Epilogue
I glanced away from the dashboard and focused my attention on the backseat where our entire luggage was stacked high. Levi had way more bags than I did because he claimed to be more high maintenance. Plus, I wouldn’t let him buy me anymore stuff I didn’t need.
“Do you think all of this stuff is going to stay?” I asked him, pushing my hand up against the duffle bag that was toppling over all the rest.
Levi turned away from the road for a second and flashed his crooked smile at me. “Give it a rest, Cooper. The bags will be fine without you tucking them in.”
“Oh, trust me, my stuff will be fine. You, on the other hand, have a bunch of chemicals in your bags. Seriously? I’ve never seen a guy with so much shampoo and conditioner!”
“Hey!” he called out, keeping his eyes on the road. “I just grew my hair back and I need to keep it looking great, as always.”
I rolled my eyes as I continued to secure our bags. When I was done, I sat up straight in the passenger seat. “I’m really going to miss this place. The shops…” I gazed out the window at the small local shops set in a line, “…the sun…” My eyes shot to the sky, admiring the beauty of the bright ball of light, “…the beach. Oh my god, Levi, the beach! We have to go there one last time.”
He looked at me like I was crazy. “Cooper, I don’t think now is the right time to go swimming. I’d love to, but we’re on a tight schedule.”
I leaned across the median, raised my hand to his face, and gently stroked his cheek. “But Levi…it’s the last time I’m going to see the beach.”
“It’s not the last time.”
Growing angry, I crossed my arms against my chest. “Don’t make me do the face.”
“You can do the face all you want, I’m not giving in,” he said, confidence lacing his ego.
I shook my head, disagreeing. I knew him well enough to know he couldn’t resist the face. And to prove him wrong, I did exactly that. I downturned my lips into a pout, widened my eyes, and blinked innocently.
He glanced over at me and tried to fight his smile. I could tell he was giving in just by the way his lip quivered. “Cooper, if we don’t get to campus at four, the ladies won’t give us a tour.”
I shrugged. “You’ve been there before. We don’t need a tour.”
“Yes, but I want you to have the full college experience.”
I laughed, trying to think of a witty response. “I’m sure the college experience does not include bribing the administrators to let an ex-criminal into college. Oh wait! Take that even further, you also bribed them to make me your roommate.”
Levi threw his head back and chuckled. “I didn’t want you to have another hot guy as your roommate.”
“Don’t worry. He couldn’t have been more annoying than you.”
“I am not annoying.”
“Sure.” I nodded along, pretending to agree to his false claims. I jabbed a finger into his stomach. “The beach, Levi. I want to say goodbye to the beach.”
He heaved a sigh. “Fine, fine. I’ll drop you off and then I’ll get some gas. By the time I get back, you should be done.” He took a quick turn down an unpaved road until he came to a dead end; the beach in clear view.
“Thanks,” I quickly thanked him and ran down the shore until I stood where the water met the sand. I took in a deep breath, savoring the smell of the salt water. I really was going to miss this place, but now I was starting a new page with Levi and I couldn’t be more excited.
“Damien?”
I shot my head to the direction of the voice and smiled when I saw the very familiar brown-skinned beauty. “Melanie?”
She interlocked her hands behind her back and walked towards me. “Wow, it’s like seeing a ghost. I thought you left town. I haven’t seen you around. How have you been, Damien?”
I scratched my head, unsure of what to say. “I-It’s Cooper. That’s my real name.”
She raised her brows for a second but slowly nodded, understanding. “Well, Cooper, where have you been hiding?”
“I’ve been living with Levi and his family. We’re actually on our way to our dorms right now. Aren’t you like angry at me? Disappointed or something?” I studied her expression carefully, ready to bolt if she started to rant about me being a bad person.
“Sam told me. I didn’t find out on the news like everyone else. I guess I should’ve been mad, but the difference between me and everyone else is that I’ve actually gotten to know you. You’ve given me great advice. You even took a beating for me. I could never be disappointed in a guy like that. From what I hear, you and Levi really love each other. I’m proud of you.” She continued to walk towards me until we were inches apart.
“Thanks Melanie. You’re a really great friend.” I threw my arms around her petite body and pulled her closer, embracing her.
The sound of a distant honk pulled me away from the hug. I followed the noise with my eyes and saw Levi’s car waiting at the top of the hill.
“I’ve got to go now,” I told her, turning to face her.
“You do what you have to do. Remember, everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, then it it’s not the end.”
I smiled softly at her. “Bye, Melanie.”
“Bye, Cooper.” She waved as I walked away.
When I got back to Levi’s car, he looked at me with a questioning look. “Did you say goodbye?”
“Yeah.” I bit my lip as I slid into the passenger seat, still smiling. “I did.”
~*~*~
Now, I am offically crying. Here it is, the very last chapter! Thank you guys soooo much for going on this journey with me and supporting this book. It truly means a lot. But hey...if you thought this book was over...it is. BUT there's going to be another chapter that I'll be posting that will be finishing facts. You know, what happened to all the characters. All good things, I promise. So, keep on reading for that!
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~lara <3
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Serendipity
Teen FictionIt started with a fortunate mistake It ended in a mistaken fortune. * * * * They get gold if they're lucky. Most of the time, they settle for silver. It's not a question for Damien Jacobs. For his whole life, he has been stealing fr...
