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Seven Months Later...
"Summer, Nolan."
A few people in the crowd erupted into cheers even though it was against the rules. I smiled as I watched my family, The Whites, and Devon's family all stand up cheering me on as I walked across the stage, shaking the hands of the faculty before they handed me my diploma. I paused, finding Devon's eyes in the crowd, and blushed immediately. His smile grew bigger once he saw I spotted him staring. I blew a kiss and continued down the stage finding my seat in the row once again.
It wasn't the real thing but I still smiled down at the scroll in my hand. I had worked so hard these past four years I couldn't believe everything I'd ever wanted was finally in my hands, it felt unreal. I put my blood, sweat, and tears into this degree and I was forever going to be proud of what I had accomplished for myself.
I watched rows of people accept their diplomas, clapping whenever one of my friends was called up to accept theirs. After waiting for what felt like hours, Devon's row was finally called and the crowd roared in cheers. He was the only player that got drafted and signed to a team from the school after all. The school insisted he speak a few inspiring words to get the now former students excited for their futures. Of course, he accepted and delivered a tear-jerking, thought-provoking speech that had everyone on their feet clapping when he was finished.
I wasn't surprised in the slightest, I had heard him practice it so many times we could both recite it in our sleep. I looked behind me finding the place his family was sitting, his mom was crying and Liv who was now fourteen was rolling her eyes typing away on her phone. His father sat smiling wiping the occasional tear from his eye. He was healthy and happy after getting out of rehab and was a completely different person because of it. He was a better father to all of his kids and it was really nice to see him doing better as a person.
Devon sat back in his seat but not before finding me in the crowd and winking, making a girl sitting next to me whisper 'awww' as she looked between Devon and I. We got those kinds of reactions a lot, but it really started to pick up when people caught wind of Devon joining the league. I hated the fake flattery but Devon didn't mind it at all, I was still working on trying to be as unbothered as him and his new best friend Tyler.
The rest of the names were called and a few more people delivered speeches before we were finally free to join our families. My mother nearly knocked me down when she threw her arms around me, kissing me on the cheek.
"I'm so proud of you Summer!" She cried into my ear. I pried her arms from around me not being able to breathe and took a deep breath laughing, "you squeeze me any harder and there won't be anyone to be proud of." Sandra overheard and laughed, walking over to congratulate me. "Congratulations my love, you deserve it." She kissed me on the cheek and gave me one last hug before starting a conversation with my parents.
"This is from my mom and I," Liv handed me a balloon and a bouquet of roses before giving me a hug. "Thank you Liv, also let me know when you wanted to go get your nails done I should be free this weekend." She smiled and shook her head before returning her attention to her phone.
"Ms. Nolan, congrats on the diploma." I rolled my eyes and turned to Tyler who was walking over to me, his niece laughing in his arms. He passed her over to me and I gave her a soft squeeze, kissing her on the cheek before giving her back to Rachel. "She was trying to call out your name, I couldn't keep her quiet." Kristine
shook her head laughing and tried to wiggle her way out of her mother's arm to her grandparents. "And she also won't sit still." I laughed and watched as Tony scooped her up before tossing her to James and Laura who happily took her off his hands. He ran up to me and gave me a stern hug, lightly patting me on the back.
"Congrats Summer, I'm so proud of you!" I thanked him for his kindness, smiling at how good he really looked. I didn't see him much after he was released from rehab, so this was only the second or third time I'd seen him. "Where is that son of mine anyway?" He asked scanning the crowd. I pointed to a group of reporters who were swarming Devon, probably begging for information he wasn't at liberty to reveal.
"You know that's going to go to his head." Sandra joked, joining her ex-husband. They were co-parenting fairly well with each other and were always smiling in each other's company. Devon thought they were secretly sneaking around but he didn't want to interfere in their business, he'd learned his lesson last year.
We all waited until Devon was done making his rounds and he ran over, yelling quick apologies for taking so long. He picked me up and spun me around kissing me before greeting his family. My heart swooned as I watched him give his father a bear hug, them both laughing and taking pictures together before he moved onto another family member. And if that wasn't adorable enough, watching him play with his little sister was enough to make any heart burst.
"Summer, let's go you're getting in these!"
I asked someone nearby to take a picture of all of us and they gladly obliged, making sure to get multiple angles before giving us the camera back.
"You guys are all adorable."
"Jess!"
She skipped over to me kissing my cheek before waving Ty, Maya, and Adam over and we all talked for a few moments before returning back to our families. It was definitely going to be a long drive back home and we all agreed it was best we left as early as we could to make it back in time for dinner reservations.
