Grad '08

It was a crisp, July morning when Bella awoke to the general buzzing of her alarm clock. This was the same exact buzzing that had woken her every day for the last 3 years. Today was different though, it was unlike any of the other days that had started this way. Today was her high school graduation. Today was the first day of her independence. The first day that she would spread her wings and truly be free. It was exhilarating, but at the same time, absolutely terrifying. Even though she had not been accepted to any Universities in the area, Bella and her best friend were moving to Victoria, B.C. Her mother, although supportive, clearly did not understand why her daughter did not want to stay in Alberta and go to college. When Bella had tried to speak of the unexplainable attraction she felt for that place, her mother would simply brush that aside and call her foolish for leaving with nothing but her laptop computer and a bit of spending money.

         She had a shower and then assessed what she wanted to do to her hair. She eventually settled on loose curls pulled back into a clip, in order to pull of the messy bun look, and then looked at herself in the mirror. She remembered the days when she was 16 and very young. She had no idea who she was, and didn't have any predetermination as to who she wanted to be.  She was going for the "emo" style of the time. Skinny jeans, slip on shoes, band t-shirts, and dark, heavy black makeup. Now she was at least a tiny bit aware of who she is. Her best friend Erin was still in this style, but Bella had discovered that no matter what she would wear Erin would always love her.

She had also used to be a reasonably chubby girl. Now she was a sleek size 12, and that was perfect for her. She could shop wherever she wanted, and she loved being healthy and attractive. She had always been pretty but the extra fat had weighed down her features and distorted them badly. She had lost all of her weight during the previous summer. It was right before she had switched schools.

Bella remembered how Erin reacted when she told her the news. She cried when Bella got accepted. They had a going away party and everything. She moved into a differently structured school then the one she had been previously attending, and from the moment she walked through the doors she just soared. She went from getting all C's and D's to A's. This school was the right place for her, but at the beginning she missed Erin so much that it was hardly bearable. They still lived just down the street from each other, and they still spent all their free time together, but it wasn't the same. No more skipping sessions, no more huge bear hugs in the middle of the hall, and worst of all, no more first hand advise on the latest gossip.

Those were a very hard first couple of weeks, but after that Bella made new friends, and so did Erin. They still spent all their time together, and bragged about each other constantly, but they began moving in different crowds, and it got hard after a while. Their relationship had become strained. Bella remembered that part well. Now looking back she realized how silly it truly was, but at the time it seemed to be the worst pain that she had ever experienced. They were meant to be best friends forever, that part was obvious, but it took losing each other completely before they could see it as well.

Then there was her boyfriend, Jake. He had been her first serious boyfriend and a few other firsts as well. They had started dating right before she moved schools, but the move didn't interfere with things at all. When they first met all she could see was how attractive he was, and he just saw her as another "emo-wanna-be", as he had put it. But they hit it off after a while, and although he generally liked the good girls that never skipped or did anything fun, he had liked her. Apparently even good boys need a little bad every now and then. They had hit it off instantly upon beginning to hang out more. He had seen her beauty even through the weight, and she loved him for that. He was the best thing that had happened to her since Erin moved to her street when Bella was only 15.

He was also a lot older than her. When she was in grade 11 he was in grade 12. She had just turned 16 in November and was still basking in the glory of being over the hump of teenager Dom, while he was 18 in August and knew that he had his whole life still in front of him.  Erin thought that this age difference was a bad idea, and so did Bella's mother. They didn't care. They were teenagers in love. There was no stopping them.

Erin didn't approve of their relationship. She knew he was a sex fiend and warned Bella repeatedly that it was possibly all he wanted. Jake proved her wrong. They didn't sleep together until 10 months into their relationship. No-one in their right mind would hang on that long just to get laid. He was a very attractive guy, and she had no doubts that he wouldn't have any trouble getting some action if he wanted it. Bella and Jake were still together, and if Bella was remembering the date correctly, then today is their one year and six month anniversary. She loved him, and Erin knew it and thereby knew not to try and question it anymore.

He was going to be arriving to escort her to the ceremony soon. Bella couldn't wait. She was already packed and ready to go. Right after grad Erin and Bella were going to jump into Bella's silver 1994 Toyota Convertible and drive off into the sunset, and towards their future. Jake was meeting them there after he finished packing and quit his job.  They were all going to get an apartment together, and split the rent costs. Bella and Erin already had jobs lined up in B.C., and Jake was going to find one once he got there.

Bella had just finished applying her makeup and adding the finishing touches to her outfit when the doorbell rang. It was Jake. He helped her bring all her bags down to the car, jumped into the passenger side, and kissed her sweetly. Then they were off. Their lives start now. It was an amazing feeling, and Bella was so happy to be sharing it with him, the only man she had loved for the more influential part of her adolescence.

The ceremony went as most do, boringly long, and extremely repetitive. But when it was over, well that was the end; the end of that whole chapter of their lives. After Bella finished at her graduation ceremony she visited with her mom and Jake, who had sat in the audience proudly watching the girl that he loved receive her diploma and embark on the next stage of her life, and then jumped into the car and went to pick up Erin.

They were off. After picking Erin up at her high school, and saying goodbye to all of her old friends, they hit the deer foot and were so out of there. They blasted all of their favorite music for 12 hours straight, and stopped every three or four hours to eat. Their first road trip and Bella couldn't believe the feelings that she was experiencing. It was refreshing. She missed Jake already and she'd been away from him for 12 hours. How was she going to pull off 2 months? They had never been apart for a long period of time before. He would always call her, or they would text message at least.

Their lives were off to a fabulous start, and although Bella had no idea what was going to happen, or where this road was leading her, she did know that no matter what happened, or where she ended up, she would always have her best friend, her soul mate, for moral support; she'd always have Erin.