Midnight Hour (Shadow Falls: After Dark #4)(135)

Everything was changing. Things were coming to an end.

It both exhilarated her. And scared the crap out of her.

She wanted to cling to the way things were. She wanted to rush out and stake her claim on the world.

She supposed most graduates felt this way. Growing up was scary business.

Not that she’d be doing it alone. College would be with Kylie and Della.

Perry was staying at Shadow Falls, taking a few classes at the local junior college and working for the FRU. He, Lucas, and Chase were going to

share a cabin here on school property. School was less than an hour away. They’d see each other three or four times a week.

“Miranda, we’re gonna be late to our own graduation,” Kylie called out.

“Coming.” She glanced at the mirror again. She so wasn’t the same girl who’d come here two years ago. She’d accomplished some amazing

things. She’d made some bad mistakes. But she’d learned from each one.

Twitching her pinky, she changed her hair back to just her normal color. Her hair didn’t define her. It was as Perry said, her choices did. He

’d told her about his talk with his parents. He’d cried. She’d held him. She told him how scared she’d been when she’d been kidnapped. She

’d cried. He’d held her. They had each other.

She knew in her heart, they’d always be there for one another.

And tonight they’d take that step. Perry had rented a cabin about ten miles from here. It was on five acres. It had a lake, a hot tub, and a

king-size bed.

Her bag was packed. Not a lot of clothes. She figured they wouldn’t need them.

Tugging up her green strapless dress, not wanting her girls to fall out, she gave herself one last glance in the mirror. They had decided not

to wear prom dresses, but something just a little fancy. The emerald-colored silk hung in layers, giving her what her mom would have called the

flapper look. Realizing her parents and Tabitha might already be here, she walked out of the bathroom.

“You two look wonderful,” Miranda sighed.

Kylie wore a dusty blue dress that matched her eyes. It was simple, loose-fitting with a scooped neck, and sleeveless. Della wore black. No

surprise there. But the front crisscrossed and hugged her body and came off a little more feminine than Della regularly chose.

“We look like Charlie’s Angels,” Miranda sighed.

“I thought we were the three musketeers?” Della said.

“Before we go.” Kylie held out a beautifully wrapped package. “Della and I got you something.”

Miranda frowned. “We said no gifts, guys. This isn’t fair.”

“This isn’t for graduation,” Della said. “Besides, Kylie and I had a blast picking them out.”

Miranda rattled the package. “What is it?”

Della laughed and looked at Kylie. “Can I just tell her?”

Kylie giggled. “Yes.”

Della faced Miranda. “It’s love socks. Often referred to as love gloves.”

“Huh?” Miranda asked.

Kylie laughed again. “What was the other name you called them?”

“You mean weenie beanies?” Della answered.

Miranda finally got it. “You two bought me condoms? How sweet.”

“They aren’t condoms,” Della said, “they’re woodie hoodies or willie warmers. And not just regular ones. We got French ticklers, ribbed,

and flavored.”

Miranda put the present to her chest. “Only really good friends would do this.” They all started laughing and then they latched arms and went

to start the next phase of their lives.

*

Wearing caps and gowns over their dresses, each and every one of the 2016 graduates walked up and collected their diplomas from Burnett.

Holiday gave a talk about spreading their wings. About finding their places in life. Miranda cried all the way through it. Not that she was

alone. Even Della got misty-eyed.

Everyone was there. Tabitha and Anthony, Miranda’s parents, Della’s parents, her uncle, and Natasha and Liam. Kylie’s parents, as well as

all her grandparents. Fredericka had shown up with Brandon, her artist boyfriend. Jenny’s parents came. Derek’s mom. Jonathon and Helen’s

parents. There were sixteen of them graduating. Afterwards, when the parents and grandparents had gone home, and Burnett and Holiday retired to

their cabin, they all congregated in the dining hall.

It turned into a game of remember when.

Remember when Kylie first came to camp and saw Perry turn into a unicorn.

Remember when Miranda caught Tabitha and put her in a cage.

Remember when Fredericka got sprayed by Socks in skunk form.

Remember when Della had to help deliver Holiday’s baby, Hannah.

Remember when Kylie’s boobs grew overnight.

Remember when Kylie accidently cut Lucas with a sword.

Remember when Perry mooned everyone.

Remember when Miranda turned Burnett into a kangaroo.

There was a lot of laughter. A lot of memories.

It was almost two in the morning when Miranda collected her bags and walked to the school’s car. She turned around and looked at the gate as

they walked out.