Two Ghosts {Leah Clearwater}

10: Graduation

"When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were things like astronaut, president, or in my case, princess. When we were ten they asked again and we answered: rock star, cowboy, or in my case, gold medalist.

"But now that we've grown up they want a serious answer. Well, how about this: who the hell knows?!

"This isn't the time to make hard and fast decisions, it's the time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Fall in love – a lot. Major in philosophy – 'cause there's no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind. Then change it again, because nothing is permanent. So make as many mistakes as you can. That way, someday, when they ask again what we want to be... we won't have to guess. We'll know." The crowed clapped, the students rising to their feet as Jessica grinned at the audience.

The principal walked up to the podium as Jessica stood to the side, congratulating the students once again as they began calling names. It was times like these that Pandora hated her last name. She was one of the last students to be called up, Vega being near the end of the alphabet. But she waited patiently, clapping loudly when Bella walked up, cheering along with her mother and Uncle Charlie. Until it was finally her turn.

"Pandora Vega." She could hear her mother and her Uncle cheer over the crowd, causing her cheeks to burn. Shaking hands with the principal, Pandora smiled at the camera before taking her spot back in the stands. She laughed when everyone threw their caps into the air, following the crowd outside. Quickly spotting her mother with Charlie and Bella, Pandora couldn't help but falter when she saw another brunette standing with her family.

"Pandora! Congratulations!" Pandora smiled tightly as her sister pulled her into a hug.

"I didn't know you were coming, Luna." Pandora said as she pulled away, sharing a look with Bella.

"Of course I came! I wasn't going to miss my baby sister's graduation," Luna said softly. Pandora resisted the urge to roll her eyes at her sister, wondering what was going through her head.

"My baby's growing up!" Pandora couldn't say anything as her mother moved Luna to the side, pulling Pandora into a bone crushing hug. "I can't believe you're graduating."

"Well believe it, Linda." Charlie chuckled as he pulled Bella to his side. "Our little girls are grown up. It seems like only yesterday that Bella stuck a bead up her nose after Pandora dared her to."

"Dad..." Bella groaned and rolled her eyes, her cheeks turning red. Pandora snorted, shaking her head as she leaned her head against her mother's shoulder. Pandora didn't want that moment to end. Her family was together, and even though her father never got to see her graduate, she couldn't help but feel like he was there with her. As her mother smiled and her sister laughed, Pandora felt like her family was the way it used to be before her father died.

And then the moment was over as Edward Cullen made his way over to her little family. Pandora saw the way Charlie's smile fell as Edward came over, her mother noting the change in her brother and dropped her arm from her daughter. Pandora noticed the star-struck look in her sister's eyes, rolling her own as her sister swooned at the mere sight of Edward Cullen.

"Congrats, Edward." Charlie said curtly, as he let go of Bella.

"Thank you Mr. Swan," Edward said politely before turning to Bella. "Alice wants to know if you're still coming to her graduation party."

Pandora rolled her eyes, knowing what he was doing. He knew that Charlie loved Alice, and if Bella had the opportunity to hang out with her, he was going to encourage her to do so. Plus, Bella's other friends were going to be there. Charlie still pushed for Bella to be out of the house, fearing she'd go back into isolation like she did when Edward left.