The rally went from around 40 people to about 500. Instead of fitting neatly and packaged into the little area in front of the town hall, there were people spilling out into the streets as they finished their march. Even the amount of people that there were was saying: We're not going to fit to your standards.

Cree hoped more than anything he could save someone's life through this rally.

After the rally disbanded, Cree went home to an empty house. Out of habit, he picked up his phone to call Lake and ask him to come over. Then he stopped.

Lake supported the Annicalb. No matter how much Cree wanted to see him again, for the first time since turning his back on him, Cree was 100% sure of his decision.

No matter how many times Lake called. No matter how many voicemails he left- until one of those voicemails said that he changed his ways- Cree wasn't going to go back to him.

Even if all Cree wanted was to go back to that stupid town dance with him and stay in his embrace for however long life allowed.

~~~~~~~

It wasn't until the next day at school that Cree realized he hadn't met River the day before. He picked up his phone and texted into the group chat for the rally leaders that they had made yesterday.

Hey, I never got to meet River, am I going to get to do that?

It wasn't even a minute later when Casey texted back.

Oh yeah!!!

River wanted us to tell u that he's sorry u didn't get to meet him yesterday but we're having a meeting with him today to plan our next outreach and ur welcome to come :)

Cree smiled.

What time and where?

Casey was the one to reply yet again.

4 and at the roller rink ;)

Cree laughed in spite of himself. He had no clue what Casey meant by her winky face, but he didn't know what she meant by half the texts he had received from her. That girl was odd.

~~~~~~~

When Cree got to the rink, Casey and Meg were the ones to drag him to their table.

"We're still waiting on Daanish, my brother is picking him up," Meg explained. "But we'll start as soon as they get here." Meg then pointed out their table, and Cree caught a glimpse of who he assumed was River, but as they got closer-

"River, this is Cree," Casey said, a smirk evident on her face. "Cree, River."

But no.

This wasn't River.

It was Lake.

Cree stood there, mouth agape just staring at Lake. Lake shifted nervously from foot to foot. "Um thanks, guys," he said quietly. "Could you give us a moment?"

The girls looked at each other confused until Casey laughed and Meg shrugged. "Sure River," she said. "Come on Casey, let's skate." She held out a hand to Casey who took it, and the two girls took off running. For 19-year-olds they sometimes acted like five-year-olds.

It was just Cree and Lake.

"Lake?" Cree choked out. He imagined them meeting again so many times, but he never once imagined it like this.

"Hi Cree," Lake said shyly, not daring to look into Cree's eyes.

"I-I don't understand, wh-what-"

"Cree I'm so sorry." Lake looked into Cree's eyes for the first time in two months.

"Lake-"

"No, just let me finish," said Lake, cutting him off. Cree could practically feel the nerves radiating off of Lake. "I know what I did was wrong. I know it was terrible and awful and I know I never should have supported the Annicalb. I see that now. I understand why you walked out the door that day. I understand why you haven't been talking to me. I wouldn't want to talk to me either. Cree, what I did is unforgivable. I know that. I'm so sorry that I did it. I'm so sorry to all those people who have lost their lives over this law." Lake paused, and Cree could see he was close to tears. "I knew I had to do something about it, so I started doing these outreach projects under the name River. I was too ashamed of myself to tell them who I really was. Then I met Meg and Casey, and they wanted to help me organize some of my own outreaches. Then you came and joined those outreaches, and I wanted so badly to tell you that I had changed, but I was too scared that you wouldn't ever want to see me again. Cree I just- I-" Lake sputtered and looked down at his feet. "No matter how hard I try I can't get you out of my mind, and it would have hurt too much for you to not want to talk to me because I love you and- and- I don't know- that might have broken me."

"Lake-"

"And then you kept showing up to my outreaches and I wanted to make you a leader for this march because I was planning on leading it too, and telling you everything that's why I planned the stops like I did, but then I got too scared. I told Casey and Meg that I was going to help from the back of the crowd and get more people to join us."

"Lake-"

"I just-" Lake looked up at Cree. "I don't know if you can ever forgive me but-"

Lake gasped as Cree pulled him closer.

"But I-I- want you to know that-"

"Lake would you just stop talking?" Lake swallowed hard, and despite his confident move so did Cree. "Of course I forgive you, idiot." The boys studied each other's faces, taking in everything they had been missing for the past month. "I love you too much to not forgive you."

They were so close. Neither boy could breathe. Cree had his arm around Lake's waist, and it seemed that his body had simply forgotten how to function.

"Cree-"

But Lake never got to finish what he was going to say because Cree cupped his face with his hands and pulled him into a kiss.

As Lake's eyes fluttered shut, he brought his arms up and threaded them around Cree's neck. Cree didn't ever want to break their kiss, but he was smiling uncontrollably, and his teeth knocked into Lake's. He pulled back and bumped his forehead against Lake's, grinning so wide he thought his face would crack.

"You didn't let me finish." Lake laughed softly, breaking the moment. Cree put one of his hands on Lake's arm which was still fitted around Cree's neck and shook his head.

"You're impossible, you know that?" Lake smiled sheepishly.

"Yeah." Cree looked expectantly at Lake.

"This is the part where you say: 'but you love me.'"

"I didn't know if you still did."

A stark laugh was heard from behind them. "Casey shut up!" Meg said, hitting her lightly.

"Sorry, sorry, just- yes he loves you dumbass. Are you actually blind?" Lake took in a sharp breath.

"Do you?" he asked Cree timidly. Cree just smiled softly at him.

"I said I did, but I'll say it again. I'll say it ten million times and then ten million more until you never have a doubt." Cree said. "Of course, I do. I love you."

Jamal and Daanish found the four at the table, interrupting. "Did we miss anything?" Daanish asked. Casey just laughed again.

"Nope."

***

A/N: I hope y'all liked this short story! This is the end of the Annicalb mini-series! I guess it's not even a series just a sequel lol.

Anyway, thank you so much for reading! It really means a lot to me. If you liked this chapter, consider leaving a vote/comment! I should have the next short story published soon...it's called Skies Paved Red.

-Sunny <3