Epilogue
Adrian's graduation
I wait by the car for him to show up. It feels bittersweet, knowing that he will have to leave for college soon. But I am happy for him. And I am proud, too. He got a scholarship to John Hopkins Medical School.
Yes. John Hopkins.
Soccer season was awesome. We had a lot of fun. We won most of our games. I might even end up being team captain this year now that my 'arch nemesis' will no longer be in strangle-able distance.
"Ela, there you are!" I hear him exclaim before I'm being lifted into his arms and being kissed.
"Hey," I chuckle in welcome, kissing him back eagerly.
I've been wanting to do that all morning.
The tassel of his cap keeps tickling my face so I get it off him, swinging it in my hand behind his back. He picks me up and sits me on the hood of his car, parting my legs to stand between them. He doesn't break the kiss and neither do I.
"Congratulations," I whisper when we come up for air. I place the cap beside me on the hood and hook my arms around his neck. "You're officially out of high school."
"Yeah," he murmurs, capturing my lips with his again. Something seems off. He is kissing me . . . differently. The kiss has an urgency to it that doesn't feel like passion or lust.
"Adrian," I pull back. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he denies, kissing the corner of my mouth. His hands squeeze my waist tenderly. "I love you."
"I love you, too," I reply, searching his face. His green eyes don't look happy like they should. They're dull. He isn't making eye contact and he is holding onto me as if he is drowning.
"Something is bothering you," I deduce, bringing my palm up to cup his cheek. His slight stubble brushes against my skin and a slight shiver runs down my spine at that. His usual answering smirk is absent, which worries me even more. "What is it?"
"I'm leaving for college soon," he mumbles, resting his head on my shoulder. My stomach drops. I move my hand through his hair soothingly.
"I know," I say, ignoring the growing dread in my belly.
"I just got you back," he continues and his hands tighten around my waist.
"I . . . " Words fail me.
"I don't want to lose you again," he adds. My heart breaks.
"You will not," I tell him. "I won't let you."
"Oh?" He looks up. "What if that cute, shy guy from English asks you out?"
"Adrian," I give him a pointed look. "Seriously?"
"Yes," he whines.
"Look at yourself." My lips tug up. "You're worried about a nerd from English whom I will not even have classes with next year when you will have chic college girls begging for an ounce of your attention?"
"Yes!" He frets, his hands traveling down to my thighs restlessly. His blonde hair falls onto his forehead adorably.
"Adrian," I smile.
"I am not leaving you behind. I'll get into community college and then next year I can get a transfer to wherever you go," he rambles.
"Adrian," I repeat, holding his face and forcing him to look at me. "Don't be an idiot."
"But-"
"This is about your future," I scold.
"And you're a significant part of it," he replies.
"Maybe," I sigh.
"Surely," he says firmly. "I don't want to mess it up again."
"You won't. We will video chat every day and you will visit during the holidays. I'll visit you when I can as well. It will be fine."
"Adrian!" We hear Andrew yell, making people look at him and us.
"I'm busy!" Adrian shouts back curtly.
"Go," I gently push his shoulders. "Have fun."
He doesn't budge.
"I'll miss you," he says softly, resting his forehead against mine.
"And I will miss you," I rub our noses together gently. "It'll all be worth it."
"It better be," he grumbles. "You only have one soulmate."
I chuckle, my cheeks heating up and my stomach doing a somersault. "So cheesy," I comment.
"You love it," he shrugs.
"Maybe," I sing to lighten the mood. It works.
"I knew it," he smiles. "Wanna go on a date tonight? I want to spend time with you."
"I'd love to," I answer, "But don't you want to spend time with your family? It's your graduation, after all. And let's not forget the party Molly is throwing tonight."
"I don't give a fuck about that," he says bluntly. "I want time for us."
"In that case, I'd love to," I kiss his cheek.
"Um-hmm," he shakes his head. "I want a proper kiss."
"Adrian!!" Andrew shouts again and heads turn in our direction. "Eleanor is not going anywhere! Get your ass over here for a picture!"
"I'm coming!" Adrian replies just as loudly. "Goddammit," he adds lowly.
I laugh.
"Go," I give him a proper kiss. "You have to make it to lunch with your parents, too."
He picks up his cap from the hood and puts it on.
"I love you," he kisses my nose in parting.
"And I love you," I blow him one.
He pretends to catch it and hold it to his heart, earning another giggle from me before he turns around and jogs back to his friends. They welcome him with hugs and hoots. My heart becomes heavy as I think of his inevitable departure.
He turns around and grins at me after a few photos. Something about the way he still looks at me and beams lifts my spirits and feeds my soul. It reassures me that everything will be fine.
His gaze is evidently full of love and affection even from the distance. He looks to be in a better mood and the cloud of sadness that had appeared to hover over him before our conversation seems to have disappeared.
Love always comes through, I think. All you have to do is give it a chance and communicate.
And so, I beam back merrily with optimistic thoughts and a hopeful heart.
THE END
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A/N
I'll say only one thing: better late than never. I'm sorry it took me so long to release this. I hope it was worth the wait!
Thank you all for reading this short story. I love you guys. Please, do vote and share your thoughts in the inline comments. I'll be sure to read and reply to them.
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Until next time, all my love,
xoxo.
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