I can remember the first time I ever walked across a stage, the memory of it still clear in my mind as if it happened yesterday. I was two years old and Rock Salt was on their third worldwide tour. They brought all of us onto stage in front of twenty-one thousand people, and maybe I was too young then to understand how many people that was but I'm feeling it now in front of less than two thousand. All of them anxiously awaiting the newest graduating class to walk across stage.

In maybe the hardest year of my life, I finally did it. I graduated high school and my family's out there, waiting to watch me receive my diploma. It feels like a sweet reward for all the work I put in this last year, but that's not what made my year hard. It wasn't the exams, or the final days walking the halls of the school. It was hard because it pushed me.

To be better, to be more and fight for the things I want. And I did, like hell.

I worked hard to make everything run as smoothly as they could, and sure, we might have run into some road bumps along the way. I may have lost my mind a couple of times, but when I step up on the edge of the stage, ready to be the next person called I spot him in the crowd and can't help but grin to myself. Long distance is hard, and six hours may seem like nothing to some people but it's definitely work.

And we figured it out.

"Stevie Alexander," the announcer calls my name and my chest floods with nervous energy as I walk towards my principal and vice principal. The eruption of cheers coming from the crowd bringing a smile to my face as I spot my brothers up on their feet, hollering in tradition. The same way we did the first time for Greyson, and then for Riker and Isaac last year.

"Go Stevie!" I hear Greyson yell from the stands, his hands cupped over his mouth to elevate his voice. I shake my head as I stop for the professional photo, grinning at the camera. As I walk back to my seat, I stop to stick my tongue out at my brothers as I settle back down.

As each of my friends walk on stage to receive their diplomas, screams erupt from our families in celebration and before I know it – the ceremony is over and done with. My eyes quickly glancing around the football field for my family, spotting Felix talking to Coach Davidson near the stands.

"Felix!" I shout as I run over to him with my open graduation gown flying behind me, allowing me to move freely.

"There's my girl," Felix grins as he turns towards the sound of my voice, opening his arms for me. "That wasn't so bad, was it?" He asks when he sets me back down on his feet.

"It was okay," I tease before grinning. "Hi Coach."

"Hi Stevie," he smiles in return. "Congratulations."

"Thank you! Are you going to miss me? You aren't going to have any more Alexander's around to bother you," I laugh lightly.

"I'll manage," he chuckles. "Besides, I ended it off with my favorite."

A snicker leaves my lips, "We all know Greyson was your favorite, but nice try."

"Second favorite?"

"I'll take it," I laugh, ecstatic about finally being done with high school and the future ahead of me. Ahead of both of us.

He nods his head, his eyes flickering back to Felix. "I'm glad the two of you worked out."

"Me too," Felix nods and I arch my eyebrow in his direction as Coach wanders off to say his goodbyes to other students. "What?" He asks when he catches the look on my face.

"What was that about?" I question.

"He gave me some advice last year about you."

"Oh?" I hum. "Who knew Coach was good for relationships and football?"

"Not me," he chuckles and moves to stand in front of me, slipping his hands into mine. "Speaking of, you still haven't told me what you're planning to do next year."

"It's a surprise!" I smile, thankful for the distraction when Robyn and Isla come running up to us – crushing me in their embrace as they wrap me up in their arms.

"We did it!" Isla shouts. "I can't believe we're finally done."

"Yeah, here's to four more years of torture," Robyn teases, her hair grown out past her shoulders now. Still very Robyn, and even curlier than it was before.

"At least we've got the whole summer of freedom to celebrate," I laugh. "I'm so excited for our party tonight. It's going to be so much fun."

"Sure is!" Isla grins. "We'll see you guys there?"

"Absolutely," Felix nods as they run off to have their celebrations with their familes. "I never thought I'd see the day where my girlfriend was the one throwing the party."

"It's only a few people," I shrug. "Besides, I'm nearly an adult now. I deserve to have some fun."

"Nearly an adult," he rolls his eyes at me, cupping my cheeks in his hands and pressing his lips to mine in a tender and meaningful kiss. "I'm so proud of you, Nicks."

"I'm proud of me too," I tease as I meet his eyes. "And you too, I guess. We survived the year apart."

"The year?" He raises an eyebrow. "You have something to tell me?"

"It's supposed to be a surprise!"

"Surprise me now," he demands, but his tone is playful.

I can barely contain my excitement, having kept it a secret for the last few weeks from everyone including my parents. Felix taking a spring course load to make his second year quieter, and I wanted to be able to tell him the news in person.

"I got into the San Francisco Academy of the Arts for photography," I grin at him, gripping the sides of his shirts. "Exactly twelve point one miles away from you."

"What?" He gasps.

I nod my head, "I don't want to be away from you anymore."

"I love you so much," he mumbles as he pulls me into a hug. "Are you sure?"

"Am I sure?" I roll my eyes, pulling back to look at him. "I've never been more sure about anything in my entire life."

"Good," he exhales, like he's been holding in the breath for over a year. "Move in with me."

"Really?" I ask, tilting my head to the side.

"Why do you sound so surprised?" He laughs. "The dorms were great, and I get if you want to enjoy that for your first year but I much rather share a bed with you."

I hum in response, "I like the sound of that."

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes," I nod and grin. "Now to break the news to my parents."

Felix grits his teeth and starts to pull away from me, "You don't need me around for that, do you?"

