A/N: Hey all, there's 'bout to be a lot of time-skips in this chapter, so be prepared. Just now that three asterisks (***) means that a time skip is happening. Anywho, enjoy the chapter!

"Alright, a special thank you Chip and Joanna for your wonderful presentation about animals that are going extinct." The teacher says as the pair leave the area.

"I have to go to the bathroom, I'll be right back." Gayle says, getting up from his seat and walking over to the teacher's desk. She signs him a pass, and he walks out the door. The drive in theater is going to be showing A New Hope this weekend, and Gayle and I have already bought tickets. I feel little butterflies in my stomach every time I think about it.

"Okay, now would Tucker and... Jonathan come up and present their presentation please." Tucker and Jonathon follow the instructions, and come to the front of the class. Both of them have some sort of camo and some sort of hunter orange on their outfits. Of course.

"Thank you, Ms. Febuary. Today Tucker and I will be presenting on how the Green New Deal is devastating to our economy and our way of life." Jonathan says. I press my fingers to my temples and rub a little bit, and Ms. Febuary heavily sighs so loudly that I think AOC herself can hear it.

"First and for most, the Green New Deal, as Ms. Canada and Mr. Gayle put it, would charge a tax on gas. Gas is something that we as a nation need to live. It is our main source of transportation. It powers cars, planes, and our houses."

"Next, The Green New Deal would take away our cows because they flatulate too much. What's more american than hamburgers?"

How about hot dogs? The pair go on and on for awhile, bringing up only conspiracy theories and citing only Fox News. If Gayle were here, at least I'd have someone to roll my eyes with, other than with Ms. Febuary. After what feels like an eternity, they finally end their speech. I exchange a look with Ms. Febuary.

"Okay, anyone have any questions?" She asks to the class. Slowly, I put my hand up. "Canada?"

"Interesting how you mentioned earlier the cows and the airplanes bit, about how much have you read the Green New Deal?" Incoherent noises ended up flying out of their mouth. "Since you all clearly have, you would know the the GND doesn't even have the words cows or air planes in them. Instead, it is an entirely adaptable document which presents aggressive goals to take down climate change. Also, the Green New Deal supports getting more high-wage jobs into the United States. These things aren't undercover, Gayle and I said them in our presentation. I'm just confused as to your motives?"

"Do you know how much time it would take to read the Green New Deal?" Tucker asks.

"Yes, I have, it's 14 pages." I look at the two boys, trying their hardest to come up with some sort of comeback. "The Green New Deal isn't some sort of extreme legislation. It's merely just a conversation starter with goals. Think about it like a syllabus."

"Okay-Well-I- ugh." The boys go and sit back down at their seats, and the teacher moves on to the next group. It's at this point that I realize Gayle was standing in the doorway the whole time. He casually walks back to our lab station.

"That was the hottest thing I think I have ever seen in my whole life." He whispers in my ear.

"Really? You don't think I went too far?"

"No, you did great. You've done so much progress. I'm proud of you."

***

Finally, the weekend is here. I wait out by the road for Gayle to pick me up. I didn't want him to have to drive me through the woods. I see the red truck start coming down the road, and wave at him a little bit. He comes to a stop, and I hop into the car, only to be met with a blanket being thrown at me.

"What was that for?" I ask as I buckle my seat belt.

"It's cold." Gayle says. "I'm sorry, that came out angrier than I wanted. Not that I'm angry, I'm not, I swear. I'm sorry, Canada."

"It alright, I-uh, I appreciate the concern." We smile at each other, and e takes off again.

"There's some hot chocolate in the cup holder if you want some."

"Oh, thank you." I open up the thermos a bit. The hot stuff is a welcome presence in my body. We drive until we reach the drive in parking lot. Gayle pays for the tickets, I pay for the snacks. We finally settle into our spot, and watch as the ads start to play.

"Have you seen Star Wars before?"

"Not in a long while." I respond. "What about you?"

"Whenever we have snow days, Ma, Mom, and I watch one."

"Sounds like fun."

"It is. If this goes over well and you don't hate me, maybe you could come over?"

"Yeah, I think I'd like that."

"Great." Gayle smiles a little bit. Numbers start counting down at the screen, and the loud, iconic Star Wars music starts playing. Gayle and I exchange excited glances at each other. At one point during the movie, I decide to slowly lay my head on Gayle's shoulder.

"Do you mind if I-"

"Nope, not at all." I can feel Gayle's cheeks expanding with his smile against my head. I can't help but smile, too. Slowly, I feel Gayle's arm slide around my shoulder, and they stay there. I feel my cheeks heat up. "You're okay if I-"

"Totally, 100%."

I feel another great heat rise to my cheeks. I shouldn't have said that so quickly. So much for playing it cool. The movie continues on, with comments and conversations passing through. The movie sadly comes to an end, and we start to drive home. Both of us look at the path to see a car there. When we lean in, we can see that it's Matthias, Abigail and David waiting inside.

"There's my fam."

"That's nice of them to do that. I can't let you freeze to death, can I?"

"Nah, I'm too much of an asset."

"That you are."

"I'm sorry if it's a little awkward that we don't have more privacy." I say. Gayle's eyes go big. "Not-Not in that sense. Nope, not at all. Sorry, just pretend I never said that."

"It's okay." Gayle nods his head. "Would it be too awkward if I were to say that I had a great time tonight?"

"It wouldn't, as long as it wouldn't be too awkward if I agreed with you."

"That's great. And, follow up question, would it be too awkward if I were to... asking you to be my girlfriend?"

"Would it be too awkward if I were to say yes?"

"No."

"Then yes, boyfriend."

