𝖧 𝖮 𝖬 𝖤 ─ 𝗉𝖺𝗎𝗅 𝗅𝖺𝗁𝗈𝗍𝖾

| 𝟤𝟢

     "CONGRATULATIONS!" Uncle Alaric and Josie exclaimed loudly as Lizzie and I walked off the stage, our yellow graduation caps still on our heads as the ceremony ended and we were free to make our way to our families.

Lizzie laughed and rolled her eyes before ripping the graduation caps off of both of our heads and tossing them carelessly behind her.

Memories of her tossing the 'welcome home Eloise!' sign across the busy airport flashing in my mind as people shuffled around to dodge being hit.

"Lizabeth!" Alaric groaned, shaking his head and apologizing to the people as Lizzie tangled her arm into mine and pulled us ahead of him before he could continue to scold her.

"Lizzie!" Josie and I shook our heads at her, but couldn't help but laugh at the smile on her face as she confidently walked out of Forks High and didn't plan on looking back anytime soon, even if it was to help her father pick her graduation cap off of the gymnasium floor.

We knew she meant well.

"Sorry daddy, I just couldn't waste any more time in that god awful school." Lizzie apologized to her father as he met up with us standing beside his SUV. "All I have to say is good riddance."

Lizzie raised her hand without warning and stuck out her middle finger to the high school, before elbowing me in the side and gesturing for me to do the same. I sent uncle Alaric an apologetic look as he watched the two of us give the building the finger.

Our classmates laughing as they passed by and cheering with us as their parents scolded them.

"Alright, are you two done?" Lizzie and I smirked at each other before nodding our heads and lowering our hands as Josie giggled.

"It's going to suck going to school without you guys anymore." She stated as Alaric unlocked the car and we all piled in. "But now I can focus on actually eating during lunch instead of listening to Lizzie rant about how much she dislikes Jessica Stanley."

Alaric and I only chuckled as Lizzie faked a hurt look, but ultimately ended up nodding and agreeing with her. "Yeah, those weren't my best moments."

As Alaric pulled into the driveway of the house, he glanced at Lizzie and I sitting side by side in the back seat and smiled at us. "I'm really proud of you girls."

"Thanks, daddy." Lizzie winked and reached around the seat to give her dad a hug and a quick kiss on his cheek before kicking open the door and rushing out of the SUV. "No time for bonding, I have to get dressed so we can head to Seattle to go pick up our dresses for the graduation party!"

I shrugged in the reflection of the rearview mirror as Alaric just laughed and nodded my head to follow Lizzie. I said a quick thank you and hugged him as Lizzie did before jumping out of the car.

As I made my to my room, I couldn't help but stare at my bed.

There had been a weird feeling inside me since I had woken up a few nights ago, something pulling me out of my nightmare but disappearing the moment I woke.

I made my way to the place where I slept, my hand running along the mattress before I felt emotions run through me and I couldn't help but lower myself down to my knees.

I stared up at my mattress with my head tilted in confusion. I felt lost, and like I was battling something inside me that I didn't understand.

The emotions didn't feel like my own, and it made me even more confused.

I let out a sigh, slowly picking myself up off of the floor before my eyes came eye level to the gray wolf sculpture that I had grown quite fond over.

Sadness washed over me, my thoughts seeming to find their way to Paul as I placed my fingers over my lips.

There was so much confusion in my head ever since I collided into that hot-headed boy, but there was also so much excitement and so many other emotions that didn't yet make any sense.

I shook my head as I finally stood all the way up and began getting ready for our trip to Seattle.

Thoughts of Paul still lingering in the back of my head as I wondered what it was that kept him there.