You’re Mine by Penny Brooks

Chapter 192

Easton

Me: Just a few more hours and we're graduated, dude, that's fucking crazy.

Harper: Right? These last few weeks have flown by.

It's what I wished for and now it's here and gah! Me: That graduation practice was a total joke today, but are you comfortable with it all, do you know what you're doing? Harper: Wait, you're asking ME if I know what I'M doing? I'm the one who was paying attention to where we're supposed to line up and all that.

You're the one who was high as hell with my brother, laughing non-stop.

Me: lol truth ...

I'm just always worried about you, baby.

Harper: I love you for that, but I'm all good.

I'll see you there very soon.

I smile at her last message and put my phone down.

Then, I take my black tie out of my closet and wrap it around my neck.

Once the knot is where I want it, I carefully place the graduation gown over me and I put the cap on my head.

I take a final look at myself in the mirror, knowing the minute I get downstairs, my family is going to want pictures.

They're all here—my brothers and their girls, aunts and uncles, everyone coming to the auditorium to watch me walk across the stage.

Being the youngest, I know this is a big deal for my parents, so that's why I don't lose my patience when I join them downstairs and pose in every fucking direction while they snap a million pictures of me.

And since some of my family hasn't seen me since I decided to go to UCLA, I accept the small digs they shoot in my direction for being the rebel of the family and not going to Stanford like the others.

Whatever, I can handle it.

In fact, bring it on.

I don't want to be like my brothers.

I don't want to get into law.

I want to be my own person and go my own direction and kick ass ina way that isn't expected of me.

the people I was most worried about— Mom and Dad—didn't kill

Sure, they wanted Stanford.

they're a bit salty about

up with something huge for my first year there—something I haven't told

see her face when I tell her

I

parents approach

so proud of you, honey,” my mother

so incredibly hard this year and your grades couldn't have made us

moment where I bring up Leigh and her help

that secret is going to my

my shit together and I got the

for being cool with my decision over UCLA’ She adjusts my tie

phone and shakes

quick email is all it'll take and I can tell them you've changed your mind

I know this is

doesn't stop until he

and his

with where I'm going.” He

“I understand, son.

last time.” “I'll see you both at graduation,” I tell them, and I say good—bye

the auditorium, minutes before we line up, I find Harper in the

and knowing we're not

is down and curled and her

what she's wearing underneath, but she looks gorgeous

clasping her hands

you'd come find me before we walk across the stage.” She takes

so nervous.” “Nervous? Why,

She shrugs.

huge deal and my family is here and it feels like the whole world is watching and—you know, all the things.” I give her a kiss, holding our

about it, it's gonna go

“I know ...

just a wreck.” "Maybe this'll make you feel better.” I place

as

me a gift? But I

“It's not like that.

hack wrapping job I'd done and

see confusion on her face as she takes out the key and holds

me an