CHAPTER 60: EPILOGUE

THIS WAS 10 FUCKING PAGES! BRACE FOR IMPACT.

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No one can oppose the fact that life changes. It's inevitable. We are never at the same point in life throughout. It's called a journey for a reason. An adventure, if you will. And all adventures have the ups and downs, the rewards and obstacles, the monsters and friends. We all go through those different levels every single day of our lives. All these chapters and levels combine into our journey of life. Different from anybody else's.

We may want to remain in a specific part of our lives because maybe, it's scary to take another step into a different path. Maybe, we do not want to let go of the current situation. But, eventually, life will make us – compel us, even – to let go. Even if we don't want to. But at the end of the day, we see how paramount that change was for our lives, how it changed us and made us better. It just becomes another chapter of our lives.

I shimmy out of my cardigan and wipe the sweat off my forehead, bending to lift the heavy box I just dropped near my feet. Luckily, the fragile items have already been taken so I'm pretty sure these are just extra stuff. Caleb runs towards me and takes my hand, scanning me from top to bottom in worry.

"Are you okay? What did you drop?" He asks and bends down to see what is in the box.

"I'm fine, drama queen. It's just too hot to be shifting this shit to the house." I say and walk towards the small steps towards the house in front of me. I drop down on them and cover my head with my hands.

"I'll take care of it," Caleb says and I hear him lifting the box and walking past me to take it in the house.

Our new house.

Officially, from today, Jason, Draven, Aaron and I will be living here now. I graduated just a few months back alongside all my friends back in California. Draven wanted to take a break from school and he's out traveling the world, possibly sipping on some Mai Tai's, with Austin on some beautiful beach in Europe. But we all jointly decided that we want to move away from California and start afresh. We've had some pretty good memories there but our past still lingers in our minds because of other bad ones.

So, here we are, a few minutes away from our universities. Jason will proceed to his second year at George Washington University while Blake and Noel will be joining him soon. Caleb, Maddie, Aaron, Shawn and I will also be starting off at Georgetown University. Even though we have the financial capability, Caleb and I were accepted into this university and also got offered athletic scholarships.

I know how crazy and unbelievable it sounds when I say that all of us are together and still have the same tight friendships but some of us actually had to pull strings to get here. Blake refused his UCLA offer and convinced his parents to let him move to Washington. The drama queen flew to Washington recently and announced he's already applied to a few universities around, stating that he does not want to be left alone while all of us hang out together in a state far away from him. Noel traveled to France a few days back to meet his family. In fact, he was also going to go back to France and resume his studies there at his parents' behest but he also decided to move here. Maddie, Caleb and I were anyways going to go together wherever it was so we all applied to Georgetown university which is close to George Washington University. Aaron and Shawn applied to a few around but ultimately decided to join us.

The four of us are moving in here today. Caleb luckily got a house down the lane while Maddie managed to stay with her aunt and uncle, near the university itself. Shawn, Blake, and Noel decided to grab one of the campus apartments and be roommates there.

In a way, we all are crazy to move into a state together but as much as it is crazy, it is equally wonderful. I could not ask for better friends to spend time with and I'm pretty sure we would be miserable in university without each other.

"Ha! I saved your ass. Thank me." Maddie says and I turn, immediately shocked at the sight of her holding a screaming Aaron's ear.

"Let go of me, you crazy bitch!"

"What is wrong with you two now?" I say, sighing at their daily squabbles and leaning on the pillar.

"He was about to take the biggest room with the nicest view but I kicked him out and placed your luggage there."

"But I want the biggest room!"

"Shut up, both of you. Jason gets the biggest room but I still get the room with the nicest view." I say and grin at Maddie, dragging her in the house.

We sprint up the stairs and immediately get to looking. I open the door to one and notice it is completely plain. Plain white walls, plain white floor, and a plain white ceiling. But the windows are gigantic, moving from almost one wall to the other. The bright sunlight rays shone across the room and I love how it's not too small or too big.

Just perfect.

"You like it?"

I gulp at Caleb's whisper as he wraps his strong arms around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder. His warm breath fans my neck and I close my eyes, almost losing my balance.

The effect he still has on me, oh my god.

"I do."

"Here."

He lets go of me with one arm and pulls my trolley bag resting in the hallway. Maddie seems to have disappeared so I drag the trolley bag in and shove it near the wall behind the door. I exhale and lean against the wall behind me, closing my eyes and taking in the time to adjust to the fact that we will be starting a new life, right here in Washington DC.

