32. Shot

And we're done with high school.

It's crazy to think that this was only the four years of my life and although that it seems like a long time, it also seems like it flew by towards the end. I actually found myself hoping for just a few more days, but that didn't happen.

I knew at some point it was all going to come to an end, that I wouldn't stay in high school forever, but it's still a sad feeling. There's a lot nostalgia attached, a lot of memories, so much that has happened.

It's going to be so weird to not come back to this building for another lesson. I'm going to miss it...well, maybe not maths.

We had our graduation ceremony today, which was quite fun. I wore my robe, making sure I had the perfect dress to match.

There was something so heartwarming about seeing the expression on your parents' face, the way they cheered for you as you walked across the stage. I don't even think

I was that excited compared to my parents. It seemed like they were the ones graduating. I could only imagine what it would be like when I graduate with a degree in my hand. It's undoubtedly going to be embarrassing in some way.

I had already received my replies for university, which was such a weird experience to go through personally. I knew that my exams had gone well, it was just that anticipation and the waiting game that I hated.

It was really hard deciding that I wanted to go ahead and study. I just felt so odd making this choice, one that was meant to be a decisive factor for my entire future.

Eventually, I decided to study Business. I didn't really think I had a passion for anything, or at least I hadn't found one. Choosing to study business seemed like a practical option, plus who knows, someday I may go on to owning one.

I chose to study further away from home, something that my parents weren't too happy about but supported anyway. I wanted to just be out there on my own for a bit, to become a bit more independent and also start over in a sense.

I wasn't the only who struggled to make the decided on the future. It happened with everyone, but eventually they did.

Flo decided she wanted to become a writer, and wanted to pursue English Literature. The romantic in her thought this was her calling. Max decided he wanted to take a gap year and help out his Dad. The knew that they didn't want to break up at any cost and so they agreed that somehow, they would make this work.

Mel had wanted to study Art History, since she leaved learning about it. It wasn't that much of a surprise, since according to Sara, Mel was the only one in History  class that ever paid any attention. Meanwhile, Andre wanted to pursue Music. He had a knack for it and wanted to see where that would lead him.

My complete nutcase of a friend, Sara, wanted to help people in the future. But in her own way. She wanted to become a lawyer. I thought this was the best thing for her, since she was a motor-mouth and could argue her way out of anything. Danny was looking forward to studying medicine. Ever since his Dad, passed away, Danny knew that he wanted to become a doctor and help people in need. It was something I really admired about him.

Chris - one of the smartest people I knew - had decided he wanted to study Computer Science. All things technical seemed to always be easy for him. I realised this when he created an entire website for me when I was responsible for organising the Summer Ball for the last two years.

Okay, so I wasn't responsible for all of it, but I was head of the committee. I was stressful, but I thought it'd look good as an extra curricular activity.

Julie had applied to study Maths, which did not surprise me at all to be honest, she was just way too good at it. I knew that Liam was hoping to study Business as well, I think he even managed a scholarship from his involvement in football throughout school.

What I had realised was that college was a touchy subject between Liam and Julie, whenever it was brought up they seemed to become slightly tense. I guess it can be difficult when you're in a couple and apply to different places to study.  It's not exactly the talk you want to have, even if you are hoping to stay together.

I, however, didn't have that problem.

It had been a long while since Holden had left and it was really hard at first, to break out of the normal habits that I found myself in because of him, like the usual texts and expecting to see him. But I was managing better now.

I missed him but it wasn't hurting anymore, which is probably the best I could hope for now.

It was crazy how much all our lives were all going to change after this Summer. It was potentially going to be the last one together, with all of us. There was the obvious excitement in the atmosphere, about what the future is going to hold for us, but then there was the unsettling feeling in the pit of all of our stomachs, that things were going to be different and how would we cope with it.

But I wasn't worrying or trying to think about that right now.

One of the students in our year is throwing an end of high-school party tonight and I had to get ready for that.

I decided to go with a simple outfit for the party, just a cute, floral playsuit. It wasn't that formal to dress up for, but since it was going to be our last 'high school party', I wanted to make some effort.

"Rena! Liam's outside!" Mum yelled out from downstairs.

"Coming!" I replied.

Since Julie was getting ready with Mel and the other girls, she would be getting a lift from there. Liam offered to take me, since we're neighbours and it just made sense.

Giving my parents a quick goodbye, although not quick enough since I had to listen to their whole 'being safe' lecture, I rushed out to Liam's car. I saw him leaning against his car, whilst on his phone.

