Talia teased with a shrug as Malia shoved her shoulder playfully.
"You love us," Malia said with a grin.
"As much as I would love to continue this beautiful moment, with the way Coach is glaring at us I think it's best we start going," Lance said his attention focused on Coach who was indeed standing in front of the stadium doors waiting for them to get their butts over there.
"HEY! LET'S GO! WE DON'T GOT ALL DAY!" Coach shouted making them immediately run over.
As they passed him Lance tried to apologize and explain why they were late, but Coach just brushed him off.
"I don't wanna hear it Cunnigham, just get in there," Coach said in reply, and despite his harsh glare, his lips were tilted up in a small smile.
They quickly rushed to their seats, anticipation bubbling within their stomachs at what was yet to come.
"I can't believe this is it, four years really does go by fast," Myles asked from beside Jesse.
Both of them were happy that the seating was in alphabetic order because it meant they got to sit next to each other during the ceremony.
Jesse nodded in agreement soaking in the moment as her eyes darted around looking at the excited grins on her classmates' faces.
"I'm just happy I'm ending it all with you by my side," Jesse said her eyes gleaming with joy as Myles' smile widen at her words.
"Me too," Myles replied before linking their hands together.
___
"You may now move your tassels from right to the left," The principal announced.
Following through, the graduates performed the much-anticipated action.
"I'm proud to announce the 2021 graduating class of Jameson High! Congratulations to all our fellow graduates!"
Without missing a beat caps were flying in the air, the deafening sound of family and friends rejoicing filling the stadium.
"We did it!" Jesse shouted in glee.
"Yeah, we did!" Myles replied before swooping done to place a kiss on his girlfriend's lips.
They smile against each other's lips before Myles lifts Jesse into the air in joy. Jesse's grin widening as he spun around, laughter spilling from her lips.
Once she was back on the ground she barely had time to recover before she and Myles were tackled into a hug by Lance.
"We're graduates baby!" Lance shouted with delight.
Soon after West, Talia, and Malia joined in the hug all of them jumping with joy.
Though it was a bittersweet moment, having to close up this chapter of their life they were all excited to see what great adventures the next part of their lives will bring.
What made it better was that they knew no matter what happened they would still have each other.
With their arms wrapped around each other, they walked out together, ready to embark on the next journey of their lives.
___
Walking down the steps, Jesse took in the decorations around the room. She spotted a large banner that said "Congratulations" on it and giant balloons that spelled out 2021 beside it.
Walking further into the her living room she saw red, black, and white balloons, streamers, delicious food laid out on the table, and the smell of food coming from her kitchen telling her more was to come, and the couches pushed back a bit to give make more room.
Jesse found herself swaying to the beat of the music they blasted through the speakers, her white ribbon corset baby doll dress swaying with her.
Jesse smiled as she spotted her family and friends all talking with one another, boisterous laughter filling the room.
Moving from the living room Jesse spotted all the dads, the boys, and Will playing an intense game of poker.
Her smile widening at the sight of her favorite boys getting along.
Jesse left them to their game, maneuvering back to the living room.
"Come dance," Talia said with a carefree grin once she spotted Jesse.
With a large smile, Jesse latched onto Talia's outstretched hand before dancing along with her and Malia.
Laughter bubbled from them as they spun around the room, singing to their heart's content.
As soon as No Scrubs by TLC came on all the girls including their mothers were shouting the lyrics at the top of their lungs distracting the guys from their game.
Soon the guys decided to pick back on their game later before shifting to the living room.
Looking at the scene before they amused smiles appeared on their faces.
Quickly the guys found themselves joining in on their fun.
And for the next couple of songs, everyone danced and sang with no care in the world.
After dancing for more than half hour Jesse excused herself from the rest of the group needing some fresh air.
Jesse soon found herself up in the treehouse, a small smile blooming on her face as she overlooked the pinkish-yellow sky.
Jesse's gaze never left the sky even as she heard footsteps coming up the stairs, as she already knew who it was.
Shifting over, Jesse made room for Myles to sit beside her.
At first, no one said anything the both of them just enjoying the view and each other's company.
"I'm happy that I caught you, that day in the treehouse," Jesse spoke softly trying her best not to break the feeling of peace that surrounded them.
"I don't think I would've ever spoken to you if that night never happened, and that terrifies me. I would've lost you for good, I would've never fallen in love with you," Jesse continued on to say as Myles's listened beside her.
"I'm glad you caught me too, I believe the reason why I went there that night was that I was hoping you would. Though I don't think we would've lost each other for good. Somehow our paths would've crossed again I'm sure of it," Myles spoke with utter confidence, as Jesse shifted her gaze to him.
"Really? How can you be so sure? Jesse asked.
"Because I would've kept coming until I finally was caught. Not a day went by where I didn't think about you Jesse, nothing in the world could ever make me forget about you. You meant the world to me and you still do, so yes even if fate was against us, I would've fought tooth and nail to have you again," Myles said his gaze soft and filled with love as he stared down at Jesse.
Jesse found herself speechless, though that was common whenever she was around Myles. Somehow he always managed to make her lose her breath and fall deeper in love all at the same time.
Instead of trying to find the right words, Jesse leaned up to kiss Myles.
She poured her heart and soul into the kiss wanting to convey the immense amount of love she felt for the person before her.
Myles responded immediately, their bodies molding together, and their lips moving perfectly in sync.
The fateful day they met in recess in kindergarten, neither of them suspected the journey of friendship, heartache, and love that they would embark on.
And if they did know, they wouldn't change a thing because now they are here in each others' arms, completely and hopelessly in love.
Never again will they allow themselves to be a part, but together they will overcome every obstacle, see the fulfillment of every dream, and live life by each other's side.
"I love you,"
Jess whispered against Myles's lips.
"I love you too, and I always will," Myles whispered back, a smile breaking out onto Jesse's smile.
"You promise," Jesse said sticking out her pinky.
"I promise to love you forever, till death do us part," Myles's replied with a large grin on his face, lifting up his pinky.
Jesse repeated Myles's words before their pinkies linked together.
"Was that a proposal," Jesse said with a cheeky grin.
"Not, yet, but it's a promise that one day I will put a ring on your finger," Myles replied as he gently caressed her face, peering down at her with adoration.
At his words, Jesse's heart warm and her stomach fill with butterflies.
"I'll hold you to that promise," Jesse replied before bringing his lips back to her own.
This time neither of them had any doubts, knowing that those promises would last a lifetime.
The End