I wake up to my alarm and groan in annoyance before remembering that today is the last day and there's only the certificate distribution ceremony at the academy. Why is it so early in the morning? To top it off Ares insisted on me getting all dressed up. It's not like I'm graduating. I get out of bed and go to the bathroom. I put on the Ares chose for me. It's a blue dress that ends above my knees along with a black long coat and knee-high black boots. There's a knock on my door and I go open to see Ares. "Hey, good morning." I greet him. "Good morning. You look wonderful. Let's start with the makeup." Ares compliments. "Okay. You guys are seriously going to come, aren't you?" I ask. "Yes, we are. You shouldn't be alone at such a proud moment." Ares says. "I just completed a course for which I'm getting a certificate for, it's not that big a deal," I inform him. "It is. You should be proud of everything you achieve no matter how little it is." Ares tells me. He then starts my makeup. First a little base then eyeshadow, which he does gold and blue. He finishes with a dark red lipstick. "Thanks. For being there. My dad was supposed to come along with Jer, we were going to spend the weekend here; see the monuments and everything. It means a lot to me." I tell Ares after he's done. "You're welcome. It means a lot to us too." Ares says. "You guys done? It's time to go." Noah says as he walks in. "Yeah let's go." I agree. "You look amazing by the way." Noah compliments and I smile in thanks.
We reach the academy within 5 minutes since we came in the car and Noah was the one driving. We get inside and go towards the hall where the ceremony will be held. We walk and sit in the front since Ares insisted, he wanted to take Polaroids. He is very serious about being proud of every achievement. "I think I'm going to have a panic attack," I say as we sit down. "It will be fine Elle. Just take deep breaths." Ares assures me. After a few minutes, the head of the Fine Arts department Mrs.Williams comes on stage and then the owner Mr.Miller joins her. Our teachers are already sitting in the front row. They start the ceremony by a speech from Mr.Miller who thanks all the parents and friends there for support before congratulating everyone on our achievement. After the speech, Mrs.Williams starts handing the certificates. As my name is called out I take a deep breath and walk onto the stage. Mr.Miller congratulates me and hands me the certificate. Noah and Ares clap loudly and Mr.Miller laughs a bit I smile apologetically. I get down from the stage and sit back in my seat. After everyone is given their certificates we leave and get in the car. "So where are we going?" I ask as we head in the opposite direction of the penthouse. "It's a surprise." Is all Ares says before turning on music.
After an hour of driving the car stops and we all get out. I see that we are standing in front of Broadway. "So we are here for a Broadway show?" I ask them. "No we're here for a marathon," Ares states like it's the most normal thing. "What?" I ask dumbfounded. We're here for a marathon? "Well it's your last day here so we thought we should celebrate and since you hate clubs, this was the best option," Noah tells me. "Thanks. What all are we going to see?" I ask Noah. "That you will have to wait and see," Noah replies. I huff but follow them in. We sit a few rows from the stage right in the middle of the row. I look around seeing the whole theatre empty. "Did you... you compelled the whole theatre for us?" I ask Noah. He smirks and nods. I sigh before relaxing back in my seat. After a few minutes music starts and I focus on the stage. As the music fades for the 'Phantom Of The Opera' I feel tears gather in my eyes but also fall in love with the story. The 'marathon' had started with 'Chicago' which I liked a bit but not as much as 'Phantom Of The Opera' which was second in the 'marathon'. "Come on its intermission. We'll get some lunch then come back." Noah tells me. "Okay. Let's go." I agree and we leave. We start walking towards someplace Ares loves.
We reach in a few minutes. It's a small bistro of sorts and we go in and sit down. Ares orders burgers because he claims they're the best thing. Our burgers arrive soon and even though Noah wouldn't admit it they were amazing. After paying for the lunch we leave to go back to the theatre for the rest of the marathon which included two more plays. We reach the theatre and sit back in our earlier seats. The music starts soon and I recognize it to be Aladdin. I smile excited to see it. The Beauty and The Beast music fades and I smile and turn to hug Ares. "Thank you," I whisper to him. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. Come on let's go back home and we can have homemade dinner." Ares says. I laugh a little and nod. "Okay." I agree, once we get up I hug Noah and thank him. He doesn't say anything just hugs me back. "Let's go," Noah says pulling back and we leave the theatre. We get in the car and Ares drives back towards home. We reach a little later than expected because of the tremendous traffic. "Why don't you go change into something more comfortable? I'll come help you pack the last of your clothes ate I change too." Ares tells me. "Okay. Do you need help with dinner?" I ask Noah. "No. I got it." Noah tells me with a smile. I smile back and nod. I had towards my room.
