Alright, so I rewrote and HOPEFULLY this is a little bit better. I'm not making any promises though. When time changes in my house it's a hard week. Womb nuggets don't care what time the clock says it is.

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I slammed my door behind me and threw my bag to the floor. Finally. Finals were over and graduation was next week. I walked into my bedroom falling onto the bed sighing. A nap sounded heavenly. Though I should have known better, right as I pulled the covers over me I heard a knocking at the door. I grumbled all the way to it and pulled it open roughly. Standing in front of me was the most attractive man I'd ever seen.

"Can I help you?" I squeaked out. I swear his bright golden brown eyes twinkled at me. I look him up and down he has dark hair and nicely tanned skin, as if he'd been outside all day, and I think my heart skipped a beat. I smack that down though, he'd only break my heart.

"Umm, yeah... I kind of locked myself out of my apartment." He rubs the back of his neck and looks up at the ceiling before looking back down at me. He had to be six foot tall... at least. Then he smiled the most perfect smile I had ever seen, the right side of his lips went up a little higher than his left and he tilted his head to the side a bit. "And I also, kind of, locked my phone inside as well. Could I use yours to call the super?" I laugh a real laugh for the first time in a while and nodded.

"Of course you can, come in." I open the door up more and wave him by. He smiles again and passes me into my living room and waits while I go to get my phone. He calls quickly and then walks back to the door to leave. I find myself wanting him to stay, he's just too attractive.

"Thank you so much... what was your name?"

"Hallie." he put his hand out for me to shake it.

"Benjamin, everyone calls me Ben." I smile and shake his hand. "If you ever lock yourself out, or you know, need a cup of sugar or something I'm right next door." He says as I laughed.

"Thanks I'll remember that. And if you ever need a cup of sugar you can go right across the hall, Mrs. Scott lives there alone and loves to bake, but if you do be prepared to be there for a while, she likes to talk." His laugh is deep and I suddenly remember it.

"Oh my God, I ran into you the other day." He nods.

"Yep, that was me. It's fine by the way, though for someone so small you pack a punch." His smile hasn't lessened any and I just know I'm bright red.

"I'm so sorry."

"No, no don't worry about it. It didn't hurt at all." He has dimples when he smiles that big and it looks like his face might split in two. "I'm just messing with you." I cover my face with my hands and try not to smile. "Well, the super should be here soon, I'll have to make sure I'm out there, but hopefully I'll get to talk to you again." I open the door for him. "It was really nice to meet you Hallie." I can feel the smile on my face and I try to stop it.

"You too Benjamin." He laughs again and I close the door behind him.

When I get to work I just have to tell Angie about the new neighbor between costumers. She laughs with me and said she'll of course have to meet and approve of him.

"Ange, nothing will come of this, he's just my neighbor." I roll my eyes. "Plus you know I don't date."

She purses her lips and looks at me, "Girl, you should let yourself find happiness. Even if you don't want to listen to the side of you that knows what is what. Everyone needs love." I see a flash of my sister's face and I shake my head at her. No way, I can't let anyone in.

She smiles anyway and throws a rag at me. "Back to work, girl I don't pay you to talk." I fake a laugh hoping she won't notice the sadness in my eyes.

When I get home I grab Emma's locket and rub my finger across it. "I did it sis, I'm graduating from college. I wish you could be there, I wish you could be in college with me." I stop trying to hold in my sob. "Oh Em, It's all my fault, I'm so so so sorry. I should have been paying more attention to the road; I never even saw the car." I can't hold back my tears anymore and as I hold the locket to my chest I let them out "I miss you so much, so much Em."

I hear my alarm and sit up, I'm still in my work clothes and holding my sisters locket and I realize I cried myself to sleep, again. Rubbing my eyes I stand up and hang the locket back on the wall and go to take a shower. I plan on applying at a few phycologist's offices today, so I put on my best skirt, it's a black A-line and it hugs my hips but it's a little loose I look down, sighing; I must have lost some weight. I grab a deep purple button down shirt and tuck it into the skirt and move on to my hair. It's not too bad today, I add a little gel to tame the frizz but let the curls stay. I walk to the mirror and close my eyes; I know I need to put on some makeup. I slowly open them and glare at myself, I can't cry right now. After I've apply just some light makeup to my face I grab my only pair of heels. I slip them on, grab my purse and head for the door.

