Asher stood beside Bella, Alicia, William, Zachary, and Liam as Alicia was doing Bella's hair at the Swan household. "Graduation, holy shit I cant believe we made it." Asher said as she made her way to Bella's bed and sitting down adjusting her black dress. The others chuckled, "well we have been preparing for this day since pre-school." Bella said from the chair Alicia had her sit on. "I remember pre-school, I mean it's where we met, over a box of crayons you and Addison were fighting over." Asher said laughing at the memory, "you really fought with Addison over a box of crayons?" William asked with an amused smile.

Bella blushed and laughed, "it may sound stupid now but back then crayons would start wars between three to four year olds." Bella defended, Asher smiled pre-school was where she and her sister met Bella, Addison and Bella hated each other up until the middle of their pre-school year, Asher and Bella were inseparable the moment they met, and now Asher kinda understands why, considering Bella is who she was born to protect until her very last breath.

Alicia laid the last newly curled lock down behind Bella's back and admired her work, "all done, and of course all still beautiful." Alicia said flipping back her pin straight hair. Bella smiled hugging Alicia as a thank you, Asher stood up, fixed her dress and tucked a few wavy strands of red hair behind her ears, "ready for our last chapter of our high school story?" Asher asked looking at the group. They all nodded symoutamiously, Asher smiled widely and slipped on her black heels.

The girls were the first to exit Bella's room followed by the three boys, once they got downstairs Asher and Bella grabbed their yellow cap and gown before making their way to Charlie, Richard, and Jeremy. Richard smiled at his niece, "you look alot like your mother, she always talked about the day you and your sister were to graduate." Richard said being careful not to expose to Charlie that Addison wasn't gone like he believes, it was a lot easier considering Addison didnt really stay in contact with Charlie or Bella when they move or even when they got older unlike Asher who would text or call both Swans on a daily basis, Asher smiled sadly hugging her uncle before turning to Charlie.

"My girls, you two look great." Charlie said pulling both Bella and Asher into a tight hug. Bella and Asher finally let go of Charlie before going to Jeremy who had just hugged his niece Alicia, "you guys ready?" Jeremy asked hugging them, the hybrid gaurdian and the human shared a look mixed with emotions.

"Ready as we'll ever be."

|||

Asher sat beside Jasper clad in their yellow cap and gowns, Jasper put a loving arm around his girlfriend's shoulders as they waited for Jessica; their class valedictorian to walk the stage to give her speech, she had been stressing over the moment she was told she'd be giving one. Jessica had asked both Angela and Asher to spend the night a couple times to help her write it and frankly Asher thought it was amazing, well the first part that Jessica had read to her.

Asher looked over into the audience automatically spotting the pack beside Jeremy and Richard. Paul waved at his best friend and smiled like a proud big brother, Asher waved back catching Jasper's attention after he'd been daydreaming for a bit. Jasper looked to his girlfriend with a loving smile and kissed her cheek, "hey save that for the after party you two." Esme said from a few rows behind them with some of the other graduates' parents, Asher and Jasper chuckled making Esme smile brightly.

"Or at least until we're officially graduates." Addison added from beside her sister as she laughed with Alice and intertwined her hand with her girlfriend's, "you two will have your moment soon." Alice added, with a little different meaning behind it, Jasper sent a knowing look Alice's way as Asher just laugh it off watching as the principal walked up to the microphone.

"And now a speech from this years Valedictorian, Jessica Stanley. " the principal announced with a kind smile, the graduates and audience clapped at Jessica made her way to the microphone and looked off into the group infront of her, Jessica spotted Asher who was smiling and throwing the brunette thumbs up to ease the anxiety a bit.

Jessica cleared her throat and began her speech, "When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were things like astronaut, president, or in my case, princess." Jessica began, small laughs erupted through the room as Jessica continued.

"When we were ten they asked again and we answered: rock star, cowboy, or in my case, gold medalist." Asher smiled leaning into Jasper more, Bella looked back at Asher and smiled from her place beside Edward who snuck a glance at the Swan girl.

"But now that we’ve grown up they want a serious answer. Well, how about this: who the hell knows?!" Jessica said enthusiastically, Asher smiled, a part of her knew what she wanted to do and the other didn't she was honestly at crossroads between mechanic or even a history teacher, she really didnt even know, but she did know she had time to decide.

"This isn’t the time to make hard and fast decisions, it’s the time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere chill. Fall in love – a lot." Jessica said glancing at Asher and Jasper, Jasper pulled his girlfriend closer as she intertwined her hand with his free one, and felt him give a small laugh. "Major in philosophy – ‘cause there’s no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind. Then change it again, because nothing is permanent." Jessica said as she scanned the room.

"So make as many mistakes as you can. That way, someday, when they ask again what we want to be… we won’t have to guess. We’ll know." Jessica said finishing her speech, everyone applauded the brunette who smiled making her way back to her seat.

