When my name was called, I received my diploma, along with some awards I got from competitions. My mom graced the stage with teary eyes and a proud smile on her face.
                          
We're going to have a celebratory barbeque at my house.
                          
After the ceremony, we're all chatting on our seats about anything under the sun, reminiscing the events of the past year.

                          
"Can you believe it? We're already graduating high school? I'm so not ready for college yet." Cassy complains.
                          
"What are your plans?" Terry asked the bunch.
                          
"I passed Brown?" Cassy excitedly announced. 
                          
"Wow, you're pretty smart for a cheerleader." Terry teased, earning her a slight shove from Cassy. "I passed Brown too. So I guess I'll be sticking with this bitch for a while." 
                          
"You plan on studying there? For real now?" Terry nodded her head, making Cassy squeal in delight. "Well, I guess I have one friend in university now."
                          
"What about you guys?" Terry asked.
                          
"Oh my family and I are moving to NYC because I plan on studying in Columbia University." Miley answered.
                          
"Wow, Miles. What are you taking in Columbia?" I asked. 
                          
"History." 
                          
"That's awesome, Miles." Tyler smiled. "What about you, Kim?"
                          
"Well, I... wanted to be near Troy.. so I have no idea where I want to go yet...." Half lie. I wanted to know where Troy is going and no matter how pathetic it may seem, I'm willing to 'compromise' since I took exams in other universities as well. I've heard a lot about long distance relationships and how they rarely work and I want to make us work.
                          
"Troy?"

                          
Troy is awfully silent the whole time, as if he's lost and it bothered me quite a bit.

                          
"Huh? Oh, um.. I don't know," He glancced back at me, and smiled faintly.
                          
"Well, you better decide soon because time is ticking." Cassy says, "What about you, Tyler?"

                          
I didn't hear Tyler's answer, or what they were talking about afterwards because my attention and focus was at Troy. Is something bothering him?
                          
The five of us went back to my house, where we're having a celebratory barbecue, to of course, celebrate our graduation.
                          
I was helping mom unloading the car full of groceries, while Tyler and Troy are setting up the grill.
                          
Miley, Cassy and Terry are responsible with the preparation of the salad, the potatoes and other things we could include with the barbeque.

                          
"You seem awfully quiet. Something bothering you?" Mom asked.
                          
"Mom... I don't understand why Troy is being silent about it." I explained. "I mean, I will understand if he plans on studying in a different university. I could go with him!"
                          
"Honey, maybe that's the reason he's not telling you. He doesn't want you to sacrifice your dreams for him." Mom replied.
                          
"Well, there are other good schools, mom. I could just opt to study in Harvard afterwards. I mean, our relationship is still fresh, and the foundation may not be that stable yet so distance is going to be a problem."

                          
I saw mom bite her lip, while she arranged the frozen burger patties.

                          
"I suggest you go talk to him about it."

                          
❤️

                          
All of us gathered around, while the boys are grilling.
                          
Cassy and Terry were talking nonstop about all the things they plan on doing in Brown and in New Jersey in general.