"Hey, Luce. You like this house, right?" I asked my best friend.

"Um…yeah. Sure," Luce laughed, not sure what I was talking about.

"Good! Because my mom and Uncle Al have agreed to let you and Debbie live here."

"What?"

"Yeah. We bought a bigger house on the other end of town, and we know that you and Debbie need a palce to live, so Mom and Uncle Al are giving you this place."

"Tell your mom and uncle thanks. From me and Debbie."

"I will. I have to go. I need to help move into the new house. See you at graduation tomorrow!"


As soon as we had moved into the new house, which is ginormous by the way, Uncle Alek went out to the new garden. I think mom was going to try and help him, but she got distracted by a call from Yuri. I mean, dad. He’s been calling her a lot lately. I don’t know what about, but pretty much anytime her phone rings, it’s dad, calling to chat.


I was standing in the house, when Thad came over and pulled me into a hug.

"Would you meet me out near the garden later tonight?" He whispered in my ear.

I blushed as I responded, “Of course.”

I didn’t know exactly what he had in mind, but I had some ideas.




Graduation that day went really well. I was ecstatic to officially be a high school graduate and be able to start living my life.






The rest of us headed home, but Benny and Evie hung out at city hall a little bit longer, and Benny proposed to Evie.






The two love birds then got married right away. They also went into City Hall to get their last name changed, so they’re the Bennetts. Benny just really wanted to take on Evie’s last name I guess; I don’t get it either. But he’s my brother. What are you gonna do?










Later that night, I met Thad out near the garden, like I promised. At first, I didn’t see him. But then I saw him kneeling on the ground.

"Did you drop something?" I asked, coming over and getting ready to help him search for whatever he lost.

"Not exactly," Thad laughed, turning his body away from me and reaching into his pocket for something. I’ll admit, I may have squealed a little bit when he turned back to me, a big black box in his hand.

"Yes, yes, yes!" I screamed in excitement.

"You gotta let me ask first, Cece," Thad laughed, a big grin on his face.

"Sorry," I mumbled, pressing my lips together and trying to look apologetic.

"Cecilia Grace Lightwood, I have loved you since the moment I first talked to you. I love your laugh, and the way your eyes sparkle when something excites you. I love listening to you play guitar with your mom. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me in the future, but I know that i want you to brave it with me. Cece, will you marry me?"

I didn’t bother to answer; I just held my hand out and grinned from ear to ear as he slid the ring onto my finger.












Thad and I were eager to get married, and neither of us really wanted a large wedding party, so we just got married on the back porch. It was actually fairly romantic, just the two of us. It even started to rain a little bit.




As soon as we were officially married, Thad and I decided to actually get jobs. Thad applied at the local bistro, while I got a job at the theater with mom and dad. And my dad’s wife. This shouldn’t be awkward at all.