The brightness in front of my eyes suddenly disappears and my eyes shoot open, only to meet with Caleb's captivating grey ones. His gaze holds mine intently and his hand brushes my wrist and holds it.

"What's on your mind?" He whispers as he leans in and blows his breath on my ear. My mouth emits a small gasp as the butterflies in my stomach erupt to a frenzy, most likely for the umpteenth time. I blink once and look into his eyes again when he pulls back slightly.

"Nothing to worry about."

"Wrong."

"Caleb, I-

He interrupts me by placing a finger on my lips. "Shh."

My eyes widen at the sudden contact, the shock settling within me slowly despite us being together for a year now. My mind wanders back to the one-year anniversary we celebrated about a month ago. The entire thing – us being together, our relationship - still feels surreal till now and I don't think I am ever going to get used to his electric touch.

"Get a grip on yourself." His whisper fans my lips, my nose, up until my forehead where he places a chaste kiss on it. I close my eyes, relaxing into his touch and relishing the moment, bundling it together with the other hundreds of such intimate moments that we've had.

"You promised me you would not worry about anything anymore. We've left California and I'm pretty sure you said you will forget everything and just relax into your incoming bright-as-hell future." He says and flicks my nose, resting his forehead on mine. I smile and intertwine our fingers.

I lean in but he groans. I chuckle at his facial expression and ask him what is wrong.

"Nothing. Stop flirting or you're gonna make me wanna do things to you."

"Caleb!" I say and gasp, hitting his arm and blushing into his chest as he engulfs me once again.

"Have you called Lucy yet?" I mumble into his arms as I continue relishing the delectation Caleb's arms offer.

"Yeah, I called her after I finished putting those boxes down in the kitchen. She's still a little upset but I promised her an awaiting gift so...that should do it."

"What did you get her?"

"A pink, sparkly bike."

I roll my eyes, questioning little kids' taste. "Sparkly? Despite pink? Oh god."

His chest vibrates as he laughs and I join, not able to resist the contagious vibe he gives off.

"Don't you have decoration stuff to do? I think half of the boxes from Maddie's car held her decoration 101...things. Or whatever." Caleb says and pulls back slightly, still holding me by the waist.

"Decorate? You really think I'm those girls who have an obsession to decorate, Anderson?"

"No...but I do know you're one of those, might I mention lucky, girls who have the privilege to kiss me whenever they feel like." He says and leans in with a smirk.

"Oh, you narcissistic jerk," I say and smile, tugging at his shirt and pulling him in for a kiss. I laugh a little into his lips as my action astonishes him and he loosens his grip on my waist a little but he quickly grabs my jaw and pushes me towards the wall. He grazes my thigh slightly, making electric jolts travel throughout. His other hand travels to my hair and settles at the back of my neck. Sensing his excitement, I pull back a little and continue laughing as I push my head back towards the wall, earning an incredulous look from him. I look at his goofy face with his hair sticking in all directions – courtesy of me, obviously – and my heart flutters with the same recent amplifying feeling I've been having for the past few days.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." I continue laughing. "You're such a goof, Anderson, I love you!" I keep laughing as I move away from the wall and hit his arm playfully but I freeze.

What?

What?

What?

What did I say?

Did I say what I thought I said?

I blink hard twice and slowly turn to see Caleb still staring at the wall, his posture stiff. He snaps his head towards me and pulls me back, effectively caging me between him and the wall again.

"What did you say?"

I swallow. "That... you're a goof."

"No. After that."

What are you doing, Summer?!

"I-I...said Anderson."

He blows out a breath from his lips and closes his eyes. A few seconds later, he opens them and the intensity of his gaze makes me inhale a sharp breath. He leans in, all the while staring deeply into my eyes as if searching for his answer, and whispers. "What did you say, Summer?"

"I...I...-

He cuts me off by brushing his lips softly on mine. The amount of rush I feel and the feelings he puts into the kiss chase away all thoughts of fear I have in my mind about love.

About loving him.

Screw it, right?

I trust him. I like him. I...

"I love you," I whisper back and look straight into his eyes. I see his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. I am as nervous as you right now, Caleb, because I have no idea what I said or even if it means anything to you.

"You have no idea how long I've been waiting for you to say those words. You are so slow, blondie." He whispers and leans his forehead on mine, chortling as he plays around with the strands framing my face.

