I stayed in the bath for about a half an hour longer before finally getting out. I dried myself off and put on a clean shirt and pair of underwear. I made myself a salad and ate it quickly before sitting down in front of the TV. I didn't actually watch TV, but I thought about graduation.
I went through an email that basically explained the plan of how we would process and how everything would work out. It was kind of confusing but I understood it after reading it a few times. I would have to get to the school at around ten. We would have some sort of rehearsal until noon when we would have a group lunch. We would be let off until 3:30 when we would have to start getting ready to line up. Graduation didn't start until five, but they wanted us there extra early.
The ceremony would take at least an hour and then we were officially done. There was a midnight party that we could go to, but I decided not to go to it. I wanted to spend the night with Zayn.
I started thinking about the kind of makeup I would wear and how I would do my hair. I knew I wanted to curl it, but I didn't know what to do from there. I would look good with whatever hairstyle so in the end, it didn't really matter. For makeup, I decided to keep it light and simple so that it didn't upstage my dress.
My gown was at the school so I would have to try it on when I was there for rehearsal. My cap had come in the mail the other week but I didn't want to be one of those girls who decorated their caps. It was cheesy and a waste of time in my opinion. I wasn't going to remember what my cap had on it in 30 years.
Even though I had just taken a bath, I felt the need to go workout. I was starting to stress about tomorrow and I knew that a run would help stop my stressing. I walked back upstairs and pulled on my workout gear. I took my phone, headphones, and a water bottle with me to the car before driving off to the trail about five minutes away.
I knew running was a bad idea the minute I started. I was thin, sure, but that doesn't necessarily mean healthy. I knew that I was going to barely make it out of this run alive.
I took it at a steady pace for the first five minutes and surprised myself by not gasping for air when I stopped for water. I started back up again and went at a faster pace. I only could do two minutes at this pace and had to stop to catch my breath.
After a quick break to catch my breath, I continued running at the fast pace. My lungs were burning near the end and I knew that I was pushing my limits. I finished off my run a half an hour later and I was covered in sweat. My lungs were burning and I was sure that my legs would be sore tomorrow but I could care less.
I made my way back to my car and drove off once I got in. When I got home, I stripped my clothes off and took a quick shower to rinse myself. I still had a while until Zayn got home and I had no clue what to do or how to spend my time. I ended up watching TV and playing around on my computer for most of it.
I started making dinner for both of us and I had a lot of time to think while doing so. I couldn't stop thinking about graduation tomorrow. It was surreal and I couldn't believe that I was never going to go back to the high school for any classes. I didn't want to get that emotional over all of the good times that I had enjoyed while I was there.
I was more focused on the actual event. There had to be at least 400 kids in my class and their entire families would be there. I felt my heart start to race as I thought about all of the people I would have to walk in front of. There would be at least a thousand people and it was more likely that there would be way more.
I had never done anything in front of the many people. I had never been singled out in front of over 100 people, let alone 1000. I took a deep breath and turned back to the recipe I was following. I focused on the recipe and tried to immerse myself in my work but it was difficult.
At the back of my thoughts, everything was about the ceremony. There were so many things that could go wrong. There were so many things that I could do wrong.
"Ava?" I heard Zayn voice from behind me and I spun around with a big smile. He walked over to me in his uniform and pressed his lips to mine as he held my face. I felt a wave of comfort travel through my body and I found that I wasn't as nervous anymore.
"How was work?" I asked breathlessly when we pulled away.
"Good, but I missed you," He caressed my cheek and pressed his forehead to mine. "I couldn't stop thinking about you." I wanted to say the same, but it simply wasn't true. I couldn't stop thinking about graduation.
"Aw," I smiled and kissed him again. My hands were covered in spices so I wasn't able to touch him, but he didn't seem to mind.
"What's for dinner?"
"It's some spicy chicken thing I found online," I shrugged and turned away to wash my hands. I felt his hands on my hips and his lips on my neck as I dried my hands. "Zayn..." I giggled and he spun me around to face him.
"Hm?" He smiled and lifted me up on the counter. His lips continued kissed my neck softly.
"Not now," I sighed and he pulled away slowly. His hands rested on my thighs and he started rubbing small circles on my inner thighs.
"You sure?" He questioned, his face centimeters away from mine.
"Yes," I sighed and he kissed me softly before pulling away.
"I'm going to get changed; I'll be back down in a minute," He smiled and walked away. I finished up dinner and started putting it on plates when Zayn came down again. We both ate in silence and then Zayn did he dishes as I changed into a t-shirt and shorts. "Want to watch a movie?" He asked and I nodded.
He let me choose as we cuddled up on the couch; his arms around my waist and his head on my stomach. I chose a movie I had never seen before so I could concentrate on it and avoid the ever-creeping thoughts of graduation. Zayn had another idea.
About halfway through the movie, I realized that his hand was under my shirt and was slowly inching up. His hand cupped my breast and slowly started massaging it gently. His thumb and forefinger slowly pinched my nipple and rubbed them softly.
I was turned on but at the same time, I just wanted to relax. "Zayn, stop." I said and he stopped immediately.
"What's up?" He questioned as I paid attention to the movie.
"Nothing," I sighed and the next thing I knew he was on top of me and my head was turned to face him.
"What's up?" He repeated and I sighed again before answering.
"I'm stressed."
"About graduation?" He asked and I nodded slowly. "Why?"
"There will be a lot of people there and I'm just worried about something going wrong..." I sighed.
"You don't need to worry. I'll be there and I'll be screaming my head off when they announce your name."
"You will?" I giggled.
"Of course, you're the most important thing in my life and I couldn't imagine not going crazy when I see you walk. And maybe it will draw some attention away from you..." He smiled and kissed my lips softly. "Let's go to bed." I nodded in agreement.
I squealed when he picked me up and started carrying me to the bedroom. "I have legs, you know."
"But, my arms work better," He smiled as we walked up the stairs. He carried me into the bathroom and then put me down so we could both brush our teeth and wash our faces.
"What did you do while I was gone?" He asked once I was on the bed and he had lain beside me. He grabbed my leg gently and wrapped it around his torso.
"I went for a run," I smiled as his hand caressed my skin. I was glad I had shaved my thighs earlier.
He squeezed softly and chuckled, "I can feel some muscle." I giggled and pulled myself onto his chest. I listened to his heartbeat as I traced his tattoos. It had easily become one of my favorite things to do which I was cuddling him. It calmed me down and I'm pretty sure it calmed him down as well.
"What if I trip?" I asked softly.
"If you trip, I'll start screaming like a madman so that people look at me," He smiled down at me and I giggled.
"You wouldn't..." That would probably be more embarrassing than me tripping.
"I totally would," He smirked and kissed my head.
"That would be so embarrassing..." I blushed and imagine him screaming crazily. Oh gosh. I wouldn't want to be seen with him after that. "Are you wearing your uniform?"
"Nope, do you want me to?" He questioned and I shook my head. "Do you know what you're wearing?"
"Yeah, but you're not allowed to see," I smiled at him and he ran his fingers through my hair.
"Why not?" He asked as he twirled the ends of my hair.
"It's a secret," I smiled and looked up at him playfully. "It's something I normally wouldn't wear..."
"Oh, really?" He questioned and I nodded before resting my head on his chest again. "I could always just go through your closet..."
"No, please! I want it to be a surprise!" I shot up and gave him a glare.
He chuckled, "I wouldn't do that."
"Promise?"
"I promise," He smiled sweetly and kissed my lips.