SAMEN VOOR ALTIJD (WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION) ABOVE

WHITNEY HOUSTON, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU IN EXTERNAL LINK

*One Week Later, 4th of July*

"Look!" I cry, pointing to the fast-disappearing shape in the distance. "The orb!"

Hannah, Lisa, Tristan and I are at a quiet spot in the country, waiting to watch a fireworks show that the mayor is putting on. It's the fourth of July and approximately one week after the huge gang fight. It's a little weird to be living life without drama, but I'm not complaining. We've been taking it easy for a while. Now, we're sitting in comfy folding chairs watching these golden orbs that Lisa told me are huge paper bags with candles inside float across the sky.

I sigh, taking in the smoky, damp air. Dew sparkles on the grass, creating a film of silvery droplets that dance across a lush lawn of green. Under normal circumstances, I despise dew, but somehow it seems fitting tonight.

Tristan takes my hand, and points out to me where some other people are releasing another bag with a candle inside. I personally like calling them orbs, because it makes me think of ghosts and all sorts of deep stuff. I mean, if you've ever seen one of those floating high up in the sky, you'd think it was a ghost, since it's just a little glow contrasted to the dark night sky. It's kind of entertaining to think of it as a spirit that's watching over you from above, like an angel. Another thing I think it could be is a tiny dot of sun. Just a little ray of sunshine to brighten the darkness of the world.

"This is my favorite song," Hannah says, humming along to an old tune that I know quite well. It's "I Will Always Love You," by Whitney Houston. Hannah jumps up, holding out a hand to me. I take it, and we dance to the song.

Before long, Tristan and Lisa join us, and I find myself dancing with Tristan. Softly, I begin to sing. "If I, I should stay, I would only be in your way. So I'll go, but I know, I'll think of you every step of the way! And I will always love you-o-o-o-o-o, And I will always love you. You, my darling, you. Bittersweet memories, that is all I'm taking with me. So goodbye, please don't cry. We both know that I'm not what you, you need!"

"Wow, you sing really good!" Tristan compliments me as we sway with each other. "Thank you," I say. I lean my head against his shoulder and relax into his embrace. Slowly swaying, I'm nothing but happy.

***

"I have a surprise for you," Tristan whispers in my ear when we're seated again. "Follow me." Obediently, I follow him to the edge of the grassy field, where a single bag and a single candle, burning bright, wait. I gasp as the realization dawns on me. "Tristan, did you make it so that we could release this?" He grins, clearly pleased with my reaction. Impulsively, I throw my arms around his neck, hugging him hard. He squeezes me tightly as I bring my lips up to meet his in a thank-you kiss.

He smiles, and gently pushes me away. He takes the candle and wrestles it inside the bag. It swells up and rises, like a hot-air balloon. Smiling at Tristan, I reach my hands up, and together we push the bag and candle up into the sky. I join hands with Tristan, and we watch the bag float off into the distance, the candle providing a warm, happy glow.

***

"I want funnel cake," I announce randomly as we watch little bursts of blue explode in the sky. I turn the puppy eyes on Tristan. "Please go get me one?" I stick out my bottom lip for extra effect. He rolls his eyes, but walks over to the nearby stand and buys one.

"You owe me four dollars," he says as he sets my plate down in front of me. I smile sarcastically, then stuff the sugary deliciousness in my mouth. He grins at me before we both turn our attention back to the fireworks show.

A huge one that's red and green explodes, trailing sparks back to the earth. Tristan sighs in happiness. "You like those colors?" I guess. He nods, a dreamy, wistful expression on his face. "Yeah, they remind me of Christmas." I smile and say, "I like the gold ones." "Why?" he asks, turning to face me. "They remind me of the sun. It looks like fragments of the sun are floating down to Earth." He looks at me, an incredulous look on his face. He smiles and leans in closer to whisper in my ear. "And that, Alex Foster, is why I love you so much." I smile back at him, and we share a gentle, soft, sweet kiss.

***

Nearing the end of the fireworks show, Tristan gets up and leaves for a short time. I don't know where he went, but he was gone for a long time, and Lisa and Hannah kept exchanging secret looks. I feel like there's something going on here that I'm not aware of.

When Tristan finally comes back, he's nervous, which surprises me. We're just watching fireworks; What is there to be nervous about? He fiddles with the collar of his shirt, turning it up and down until it frays. I take his hand, attempting to calm him, but if anything, that makes it worse. Fidgeting, he sits down and stares intently at the sky, from which smoke billows because of the fireworks. I want to ask Tristan what's upsetting him, but he rarely likes to talk about things.

Lisa pulls me over to her for a second. She whispers in my ear, "Prepare to cry tears of happiness for the first time in your life." Looking at her, I'm confused. What's that supposed to mean? Shaking my head, I return to cuddling against Tristan and watching the fireworks display. Whatever it is she's talking about, I'm going to find out what she meant soon.

"Alex, look!" Tristan says, pointing up at the sky. "It's gold!" I look, and he's right: It's a gold one. Unlike the others, however, it doesn't explode into bursts of bright light. Instead, it takes on shape and form, and begins to turn into letters.

When the message is finished, I read it and gasp. Right there, highlighted in the sky in gold, dripping sparkles and looking absolutely gorgeous, is the message, "Be my girlfriend, Alex?"

Wordlessly, I turn to Tristan, who is beaming. True to Lisa's prediction, my eyes well up and a few tears slip down my cheeks. "Yes," I whisper hoarsely.

He wraps me in a hug, placing a passionate kiss on my lips. All around us, people begin to cheer. The DJ takes the hint, and starts to play a beautiful song I loved in my childhood, "Samen voor altijd" by Marco and Jada Borsato. It's written in Dutch, but I can sing it word for word, and I know what the lyrics are in English. "Samen voor altijd" means "Together Forever".

Tristan wraps his arms around me, and we sway softly to the beautiful song. I sing along, and other voices warble up among the crowd, singing. I close my eyes and lay my head on Tristan's shoulder. This moment feels so good, so right. My heart is bursting with love for the man holding me close. I know in that moment, that we were indeed meant to be. There will be challenges ahead, but our love binds us tightly together. Together forever.

AN: THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY!!!! I was going to have this be the ending, but I changed my mind and now I'm extending Antidote. I've unpublished the epilogue and I'm writing chapter 44 now. So no, this is not the ending.

All my love,

Em