𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚢 𝚎𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝

"What do you think?" I hold up a silky black dress for Grayson to admire.

"I think it's beautiful, but seems a bit much. We're just having dinner with my parents across the street." He lets out a laugh, sitting up from his spot at my bay window.

"I know, but I want it to be perfect. They don't really know anything about me." I sigh and turn back to my closet.

"Trust me, they do. I don't shut up about you." His small laugh sends chills down my spine.

"That's good to know." I giggle and look back at him. He's glancing down at my diary.

"So many thoughts in this one little book." Grayson mutters.

"You can read it, nothing is really private between us." I simply shrug.

"I know, but this time I won't." He promises.

My eyes scan through the racks of my closet, nodding my head back. "Maybe the black dress is too much. God, what should I wear?"

"H, you can show up in a garbage bag and still look perfect. Like I said, we're just going next door."

"Maybe this blouse? It's fancy but not too fancy." I say, reaching into my closet to pull out the smooth texture of the shirt.

Grayson rises to his feet, stepping away from the bay window. I can practically feel his breath on my neck from standing close behind me.

"That's good, my mom will probably compliment the color." He says while wrapping his arms around my waist.

The dark navy blue color is striking, and I can't help but smile down at it. "Okay, we have a winner." I chuckle and turn around to face him, connecting my arms around his neck. "What are you wearing?"

"Probably what I'm wearing now." He shrugs, sporting a cute smile on his face. My eyes scan the light blue t-shirt clinging to his body, matched with dark gray shorts. Typical Grayson.

"Why am I not shocked?" I laugh before crashing my lips onto his.

Being in a relationship is amazing, but being in a relationship with Grayson is even better. He's everything I ever wished for, but never thought I would have.

"I love you, H." He lowly whispers.

"I love you too." I can't help but blush.

"I can't believe summer is ending. This is the fastest one ever, considering we weren't around for half of it."

"Yeah, it's honestly crazy." I nod my head, stunned by the information.

"Do you ever think about our heaven? The sunflower field? The cottage?"

"Everyday. I can't believe such a supernatural experience could happen to us."

"Me too. I think about your brother often." He parts his lips while letting out a sigh.

"Even though you annoyed him, he really grew to love you." A wide smile appears over my lips.

"Same for me." He mutters.

"I think our world disappeared once we chose to wake up." I think back to the beautiful atmosphere, knowing a piece of my soul will always be there.

"You think?" His eyebrows furrow.

"Yeah, I do." I simply nod, unwrapping my arms from around his neck. "Let me get changed, then we can go."

"Sounds good." He sits back down, glancing out the window.

I quickly change into my fresh outfit, before brushing my hair. The reflection in the mirror is displaying a happy and in love girl. Who knew I had that in me.

Although I'm grateful to be alive and sharing Earth with Grayson, a part of me will always be missing. I ache for my brother everyday, especially living in a house where memories of him are scattered all over the place.

I know he is proud of me, and looking down with a smile. That's what gets me through the day.

Shaking off the thought, I apply some makeup and prepare myself for a full night packed with the Dolan family.

"You look, wow." Grayson randomly speaks up.

"I'm assuming that's a good thing?" I giggle and look back at him.

"It's a great thing. You look amazing, not that I expected anything less from you." He stands up again, holding the sunflower in his hand. "You need this, though."

"Of course." I stare down at it. "Will you do the honors?"

"Yes." He says before placing the flower in my hair. I'm still amazed at how well it stays.

"I think I'm ready to go." I glance at the clock on my bedroom wall.

"I'm starving." He laughs, heading for the door.

"You're always hungry." I tease as we walk down the steps.

"Hey, do you really blame me? I didn't eat for, like, four weeks." He groans.

"Okay, but still you're appetite is-" My sentence is interrupted by the sound of the doorbell ringing loudly through the house. I automatically furrow my eyebrows, confused at who it might be.

"It's probably Ethan getting us. He's so impatient." Grayson rolls his eyes.

Walking to the door, I turn the knob and swing it open. A low gasp escapes my mouth at the sight of Aubrey Holland standing in front of me. Her beautiful features have vanished, while a devastated expression takes over her face.

"Hi Hope." She gulps. Her black hair is tied into a side braid, and she's wearing a baggy t-shirt tucked into her shorts. She looks nervous.

"Aubrey, uh, hello." I whisper. "Can I help you with something?"

"You were right, about everything you said the other day. I don't know how you knew, but your information was correct. Kyle pushed Hunter off of the boat and threatened us not to say anything. He said we would all get arrested for underaged drinking, and that terrified me. But not as much as seeing Hunter fall into the ocean." Her shaky voice rambles. I'm taken back by her response.

"I know." I slowly state. I look at Grayson standing beside me, he's clenching his jaw.

"Are your parents home? I would like to speak to them as well." She says.