He's been waiting? Does that, in the dictionary of dating, mean he feels it too?

"You knew?"

He continues fumbling with my hair. "What's there to know?"

"I mean like, you realized that you..."

"That I love you too? Duh."

My eyes widen at his response and my heart inwardly bursts into loud squeals, an action that leaves my brain confused and into a mush. Hearing him saying it makes it even more surreal but real too at the same time.

Do you feel me?

No?

Okay, I'm losing it.

"Well, why the fuck didn't you tell me anything then?" I ask him, pouting and slapping his cheeks playfully.

"Because I wanted you to say it first." He grins and places his hands on the wall behind me.

I roll my eyes. "Oh my god. You boys and your ego-

"No, no. There is nothing to do with ego here. You always run from and hide whatever that goes on in here." He says while pointing to my...chest?

You shameless-

Wait. Oh.

He's talking about my heart. Jeez, I need to get a grip on my hormones.

"-just wanted you to learn how to embrace your feelings. You kinda suck in that department."

My heart flutters for the millionth time and I hug him tight. Did I ever think I would have a boy like Caleb in my life to make it a thousand times better? No. Would I ever change it?

Not even if my life depended on it.

"Well, I think I have a great teacher to teach me all that shit."

His arms around me tighten and he pulls me impossibly closer. "Christ. You drive me so crazy."

I grin. "I know."

"I love you."

"And I love you."

The words feel foreign on my lips but I love the thrill, the rush and the sensation that comes from saying them. And that too, to him? Extra special.

Before I could have the chance to venture out into the delightful moment Caleb and I are having upon just pouring out our feelings, something hits me splat on the face and I sputter out the water on Caleb's face.

Uh-oh.

I blink, my mouth opening and closing like a fish, and stare at Caleb wide-eyed, who is also surprised at the sudden water explosion on our faces. My head snaps towards the door as I see Shawn and Maddie doubling over with laughter, clutching each other with the fear of falling and rolling down with laughter.

Literally.

"What the fuck?" I mutter and clench my fists, glaring at Shawn and Maddie.

"We've all been calling you from downstairs like mad people! Y'all have anything called ears?" Maddie asks sassily and drops her arm on her waist.

"Mads, I think you forgot these two go in their own world when they are together. Besides, I guess we caught them at a wrong time, yeah?" Shawn asks, looking at Caleb conspiratorially, and cheekily grins.

"You guess? Come here, you son of a bitch!" Caleb runs past me and is immediately at Shawn's heels. I shake my head, not surprised at the two's constant childishness, and my narrowed gaze fixates on Maddie.

"So...did he tell you?! Did he?" She excitedly hops forward and wiggles my arm like a kid.

"You knew?"

"Of course, dumb ass. We all did. Noel told us about it." She grins and pulls me out of the room. We walk down the stairs where I sense a commotion going on.

God help me.

"Speaking of, Noel is on video call right now. That's precisely why we were calling you and why it seems like your house is haunted with angry male ghouls right now."

Her nose scrunches as the sight of the boys comes into view. Caleb has the phone with one hand around Shawn's neck while Aaron is trying to pull his leg but does not realize it is just choking him more. Blake is busy trying to fight Caleb and get the phone for himself. I could hear Noel's voice drowning beneath the screams of the children present in the room. I see a movement from my peripheral vision and I turn my head towards the kitchen, spotting Jason sitting on the counter with a bowl of Cheerios.

Of fucking course.

He sees me and grins with his Cheerio-filled mouth. I chuckle and turn my attention back to the situation in front of me. I kick Blake's shin and push him out of the way while Caleb scrunches his nose at me. Snatching the phone out of his hand, I walk away from them and smile at Noel, waving frantically at him.

"Hi, Noel! Sorry for these idiots around. The exhaustion of moving has climbed their head." I say while glaring at them one more time in order for them to shut their mouths.

"I can clearly see that. Are you done with settling in?"

"Are you crazy? I cannot seem to get anything done with these boys on my head 24/7."

"Hey! I helped a lot, okay? In fact, more than you." Caleb whines and crosses his arms as Blake pats his head.

"You shush."

"Why does she shush me every time? I'm telling you, girlfriends..." I tune out as Caleb continues complaining about me to Blake, right from a few feet away from me.

"Anyways, I sent over something I had made over here. I sent it exactly last week Thursday so it can come there in a week. Has anyone come in to give it?" Noel asks as he sips on some coffee, probably eating croissants for breakfast, with a serene view of the Louvre.