"Hey," I greeted him, as I walked closer to his car.

This made him look up towards me and a smile came across his face.

"Hey," Liam greeted back and then put his phone away.

He opened the passenger side door for me  and I thanked him, slipping into the seat and Liam closed the door.

As soon as he walked around and got into the driver seat, he started up the car and off we went.

It is a little amusing how things have changed. Before, at the start of high school, sitting in the same car as Liam would've been uncomfortable. I wouldn't know what to say or how to act, but now it seems so normal.

We spoke about the graduation ceremony. Laughing about how Andre tried to make a speech when he got up on stage and other moments. Liam's parents even got a picture of us together, wearing our cap and gown. We had come a long way.

"Hey, you wore the bracelet," Liam said, glancing down at my wrist, before looking back towards the road.

I smiled, bringing my wrist towards me and gently touched the charms. "It is really pretty."

I did really like the bracelet and not because Liam gave to me, but because it reminded me of things that made me happy, things that would make me smile.

After Holden left, I hadn't worn the pendant he gave me. I went weeks without it and it felt so odd. Of course, my emotions aren't tied to the jewellery I wear, but it just felt so weird. Like something was missing.

When I wore the charm bracelet, the jingling sound it made caused a smile on my face. I was trying to stay happy, this just helped a little.

Liam parked the car near to house where the party was going to be held and we just walked the few remaining steps.

Before I could enter through the door, I felt a hand on my arm, pulling me back.

I looked up to see Liam's slightly serious-looking face.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Make sure you stay with someone, yeah? Don't wonder off on your own. If you want to leave, you come and find me. Someone annoys you, you come and find me. Anything happens, you come find me. Okay?" Liam told me.

Ever since Holden's party, about two years ago, where that prick tried to hurt me, Liam seemed to be a lot more cautious of being alone at gatherings. I didn't think - or at least hoped - it wouldn't happen again, but he always seem on guard about it.

This wasn't the first time that I was on the receiving end of this kind of speech. I even got one from Danny, although his speech is slightly more threatening, not towards me of course, but basically making me know he'd beat the crap out of anyone who even breathed in way that made me even remotely uncomfortable.

"I'll find you," I nodded at Liam, after which he nodded back at me and we finally headed into the party.

***

It's been a couple of hours since we've arrived at the party and judging by what was happening, you'd think it was more of an end of the world party rather than end of high-school. But it's still pretty fun, definitely a good way to end the year.

"Hey, do you dance with me?" I turned around to see who had asked me, with terrible grammar.

I recognised him as someone from our year. He seemed to be quite drunk, at least judging by his words. I'm not even sure that was a complete question.

"Um, no. I'm good thank you," I tried to politely decline.

"Come on, babe. Just a dance," he insisted, speaking a little more coherently.

He tried to reach out and grab my wrist, but I instantly stepped back. "I'm good," I told him, a little more harsher, so that this time he understood clearly that I wasn't interested.

"Just..."

"She said no."

I turned to my side and saw Sara standing there, with our drinks in her hands.

She handed me my drink and then held my other hand, tugging me away from the guy, who just seemed to let out some frustrated words.

We came to stand somewhere else, after which Sara let my hand do.

"Wow, I leave you alone for a couple of minutes and some guy is already trying to hit on you," she laughed.

"You say it like it's my fault," I huffed at her, which caused her to laugh even more.

I never understood how the word 'no' was so simple and short, with a very clear meaning, yet it wasn't always recognised.

"Did you have to drag me away?" I looked at Sara.

She tilted her head to the side. "Clearly the dickhead didn't understand when you said no, so I thought I'd try," she shrugged.

"Since when do you act all protective?" I asked, with an amused smirk.

"I'm not acting," Sara stated, whilst taking a sip of her drink.

"Thanks, S." I smiled, bumping her shoulder lightly.

Sara nudged my shoulder too. "You're welcome," she said, before snatching my drink out of my hand. "Now, let's go dance," she smile and dragged me away, once again.

***

After dancing for what felt like hours with Sara and the rest of the girls, I needed to get some air, as did Julie, so we both walked into the garden.

Standing outside, I breathed in some fresh air, whilst the cold breeze cooled me down.

"Are you having fun?" I asked Julie, turning towards her.

"Yeah, I really am. It's so weird I was never one for parties, and yet now, I'm actually having so much fun," she smiled.

I laughed at her words. "I still remember having to give you a pep talk before we went to Holden's birthday party."

