Pure of Heart / l.h ✔️

47

A loud groan left her, sounding utterly frustrated. "...No. I don't hate you, either of you." She sighed, frowning. I stared up at her, waiting for her to say more, and that she did. "I mean...this will take some getting used to, though. Like, a lot. It's definitely weird for me." She said, and I smiled softly. "I know. I-It was weird for me too, to be honest, but I guess it just stopped being that way." I admitted quietly, playing with my dress.

There was a brief silence between us before Luke broke it, holding my hand as a source of comfort. "Are you angry?" He asked. She ran a hand through her short dark hair and gently shook her head after a moment, sighing. "I...I want to be, but I don't think I have that right, to be honest. I broke up with you for another man, Luke. That was my choice and I don't regret it. It was for me, for my happiness. Wouldn't it be hypocritical of me to be mad at you for being with someone who gives you that happiness, even if it is a little weird to me that it's her?" She said, causing me to smile.

Then, she looked between the two of us and her eyes stopped on me. "What happened to your crush on Enzo, though?" She asked, cocking up a brow. Luke scowled and I couldn't help but to laugh, knowing he was jealous at the mention of that. He didn't like knowing that I used to be in love with Enzo. "It's gone." He huffed, making me smile in amusement. She raised her brows and her lips twitched up.

"Well, if you guys are gonna drop a bombshell like this on me, you'd better make some room and tell me about it." She said, coming over to scoot me out of the way so she could sit beside me.

**

~Seraphina's POV, day of graduation~

I heard my name called as I stood off the stage and had to force myself to walk on when Enzo gently shoved me forward, encouraging me to go.

My legs felt like fragile sticks about to break at any second as I walked on the stage towards the principal, hating the crowd that was watching me walk. I wanted to puke. Being in front of crowds, for all to see, wasn't my thing at all. I felt my legs shaking under the graduation gown I had on and thanked the heavens nobody could see my legs, just waiting for the second that they'd give out. I'd fall on the stage and make an even bigger embarrassment of myself than I already felt like I was by just walking. My nerves were wracking intensely, making my hands tremble as I reached the school principal, who held my diploma.

Unable to stop myself, I glanced out into the crowd and anxiously looked all of the unfamiliar faces over, wondering if they were all judging me. Maybe they thought I looked fat or ugly or that I was walking too slow. I didn't know what they were thinking, or even what I was thinking. I just knew I wanted to get the dumb diploma and leave this stage right now.

Finally, though, my eyes landed on a familiar face in the crowd and I felt all my stress lighten, playing in the back of my mind instead of the front. Luke was stood in the crowd, a big grin on his face as he peered back at me. He looked so proud of me that I couldn't help but to grin back, probably making the principal think I was a weirdo as I took my diploma from his hand. I hadn't ever seen someone look that proud of me and it meant even more coming from him. Having him here meant the world to me.

The principal shook my hand once I took my diploma and I walked off the other side of the stage, beginning to rush through the crowd of students. I waited patiently for Enzo and the rest of my class of seniors to be called until everyone was done doing their walk across the stage, taking anxious glances over at Luke. I just wanted to go see him. After what seemed like hours, everyone was done walking across the stage and the principal began to speak into the microphone, most of which I tuned out. Then, I heard him yell, "Congratulations class of 2020!"

All around me, purple caps went flying into the air and I flinched in fright as I snapped out of my thoughts, thinking that they were going to hit me in the face. It took me a second before I realized I was supposed to throw mine as well, but I'd already missed the mark, so I just took mine off instead.

Everyone began to separate to go see their families and I grinned as I made a direct bee-line for Luke, who was getting much attention from many girls and even some guys. I grinned as he met me halfway and I wrapped my arms around him happily as he picked me up, hugging me. "You came!" I grinned, staring up at him. He chuckled and raised a brow at me, a playful glint in his eye. "What? You think I'd miss this just because I had to work today, sunshine?" He teased, making me giggle. He set me gently on my feet and I looked up at him, shrugging. "I just thought you might've been too busy." I answered, making him chuckle. "Too busy?" He echoed with a smile.

"I told you I would be here for this, didn't I? I wouldn't have missed this for the world." He said.

My heart fluttered and I pushed up onto my toes, placing a kiss on his lips. "Thank you." I said softly, glad that he was here. Mom couldn't make it and neither could Carmen, as they both had to work today as well, but she promised to take me out to eat when she got off work later tonight. That was fine with me.

"This must be your boyfriend." I heard Malachi snicker from behind us, causing me to jump in surprise as I turned to face him. I blushed and grabbed Luke's hand tighter, nodding my head. "Yes." I said, feeling his arms encircle my waist. "I almost thought you were making him up." He said, causing the guys to snort in amusement. "Yeah, right. We've all seen those hickies she comes in with sometimes. You were hoping she was making him up." Anton teased him, making Malachi scowl while the other guys began to laugh loudly at their friend's expense. They all seemed to think he had a crush on me.

Over these past couple of months, my relationship with all of them had changed drastically. Ever since Enzo had told them to stop harassing me or to find new friends, and I'd gotten in that argument with Keith, things had changed. It took a little time before they got comfortable with me and there were even times when they were a little mean at first, but they had really come to accept me. All except Keith, who none of them were friends with anymore. He was the only one who didn't want to try to get to know me and befriend me, which I was okay with. I didn't need his friendship anyways. I had been more than happy with just Enzo, and that still was true now that I had them as friends too. Enzo was still my best friend, though.

Malachi began to cuss them out while they laughed, and I ignored their bickering while Luke gently kissed my neck. "I'm so proud of you, Nina." He hummed, causing me to grin and turn back to face him. "Really?" I asked hopefully. His lips twitched into a grin. "Mhm. And when I get you home later, I'm gonna take you to bed and I'm gonna prove how proud I am of you." He teased, only making me laugh. "Tonight's the dinner with mom and Carmen, though." I said, and he just sent me a look. "So what? They can wait." He grinned, making me blush. I gently swatted his chest and he snickered, very amused with himself. He glanced up and looked around for a second before he met my gaze again, grabbing my hand in his. "Let's get out of here. I want to go home and watch TV while we cuddle." He said, already leading me away from them all. Nobody even noticed us leaving.

We went to his car that he'd just bought last month and got in, his engine rumbling to life as he put the key in the ignition. I took off the big graduation gown and smoothed over my skirt, tossing it into the backseat before I put on my seatbelt. When he was sure I was buckled up safely, he pulled out of the parking lot and began to drive, heading towards my house.

While he drove, he held my hand and steered with the left, letting me play with his fingers. I peered over at him and he smiled slightly when he noticed me looking, causing me to smile back. I tangled our fingers together and felt a wave of warmth wash through me when he lifted our hands and kissed the back of my hand, smiling softly. I was sure that this feeling he gave me wouldn't ever go away. There was no way that it could. Everything with him felt so right.

I was sure that this was how it was supposed to be from the beginning. It was meant to be him and I.