It's hot as balls out here, but that doesn't stop Mark from sweeping me up in his arms.

"We did it!" he shouts, throwing a fist in the air. His cap digs into my ribs as he spins us, but I'm laughing too hard to care. "We tricked them into letting us walk!"

"Our greatest con yet," I say once he finally sets me down.

"A true miracle," Mark adds dramatically, gesturing to his gown.

You have no idea.

The football field is a sea of baby blue as our class searches for loved ones and friends. There's not a cloud in the sky, the sun blaring, making me sweat like a whore in church. Unzipping my own gown, I sigh with relief as the wind rustles the white dress underneath. My cap is long gone, lost during the toss, but I'm actually thankful for it. No need to help my blowout frizz up any further.

"You know, I'm thinking it was the community service hours that set you over. You were pretty charitable this year."

Mark rolls his eyes and links his arm with mine. "Yeah, that tends to happen when the service is court ordered."

"Better than the alternative." Meaning serious jail time. It wasn't far from reality following the night of the party, but thanks to private defenders and a desperate DA, Mark got off with two years probation plus his community service. It's better than any of us were expecting, including Mark's attorney. Just goes to show dealing with the Wexlers is always the right choice — more specifically, testifying against them.

I let him lead the way as we trek back to the bleachers. The administration sat us alphabetically by last name, landing us both as far from the entrance as possible. As we push through the crowd, my eyes scan every passing face, but there's no sign of Carter. The chairs aren't sectioned off by letter, but I know we have to be near the H's at this point. There's Hannah Hardy, still snapping pictures with other girls from the squad by her seat, but the chair next to them is empty. He complained about their placement together all week, so I'm not too surprised he dipped.

I am surprised by the body that rams into us from behind.

"It's finally over, bitches!" Chloe screeches in my ear, throwing her arms around our necks. "God, can't you smell the freedom!"

I can smell it alright; it's all over her breath. "Who knew freedom smelled like liquor."

Pulling back, she holds a flask out to me, flashing a radiant smile. "The pregame starts now, my friends. What better way to celebrate adulthood than getting shit faced?"

Wincing, I glance at Mark, but he's still smiling. When I don't take the flask right away, Chloe stupidly offers it to him.

I bat her hand away. "Chlo, really—"

"Shit, sorry, sorry." Based on the blush that creeps up her cheeks, it's clear she didn't mean to.

Mark just laughs. "It's fine, party away. I'll form enough memories of today for the three of us."

"You're sure?" I'm double checking, but my fingers are itching to grab the flask. Mark may have pledged to a life of sobriety — a decision I fully support — but you're only young twice, at least in my case, so I refuse to take moments like this for granted.

When he nods, I take a shot, wincing at the taste and revelling in the pain. "Jesus Christ, what is this?"

Chloe shrugs. "Ask the kid who handed it to me."

Rolling my eyes, I gulp down another shot, then pass it to the first graduate I find. "Glad to see adulthood hasn't taught us to make responsible choices."

Chloe joins our chain and hooks her arm through mine. We cover the last few feet to the bleachers with little hassle, but when I look up, I find them mostly empty with our families nowhere in sight.

"You think they're in the lot?"

"Most likely. You know how the school is about big events. In and out operations only," Mark says, steering us the opposite way towards the parking lot.

Just as we hit the asphalt, a perky blonde steps into our path — more specifically, Chloe's.

"Happy graduation!" Jane says cheerfully. "Crazy it's all over, huh?"

"Uh huh." It's all I've got for her. It baffles me that she still tries this hard, even after nine months.

"Yeah, you too," Chloe says politely, her arm going stiff. "Have a great summer and all that jazz."

Jane seems dejected for a split second, but bounces back quickly. "I will. Maybe we'll see each other before Penn in the fall?"

Thankfully, she doesn't mean the same Penn as Chloe and me. Whoever built PSU up in the mountains and miles away from UPenn was truly a genius.

"Probably not," Chloe says bluntly, spotting something over Jane's head. She leans down to whisper in my ear, "Shake her for me, I'm making my escape. Find you guys later!"

"Wait, what—" But Chloe dashes across the parking lot before I can get an answer. I watch as she sneaks up on Tori standing by her car, then picks her up from behind and tickles her sides. Tori's screams of delight carry out over the parking lot.

It's the definition of awkward with Jane right next to us, watching the whole thing. Despite my dislike for her, I do kinda feel bad — then again, things could've been ten times worse. She could've found out in a bedroom at Darren's party instead of Chloe's honest conversation with her at a coffee shop.

Mark clears his throat, tugging at me subtly. "Well... we gotta... you know."

"Yeah, we're just... take care, Jane."