"Okay then, girlfriend."

"I'll uh- I'll see you at school."

"Same to you." I say. I pause, and get out of the car and hop into the one with my family (Except for Emma) in it.

David smirks at me for a second before asking. "So, how'd it go?"

***

I was back at Vlad's Point. Not necessarily how I wanted to spend my spring break. I was invited to go with Gayle and his family to Scranton. It would be two days, but I still wish I could go. I'm needed here, though. It'll make the world a better place, though, I guess.

I just wish I could spend more time with Gayle. Days go by where I forget about the fact that I don't think about what will have to happen where I don't have to do in a few. Days go by where I don't remember that we will have to be separated one day. When it does, it hits me like a truck, and doesn't leave for a long while.

Maybe it's because we're so far apart, maybe it's because I'm surrounded by immortals, maybe it's because I'm starting to remember that we'll have to part, but I'm in one of the guest rooms as tears start to form in my eyes.

I don't want to have to leave Gayle, or home. I don't want to move on. This is going so good, I don't want to let it go.

The only thing that takes me from this place is my phone buzzing with another meme from Gayle. I find a smile as soon as I see it. I have him now, and that's all that matters.

Even if this is completely temporary.

***

"I am so happy that these are my last finals!" Gayle exclaims as we sit at his dining room table.

"Me too." I sigh, looking at the review paper. "How'd you do on the practice exam for English?"

"Let me see." Gayle says going on his phone and scrolls for a minute. Once he's done, he slams down his phone, shoves his head in his hands, and lets out a little scream. I've never seen him do this before.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I rub his shoulder slightly. Gayle doesn't respond, and I start to see little drops of water falling onto the table. I've definitely never seen him do this before. I just rub his shoulder little by little.

"A 67." Gayle says after a few moments of silence.

"What?"

"That's what I got on my practice exam. A 67 percent."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. If anything, Canada, it's mine, I'm just an idiot." He looks up, and I finally get a look at his red eyes and tear stained face,

"Gayle, you're not an idiot."

"Well this test sure says so!"

"It was just a practice. Plus, analyzing literature is hard, and mildly pointless."

"It's easy for you to say that, you got what, a 100?" I stay silent. I got an 89, but still, I don't think that would help. "I need this score, Canada. I want to get my 4.0."

"Gayle, it's okay if you don't. It's fine."

"I want to be a valedictorian, Canada. I want to sit up on the stage, with you. I want to be smart, like you. I know that when I'm a conservation officer, they won't make me analyze some stupid book, but I just want to say, that I graduated a valedictorian, and I want to look at you right after you get your diploma, and right before I get mine."

"That's why you're working so hard? You want to sit next to me?"

"I know it sounds creepy, and I know it sounds weird, but I just- I like it when you're around. And I know that that's the whole point of you being my girlfriend, but still."

"Gayle, look at me." He slowly turns his head, so were making eye contact. I grab his hands in mine. "You are the best person on this planet. You are caring, and you are kind. I got a crush on you, not because you were going to be a valedictorian, but because you pursued your passion, and because you are a wonderful person. It's okay if you aren't a valedictorian, because I'll be proud of you no matter what."

"Thank you." Gayle says. I nod, and feel another, familiar, feeling wash over me. Slowly, I lift my lips to his. It isn't a long kiss, or super passionate. When we pull away, our hair isn't messy, and my lip balm isn't all over his face. It was quick, little peck. But when we pull away, were both grinning ear to ear. I don't think that Gayle remembers that he was just crying.

"Our first kiss." Gayle says.

"Our first kiss as a couple."

"Right."

"Come on, let's study for that English final."

***

I slowly rise out of my bed, and when I stand up, it's almost like this isn't one of the most important days of my life. When I put on my dress, I pretend like a gown won't go over it in an hour. When I do my hair, I do it like I usually would, and ignore the fact that a weird looking hat will go over it any minute now. When I brush my teeth, I do brush them with the knowledge that I'm expected to smile a lot today. When I do my makeup, I do it like I actually might cry today. When I get into the car, I try not to process the fact that this is my first time going into my high school as an actual student. David and I both get out of the car, and slide our green caps and gowns on.

"Looking good." David says.

"Thanks, not too bad yourself."

With a farewell to our parents, we walk to the backstage area where all of our other graduates are gathered. I smile as I see Gayle walk forward, with, his valedictorian chords on. We take each other's hands in a fashion not unlike that of a bride and a groom.

"You look absolutely beautiful." Gayle says. We don't make eye contact, we just stare at each other's hands.

"And you look absolutely handsome." I say.

"Even with the weird looking outfit?"

"Totally." I smile at him.

"We better get to our seats soon."

"Yeah."

We do walk to our assigned area, Gayle right behind me. When we start hearing the procession music begin to be played by our orchestra, we walk in, and take our seats. The principal speaks, some of the directors of the various department speak, the superintendent speaks, and they start calling names. The butterflies start to pile up in my stomach. As I stand next to the podium, the index card with my name on it in hand. I hand it slowly to the announcer.

"Canada Wayward." Is called out. I cross the stage, get my diploma, get my picture, and walk off just in time to hear, "Gayle West." I smile just a little bit more at the sound. Everyone is finally back in their seats. Gayle and I start holding hands as if this were a competition, and they were about to announce the winner. "Graduates, move your tassels from left to right. Ladies and gentlemen-" and all of the other honorable people here "-I know present to you, this years graduating class!"

Applause goes through the whole room. I smile at Gayle as both of graduate as the top few kids of our class. I smile, as I know that everything is going to be okay. It might not be perfect, and it might not be great, but it will always be okay.