"Can you believe we graduate in a month?" I ask Xander.
We're currently laying on his bed after just coming home from school.
"Pfft no. I can't believe they're actually gonna let me graduate." He laughs.
"Did you decide where you're going to school?" I ask him.
After we told Xander about him not being able to play football, he surprisingly took it well.
He said he prefers playing basketball anyway.
And man can he play.
I mean he crushed every team this season.
Oh, and watching a hot and sweaty Xander running up and down the court is definitely a sight I'll never get used to.
I mean I was ready to get down on my knees and-
"Yeah, have you?" He asks.
"Yep."
Xander and I watched as Jesse and Lili's relationship fell apart due to their differing opinions on long distance so we decided to keep our decisions to ourselves until it was too late to back out.
Neither of us wants to hold each other back from the opportunities presented to us.
We've been holding off on this conversation because I think we're both scared that we picked schools on two different coasts.
I mean Xander got offers from schools like Penn State and Ohio State and I got accepted to Columbia and UCLA.
So it could go either way.
"Where are you going?" He asks.
After months of doing research on which school has the best biology program and cancer research center.
I found one school that checked all my boxes.
"USC," I mumble.
"Holy shit babe, that's incredible!"
"Thanks! Yeah, they had everything I was looking for. My backup school was Berkeley." I explain.
"Alright, your turn!" I say.
"So, I had a hard time picking between two schools because they each have amazing teams and they both have great business schools. But I decided to go-drum roll please?" He asks.
I laugh before I start pounding my hands against his bed.
"UCLA!"
HOLY SHIT!
They're only a few miles away from each other!
"Are you serious?" I gasp.
"Yep and you have no idea how glad I am that you chose USC because I don't think I can spend one more minute without you." He says before pulling me onto his lap.
"Wait, do you want to-"
"Get an apartment together when we start college." He finishes.
"You want to live with me?"
"You're my girlfriend, why wouldn't I?" He chuckles.
"Because I'm an OCD freak," I murmur.
"Well yes, you are but I like your crazy organization skills. Plus, I like the way you fold my shirts."
"Oh, so you just want to live with me so I can fold your shirts?" I jokingly sigh.
"Yeah pretty much."
"Asshole. But I think you're right, I think we should move in together." I say.
"Good because I was hoping I wouldn't have to kidnap you." He jokes.
We continue talking about our college plans and even begin searching for apartments that happen to be located between both schools.
Ryan and Axton told us about their plans of traveling and of course, we were super supportive.
Ryan has always wanted to travel and now she gets to do it with the guy she loves.
Axton and Ryan actually moved out a couple of weeks ago and got a place in SoHo.
Ryan tells me how much she loves living with Axton and how much they needed their space.
And honestly, Xander and I agree because those two...have a lot of sex.
I mean I guess I can't talk because so do Xander and I but they're worse.
Now they can fuck in peace.
Xander's dad still hasn't forgiven Axton for not wanting to study film but both Xander and Axton's bond with their mother has gotten better.
Xander's mom has decided to retire early because she decided she wants to be more involved in her sons' lives.
I'm so glad that both Xander and Axton took my advice of not holding a grudge against her.
I mean you never know how long you have left with them.
Speaking of, after my grandma passed away, she said she wanted to be cremated.
She said she didn't want her corpse to rot 6 ft under.
She wanted me to bury her somewhere special.
"I uh- I still haven't buried my grandma's ashes." I blurt.
"You haven't?"
"I just don't know where?" I mumble against his chest.
"How about...the beach? She did love the beach." Xander suggests.
"That's a good idea but-"
"Or what about in that garden next to that cafe she loves?" He adds.
"That's a good idea too."
I just want to properly bury her before I leave for college.
I mean she and my mother took months before burying my grandfather.
"After your grandfather passed away, I came back here and buried his ashes in the spot right under our branch."
THAT'S IT!
"I KNOW WHERE I'M GONNA BURY HER!" I accidentally yelled, causing him to jump back a bit.
"Where?" He asks.
"In Boston under a tree!"
"What?" He asks.
