Epilogue One
Troian
"You have to open it," Gage says, thrusting the letter from Stanford in my direction.
He's walked red carpets, acted in a movie, and sat down for interviews with people who don't even feel real to me, but I think he's more nervous right now than he's ever been.
It's a little adorable, though I don't tell him that.
He'll just growl at me that men aren't adorable.
He is though.
It's been two months since he stood in front of the entire cafeteria and told me that he's madly in love with me. They've been the best two months of my entire high school career.
Victoria leaves me alone now…at least for the most part. Instead of calling me Gage's stalker, she now complains that public displays of affection are gross.
I just laugh when she says it. When Gage hears her, he kisses me. It's landed us both in detention a million times, but I don't even care. It's worth it. Not because it annoys Victoria, but because I love his kisses. They always leave me a little weak in the knees.
Our classmates no longer make fun of me. Some have even apologized for treating me like crap for so long. I accepted their apologies, but I haven't gone out of my way to be friends with them.
I don't want to surround myself with people who blow where the winds of popularity take them, following along instead of forming their own opinions and standing up for who and what they believe.
I prefer people like Corey, who had my back even when no one else did.
Heck, I even prefer Victoria's friends. They may have been awful to me, and we'll never be friends, but at least they're loyal to her. I can respect that.
"Seriously, butterfly," Gage says. "You have to open it."
"Nope," I say, holding my hands up and taking a step back. "You have to open it yourself."
"You're so mean to me."
I roll my eyes when he pouts. He's so worried he didn't get in.
I'm not worried, though. I know he got in.
I saw the Letter of Continued Interest he wrote.
It was probably the most heartfelt, genuine letter they got all year.
And even if he didn't manage to get off the waitlist, he was accepted to UC in Berkeley, which is only a short drive from Stanford.
Even if it weren't, I know we'll be okay.
How could we not when he loves me as well as he does? I feel like every day is a fairytale since he told me he loved me. I don't know why I never let myself see it before. I guess I was just afraid.
I'm not anymore, though. He won't let me be afraid.
He sighs dramatically and then slowly rips open the envelope. I don't think he takes a single breath until the letter is in his hands. His blue eyes scan across the page, his expression giving away nothing.
"I have bad news, butterfly," he says a moment later.
My heart sinks. He wanted this so bad.
"You're stuck with me for four more years."
"Seriously? You got in?"
His grin is all the answer I need.
I fling myself into his arms, squealing with joy.
He catches me, laughing as his acceptance letter flutters to the floor. His kiss is wild, unrestrained.
"Four more years," I whisper when he finally lets me up for air.
"No, butterfly," he says, shaking his head. "Four years isn't long enough. I want forever."
Forever. It's not nearly long enough to satisfy me, but it's a start, at least.