I am telling you French people have it good.

Just as my mind wanders away to think of what he could have possibly sent us, the doorbell rings and Shawn runs, like a child high on sugar, towards it. I hear some murmuring and Shawn's low whistle as he waltzes in back from the door, carrying a gigantic, rectangular...frame? I cannot exactly pinpoint what it is because it's packed really, really well. The boys and Maddie immediately stop chattering and advance towards the box. They don't waste a second and tear it open.

"You got it?"

"Yeah. What is it, Noel?"

"You'll have to see for yourself." He giggles like a maniac and winks.

I turn my head as they all gasp and scream 'wow' all alike, towering over the apparent gift like wolves surrounding a deer. I walk towards the huddle and squeeze my head in, trying my best to not get crushed or have my nose knocked by one of their elbows.

Man, that shit hurts like a bitch.

A beautiful, vintage, mahogany frame comes in sight, capturing one of my favorite moments of the eight of us. Maddie, Blake, Caleb, Shawn, Aaron, Noel, Austin and I, all trying to fit our asses on a banana boat a few months back. I think it was actually the day after graduation when all we wanted to do was celebrate us all staying together despite finishing high school.

I smile at the wide grins on our faces, clutching at each other like our life depended on it – oh, well it actually did – and laughing at the awkward stranger, who Shawn practically begged to take the picture.

"SUMMER!"

I snap out of my memory lane trip and look at Noel tapping the screen so roughly that I was afraid mine would bear the shock and crack.

"Did you see the writing beneath it?"

My eyes travel down the frame and just beneath the picture, five words are intricately engraved. In French.

"Hey, French man, what the hell does this mean?" Blake shouts from behind me.

Noel cringes. "Sorry, guys. The guy I went to for this did not know English at all. I offered to teach him just these five words, but no. So, I just had to concede. Besides, you know how-

"Noel. Translation, please." Maddie quips, looking bored.

"Oh, yes. Laissez les bons temps rouler means let the good times roll."

I stare at the words, their hidden meaning becoming clearer as various flashes appear in my head. We've all been through a lot, together or individually, and we all made it through in the end.

"I think you can make out the hidden meaning yourself," Noel whispers and smiles softly.

"Thank you," I whisper back.

"I think this will go perfectly here," Maddie says, lifting the frame carefully with Aaron helping her. They hang it on the wall in the living room, just beside the spot I am planning to have the TV at. The color pops so well against the plain white wall and I already feel the nostalgia coursing through me.

"And this too," Caleb says and fumbles around with some boxes. He brings another smaller frame than this one and hangs it besides it. This one has Jason, Aaron, Draven and I all lying down together.

He comes behind me and holds me. "The home you always wanted."

And it is. This is home.

It finally feels like it.

Perfection and satisfaction have never felt so real up until now. The amount of happiness within me is indescribable and I have way too many reasons for it.

My brothers and I are closer than ever, which is more than I could ever ask for. My best friends have shown me that they will always be with me. I'm here, in Washington, starting off my life afresh. And I could not ask for a man better than Caleb Anderson.

He showed me love, courage, and happiness. He showed me that there are always other ways of dealing with things. He showed me that I could never be as happy as someone else other than me, and I love him for that.

I know that such times will never return, so it is best to cherish them. But with these guys, the fun will never end. Adventure and laughter will never end. I would not trade this family, made through fights, laughter, soccer, food, whatsoever happens.

Let the good times roll, Summer Jones. And there will be no end to it.

***

I cannot describe the relief slash sadness I felt while pressing the enter button and finally, finally finishing this book. The epilogue itself took me weeks, as you know. I was so blank and I did not know what the hell I would put in the epilogue. I know it may be cringy as hell and weird as well to have all of them together in the end, but for me, I think that is what Summer deserved. (Plus, I do not fancy breaking up friendships). For those who understood her till the very end, thank you very much.

It is over, I repeat, it is over. I cannot put 'thank you' even in complicated terminology for all you readers. But here it still is. Thank you so much for sticking till the end of this book! I love you all!

PS: I'm working on another book which, I promise, will be better than this one, just in case any one of you did not like it. *fingers crossed* Give me a follow and add this book to your library to get updates on the new book, which I may publish on Wattpad after a few months.

Hope you all loved this. Thank you!! Until next time,

-Keya