"Class of 2024, please move your tassels to the left. Now, you may remove your caps," the principal announced, beaming with pride.
A roar of cheers erupted as we threw our caps into the air. Laughter and shouts filled the stadium as we celebrated the end of an era. We were no longer high school students. In three months, we would officially begin the next chapter of our lives as college students—adults stepping into the unknown.
Yet, amidst the celebration, I held a secret.
Emmett didn't know. I hadn't told him, too scared of how it might change things between us. He was heading to Yale, thrilled to play football and chase his dreams. I was proud of him, truly. But as I walked through the tunnel to meet him, Milton, and Kyle, my heart was heavy with the truth I'd been keeping.
"Baby," Emmett greeted me, his grin as warm as ever. He kissed my forehead, and for a moment, I let myself lean into him.
"Come on, lovebirds. All our parents are waiting," Milton teased, snapping us back to reality.
Emmett laced his fingers through mine, and together, we walked into the sunlight where our families were waiting. Cameras flashed, and cheers erupted as we joined the group. We posed for pictures, the joy of the moment making my secret feel like a distant shadow.
Afterward, we all parted ways to celebrate with our families before reconvening at Emmett's big graduation party. My dad took Connor and me to my favorite restaurant, Cheddar's. Over dinner, Dad handed me a small velvet box with a tearful smile. Inside was a delicate silver locket, engraved with the words "Forever our little girl." When I opened it, I found a picture of the three of us—me, Dad, and Connor.
I couldn't hold back my tears.
"Dad..." I whispered, overcome.
"You've grown up so much, Tasha. I'm proud of you," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Connor slid a box across the table, feigning indifference. "Got you something, too," he muttered, looking anywhere but at me.
Inside was a charm bracelet, each charm representing something I loved. My eyes welled up again as I hugged him.
"You're so mushy," Connor groaned, wriggling out of my grasp.
"Shut up," I said, laughing through my tears.
Later, Kyle picked up Milton and me for Emmett's party. The house was packed, cars lining the street and music thumping from inside.
"Damn, they really went all out," Milton said, wide-eyed.
"Told you," Kyle replied, smirking.
Milton and Kyle disappeared into the crowd while I headed upstairs, navigating through the chaos. Isla stepped out of her room as I passed, flashing me a knowing smile.
"Congrats," she said brightly.
"Thanks."
Her smile faltered. "Have you told him yet?"
I shook my head, guilt pressing down on me.
"Tell me what?" Emmett's voice came from behind Isla.
She froze, then gave a nervous laugh. "I'll, uh, leave you two to it." She darted down the hallway, leaving us alone.
I turned to face him, my stomach twisting. His warm expression shifted to one of concern.
"Tasha, tell me what," he repeated, stepping closer.
I sighed and took his hand, pulling him into his room. Closing the door behind us, I paced the floor, trying to find the right words.
"Tasha," he said again, his voice firmer this time. The use of my full name made my chest tighten. He was anxious—maybe even scared.
"You know I was planning to go to Berkeley," I began slowly.
"Yeah," he said with a small smile. "It's close, so we'll still get to see each other."
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of my next words. "I got a full ride somewhere else."
"That's amazing, babe!" he said, pulling me into his lap. "My girlfriend is a genius. Where is it?"
I hesitated. "Duke University."
His smile faltered. "That's... in North Carolina."
"I know," I whispered, standing up again. "It's the best place for me to pursue writing. I couldn't turn it down. But it doesn't mean this has to be the end for us. We can make it work. It'll be hard, but..." I paused, taking a shaky breath. "Unless you don't want to try long-distance. If you want to break up, I'll understand."
Emmett stood and tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. "Never," he said firmly. "You're it for me, Tasha. We'll figure it out. I promise."
Five Years Later
"How did you come up with your latest book, Mrs. Pierce?" the reporter asked, her pen poised over her notepad.
I glanced across the room, where Emmett stood leaning against the wall, his easy smile aimed only at me.
"My husband," I said with a soft smile. "He's my inspiration. This book is our story—how he caught me."
The room buzzed with excitement, cameras flashing as I blushed and glanced down at the ring on my finger.
"That's all for today," my manager announced, cutting off the eager crowd of reporters.
As I made my way to Emmett, I thought back to those four years of long-distance love. They hadn't been easy—monthly visits, countless FaceTime calls, and moments of doubt—but we'd made it through.
As soon as we graduated, Emmett proposed. He said he couldn't wait another day to make me his wife. A year later, we were married, and he worked his way up to CEO of his father's company. His first big purchase was a modern country house with acres of land, a place where I could write in peace.
"Mrs. Pierce, could I get your autograph?" Emmett teased, holding out a copy of my best-selling romance novel.
I laughed, shaking my head as I signed the book.
He kissed the back of my hand, his eyes full of love. "Ready to go home?"
"Always," I said, smiling as we walked to the car.
The fairytales and romance novels I'd devoured growing up had never captured love quite like this. Emmett wasn't just my Prince Charming—he was my partner, my muse, and my happily ever after.
I used to think of myself as a hopeless romantic, but now I knew the truth: I wasn't hopeless. I'd just been waiting for the right person to prove that love, real love, was worth it.
And Emmett was worth it all.