"Very funny," I grab his hands. "You're coming with me."

"Your dad will literally kill me."

"I'll protect you," I pout out my bottom lip, and pull him along when I spot my parents. They take the news far better than I assumed they would, and before I know it, Felix and me are on the beach with all our friends to celebrate the achievements we've made this year.

The sun hits my face as we walk toward the bonfire and a majority of our friends are either talking, in the water or prepping the fire. My lips curl up as I lean my head back, soaking in the rays of light. I've never been so in love with life as I am in this very moment, with all the best people in my life at my favourite place.

"You look happy," Felix bums softly next to me, adjusting the glasses on his face.

"I am," I meet his eyes. "So happy."

Felix smile brightens the sky even more as he leans over, kissing my temple. "Me too."

"Sorry to break up the love fest," Isaac wanders over to us with Greyson and Riker, a look of disgust on his face at the sight of us. "Can we burrow her for a second?"

"She's all yours," Felix nods, sending me a wink as he heads further down the beach.

"For you," Riker holds out an extra cup to me. "Have to continue the tradition."

My lips curl up as I accept it, holding it in the middle as Greyson holds up a flask and rest my free hand just above the top of my warm sun yellow bikini bottoms. The yellow bandana in my hair matching them, and the lemons on the cropped dark blue button-up shirt I wear over my bikini top. The shirt knotted to be tight around my body. "You know this is very illegal."

"Can't be anymore illegal than when none of us were legal," he shrugs as he pours a little bit of the liquid into each of our cups.

"And Stevie with her juice box," Riker teases, earning a shove from me. "Hey! You were a baby."

"I was almost fourteen," I frown and smile as the three of them hold up their glasses to me. "And it was just as disgusting then, just as it will be now."

"To Stevie and whatever the future holds for her," Isaac toasts, eyeing me. "Which she still hasn't told us, but we'll forgive her since it's her graduation day."

"I wanted to tell Felix first! And in person," I roll my eyes at them. "Okay, well, he's third to know. Robyn and Isla knew first."

"Well? What's the plan?" Greyson asks.

"Academy of the Arts in San Francisco for photography," I smile big. "Twelve point one miles away from Felix."

"Told you it'd work out," Isaac nudges me.

"What about Pepperdine?" Riker asks. "Wasn't that the plan with Robyn and Isla?"

"Yeah, it was," I nod. "But that was before Felix. And Isla got into the University of San José for journalism and Robyn's going to UCLA so it all worked out anyways."

"That's great, Vee," Greyson smiles. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks," I hum as Felix wanders back over, his arm slipping around my waist. "It's going to be great."

"Did you tell them the good news about us moving in together?" Felix questions and a small laugh falls from my lips at the looks on my brothers' faces. "I'll take that as a no."

"Hadn't got to that part yet," I pat his shoulder, eyeing each of my brothers. "Don't freak out."

"Why would we freak out?" Greyson says, though I can see on his face he's not sure about it. "You're an adult, Vee. You can make your own decisions."

"Yeah, your face says otherwise," I laugh as Riker grabs my arms gently, pulling my attention towards him.

"Can I talk to you for a second?" He asks and I nod, leaving Felix to deal with Greyson and Isaac.

"What's up?"

"Are you sure about this?" He asks. "San Francisco and living with Felix?"

"Were you?" I quiz.

"That was different."

"No, it wasn't," I shake my head. "Just because I'm your little sister doesn't mean I'm not ready for this. I want to be with Felix, Rik and wasn't it you who was pulling for us?"

"Yeah, but that was when he was six hours away," he rolls his eyes and a smile spreads across my lips.

"You're sweet to worry but Felix and I went through a lot this year and we made it! We're ready for this," I assure him. "And that's not the only thing that made me pick San Francisco."

"What was the other reason?" He questions, though he doesn't look convinced that I have a reason other than Felix to be moving to San Francisco.

"It's forty-five minutes away from Stanford," I smile gently. "I've missed you so much, Riker. I thought it was hard when Greyson moved away, but it was ten times harder being away from you," I admit. I hadn't been expecting it but when the twins moved out at the end of the summer last year, it made me realize just how close I had gotten to Riker in my high school years. Missing him more than I thought I would.

"I missed you too," he wraps his arms around me. "Does this make me your favorite brother?"

"I'm not supposed to have a favorite."

"No, that's parents with kids," he chuckles. "And we both know mom and dad don't follow that rule."

"You can't tell Greyson," I laugh and hug him tighter.

"Your secret is safe with me," he says as Greyson, Isaac and Felix walk over to us. "Yo, Grey, guess who's finally beat you out as Stevie's favorite brother?" He says, immediately breaking his promise.

"You suck," I push on his chest before grabbing Felix hand and pulling him further down the beach toward Robyn, Isla and Miles. I jump on Felix's back on the way, hanging on as we laugh and as I look around at everyone in my life – I can't be more content. With my past, my present and whatever my future holds.

At least I have this moment to hold on, this happiness that fills my chest and how I never want to forget how happy these people make me. Enriching my life in every way possible.

a/n;

There are three more bonus chapters coming, my loves! Two more in Stevie's perspective and one in a different perspective that I'm not going to tell you about because it's a surprise. And, I'm excited to say that I've entered I See You in the Watty's this year in the young adult category and will be doing the same with Bubble Wrap. The odds are low of getting anything from it, but I thought, what the hell?

:)