She laughed as well, probably remembering how nervous she was and that long speech I gave her. It's been so nice to see come out of her comfort zone more and more, and become a lot more confident than she was.

"Do you miss him?" Julie then asked.

I felt slightly surprised at her question. I just hadn't been asked that in a while.

After Holden had left, I had been quite sad and Julie was actually really caring about it. She even turned up at my house one day, with a lot of chocolate and a tub ice cream.

"Honestly?" I asked and Julie nodded. "I'm okay. I mean, yeah I feel sad that he's not around anymore, but we are still friends and do talk occasionally. So, I guess that's good."

"That's good," Julie smiled. "I just wanted to ask if you're okay. I remember you told me you went through something similar before, and I don't want you to keep your feelings inside. You can always talk to me," she said.

I forgot I had mentioned how I did like someone before and it didn't exactly work out, but I just appreciate how concerned she is for me.

"Thanks, Julie," I said and then pulled her into a hug.

Over the years, Julie and I had really become closer friends. We'd go out to eat together, sleepovers and just long phone conversations. I hadn't really expected it, especially given how I used to feel about Liam, but we're had so many similarities and just got on well.

"Rena! Julie! Come on!" Flo then yelled.

Wr looked to the doorway and saw her gesturing for us to come back inside.

"Let's go in," Julie looked at me, but I just shook my head.

"I kind of want to stay here a little bit longer," I said, still quite enjoying the feeling of the cold air, as opposed to the stuffy atmosphere inside.

Julie nodded. "Okay, let's stay here."

I let out a chuckle. "Julie, it's okay. Go back in, I'll be fine," I told her.

As I said this, I saw that weary expression come over her face, clearly hesitant about leaving me here on my own.

"But I can't just leave you," she said.

"Julie, I'm not the only one in the garden," I laughed, gesturing to the other people who were also here.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

I smiled at her. "I'm sure. I'll be in a couple of minutes."

She then pursed her lips a little, before finally nodding. "Okay, but a couple of minutes. If you're not in, then I tell Liam," she playfully warned me.

I couldn't help but laugh at her, before nodding in agreement and then watched as she went back into the house.

Turning my back towards the door, I just stood in the garden, wrapping my arms around myself. I just need a second to myself. I'm just not one for large crowds, at least not always.

After a few minutes, I was just about to head in, when I felt my phone begin to vibrate in my purse.

When I took it out and looked at the Caller ID, I saw my Mum was calling me, which was weird, since I thought she'd be asleep.

"Hello? Mum?" I said, slightly confused.

"Rena," I heard her and immediately, panic set in.

Her voice sounded slightly hoarse, like she's been crying and that worried me.

"Mum, what's wrong?" I asked frantically.

"Rena, it's your Dad," she said, her voice quivering.

I could honestly feel my heart in my throat.

"What?" I asked, my voice was barely a whisper and I felt a harsh lump in my throat, preventing me from speaking.

"I need you to get to the hospital," Mum told me, before I hear her sniffle.

"What? Mum? What's wrong? Why are you crying Mum? Hospital? Why's he in there? Mum?" I bombarded her with questions, the panic within me reaching a new height.

She then answered all my questions with three words.

"He's been shot," she said.

I could feel my entire body shut down, as if it had gone numb.

"I'm coming," I told her and we ended the call.

Gripping my phone tightly in my hand, I ran back into the house. I feel a sense of suffocating building up and all I wanted to do was get out of here and get to my Dad.

Pushing past everyone, without apologising, I tried and get to the door.

Before I could get to the door, I felt someone grab my wrist.

"Rena?" I heard Liam's voice.

I struggled in his hold, because I just wanted to leave and get out of here.

He pulled me closer and turned me around, so that I would now face him.

"Whoa, hey, what's wrong?" He asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I have to go," I told him.

"Rena, what's wrong? Did something happen?" He said and I could see that he was looking over my form for any sign of hurt, but what I was feeling right now, it wouldn't be visible to his eyes.

"I need to leave," I told him.

I struggled in his hold, but Liam circled his arms around my shoulders, pulling close so that I would calm down from being so jittery and when I finally looked at him through my teary eyes, I saw his concerned face.

"It's my Dad. I need to get to the hospital," I struggled to even say the words, stuttering through them as they put an unbearable weight on my chest.

Instantly, I felt Liam pulled away from me.

"Let's go," he said and took my hand in his, heading out of the party and towards his car.

All I felt at this point, was fear and dread.

I can't lose him...