* * 4 * *


Tomorrow is Graduation Day.

I can’t believe that high school will be over. It just doesn’t seem possible. But I’m really looking forward to the rest of my life to start.

Everyone will be starting college in the fall. We’re all going to the University of New Mexico at Las Cruses. Max, Michael, Isabelle and Tess all need to stick together and of course, I’m not going to be separated from Max and Alex and Kyle want to be with their significant others.

Liz decided to join us, she says she can’t bare the thought of leaving all her friends and I chose to take that at face value for now. Even though she didn’t seem to pleased to hear that Max and I weren’t going to live in the dorms. We decided to rent an apartment together.

Michael, Isabelle and Tess decided to rent an apartment together as well. Alex and Kyle are going to be roommates in the dorms and Liz will be in the dorms with a roommate.

My mom and Max’s parents weren’t too happy about us living together, but have finally accepted it. Max and I went to Las Cruses last week and we both got part-time jobs, me as a waitress and Max as a clerk in a law firm. He’s decided that he wants to be a lawyer like his father. I have no idea what I want to major in yet, but I have time to decide.

Mom’s a little upset, because Max and I moving to Las Cruses in two weeks. We decided that we wanted to have a little time to ourselves, before everyone heads to school. I can’t wait to go, the thought of being able to sleep in Max’s arms every night is almost to wonderful to comprehend.

“Maria?” I was pulled from my thought by my mother’s voice.

“Hi, what’s up?”

“I just wanted to talk to you. I can’t believe that you’re graduating tomorrow and in two weeks my little girl will be gone.” She sat next to me on the bed as she finished speaking. I pulled her into my arms for a hug.

“I can’t believe it either. I’m going to miss you so much Mom. We’ll talk all the time and Las Cruses isn’t that far away.” I replied. Tears started falling down my checks and as I pulled back, I saw that she was crying also.

“I know I’m just going to miss my baby. I just wanted to let you know how proud of you I am and that I’m glad that you’re going to be with Max. I’ve never seen you as happy as you’ve been since the two of you have been together. I’m just glad that I know he’ll take care of you and keep you safe.” Tears rolled freely down both of our faces now as we hugged; we stayed that way for an hour.

Leaving my mom is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I know in my heart that we’ll both be ok.