"Wonderful speech Ms. Stanley, now will the graduates please stand to receive your diplomas." The principal said, the senior class stood symoutamiously and one by one they're names were called and they received their diplomas. "Isabella Swan." The principal said, Bella walked across the stage, the crowd cheered, the pack, Jeremy, Charlie, and Richard being the loudest, as well and Charlie standing among the crowd clapping loudly, Asher even swore she saw tears threatening to fall. "Edward Cullen." Edward then walked the stage receiving his diploma and the crowd cheered loudly, one by one more graduates walked the stage.

"Alice Cullen." Alice walked the stage gracefully with loud cheers, she was smiling as she took her diploma from the councilor's hand, "Ashley Hale." It was Addison's turn, Asher hugged her sister as she walked across the stage everyone clapped and cheered, not so much the pack other than Paul who was actually on good terms with two of the Cullens, those being Jasper and Addison.

"Asher Gilmore." The principal said, like Charlie did for Bella he stood clapping like the proud father he was, Asher smiled at Charlie then to Jeremy, Richard, and the pack who were whistling and howling in excitement, Asher then looked to Esme and Carlisle who were smiling widely and proudly as they clapped. The she looked to Bella and Edward who had finally sat down and clapped her for as well.

A hurricane of emotions filled Asher to the brim, she was ecstatic about finally making it to this moment, but she was also in a way sad that this first part of her journey was over, but looking at her best friends and sister that she was graduating with and Jasper the man she fell head over heels for she felt lucky she got to finish this part with them, the ones she loved the most

Asher made it to her seat quickly as the principal called for Jasper, "Jasper Hale." Asher clapped loudly and happy, a proud smile on her face as he looked at her with loving eyes as he accepted his diploma, Edward looked back at the redhead he was proud to call a close friend and smiled st the way her eyes never left Jasper, and how Jasper's eyes never left hers.

Jasper made it back to his place beside Asher his arm snaked around her waist, she beamed up at him, he could feel every emotion she was giving off just by looking at him, it was obvious she took down her wall, she was giving off an aura of love, adoration, and happiness which affected him in a positive way, her emotions always seemed to rub off on him in some way whenever shed let him feel them.

"I present to you this year's graduating class." The principal said as the last students got back to their seats, "congratulations graduates!" He yelled as they tossed up their caps and cheered, Jasper picked Asher up and spinned her around before placing her down and giving her a loving kiss that she gladly returned.

The couple joined Carlisle, Esme, and the rest of the Cullens along with Bella. Esme pulled Bella and Asher into a hug, the two smiled as they pulled away, Charlie called Bella over to talk to her as Asher stayed behind giving Carlisle a hug as well, he was taken back at first but hugged her back nonetheless, "congratulations Asher." Carlisle said as they pulled apart, Asher smiled "thank you Carlisle." The two smiled before Alice wrapped her small arms around the slightly taller redhead, Asher laughed as the girl hugged her. "Domt forget about the part Ash!" Alice chirped releasing Asher, "I'm pretty sure if I did you would kidnap me and bring me anyway." Asher said jokingly, the vampire family released a chorus of laughs, as Paul came over.

"Proud of you Red." Paul said standing beside Jasper. The blonde vampire and the hotheaded werewolf had became in a way friends or more of acquaintances thanks to Asher. Paul smiled at the girl he considered a sister has she walked over and hugged him, Jasper smiled at both his girlfriend and Paul once they pulled apart. "I'll see you later okay?" Paul said speaking to both Jasper and Asher, Jasper nodded as Asher replied, "of course, but make sure both you and the boys keep your shirts on." Jasper and Paul laughed along with Asher, "I cant make any promises for them." Paul said as he walked to the pack that showed up.

It was then Charlie, Richard, and Jeremy that came up to the couple as Bella went to Edward and the rest of the Cullens a little ways behind Jasper and Asher when they walked a bit away while talking to Paul.

"Your parents would've been so proud of you Asher." Richard said as he pulled his niece into a hug, Asher smiled sadly but happily all at once, Jasper looked to his girlfriend who's emotions were flowing off of her like a river. "They are, trust me." Jeremy said kissing the top of Asher's head once she let go of Richard then looked at Charlie who cleared his throat awkwardly, "I may not be your real dad, but you're my daughter too and I'm so proud of you Ash." Charlie said, somewhat surprising Asher, he's never said that to her in the year and half she's lived with him and Bella. "Thank you Arlie, but trust me I she you as my dad, as i see bella as my sister." Asher said smiling at Charlie before glancing at Bella who was beside a smiling Edward.

Jasper placed his hand in hers causing her to look up at him with an adoring smile. "Have fun at the graduation party tonight, you and Bella both, take care of her Jasper, tell your brother the same with Bella." Charlie said before he and Richard walked towards the parking lot and Jeremy went off to find Alicia.

"I love you." Jasper said pulling the redhead to his chest, she giggled not even noticing the Cullens, Bella, as well as the pack watching with smiles as Jasper pulled the girl he was so desperately in love with into a kiss that she gladly returned.

"As do I, now let's go back to the family." Asher said taking his hand and leading him to the Cullens who smiled at them, Jasoer had the biggest smile on his face when he finally processed the fact Asher called them family.

||||