I go into the bathroom take off all the makeup and tie up my hair into a bun. I then change into some shorts and a t-shirt. I go into my bedroom and take my suitcase along with another one since Ares insisted I take everything he bought me. I keep black leggings and a loose t-shirt along with boots for the flight home. There's a knock at my door and I go to open it. "Hey. I'm thinking of taking only a few dresses and keeping most here because well I only have two suitcases and I don't need that many dresses." I tell Ares as he comes in. I start taking the dresses I want to take and he starts folding them and putting them in. "That's fine. You're going to be fine right?" Ares asks sounding worried and sad. "I will. No worrying today. Okay?" I order him. "Okay, ma'am." Ares agrees. We both chuckle a little and continue packing. Ares takes a few dresses and makes a show of putting them into the suitcase. I just laugh and shake my head when he does so. After an hour we're done since I had packed some earlier in the week. We head downstairs after checking everything. "Hey." I greet as Ares and I walk in the kitchen. Ares and Noah get a little lost in their old world so I check the dinner and see that Noah has made Lasagna. I set up the dining table. "Guys? Dinners ready." I tell them after being done and they snap out of their little world. "Thank you, Elle," Noah says while kissing my cheek. "Anytime," I tell him.
After dinner, we all go and sit in the living room. "You know I'd like to hear about this second boyfriend of yours," Ares tells me as we drink the Oreo milkshake that Noah made for us. "What about him?" I ask him. "Well, you only gave us a synopsis. We want to know how idiotic he truly was." Noah informs me. "Well, I kind of liked him since the first day we met which was in the cemetery. But in a few days, he was dating my sister. Then he turned out to be a vampire. He found out I knew about him, after that we worked together to get daylight rings and then he saved my friends' life. After that, we kissed and he told me he broke up with Elena. We went on a date and he told me that he didn't want Elena anymore and that he had no intention of hurting me. He missed our second date to console my sister for having vampire blood in her system. He tried to convince me that it wasn't like I thought but I broke up with him and he left to help her again. But he still comes the next day for my help to save Elena then tries to apologize but I sent him away, the same day I find them kissing. So that's that I guess." I explain to them. "Well he doesn't sound right for you anyway," Ares says after a few minutes of silence. "And who would be right for me?" I ask him. "Well someone who can see what you're worth for one and someone who can protect you. He needs our approval by the way whoever turns out to be." Ares informs me. "Okay. Whatever you want." I agree and after a while, we just watch a movie which is The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
As it's revealed that Peter and Susan can't come back my phone rings. I see that Ty is calling me. "Hey, Ty." I greet as Ares lowers the TV volume. "Ari? He's gone." Ty says and I can hear the slightest of cracks in his voice. "What Ty? Who? Who's gone?" I ask him. "My dad Ari. There was a fire and he... he's gone." Ty tells me and I can tell he's crying. "It's okay Ty. I'll be there tomorrow. If you want I can leave in maybe an hour or two?" I ask him. "No, it's fine. Just promise you'll be here tomorrow." Ty says. "Promise. It's okay." I promise him. "Ari?" Ty asks sounding a little guilty. "Yeah? What's wrong?" I ask knowing it's not about his dad and that he probably doesn't want to talk about his dad on phone either. "Its Caroline. She's in the hospital." Ty informs me, he's about to add something else but stops. "What? What happened?" I ask him. Ty tries to calm me and I know he's lying but I know they'll all feel guilty if I hurry to get there. Besides my flights at 6 in the morning, I'll be home soon. I repeat that over in my head before assuring Ty I'll be there tomorrow and say goodbye.
"Elle?" Ares asks after a few minutes and I wipe my tears and look over at him. "Do you want to leave now? I'm sure we can arrange something." Noah asks me. "You can?" I ask him. "Of course Elle, if you want to go," Ares assures me. "Okay. I want to go." I tell them. "Okay, we'll see what the earliest flight is and get you a seat. Just go get your bags okay?" Noah tells me. "Okay. I'll go get them." I tell him and go upstairs to my room to get my suitcases. I get my bags and go back into the living room to see Noah on the phone with someone. He cuts the call and looks at me. "I'm sorry Elle. There's no flight leaving tonight. It's a storm somewhere in between here and Virginia. I'm really sorry." Noah tells me sadly. "It's okay. It's not your fault. What about my morning flight tomorrow? Will that still go or not?" I ask him. "They expect it to clear in a few hours but they don't want to risk it tonight and about tomorrow's flight, they aren't too sure. It'll all depend on tomorrow's weather." Noah informs. "Oh. Thanks for trying." I tell him with a smile. He smiles back at me. "Why don't you go to sleep? We'll leave early tomorrow and see what happens. If nothing else we'll drive you home ourselves." Ares assures me. "Okay. Goodnight." I say and hug them both. "Goodnight Elle," Ares says and we go to our rooms.
I text Jer, Matt and Ty telling them I'll be there tomorrow and text Aunt Jenna about picking me up from the airport before I turn off the lights and set an alarm for 4. Since the airport is at least an hour away we'll have to leave by 4:30 and hope that tomorrow's flights don't get canceled. I lie down in bed trying not to worry too much and try to get some sleep since I know it's going to be hectic in Mystic Falls. After a few minutes, I feel sleep taking over and close my eyes.