Epilogue #2
More names get called. The alphabet drags on forever. And I begin to get restless.
There are a few more speeches. A board member says something about community. I tune it all out.
Finally, the principal steps back up to the podium. “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the graduating class!”
Then it’s over. We toss our caps in the air, and the auditorium erupts with cheers and applause. Everyone’s hugging, crying, and laughing, blue gowns everywhere. My cap flies up, and I don’t even watch where it lands. Don’t give a shit.
I push through the crowd, looking for Bells, shoving past people in my way. Graduates are everywhere, parents trying to find their kids, cameras flashing.
When I finally spot Bells, she’s standing near the edge of the stage, looking around and searching for me as well.
Our eyes meet.
I don’t say anything. I push past the last few people between us, grab her, and pull her into my arms. She wraps her arms around my neck, and I lift her off her feet, holding her tight against me.
“We did it,” she says, laughing and crying at the same time, her voice breaking with emotion.
“Yeah,” I say, setting her down but keeping my hands on her waist, not ready to let go. “We fucking did.”
Pete pushes through the crowd toward us, moving slowly but with determination. His left leg drags slightly with each step. He’s gripping his cane tightly in his right hand, using it to steady himself as people brush past him.
We walk toward him. He’s a little out of breath but smiling at Lola. That gentle, proud dad smile.
“Congratulations, Button,” he says.
Lola’s face crumples, and she carefully hugs him, mindful of his balance. “Thank you, Dad. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart,” Pete says, holding her with his right arm.
When Lola pulls back, wiping her eyes, Pete turns to me. He shifts his cane to his left hand, the effort showing as his fingers struggle to grip it properly, before he extends his right hand toward me.
“Congratulations, Jace,” he says, his eyes meeting mine with that same pride I saw from across the auditorium.
I take his hand and shake it firmly. “Thank you, Sir.”
“How many times do I have to tell you, call me Pete. You’ve earned that. I’m proud of you, son. Real proud.”
“Thanks, Pete.” I say, trying not to get emotional.
Noah and Aubrey push through the crowd next, with Sam and Reece right behind them. Noah’s gown is already half off, hanging open over his shirt and tie, and Aubrey is holding both their diplomas, laughing at something he said.
“Cooper!” Noah says, grabbing me in a headlock before I can react. “We fucking graduated!”
“Get off me, asshole,” I say, shoving him away but grinning.
He releases me with a laugh and straightens his gown.
Since I’ve been treating Bells the way I have and they can see I really care about her, the guys have been more relaxed with me.
Less tense. And I must admit, I don’t feel the need to push them away the way I used to when my life was shit.
When I had nothing and no one. Now I’ve got something to lose, and that somehow makes it easier to let people in.
“We should celebrate,” Aubrey says, her arm looped through Noah’s. “Jake’s throwing a party tonight.”
“We’re in,” I say, looking at Lola for confirmation.
She nods, smiling. “Yeah, sounds fun.”
“Perfect,” Sam grins. “We’re all going then.”
I nod, but there’s this heavy weight in my chest that won’t go away.
Everyone is heading to Mayfair next year.
Everyone except me. I still don’t know what the hell I’m going to do.
Pete said he talked to his boss, and there might be a job for me at the plumbing company. Apprentice work. Learning the trade.
Plumber Jace. It has a certain ring to it. Not exactly glamorous, but it’s honest work. A pay check. A future. Better than nothing I suppose.
We all walk out together, Lola and I beside Pete.
The sun hits us as we push through the double doors, and the warm air feels good after being stuck in that stuffy auditorium for hours.
Families are everywhere, taking photos, hugging, crying.
I pull off the stupid gown, yanking it off my shoulders.
I grab the cap I somehow managed to find in the pile and toss both into the back of Bells’ car.
“Thank fuck that’s over,” I say.
Lola laughs and does the same, peeling off her gown and tossing it on top of mine.
Underneath, she’s wearing a light blue, fitted sundress that hugs her curves perfectly.
The fabric ends just above her thighs, and the neckline dips slightly to her chest. If Pete weren’t here, I’d pull her close and tell her what I plan to do to her later.
But since he is here, I just let my eyes linger for a moment before looking away.
“I’ll see you at the party,” Sam says, bouncing on her toes. Reece is already pulling her toward her car.
“Yeah, we’ll be there,” Lola says. “I’ll take Dad home first.”
“You kids have fun. You earned it,” Pete says, leaning on his cane.
I open the passenger door for Pete, steadying him with a hand on his elbow as he gets into the car. Once he’s seated, I close the door.
Lola gets in the driver’s seat and starts the engine. I slide into the back, stretching my legs out as far as I can in the cramped space.
“You did good today, Button,” Pete says, turning his head to look at her. His voice is soft, full of emotion. “Real good. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Lola says.
“Your mom would be so proud too,” Pete continues, his voice cracking just a little. “She’d be over the moon. You know that, right?”
A tear slips down Lola’s cheek, and she wipes it away quickly with the back of her fingers. “I know. I wish she was here.”
“She was,” Pete says. “I felt it.”
Lola nods, her throat working as she swallows hard.
I sit in the back, watching them, and I think of my own mom. If she were still alive, would she have been here today to see me graduate? Would she have stood up and clapped?
Probably not.
She was gone long before she actually died. Checked out. Lost to the drugs and the men and whatever the hell else she chose over me.
But it doesn’t hurt like it used to. Not anymore.
We pull up to a red light, and I stare at Pete, then my gaze shifts to Bell’s profile, the way the sunlight catches her dark hair and makes her skin glow.
The people sitting in the front of this car mean more to me than anyone else because I’m not afraid anymore. I’m not that scared kid sleeping in a trailer, wondering if anyone would care if I disappeared.
I’m Jace Cooper. High school graduate. Boyfriend to the girl who saved me without even trying. Now part of a family that chose me when no one else did.
And I’m just getting started.
The light turns green, and Lola presses the gas pedal. We move forward, the sun in front of us, bright, blinding, and full of promise.
For the first time in my life, I am not running from anything.
I’m running toward it. And I’m going to make every moment count.
The End
??See where they are Eight Years Later
Catch up with Jace, Lola,
Noah, Aubrey, Sam, and Reece.
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