Only Human

Chapter 19

Graduation day had arrived.

I sat between Ruby and Flash, my cap perched crookedly on my head, my gown rustling with every nervous shift. Everyone around me buzzed with excitement, laughter, and whispered promises of forever friendships. But my smile? It was a mask.

I hadn’t heard from Alec since that final text exchange. He hadn’t returned my things either. Was that a sign of hope? Or had he burned them in anger? More than once I’d thought about calling him, but the words always died on my tongue. What could I possibly say?

I’d lied. I’d betrayed his trust. And when everything fell apart, I’d drowned myself in alcohol and nearly made things worse with Dean. I’d dug my hole so deep, I couldn’t see daylight anymore.

“Jessica Taylor.”

My name echoed through the auditorium.

I rose, legs trembling, and walked to the stage. Applause swelled around me. Whistling. Cheering. I shook Principal Moore’s hand, clutching my diploma and yearbook as the photographer snapped a picture.

Scanning the crowd, my breath caught.

Alec.

He sat among the guests, camera in hand, snapping a photo of me. For a fleeting moment, hope bloomed in my chest. He came.

I returned to my seat lighter than I’d been in days. Maybe—just maybe—this wasn’t the end.

---

After the ceremony, the lawn was filled with food, balloons, laughter, and yearbooks being passed from hand to hand.

“Jess, come get a photo with us!” Flick waved me over.

I hugged her, then stood between her and Dean as Lisa snapped a picture. Guilt twisted in my stomach. I’d been avoiding Dean since prom, dodging his calls, ignoring his knocks at the door.

“May I?” Dean gestured to my yearbook.

I handed it over. Flick instantly hovered to peek at what he was writing. “Ohhh, me next!” she squealed.

I signed hers with a favorite Jane Austen quote, something heartfelt, something she’d cherish. Dean’s yearbook came next. I paused, then wrote:

Life has no limitations except the ones you make. Live your life for you and nobody else. I believe in you. Love always, Jess (aka Taylor).

When I handed it back, Dean’s grin was wide and boyish. “Thanks, Taylor.”

But my heart wasn’t here. It was searching the crowd. Looking for him.

And then—my mother’s voice.

“There you are!”

She hugged me tight. My father wasn’t with her, of course. Work, she explained. I nodded, pretending it didn’t sting. At least she came.

We sat for tea, her chatter filling the space, when I saw him.

Alec.

He stood at the entrance of the refreshment tent, hands in his pockets, his eyes locked on mine. My heart hammered.

Mum glanced at her watch and gasped. “I have to run, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.” She kissed my cheek and rushed off.

And then it was just Alec.

He slid into the seat across from me, his posture tense, his eyes wet. For long, aching seconds, neither of us spoke.

Finally, I whispered, “I’m surprised you came.”

“That makes two of us.” His voice cracked. “I tried to stay away. But I had to see you. Had to watch you graduate.”

His gaze lifted, and I saw his pain laid bare. “Jess, I’ve tried to forget you. Tried to pack up your stuff a hundred times, but I can’t. I lie awake at night in a bed that still smells like you, and I can’t sleep. You’re all I think about.”

A tear slipped down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly. “What do I do? Because the problem is—I love you. You’re a part of me.”

My own tears fell freely now. “I don’t want to lose you, Alec. But asking you to stay with me feels selfish. You deserve better. Someone who won’t lie, who won’t falter when things get hard. Someone stronger. You deserve good, Alec. And I’m not that girl.”

He broke then. Shoulders shaking, eyes full of torment.

I stood, my heart shattering. “So I’m letting you go. You deserve happiness. And even though I’ve made mistakes, know this—my love for you was never a lie. Goodbye.”

I ran, blinded by tears, to my car.

---

I was still crying when the knock came at my door later.

Expecting Flick or Dean, I swung it open—and froze.

“Alec.”

Before I could ask why, he stepped forward, eyes blazing.

“I’ve got one problem with what you said, Jess. The problem is—I don’t want anyone else. I just want you.”

And then his mouth was on mine, fierce and desperate. His kiss carried everything—his hurt, his anger, his longing, his love.

We stumbled into the bedroom, hands frantic, shedding layers until nothing was left but raw need. When he finally filled me, I cried out, clinging to him as though letting go would mean losing him forever.

Afterwards, we lay tangled together, breathless.

“Alec,” I whispered, terrified, “where do we go from here?”

He stroked my hair, his brow furrowed. “I don’t know. But I can’t stand the thought of not being with you. If you’re honest with me, if you never set foot in Dean’s house again, I’ll try. We’ll try.”

Relief and sadness warred inside me. Saying goodbye to Flick would be hard, but losing Alec completely would destroy me.

He smiled faintly. “And no more secrets. You’re not a student anymore. We can finally be together openly.”

My chest lifted with hope. After five long months, we could be real.

But then the door knocked again.

Dean.

He looked me up and down, suspicion in his eyes. “So you’re back with him?”

“Yes. I love him, Dean.”

His expression twisted. “A janitor, Taylor? You lied to everyone, hid it for months—for him? You could’ve had me.”

I flinched, but stood my ground. “Don’t talk about him like that.”

Dean stepped closer, voice sharp. “Does your cleaner know you tried to f**k me last week?”

Heat rushed to my face. He leaned in, lips brushing my ear.

“When you’re done with him, you know where to find me.”

Then he stalked off, leaving me shaking.

My phone buzzed. A message from Alec.

Meet me at the school. 5 p.m. In your prom dress.

Confused, I changed quickly, slipped back into the gown, and drove to the school.

Alec waited at the entrance, sharp in a tux. He took my hand, leading me to the gymnasium.

The doors swung open. My mouth fell open in shock.

The entire prom setup was still there. The lights, the decorations, the landmarks. Everything but the tables. Music filled the air softly.

“I left this room for last,” Alec said quietly. “Because I wanted to give you the dance we never had.”

He bowed low, holding out his hand. “May I?”

Tears stung my eyes as I curtsied. “I’d love nothing more.”

As Mazzy Star’s Fade Into You played, we swayed together, my head on his shoulder, his arms warm and steady at my back.

“I love it,” I whispered. “This is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.”

He chuckled softly. “Better than your gooey novels?”

I grinned up at him. “Pretty damn close. Austen would be impressed.”

And for the first time in weeks, I let myself believe we might just be okay.