I step into the elevator and push the first floor button, before the doors can close someone puts their hand in the door and it opens back up. "Sorry I wanted to catch it." I look up into Benjamin's eyes. He's dressed in a mechanic's overalls. "Oh, hi Hallie!" he says brightly and looks me over. "You look really nice."

I try not to blush, but my skin is so fair, "Thanks, I'm going to drop some applications off at a few places." He nods and we ride down in silence. When we get to the lobby we walk towards the front door, which he holds open for me and smiles. "Ladies first" I smile back and walk ahead of him and then turn to wave over my shoulder, on the way to my car.

"Thanks, Bye Benjamin."

He grins "Good luck with the jobs!" I nod and he waves again.

"Miss Greer, come in please." I walk into the office of Mrs. Brown, taking the seat she has offered. She walks around her desk and sits down. "So, you just finished school Miss Greer?" I nod and she smiles a sweet, motherly smile. My heart pulls but I ignore it.

"Yes ma'am. I actually graduate this coming Saturday." She looks down at my application,

"Now, I know you've heard this at everywhere you've gone today, but you have no experience, I'm going to look over this and I'll let you know." I sigh, the same story I heard 4 times now. "But I like you, I'll let you know in a few weeks." We shake hands and I feel a little better, maybe I could get this job. How do they want me to get experience if no one will hire me?

The days run together up to my graduation. And now her I am getting dressed and ready to walk across the stage, though I don't know why I even signed up for this, no one was coming to see me. I shake my head and run my hand over my clothes once more, a simply navy dress, which I had bought along with a few other nicer outfits in case I got a job.

I invited my parents, though I had no doubt they wouldn't be there, not for me, not after what I did. I pat my hair and head out to my car. When I get to the door I hear a voice calling my name I turn and look and see a smiling Benjamin coming at me.

"Hey Hallie! I remembered you saying something about graduating today. I figured I'd tell you congrats."

"Thanks Benjamin! Yeah, I'm headed that way now."

He is already shaking his head, his eyes light and teasing, "Please call me Ben." I blush.

"Of course, Ben, thank you." He nods and starts to walk away but then turns back.

"Hey, me and a few friends are going to go out tonight, would you want to join?"

"Oh no, I wouldn't want to bother you and your friends." He takes a step towards me and places his hand on mine that is holding my door.

"Hallie, I'd love for you to come with us, to celebrate of course! A few of my friends are graduating today as well. I'll be there to cheer you on too." What else did I have to do?

"Maybe I can come for a little while." His smile could blind me and he squeezes my hand before letting go.

"We are going to get a bite to eat at that little dinner down the street before we head out around 7?" My eyes widen oh Ange will love this. "Sounds good." He tips and invisible hat at me grinning and is gone before I can say bye.

Walking into the auditorium I am still confused about that encounter, I figure he noticed I was always alone and just wanted to be polite. I decide I'd meet them at Angie's and then go home before they go out, I wasn't really in the mood to be around too many drunk people.

I sat in my seat with my cap and gown on waiting for my name to be called. I slowly walk across the stage and hear a few claps and a loud cheering of my name from somewhere in the middle of the audience and grin because I knew it had to be Ben.

After everyone throws their hats and hugs we started to walk out when I bumped into to someone. They smell like flowers and oranges, they smelt like home. I stumble and turn around. My jaw drops when I get a look at who it is. It was my mother.

"Mom?" I choke out.

"Hallie, congratulations." She says very softly. She made no move to hug me or touch me at all but her eyes show something, something I can't quite place. My father steps up behind her and wraps an arm around her middle and smiles softly at me.

"Hallie, well done." I nod at him and look down at my feet. I hadn't seen my parents in a little over a year and a half.

"um, I didn't think you'd come." I look back up at them.

"Of course we would come, you graduated college, a year early, and we had to see you walk." I gape but shake my head. They hadn't even tried to contact me since the funeral.

"Well, thank you for coming." They both nod and suddenly my father has me in his arms. "Hallie, I know we haven't been where you needed us, and your mother, she doesn't know how to handle any of this. But Hal we do love you." He holds me a beat longer and then lets me go.

"Well, I think we are going to let you go, I'm sure you have friends to celebrate with." My mother looks like she's about to cry. And I nod, before I slowly reach out and pat my mom's shoulder. She moves back just enough for me to drop my hand.

