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"They say... that everything happens for a reason. Now, who "they" are, exactly, is unclear. Maybe a theologian coined it." Steven says as he gives his speech. The crowd laughs as Steven smiles. Taylor, Belly, Dakota, and Liz all sat by each other with their parents on their side.

"Or, I don't know, whoever configured the simulation we're clearly living in. Maybe it was Rihanna." Dakota chuckles as Liz smiles lightly.

"No, no, Rihanna can do no wrong. It was definitely not her." He shakes his head, "But we've heard it time and time again. It's supposed to convince us, you know, that everything had to happen exactly so, in order to teach us something about ourselves, in order for us to grow and meet our destiny."

He chuckles, "I think that's BS. I'm sorry, Mom, sorry." He says immediately, "You know, breakups don't always lead to breakthroughs. Sometimes a girl dumps you after an awesome summer, and it sucks. And you learn nothing from it." Liz's face falls as she listens. Dakota looks over at her.

"But you eventually force yourself to move on anyways. But then the unthinkable happens, and you realize it's pointless to think of life that way. Because everything just happens. You know, good things, bad things, all in ways that you'd never expect. All in ways that are so completely out of your control that they could just drive you insane." Steven says

"There are times where it feels like the world is happening to you, but remember that you are also happening to the world. So don't wait. Make what you want happen. Because tomorrow isn't promised, so you better make fucking sure that you are living today."

Dakota stands up as he claps with the crowd following him, "That's my boy."

"Whoo!" Belly cheers as she claps

Liz claps at she looks over at Megan who smiles back at her. Dakota cups his hands around his mouth as he cheers.

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"He's so extra. Although he did earn it with that speech. It was good." Taylor says as the teens stand outside waiting for Steven.

"Yeah. That speech kind of pierced my soul." Belly says. Dakota laughs immediately with Taylor, "Don't laugh." Belly chuckles as Liz smiles

"No, no, I'm sorry." Taylor says

"No, I feel like I've been in this nightmare ever since Susannah died. Maybe it's time to wake up." Liz looks down as Taylor's phone chimes.

"Oh, I gotta go find Milo. He needs my help putting together a look for tonight."

"Oh. Cool. Um, do you want to come over after and help me with mine?" Belly says

"No fucking way. Are you coming?" Taylor says

"Yeah. Yes."

"Really?"

"Yeah. And I'm... I'm gonna sign up for varsity volleyball camp, too."

"Yes! Oh, my God! Babe, this party is gonna be insane. Like, you are going to die when you see Milo play." Taylor says

"Uh, no, yeah. I mean, you literally might, 'cause, whew, man, I could smell him from the podium." Steven says as he walks up

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I'm sorry, excuse me. My man doesn't have that Korean gene that makes you have no body odor." Taylor says as she gestures to Steven

"Okay, all right, come on, Belly. Mom and Dad are meeting us at the restaurant."

"Okay, great. Bye." Taylor says as she walks away

"Bye." Belly says as she and Steven walk away

The twins are left alone as others move around them. Dakota looks over at Liz, "You going to the party?"

Liz turns to him, "No, probably not."

When she turns away again, he clenches his jaw. He sighs, "Why haven't you talked to River?"

Liz's breath hitches as she looks down, "I don't know. Haven't had much time." Dakota scoffs, "We should probably go. Mom's gonna be looking for us."

"Liz." He says, but she keeps walking. He huffs before he follows her.

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"Yo, this is dope. I'm going viral on TikTok." Steven says

"Is that a good thing?" John says

"What, millions of people around the world watching my speech on a loop? Yes, Dad, that is a very good thing." Everyone at the table chuckles, "I gotta forward this to Con and Jere, man."

Dakota looks down at his food while Liz clears her throat and reaches for her drink.

"Thank you so much." Megan says as the waiter sets the check on the table.

"Oh, uh, I'm sorry, could I get a box for all this?" Dakota asks. The waiter nods with a smile, "Yeah. Thank you, man."

"Thank you." Laurel says as she's handed a fortune cookie

Belly rips hers open, "Happiness is an activity."

"Um, okay." Laurel says as the table laughs

"Okay, well, "Everyone agrees you are the best." Steven says

"It doesn't say that." Dakota says, "No."

"It's so random. Yeah, it literally says it right here. It literally says it right here. You want to see it?"

"I do actually."

"You want to see it?" Steven says as he quickly turns it back and forth, "Look, I don't know what you want from me. It says it right there."

"Bullshit." Dakota chuckles

"I know we keep telling you. We're so proud of you. You're gonna have the time of your life at Princeton. Right, Laur?" John says

"Yeah, I loved college. That's where I met Susannah." She nods

The table goes quiet as Megan sits up, "So, how are things going with your book?"

"My publisher is hounding me to do this meet and greet event with booksellers. I said no."

"Why?"

"Because it's not necessary."

Dakota sensing the tension, taps the table, "Okay, uh, well, it's time for us to go get ready for the party."

Steven nods, "Mom, mwah. Dad, mwah. Thank you for lunch."

He and Dakota stand as Belly puts her napkin on the table, "I'm gonna go with him. Uh, it was delicious. Thank you."

"Love you, Mom." Dakota says as he pushes his chair in

"All right, have fun, kids." She says

Belly taps Liz, "You coming?" She says quietly

Liz's mouth open slightly as she looks for an answer. She turns to Megan who nods as she waves her away.

"Yeah." Liz nods as she stands up. Belly smiles as they follow Steven.

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Dakota laid back against Steven's bed tossing a small ball Steven left on his bedside table. As he continued tossing the ball in the air, Steven turns to him, "So, have you heard from Con or Jere?"

Dakota sighs tossing the ball up again, "Nope."

Steven nods to himself, "Great."

"You know it's not only because of Susannah right?"

"I figured as much." Steven shrugs

"It's because of whatever the hell happened between Conrad and Liz."

"She didn't tell you what happened?"

"No." Dakota says sitting up, "It was whatever happened at the funeral and then they just stopped talking to us."

"Okay, but what does that have to do with us? Or Jeremiah?"

"Hell, if I know." Dakota says tossing the ball up, "We're just- caught in the crossfire."

"Of course." Steven sighs, "Let's just enjoy this fucking party, alright? For them."

Dakota nods with a smile, "That's my boy."

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