"You're riding with me sexy, your dad is driving your car back," Devon said pressing a kiss to my hand. "I have a few more people to talk to, so take my keys and just wait for me." I nodded and grabbed the keys from his hand, ripping off my gown while trying to find his car in the lot.
I clicked it open and was nearly inside when I heard my name being called, so I turned around unfortunately being met with Claire the nursing major. She smiled and gave me a side hug which I returned, I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of being bothered by her. "Congrats Summer, we did it!" She cheered, was smiling so hard I knew her jaw hurt.
"Thanks, Claire congrats to you too. I'm sure you're happy you're finished with the first four." She giggled before answering me, "Oh you have no idea I never want to hear about the abdominal tract again." I gave her a pity laugh and toyed with Devon's keys hoping she would get the message.
She didn't.
"I can't believe Devon actually got drafted, aren't you a bit worried?"
Here it comes.
"Why would I be worried, Claire?"
"Well as a rookie he's going to be super busy. Girls loved him before the league can you imagine how many will be throwing themselves at him now that he's going to be playing professional football? I'd be careful if I were you."
I laughed and she tilted her head in confusion. Her attempt to bring out insecurity and jealousy in me was failing miserably and I almost felt bad for her, still pining after someone who made it very clear that they didn't want them. Devon and I talked heavily about our futures together and I wasn't worried about his football career in the slightest.
"With all due respect Claire you don't know my relationship so I would appreciate it if you stayed out of it. Devon had this conversation with you once, don't make me have it with you again." She rolled her eyes and stormed off, mumbling under her breath before she went.
"What was that about?" Devon laughed, watching a miserable Claire fade off into the crowd. "One of your many groupies," I joked and made my way to the passenger's seat.
"You owe me a name after dinner I hope you didn't forget."
I laughed and watched the campus slowly fade out of my view–
"How could I forget?"
...
The Whites rented out an entire restaurant for me and Devon, their graduation gift to us both. We stayed well into the night, talking and laughing with each other and I was glad that everyone was getting along so perfectly. Once we were all on the verge of passing out from exhaustion, we decided it was best we go home and I kissed my parents goodnight before joining Devon to return to his house for the night.
We had been together for a year and three months yet every moment we shared with each other felt like the very first time. Butterflies were constantly wreaking havoc on my stomach, I wasn't sure if they would ever go away. The way he made me feel put romance books to shame, I was his and he was mine and there was no chance of that changing anytime soon.
"Okay, give it to me straight baby." He stood in front of me holding an envelope with his eyes closed tightly.
"Open your eyes, and let's just say it at the same time."
I held my acceptance letter in front of my chest, bouncing from anticipation.
"Okay, on the count of three, we both say the state."
"Agreed."
"One."
He took a few steps closer to me, a grin firm on his lips, "two."
"Three!"
"California!"
He tossed the packet onto his bed and threw me over his shoulder cheering. He smacked my ass before setting me back on the ground, leaning me back to kiss me. "You're lying, you picked the Cali team?" I reached for the large orange envelope and began going through it to confirm what he'd told me.
"What can I say? We're meant to be Nolan."
I handed him my acceptance letter and he sifted through it smiling, "I'm proud of you Summer you deserve the world."
"Me? You're the upcoming football star, just make sure that fame doesn't go to your head yea?"
He laughed and picked me back up, tossing me on his bed.
"Too late."
...
Four Months Later
"There's no turning back now, if you want out we can both run away from this."
We were nearly at the entrance of our plane, our flight to San Diego California leaving in just fifteen minutes. "It's way too late for that," I replied entering the plane. I quickly found the row we were sitting in and placed my carry-on above our heads and Devon followed suit.
"Are you nervous?" He asked grabbing my hand.
I looked out the window and smiled as I watched another plane take off into the sky. Was I scared to leave everything I ever knew behind and start new? Yes, but it would never be something I was going to regret. I was done hiding and being afraid of my future. The only way to go was forward and I was determined to make myself proud no matter what happened.
"I am, how about you?"
He laughed and squeezed my hand, "terrified I hate flying." I rolled my eyes and sucked air through my teeth, "seriously Dev, you're not nervous at all?" He was always so cool and collected, I didn't know what to think.
"Of course I'm scared Summer, but I can't think about that or else it's gonna eat me whole."
He shook the thought from his head and I kissed him on the cheek in reassurance, "just go with it" I whispered.
"Last time I said that to you, you said we always end up regretting it."
"And did we?"
"Huh?" He turned to me in confusion.
"Did we regret it?" He smiled, entertaining me. "I didn't, did you?"
"Absolutely not, and look where we are now."
He took a deep breath and slumped in his seat, relaxing.
"As long as I have you? I'll never regret anything."
...
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END♡
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