Baby I'm A Sinner novel Chapter 88

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We continue dating with no fights at all for the next two weeks, and I'm so deep in exams and dates with Noah that I don't even notice graduation is already two days away. How is that even possible?

I'm better with my disorder, because I haven't purged ever since that night at the Italian restaurant when Noah and I talked, and I'm trying to eat normally, but healthy.

Before I know it, my mother is pulling a graduation robe over my head, tops it off with the hat and snaps a thousand pictures of Jade and I faking smiles.

The schoolyard is filled with seniors dressed in their graduation robes and excitedly talking about college and finally being on their own, but to be honest, I'm absolutely terrified. I don't want it to end, because I like not being responsible for everything, and most of all, I like having being with my squad all the time.

I know for a fact that most of us want to go to London, but Jade, Eleanor, and Jake want to stay in Manchester, and Harry wants to go to Sheffield, even though he also applied in London.

"After this shitshow is over, we're going to Starbucks." Noah whispers in my ear after we've sat down on the seats right by the stage.

"All of us?"

He nods and places his arms around me with a smile. "So I got us tickets for Leeds festival in a month."

"There were tickets left?" I ask.

"No, but my father knows some people so I managed to score us ten tickets."

"How much is one?"

"Like, thirty pounds or something? I thought they'd be more expensive."

"Oh. That's goo then. I can pay you back after-"

He snorts. I hate it when he does that; pay for me, that is. It feels like I'm taking advantage of him even though I don't want to and that's definitely not my intention.

"Dani, I thought you already learned that I like paying for you when we go on dates."

"Yeah, but this isn't a date-"

"Technically, it is. So stop insisting, you know I'll never accept your money."

I roll my eyes. "It feels like I'm taking advantage of you."

"How can you be taking advantage when I'm offering? Plus, you always try to put up an useless fight."

Before I can say anything else, music starts playing and Mr. Brooks steps on stage all the way to the podium, and then starts off his speech. He then calls everyone in alphabetical order to gather their diplomas; right after the valedictorian (who's a girl on the cheer squad) delivers her own speech.

When Noah walks off stage with his diploma in hand, I kiss him on the lips. "I'm so proud of you." I smile.

He laughs. "Second time's a charm, right?"

"I think it's third time's a charm, but sure." I say and he sits back down next to me.

"Oh, I just graduated, give it a rest."

My name is called a few minutes later, and I make sure to smile into my mother's camera so she can frame the picture and brag about it ten years from now; just like she does with Chris.

The ceremony ends about an hour later, when everyone does the really cliché hat-throwing part and parents (and students) begin crying.

I tell my mother that I'll be going to Starbucks with my friends for a bit, and then I'll come home. Tomorrow is the date I'm supposed to receive my acceptance letter, and I'm really nervous, but I just smile as I follow my friends towards the parking lot.

I get a ride in Noah's Bentley, together with Lucas, Eleanor, Jake, and Harry, while Liam, Emma, and Jade go with Zack.

After we get our orders we sit down outside so we can smoke, and Zack starts the inevitable college discussion.

"So we're going to receive our acceptance letters tomorrow." He says and looks down at his drink.

I know that every single one of us doesn't want this 'era' to end, but it has to, so we can get a fresh start-even though I have no idea why any of us would want a fresh start.

"Have you decided on your top two?" I ask Noah when the subject changes.

"Yeah. City University London and King's College. Both football."

"Are you serious?"

He smirks and shakes his head. "Just kidding love, you got in."

"YAS!" I yell and jump, almost knocking the table over.

"We're so proud of you baby." My mother smiles and my father nods, before they both hug me.

"I have to text everyone." I say and run upstairs to my phone.

The group chat is already filled with messages, and it seems like everyone got accepted at their first option.

Dani: I got into Imperial !!!!!

Zack: :DDDD

Liam: good for you! (thumbs up emoji)

Emma: bitch YAS!

Jake: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSS

Lucas: we're going to be UNI buddies !!! get in !!!

Jake: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSS

Harry: I'm also coming to London :D

Jade: why is everyone up so early? :))

Jake: YYYYAAAAAASSSSSSS

Noah didn't even receive the messages, so I try to calm myself down and not worry about whether he got in or not (although there's no doubt in my mind that he did) by going back downstairs to eat.