She doesn't acknowledge us as we walk away; she's still shooting daggers at Chloe and Tori. Once we're out of ear shot, Mark gives me a look.

"Ok, well that was depressing."

"Yeah, major bummer. Let's pretend it didn't happen."

"Striking it from our memory as we speak."

"God, where are they?" I ask, both to change the subject and voice my concern out loud. I assumed we would see Carter by now, but he's still MIA. There are more families out here, huddling around graduates for pictures and clogging up the lot. We definitely won't be leaving anytime soon, even once we find them.

"There." Mark points to a group crowded over to the left. "That's your dad's head, right?"

"I think so. Then again, I don't study it much," I say sarcastically, pulling Mark the rest of the way over to our families.

"Ahh, there's our graduates!" Dad announces, waving his camera. "I tried to get shots of you guys walking, but they set the stage up pretty far from the bleachers."

"It's fine, Dad." I nudge the camera out of the way and pull him in for a hug. "The school takes professional ones."

"Yeah, and charges an arm and a leg for them," Julia adds. She hugs me next, long and tight. "Congrats, sweetheart. We're so proud of you guys."

Over her shoulder, I catch Mark messing with Emma, poking at her sides until she laughs. Ronnie stands close by, observing quietly, but his smile suggests he's just as engaged. When I pull back from Julia, I notice the hand she's holding. Josie was so quiet when we walked up, I didn't even notice her. She doesn't say anything to me, but I'm used to it.

"Where are Carter and Ben?" They're the only one's missing from the gang — well, the only ones who matter. Even Carter's brothers are here, chatting with Henry around the family minivan. I can only imagine how crazy the house is with everyone home.

"Oh, Carter left something in his truck, and you know how your brother is with him."

Attached at the hip is what she means, sometimes to a fault. Don't get me wrong, I'm stoked about their budding bromance... except when it interferes with my Carter time. Ever since Dad bought Ben and Xbox, he's gained an unfair advantage.

A minute later, I spot the dynamic duo making their way across the lot. Ben runs in excitement while Carter takes his time, checking me out the whole way. I can see his eyes thanks to my soft suggestion to get a haircut, and his blue gown billows around the suit I picked out a few days ago. We're only months away from a year of dating, but that look gets me every time — especially on nights when I sneak in through his window.

Ben knocks the wind out of me, his arms hugging me tight. "Congratulations, Commander Stinkbreath! You've made the troops proud."

"Thanks, Captain Buttsworth. I'm sure you'll make them even prouder four years from now." I ruffle his hair once he finally lets go, then turn all my attention to the blonde on my right.

"Are you sure I can't call you that, too?" Carter asks, his hands roaming along my waist. "I still think Stinkbreath is a cute pet name."

I slide my arms around his neck. "Maybe just today. Consider it your graduation present."

Carter laughs, then kisses me quickly; way too much family around for anything else. "Congratulations, Amber."

I sneak in another peck. "You too, babe."

When we pull apart, I find Mark lingering beside us, his hands tucked casually in his pockets. He gives Carter a neutral look.

"Congrats," Mark says, then quickly adds, "and, uh, thanks again for the suit."

Carter takes my hand, then gives him an easy smile. "Yeah, you too. I'm just glad Amber bought me two options — plus, the fabric matches your eyes."

"That last one was a big concern of mine," Mark jokes good naturedly.

"Alright, can we get a group picture now?" Dad interrupts. "I know you guys aren't gonna keep the gowns on for long. Boys, get on either side of Amber and scooch in."

Carter winds an arm around my middle, while Mark slings his over my shoulder. Dad takes so many my cheeks start to hurt, but I don't make a single complaint. A year ago, the idea of Mark and Carter in the same room was questionable; now they'll be forever commemorated in a photo together. I definitely count that as a blessing.

Finally, we're released. Carter doesn't waste any time.

"Can I steal you away for a second?"

I pretend to think it over. "I might be able to spare a minute or two for you."

"We'll be right back," Carter announces to the group.

Dad and Julia wave us off, confirming that we'll be here awhile. I let Carter lead me towards the east side of the lot, only glancing over my shoulder once. Mark looks genuinely fine chatting with Julia, the twins sandwiched between them. In fact, he looks almost relaxed. All the Andersons do.

"Are things still going okay at home?" It's been awhile since I've asked either one of them about the living situation. I've taken the fact they haven't killed each other as a pretty good sign.

"Mom's happy, if not a little tired. She gets to push off being an empty nester a little longer." Our surroundings grow quieter the further we walk, making it easier for me to hear him. "We got the official call this morning, actually."

I stop short. "And you're just telling me now?"

He smirks, tugging at my arm to get me walking again. "I didn't trust you not to run and tell Mark. Mom says she wants it to be a family meeting."

