Chapter 20 (Part 2)

My body shook in anticipation as I watched each individual senior step onto the podium. Elias was just a few seats down from me. He still hadn't spoken to me for weeks and since then, I've been planning my whole speech. I was finally going to tell him the truth, and with the little hope that I had left, he'd like me back. Mrs. Avoc got the honor of giving the diplomas this year.

"Next, Miss Santos who will be studying abroad at University of Westminster," She announced. I stood up slowly, and used most of my energy forcing myself to go up the stairs to the podium. I tried smiling, but I could already feel my cheeks heat from emberassment. She handed me my diploma and I quickly walked off stage acknowledging no one. Taking a few deep breaths I grinned. I did it. I made it! My stomach flipped knowing I had two months left before I had to leave which wasn't much time.

Elias's name was called and he quickly made his way to the podium. Unlike me, he was pretty fearless. He turned toward the crowd wildly playing air guitar before he was shooed off by Mrs. Avoc. The crowd all burst into laughter as Elias sat back down in his seat. My stomach clenched as I stared intently at him. Throughout the rest of the ceremony we stole glances at each other, failing miserably to not be seen by one another.

"Congradulation class of 2013," Mrs. Avoc threw her hat into the air that began the wave of flying hats. The sky was covered in blues and blacks until they all hit the ground. Cheering and screaming filled my ears as I scurried toward my parents and brother.

"Congratulation sweat heart," My mom pulled me into a bone crunching hug.

"Thanks mom. I'm going to go find the rest of the gang," I smiled to her. I looked through the crowd of families until I spotted Sam. She squealed as she ran up to me.

"We're finally done with school! So long bitches!" She yelled flipping off no one in particular. Laughing, I pulled her into a hug.

"Dude, we actually made it!" I felt like my insides were about to burst. We both jumped around not caring who saw. Chris suddenly came and pulled us into a bear hug.

"We're done ladies! Damn, I'm going to miss this," He sighed chuckling. He wrapped his arms around Sam and spun her around kissing her passionately. Well that was awkward...

"Come here Alex, I think you need a hug too," Chris wiggled his eyes coming toward me. Before I could run, he picked me up, spinning me in circles.

"Alright Chris, put me down before I get sick," I joked. He placed me down and made his way toward Sam. I smiled as they hugged tightly, making me remember Elias. Shoot. I looked through the crowd and spotted him at the far end. This was my last chance. Taking a deep breath, I marched toward him. He was in the middle of the dance team which made my stomach turn into entangling knots, but I had no other choice. It was do or die. Once he caught my gaze, he kept it locked and watched as I came toward him. I pushed past the girls, only a few inches between us both.

"Elias, I have something to say.... I lied." I said all too quickly. Elias's expression didn't fluctuate, only stayed still. I cleared my throat and began my speech. "Elias, I know we've only known each other for weeks, but I like you. A lot. More than you probably will ever like me and that's okay, because I didn't regret any of it. I just wanted to have you in my life whether it was as a friend or boyfriend. But I want you to know that I am in lo-"

"Alex." He interrupted.

"What?"

"Shut up." He chuckled. I looked at him confused until I felt his arms wrap around my waist, crashing his lips onto mine. My head went into a daze as I moved my hands up to his neck. I could taste the faint smoke of cigarette as our lips danced. He pulled me closer, his hands cupping my cheeks. No moment could have been much more perfect than this one. Our hearts beat against each others, trying to break free from its cage. He pulled away slowly, gently sucking my bottom lip.

"I know Alex. I love you too," He smiled. Butterflies violently fluttered in my stomach as I pecked his lips one last time. I could hear the band and Sam whistling and howling in the distance. I giggled, hiding my face in the crook of his neck.

"Get some!" Chris yelled. We both laughed, our cheeks turning a slight pink. He slipped his hand into mine, intertwining our fingers. Unlike Austin's, my hand fit perfectly in Elias's. He squeezed it gently and led me toward the rest of the gang.

"Let's go party!!" Sam whistled. She hopped on Chris's back and we followed them toward the park where we were having our Senior celebration. Teacher's were putting the tables together and Dr. Rodger was barbecuing. The seniors and their families all gathered around and began playing various games such as soccer and tag. Elias pulled me toward an empty table and got us a plate of food.

"Here, I got you chicken instead of a hamburger," He smiled pushing me the plate.

"Thanks, so what are we planning to do this summer?" I asked worried about how we were going to work out as a couple for only a short period of time.

"We'll just have to make the best of it I guess. But let's not worry about it okay? I just want to enjoy the little time I have with you and the band mates," He squeezed my hand reassuringly. Nodding, I dug into the platter of food and watched as the families laughed and played. My brother was caught up in an intense soccer game while my parents were gossiping with Chris and Sam's parents.

"Hey losers, what are you guys doing?" Sam asked trying to catch her breath. Chris came up behind her panting wildly.