"Thanks again for coming." The tears start to build in her eyes and she gives me a tight smile before they both turn and walk towards the exit.

I walk in a daze to my car. Where I sit and lay my head on the steering wheel. Maybe they don't hate me. Maybe there is hope for my family, at least my dad and I. I wipe my eyes before driving towards the apartment where I drop off my car and walk down to Angie's dinner.

When I walk into the dinner I spot Angie and walk over to her, she throws her arms around me "Congrats sweetie! I'm so proud of you!" I hug her tightly back and she kisses my cheeks.

"Well Ange, that guy, my new neighbor I told you about. He's coming here in a few minutes. He invited me to go out with him and a few friends." Her grin widens a mile and laughs.

"Oh Hallie, are you going on a date?!" I begin to shake my head before she can finish her sentence.

"No, no, no, it's him and his friends! We are celebrating mine and his friend's graduation." She raises her eyebrows.

"Sure Hal, sure." About that time the door chimes. I turn my head at see who it is.

He is so handsome that it actually hurts. He's in dark grey slacks, a white button down with the top button undone and a suit jacket. His hair is done as if he'd just woken up and when he looks at me he smiles the biggest, brightest smile I've seen directed towards me in years. It takes my breath away and I can't help to grin back at him. I raise my hand and wave.

I turn towards Angie "Ange, that's him." She looks over at him and her eyes sparkle.

"Oh Hallie! He's gorgeous." I giggle. I didn't know I even still made that noise.

"I know, isn't he? Too bad this is just a friendly thing." I give her a hug. "I'll see you tomorrow morning Ange." She pats me and walks back behind the counter.

I make my way toward Benjamin and his friends. I can feel my hands shaking and I rub them together. This is just a friendly outing, why am I so nervous?

"Hallie! Come sit!" He has saved the seat next to him and I sit slowly, smiling at the four other people at the table. There are two couples. One pair seems to be the ones who graduated. The other two can't be out of high school yet. "Hallie, this is Jake and Kelly, they just graduated with you." I smile at them both. And then he points to the younger two. "Jason, he's Jake's little brother. And Emily, my little sister." I smile at them both as well. "And everyone, this is Hallie, she's my new neighbor. She let me use her phone when I locked myself out a few weeks ago." Everyone laughs.

"He's done that more times than I can count." His sister giggles. "Don't be surprised if you have to help more times to come." I grin first at her and then at him. "Benji! Maybe she should get a copy of your key so you won't have to call the super every time." He glares at her.

"Don't call me Benji." He looks back at me. "But that's actually not a bad idea. If you wouldn't mind that is." He smiles sweetly at me.

"How do you know I'm not some crazy woman who will steal all of your stuff?" I raise an eyebrow at him. He looks me up and down and I feel my cheeks warm. I watch his eyes flicker over to his sister and then back to me.

"You don't seem the type, plus, I know where you live."

"Get a room guys." Jake interrupts.

"We each have one." Benjamin winks at me. "Alright so once we are done eating where too?"

"Actually I thought I'd head home after this." I watch his face to see if he wants me to stay.

"Oh, ok. Well, if that's what you'd like to do." His face gives away nothing. If he really wants me to stay he isn't showing it.

"No! You have to come with us Hallie." Emily grabs my hand. "Please, you seem like the type that will help me make fun of Benji." He glares.

"I'm sorry it's been a really long day. And I have to open tomorrow. Maybe next time?" They all say their goodbyes and I walk to the door. As soon as I make it down to the sidewalk Benjamin runs up to me.

"Wait, I felt like I had to tell you thank you for coming. Also, I couldn't let you walk home alone." I give him an are-you-kidding-me look.

"I walk home from here at least 3 nights a week... Benji." He gapes at me. "But if you wanted to walk me home you could have just asked." I watch his lips turn up into a toothy grin. We stay quiet the rest of the short walk to our building. And he stops beside me at the door.

"Thanks again for inviting me out, next time I'll actually go with y'all. I just had a really long day."

"Not a problem Hallie and please do come next time, it's nice to know your neighbors." I walk towards the door and turn to wave and he tips his imaginary hat at me again. I giggle while he wiggles his fingers and turns off to walk back to the dinner.