Oh right, he doesn't know about the story.
"You want to drive all the way to Boston and bury her ashes under a random tree?" He asks in disbelief.
"Yes I'm gonna drive to Boston and it's not just a random tree, it's her and my grandfather's special tree," I explained before getting up and putting on my shoes.
"Oh, you're going now?" He asks before getting up and following me down the stairs.
"Today's the only day I have time before finals."
"Let me drive you."
"You want to come?"
"Of course I do! Come on, I'll drive you." He says before grabbing his car keys and walking over towards the elevator.
We both quickly get into his car, stop by my house to grab the urn, and start driving to Boston.
"So what's so special about this tree?" He asks.
"What isn't special about this tree?" I laugh.
I spent the next hour telling him the same story my grandmother told me.
I watch as his face goes through all sorts of emotions.
Xander's a sucker for cheesy romance.
"Their relationship kinda sounds like ours." He laughs.
"That's what I said!"
"That's the type of romance you read in a book or watch in a movie."
"It really is and the fact that he came back after all those years!"
"Swoon!" He sighs before faking a swoon.
We continue talking and singing along to the music that's playing on the radio until we finally get there.
It's around 9 pm by the time we get there.
The last time I was here, my grandma and I left before sundown but now the tree is all lit up.
It is covered in beautiful fairy lights that are blended in with the leaves and branches.
"Wow." Xander gasps as we walk up the hill.
"It's so beautiful." I gasp.
I quickly walk over to the spot where my grandfather is buried and start digging a hole next to it.
My grandmother loved her husband more than anything and now they can finally be together in peace.
Xander helps me dig the hole and I open the urn before pouring the ashes into the hole.
"Goodbye grammy," I murmured.
"Goodbye grammy. May you Rest In Peace." Xander says before we both start to cover up the hole.
After losing almost everyone I've ever loved, for the first time, I finally got to say goodbye.
Xander gets up for a moment and walks over to his car and I grab some nearby flowers to make a bouquet and place it on both graves.
Suddenly I hear "Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley begin to play in the distance.
I quickly turn my head and see Xander reach out for me.
I giggle before grabbing his hand.
He pulls me close to him, wraps my arms around his neck, and wraps his arms around my waist.
We start to slow dance next to the gorgeous tree and just enjoy this peaceful moment.
"You are such a hopeless romantic." I laugh.
"Oh, I know." He laughs.
And to think, I could have lost him forever because I was afraid of being hurt again.
Not everyone is like those shitty friends and exes I had.
I know that now.
I have Xander and Ryan, they're my rock.
He begins to move us around the tree and at this moment, I'm in heaven.
Before the song ends, I walk us over to a certain spot down the hill and we just stand there.
"What's going on?" He asks.
"This was the exact spot my grandma and grandpa had their first kiss," I explained.
"Ohhhhh well in that case-" He pulls me to him and smashes his lips onto mine.
I immediately reciprocate and wrap my arms around his neck pulling him closer.
Maybe Xander will be my soulmate just like grandpa was with grandma?
He wraps his arms around me and begins to spin us around.
"XANDER!" I shriek as he throws me over his shoulder.
"You ready to go m'lady?" He asks.
"Yeah, I just gotta do one more thing," I say.
He nods before putting me down.
He walks back over to the car and tells me to take my time.
I walk back up the hill and kneel next to her grave.
"Thank you for pushing me out of my comfort zone, for being there for me when I gave up on myself and forcing me not to give up on Xander. I love you grammy and I'll see you soon." I say before getting up and taking one last look at the tree.
I quickly run down the hill and jump into Xander's car.
"Are you okay?" He asks.
"I'm perfect." I smile before leaning in and giving him another chaste kiss.
Now that I got to say a proper goodbye, I'm finally ready to move on with my life and start a new chapter.
A new chapter with Xander, the boy I tutored.
The boy I fell in love with.
----------Author's Note----------
Say goodbye to Arya y'all!
Ahh this was such an emotional chapter to write but it made my heart feel whole.
Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!
-Pradabagg
Word Count: 1602