Hearing it still sounds weird: Carter and Mark being family. Even though Julia and Henry are only the Andersons' foster parents, if the dinners I've spent at the house are any indicator, they seem to be using the "foster" part very loosely. I don't know how they'll take it if Mrs. Anderson ever gets clean enough to fight for custody — or if the state ever locates their father.

"Do you think it'll go well?" It's hard to tell how Mark feels about staying with Carter. I think he holds back from answering me honestly in fear that I'll be upset if he hates it. But I also know he sleeps through the night and has gained ten pounds since they took them in six months ago. In my mind, a safe home far outweighs mild discomfort.

Carter shrugs. "I think so. The twins are probably having the hardest time adjusting, specifically Emma. She talks back a lot more than I think my parents were expecting, but I'd say they handle it pretty well. Overall, it seems like everyone wants this to work, especially Mom. I mean, you know she always wanted girls."

A pain I haven't felt in months flares up in my chest. I remind myself he doesn't know about the one we gave her, but it's still hard to push past the rock in my stomach.

Thankfully, he changes the subject once we reach the entrance to the log. It's been awhile since we've been back here; the last few months have been a whirlwind, and our sanctuary somehow fell to the wayside. It feels right to come back again, at least one more time.

"How was Mark during the dedication?" Carter helps me down the path, but he's much more focused on my answer. It's what we were both dreading about today.

"He seemed ok." At least, as far as I could tell. The school didn't do a full run through of the ceremony until yesterday, which is when we found out about the slides for Darren. We saw the memoriam for the first time today, but if Mark was upset, he worked hard to hide it. I spent the whole slideshow watching him, but he kept his head down through all of it.

We cut through the last of the overgrowth and step into the familiar clearing. Instinctively, I hop onto the far end of the log and lean back against the uprooted base. Carter sits sideways and pulls my feet into his lap, running his fingers up and down my legs.

"I'm kinda surprised they did one for him, all things considered."

I shrug, following his fingers instead of meeting his eye. "He was still a student here. It's not like he asked his dad to exploit him for a profit."

We never got to ask Darren about his dad's involvement in the drug ring, but the front page of every paper answered for him. The Wexler Firm has always been notorious for the clients they take, but the news that their services went beyond criminal defense shook Susquehanna to the core.

Darren's death blew the lid off everything. There was no way to cover up how it happened or Mr. Wexler's involvement. If money laundering for the cartels wasn't bad enough, forcing his son to sell their supply to his lawyer friends was the nail in the coffin. Mark wasn't the only dealer offered a plea deal, and with their testimonies thrown into the mix, Darren's father never stood a chance. The sentencing is next week, but we all agreed not to go. Mark's call, not mine.

"Do you think Mark blames us?"

It's a thought that's crossed my mind before, but I shake my head. "We all know what happened that night, including him. There's no one to blame."

Carter nods, but I can tell something else is on his mind.

"What?" I nudge his arm with my foot. "Tell me."

"Nothing, just — speaking of shitty parents."

"Carter..."

"It's ok if you don't wanna talk about them." Finally, he peeks up at me from under his grad cap. "I just thought I'd ask in case you do."

I tilt my head back and rest it against the roots. He's coming from a good place, but I'm still not sure how I feel about it, much less ready to talk it out. I was able to alter almost everything that happened as a result of Mark's death — almost. I'd like to say I was surprised when Emily's stuff disappeared from the house, but it would be a lie. It took her less than a week to abandon our family, the sound of clicking heels and tapping fingers noticeably absent from the dinner table. We fill in the silence with laughter now. I find myself eating a lot more, too.

She might not have been a missed presence, but Callie sure as hell was. It wasn't until Carter drove me home from the hospital that I realized she was gone. No note, no text, but more importantly, no words of advice for me. I haven't had a vision since I saved Mark's life, but I know better than to think they're gone for good — or Callie for that matter.

"I'm never gone long. Our dreams let us know when to get back in touch."

"Is this why you dragged me back here?" I ask instead, trying for playfulness. "To talk about shitty parents? I think I'd rather just make out or something. Emphasis on the or something."

Carter studies me a moment longer, then relaxes into a smile. He's gonna let it go, at least for now. It's the best graduation gift he could give me.

"As tempting as that sounds," his fingers dance further up my thigh, tugging at the hem of my dress, "it'll have to wait. I did actually bring you here for a reason."

"Is it better than taking me right here on the log?" I smirk as a memory floods back. "Again."

He just shakes his head, but I know he remembers too. "Yes, even better than that."

I notice the tremble in his touch. It melts the ease from my posture, and I sit a little straighter as he digs around his pocket.