"I... hate... soccer..." He cried whipping his forehead with his sleeve.

Sam laughed patting his back, "Yeah yeah we know. You're allergic to exercise," She winked at me. Elias and I laughed at Chris's lack of energy.

"Let's go play." I wiped my hands on my jeans and dragged Elias toward the small soccer feild the teachers seat up. He hated playing sports, but it was cute to see him try. Each time he tried to kick the ball, he'd miss by half an inch. He scowled at himself each time hanging his head lowly.

"C'mon J, it's not that hard," I teased. He glared at me and tried to kick the ball toward me. Failing miserably, he tripped over his ankle and ended up face first on the floor. I tried to contain the laughter, but soon the laughter escaped my lips as I fell to the floor.

"That wasn't funny jerk," Elias growled dusting his pants.

"Sure...it...wasn't..." I said in between laughs. A smirk plastered his face as he charged toward me. Instantly, I felt two arms pull me off the ground and over his shoulder.

"Yah! Put me down Elias!" I whimpered kicking him. Chuckling, he carried me away from the park and into a small scatter of trees. Either he got stronger, or I just lost a few pounds, because before he had trouble doing this...

"Okay, there." He smiled setting my feet onto the raw earth. I punched him playfully in the shoulder as I took in the breath taking environment. The trees were built to at least fifteen feet with flowers encircling the lower trunks. Bushes were evenly cut, painting the perimeter. In the middle, there was a bench made of stone. Elias took my hand and pulled me toward it. We sat opposite of one of another looking deeply into each other's eyes.

"I found this place a few days ago, and I wanted to surprise you with it," His lips formed that crooked smile that made my heart flip.

"It's really pretty J. I actually had something for you too. I'll be back," I grinned hurrying toward the picnic tables. I quickly grabbed my guitar from my mother's side and walked back to where Elias was. He had a pencil out, sketching on the stone. I cleared my throat as I sat down. His eyes flickered toward me as I began picking the strings. I shut my eyes, losing myself in the song.

"I breathe you in with smoke in the backyard lights,

we used to laugh until we choked into the wasted nights.

It was the best time of my life, but now I sleep alone,

So darling, don't, don't wake me up, 'cause my thrill is gone.

(Say I'm wrong)

In the sunset turning red behind the smoke,

forever and alone.

Yeah!

You've gone and sewn me to this bed, the taste of you and me

will never leave my lips again under the blinding rain.

I wanna hold your hand so tight I'm gonna break my wrist,

and when the vultures sing tonight I'm gonna join right in.

I'll sing along, oh

'cause I don't know any other song.

I'll sing along,

but I'm barely hanging on.

No, I'm barely hanging on.

By the time you're hearing this I'll already be gone,

and now there's nothing to do but scream at the drunken moon.

This isn't fair!

(No!)

Don't you try to blame this on me.

My love for you was bulletproof but you're the one who shot me.

And god damn it, I can barely say your name,

so I'll try to write it and fill the pen with blood from the sink.

Woah oh

But don't just say it, you should sing my name.

Pretend that it's a song 'cause forever it's yours,

and we can sing this on the way home.

I'll sing along, oh

'cause I don't know any other song.

I'll sing along,

but I'm barely hanging on.

No, I'm barely hanging on.

By the time you're hearing this I'll already be gone,

and now there's nothing to do but tear my voice apart.

Nothing to do,

and scream at the drunken moon."

Elias's POV

I felt trapped as I watched Alex's facial expressions rise and fall, the lyrics slipping out of her lips like liquid silver. I tried to contain the shivers, but they waved through my body, crashing violently. Her eyes opened, releasing me.

"That was amazing Alex. I didn't... I didn't know you were that good." I breathed. Her cheeks turned a tint pink as she rested the guitar beside her.

"Thanks, I was kind of practicing it a lot... just so that it would sound good if I...ever got to sing it to you." She whispered to herself. My heart pounded almost a thousand times faster hearing her say that. I grabbed her hand from under the table, intertwining our fingers.

"It was beautiful Alex. It really meant a lot to me," I smiled. Her gaze drifted from mine as she stood up.

"Well, I think we should get back to the picnic." She half smiled, slipping her hands into her dress pockets. I felt my heart beat quicker as I walked toward her.

"They can wait a little while longer," I smirked seductively. Gently, I pushed her up against the tree, lingering my lips a few centimeters above hers. Her breath warmed my cheeks as I moved in closer. Without hesitation, I smashed my lips onto hers, feeling my stomach rattle vigorously. Her hands tightened around my neck, pulling me closer to her. The closeness between us was filled, our bodies pressed forcefully against each other. My mind was sending me alarm signals, but I chose to ignore them. Teasingly, she pulled away, her eyes full of lust.

"Let's go." She whispered, slipping her hand down my arm and into my hand. I breathed heavily trying to catch my breath. She pecked my lips once more before pulling me back into the dreadful reality. This was going to be a long summer.