“It’s gorgeous here, Nick.” I breathed as I watched the waves crash against the rocks. “I’ve never really sat and watched.”

“Why not?” Nick questioned stunned. He had seen Anne on his porch many times starring at the ocean.

“I guess because I always felt so yucky when I got out of the ocean, I thought it couldn’t be beautiful.”

“Well, you need to change that opinion right now! I could sit out here, for I don’t know how long, just taking it all in.” Nick smiled pulling me in his arms. “I might not be able to stand it too long if you’re not with me though.”

“we have to go home early tomorrow morning! I’m finally graduating! Once that it through, me and your mother are going to buckle down on our wedding.”

“I can’t wait! Think, you’ll be on tour with me from now on! Awesome huh?”

“The traveling, no. Being with you, I’m not too sure.” I teased.

Nick just chuckled in my ear.

“Are you ready to graduate?” His question caught me off guard.

“What do you mean?”

“Are you ready to go out in the real world?”

“If I was alone, no I wouldn’t be. But you’re made me not scared.”

Tomorrow I would be out of high school. Literally, I was already out and had been for two days. Exampling finals made school so much more fun.

When Nick heard I was free, he invited me down to Tampa. He couldn’t come up to my house because of work. I didn’t care.

Now our time alone was through. Everyone would be joining us for the trek to my house. They had all insisted on seeing my graduation. I was actually very happy they had. They had meant so much to me over the past couple of years and still continued to do so.

“Guys, you leave! Go do whatever you want, beside picking up other girls!” Leighanne ordered as she ushered me towards my room.

Amanda and Kristin were already in there, plugging up curling irons, and setting make-up out on the bathroom counter. There were so many accessories it was hard to even see the counter!

“What are you doing?” I questioned sitting down on my bed.

“We’re your stylists for the night!” Amanda proudly smiled.

“Oh no! You expect me to let you guys do whatever you please to me and then I’ll still look good? I don’t thinks so!”

“Anne! Please!” Amanda begged. Soon Leigh and Kris joined in.

“Fine! I can’t fight all three of you!” I resigned. “I’m your new manikin to do with as you please.”

“That’s the kind of attitude we like to hear.” Leigh teases placing me in the bathroom chair. “Ladies, let’s get to work..”

For an hour and a half, I sat still while they curled, and pinned my hair in a hundred different directions, made my eyes and face shine, and then finished everything off with a fresh coat of paint on my finger and toe nails.

Within five more minutes they had all the guys assembled at the bottom of the stairs. They said they had to present me to them. So, I was forced to stay around the corner till summoned.

“Okay guys! Be quiet! Nick you get ready to come get Anne when she gets down here.” Amanda directed.

“You guys ready?” Leighanne asked,. “Now presenting Miss Anne Johnson, soon to be Carter!”

I smiled as Leigh pointed her hands at me. Slowly and carefully I took one step at a time till I stood in front of everyone. Silence filled the room. Nick’s jow dropped at he continued to state.

“Wow! Anne! You look wonderful!” Nick gulped as he came back around.

“Why thank you!” I blushed as he offered me his arm. “Now let’s get going to my graduation. I don’t want to be late!”

I sat nervously in my seat on the football field. The place was packed. The program continued steadily. Although it felt slow, it wasn’t.

“Calm down Anne! All you have to do it walk up there, get the diploma and sit back down. When they call my name it that is!” I whispered inside my head. I was so scared. I was gong to trip or something of that sort.

“Scott James.” I heard called out. That meant I was soon to come. There went another J names…and another…and another…then mine rang out.

“Walk!” I commanded myself. My feet started moving, as I heard the guys, and girls, cheer. My heart swelled with happiness as my confidence gained. Proudly I walked up to the principle.

“Congratulations.” He smiled handing me my prized diploma. I took it and soon flipped my tassel to its proper side.

“I’ve done it!” I yelled, still inside my head. “I’ve done it!”

The next afternoon we were all lazing around my house, tired from last night’s festivities.

“So you’ve done it Anne!” Brian exclaimed.

“Yes, I have.” I smiled from my position in Nick’s arms. “now I just have tog get a wedding organized.”

“Good luck!” Leighanne wished.

Nick grabbed my hand and pulled me up to a standing position. “We’ll be back in a few. We’re going to take a walk.”

We walked out the door, hand in hand. Flashes of scenes from the past whirled through my head. But everything that happened, heartache, happiness, death, reunion, broken promises, arguments and so much more led me to one conclusion.

That life is hard, yet there in only one person out there in life that you should love more than anyone else. It makes all those lonely nights worth every single second with them. It truly amazed me that me and Nick learned how to completely and truly love each other more than that.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey guys...that's the end of another one. I really hoped you liked this one! I worked a very long time on it. I also believe it's one of my fav's that I've ever written. Please let me know what you think!!