"I thought we agreed, no buying gifts," I pout when he pulls out a long, velvet box. "You're the one that made the rule!"

"Ah, but I didn't buy this. At least, not recently." Before I can object again, he slides it into my lap. "Just shut up and open it."

The urge to push the point is hard to ignore, but my curiosity wins out in the end. By the look of the box, I'm expecting some kind of jewelry right away, but nothing could've prepared me for the necklace tucked inside. It's a simple chain, nothing fancy. In fact, it looks handcrafted. But it's the gem attached to it that knocks the wind from my chest: a teardrop cut, blue sapphire. One I've seen before.

"Ok, so I gotta be honest. The stone isn't real..." In my peripheral, I catch Carter twiddling his fingers. "I've actually had it forever. Since that trip to the Galapagos."

"What?' I barely get the word past the lump in my throat. Tentatively, I run a finger over the stone, something I haven't done since waking up back in this life.

"It was supposed to be your present when we got back, but I never got to give it to you...for obvious reasons. I was gonna use it to ask you out, but of course you had to beat me to it. I considered your birthday and before prom, but I don't know, this just felt right. Better late than never, right?"

I have to bite my lip to help keep my composure. Usually, I try not to think about the time jump, as I've come to call it. For months, it used to keep me up at night, terrified of falling asleep only to wake up somewhere else. Things have been better since I've pledged to focus on the now, specifically my growing relationship with Carter.

But for once, this reminder is a welcome one. I didn't realize how much I missed that ring until now; it's hard not to with the gem sitting right in front of me. Sometimes, I still find myself touching the finger absently, my heart sinking slightly when I find nothing but skin.

I stare at the necklace for too long; by the time I look at Carter again, there's skepticism in his eyes.

"I should've followed my own rule, huh?" he asks sheepishly. "It's ok if you hate it, I know it's not the prettiest, but I was barely twelve at the time so my taste was kinda—"

"I love it." Tears race down my cheeks faster than I can wipe them away. "I love it so much, Carter."

At times like this, I wish I could tell him why. The thought has crossed my mind a thousand times, mostly when things happen that remind me of our future. Recently, he's been asking where I see our relationship going, but every time I consider filling in the pieces for him, I stop myself. Everything changed after I saved Mark, and I don't think that's exclusive to our present. As much as I miss our life in New York, part of me wants to see if we end up there on our own.

Carter's face lights up like a Christmas tree. He moves to grab the box. "Do you need help putting it on?"

I'm about to nod yes, but a sudden thought makes me reconsider. Maybe I can help him out just a little.

"Do you trust me?" I ask, taking his hand. His free one comes up to wipe the tears from under my eyes.

"Of course I do. Why, what's the matter?"

Ushering the box back into his lap, I give him a reassuring smile. "Then hold onto this a little longer. Something tells me you'll find a better time."

Hesitantly, he takes the box. A cross between bewilderment and awe passes over his face. For those first weeks following the night at Darren's party, it's an expression he wore often. I can tell he wants to fight me on it, but must come to some resolve in his head because all he says is, "You confuse the shit out of me sometimes, you know that?"

I just laugh and scoot closer so I'm practically in his lap. "Trust me, Carter, I know."

I lean in and kiss him until he relaxes against me. Strong hands grip my thighs as he holds me in place, and I smile against his mouth when he tugs at my dress. Like a drug I just can't kick, I know I'll never get enough of Carter Hayes. No matter how much time passes us by, nothing will ever break us. Our future has more than proven it to me.

His fingers creep closer to the zipper by my neck. My heart flutters at the prospect of my wish for log sex coming true. Maybe not the most comfortable location, but the sentiment can't be beat. But just as he reaches it, I hear the sounds of footsteps.

"I hope you're both decent. I'm really not trying to see anything explicit," Mark announces, giving it a second before stepping into view.

"What, you really think we would screw back here? On our graduation day, no less?" I ask, affronted.

Carter pinches my thigh.

"Well whatever you're doing, I'd suggest wrapping it up. The parents are looking for more pictures. Also, Chloe says she'll kill us if we don't get one by the bleachers. Also, it's hot out here."

"I get it, I get it, we're coming." Doing a final check that my face is dry, I move off Carter's lap and rebalance in my heels.

"What's after this, anyway?" Carter asks, stuffing the box back in his pocket. Once empty, his hand takes mine again. "Lunch at the diner?"

Mark rolls his eyes, but there's a smile underneath it. "I'm gonna pass on that one."

The three of us laugh our way back down the path, Mark leading the way and Carter trailing just behind me. I don't say it out loud, but I know what comes next will be nothing but perfect. Not because I've seen the future, but because we have one.

One we'll face together.