"Yes, uh, come in." I awkwardly open the door further, and she enters the house. "Mom, dad." I call out to them.

Moments later, they appear in front of us. My mother's face falls once she sees our surprise guest. "Aubrey, hello sweetie. How have you been?"

"Not the best, Mrs. Myers. There's something I need to admit to you." She inhales a deep breath, before closing her eyes. "Hunter's death wasn't exactly an accident."

Silence fills my house as my parents stare at her in utter shock. "What?" My father mumbles.

"Kyle Montez pushed him off of the boat. I witnessed him put his hands on Hunter and aggressively shove him until he fell overboard. That's the reason your son drowned."

"Oh my gosh." My mother gasps, placing her hand over her mouth in shock.

Aubrey turns back to look at me, still standing by the front door. "I went to the police station two nights after, I was going to tell them the truth about Kyle. I wanted to get justice for Hunter. He was my friend, somebody I really cared about. But I was afraid of losing everything, I was only looking out for myself and that was so selfish of me."

"Why are you telling us this now? A year later?" My father is shielding his angry tone.

"Because it was about time the truth came out. I was tired of waking up feeling guilty everyday. I went down to the police station and confessed what really happened that night."

"You did?" My eyes widen.

"Yes, last night." She whispers, looking back at my parents. "They brought Kyle in and arrested him. I think he's spending six months in jail.

"Six months is not enough, he killed our son." My mother has tears streaming down her face.

"I understand that, but they are still investigating everything. I just wanted to come here and apologize for withholding information about that night. This is something I will never be able to get over."

"What about the other boys? Chase and Dave?" I speak up.

"Chase is pissed off that I ratted Kyle out, but Dave is fine with it. He's ready to face the consequences."

"Well, I appreciate your honesty." My mother says, wiping away some of her tears.

"I'm so sorry, Hope. I'm sorry about Hunter, and your accident, and just everything that happened." Aubrey's lip quivers as she turns to look at me.

"It's okay. I know Hunter would forgive you." I say, knowing the real truth behind my words.

"He wouldn't. Hunter probably hates me."

"No, he could never hate you. My brother loved you." I take a step closer to her.

"He did?" She whispers.

"Yes, so much. He was crazy about you, Aubrey."

"I felt the same. I truly loved him." She sniffles, looking down at the ground. "I broke up with Kyle. I was over the abuse, and dealing with a toxic relationship."

"I'm proud of you, that's good to hear." I turn to look back at Grayson, who is walking closer to us. "Uh, this is my boyfriend. Grayson."

"Nice to meet you." He extends his hand out.

"Likewise. I heard a lot about you, from the news." She pulls herself together to politely shake his hand.

My father heads for the living room and turns on the tv. The minute the screen pops up, the local news channel is playing in front of him.

"Yeah, I'm pretty famous around this town." He laughs.

"I'm really glad you are both okay." She nods her head.

"Breaking news. Last year's death of twenty year old Hunter Myers, a Renton resident, is now under a new investigation."

"Look." My father calls out.

We all rush to the tv, seeing Hunter's picture displayed. A video of Kyle being arrested outside of his house is the next clip.

"Twenty one year old Kyle Montez is responsible for pushing Myers off of the boat. The two were high school friends and had known each other for years. Montez admitted to aggressively shoving his friend, who cracked his head open and drowned instantly. He will be seen before a judge next week, and will be serving a six month sentence for constructive manslaughter."

My mother instantly breaks down in tears, and my father does the same. He embraces her in a tight hug, as they sob into each other.

"I should get going. Thank you for hearing me out." Aubrey says before heading for the door. I simply let her leave, because my body is numb for the first time since heaven.

I walk over to the circle my parents have formed and pull them both into hugs. They wrap their arms around me for the first time in a year. The tears come down my face like a waterfall as we all take in this moment.

"I love you, Hope." I hear my mother whisper.

"I love you both." I say in between breaths.

Once we all pull away from each other, my mother cups my cheeks. "Your makeup is all smudged."

"I can fix it before I leave." I say while letting out a breath.

"You still look beautiful no matter what." Grayson wraps his arm around my shoulder.

"Grayson, thank you for taking care of our little girl. You're an angel sent from above." My mother smiles at him.

"It's my pleasure." He whispers while looking down at me.

"Let me just fix my makeup, then we can go across the street." I say, rushing to my room.

I inhale a deep breath as I take everything in. Hunter got justice, and I allowed it to happen. There's nothing more fulfilling than that, and I don't think there ever will be. I place my hand on my heart as a way for Hunter to be close to me.

"I did it, Hunt. I actually did it." I whisper with a happy smile.

Chills form on my skin as I close my eyes, picturing his warm smile around me. My heart is full, and I suddenly feel ready to take on anything life throws at me. All thanks to my amazing older brother.