This is the official final. I love y'all. ❤️❤️
EPILOGUE | HE LOVES ME
As I look out of the window, staring into the cityscape of my hometown, my mind was caving into a sudden pull of thoughts.
I wonder what Kenji is doing right now.
Is he okay?
Is he safe?
It's been two months since Kenji was taken away from us, and though Julian had pushed me to do my senior year bucket list with my best friends it didn't completely stray away from the reminder that my brother was gone. I still had the ability to enjoy the final months of my high school summer (surprisingly) but I still remembered.
"Francena," Julian's soft voice pulled me away from looking at out of the car window. I turn to my boyfriend, his eyes laid on mine as he slams the driver's door closed behind him. He moves in closer, cupping my cheeks before pressing a delicate kiss on my lips.
It sends butterflies down my stomach, and as his soft lips pressed against mine, I couldn't help but return with much more intensity. Deepening the kiss as I lean in forward. This is the boy I love, the one that's been with me during my hard times and washes away all of my thoughts with a simple kiss.
Julian pulls apart, his eyes locked with mine as he regains reality, "it's going to be okay," he whispers quietly to me. I give him a whimsy nod, before pulling back out and resting my back against the leather seat.
"Have you taken your pills yet?" I ask, tilting my head slightly towards his direction. He nods, sliding the car keys into the ignition.
"Two in the morning." he replied, roaring the Mustang alive. I nod, pleased with the answer as I turn back to look away. "You know we didn't have to leave this early? Class starts in a month."
"I want to touch base with California," I replied, focusing on the trees in front of me. "Plus, living in that house was suffocating. Seeing my dad's face; a, I couldn't stop thinking of Kenji and b, I'm still upset with him."
I had told Julian I hated my father; completely, and utterly despise the man. He knew how I felt, and tried to reassure me that I didn't quote on quote, hate the man, I was simply upset. It took a lot of convincing before I could transfer the word out of my lips and suggest myself into my feelings. Upset. I'm upset with my father.
"He—"
"I know," cutting my boyfriend off, nodding to his words. I knew what he was going to say. He was going to lower my use of language about my father, probably into something more suggestive like dislike or distant away with him. Soften the impact. "I'm still upset."
Julian doesn't reply, "do you want to go visit anyone before we leave?" He pulls out of the driveway and I nodded as I answer his question wordlessly.
"Let's visit the rest of the gang first before we head to the airport, we still have about three hours." I shrug, my focus pinpointed towards the front of me instead.
"Then why did you make me come here so early?"
"Asian habits," I shrugged, causing Julian to let out a chuckle. I smile myself, leaning myself back against the seat as Julian drove smoothly down the road. He takes the first turn, making his directives towards a friend before stopping at the pristine community first.
"Nick," I said lowly as Julian pulls up to his large home. Nick's white Mercedes stacked in the long driveway. "You know, I don't have the best record being at his house."
"I know," Julian sends me a knowing look, "Nick told me that you told off his mom."
"Oh god," I cover my face, finding the story embarrassing. That's my boyfriend's best friend's mom. "I know, it was kinda disrespectful—"
"No, it's cool," Julian shrugs, "she didn't like me either. Despite the fact that I'm a hafu. But whatever, that doesn't stop me from hanging out with my best friend. I just don't come to his house."
"So why are we here...?"
"Because we have some goodbyes to say," Julian parks, pulling himself out of the car. "And your ass better be out of the car by the time I'm up that porch."
I roll my eyes, stepping out of the car as Julian slams his side close. I follow in suit, coming behind Julian as he walks up to the porch, ringing the doorbell in the front of the house. I suck in a breath, preparing myself for Patricia.
The door swings open, revealing Nick panting. I raise a brow at his obvious breathlessness and he offers me a wink, "I saw your car," pants, "and I rush–rushed down to open the door. I–I didn't want my mom to open."
"Good call," I pointed out and he chuckles, straightening up his space. He looks towards his best friend first.
"Leaving?" Nick calls out for Julian and he nods. "Alright, come here." Julian leans forward and the pair throws themselves into a hug. Nick patting Julian in the back as Julian returns the gesture. They settle down once they made some internal competition on who could hit harder.
As Julian pulls apart, Nick's eyes landed on me. "Come on, Francena?" He gestures me towards him. I pointed a finger at myself.
"Me? Ha, I remember when you hated—"
Nick cuts me short and comes closer to me, wrapping his arms around me. Though Nick is about the same height at Julian, in Nick's arms felt unfamiliar. Maybe because despite all the times we've hung out during the summer, and times before, I've never been blessed with the gift of Nick's hugs.
We pull apart and Nick keeps me in arm's length, his blue eyes settled on me. "Don't lose this one, Julian, I actually like her," Nick announces, eyes not turning away from me to look back to his best friend.
Julian laughs, and I see Julian appears by Nick's side. His hand on his best friend shoulder, "I know, I don't plan to either." Julian sends me a smile before pulling his best friend off of me. "I have to go say goodbyes to the others, see you... when I see you man."
"God, almost ten years of friendship and we're slipped apart from colleges." Nick said with a smile, though a small hint of sadness tainted his voice. "You better invite me to your wedding."
"And us to yours," Julian chuckles as he offers his best friend another pat on the back.
We went bid another fair of goodbyes before repeating the steps towards Isaac and Colin, finishing off with Julian's best friends before starting on mine. We decided to take the road towards Graham first and then Iris (if we have time by that point. Don't worry, Iris and me had set pre-goodbyes beforehand.)
"What about Gabriel?" Julian asks, and though I knew he was still uncomfortable with Gabriel, he still reminded me that Gabriel is still my friend.
"It's Gabe," I reminded and Julian merely shrugs, causing me to letting out a small laugh. He smiles. "Well, Gabe had already gone to his college up north. He said that though we were good friends to him, he knew that his relationship with us wouldn't be as strong as how Iris, Graham and I altogether. He'll still be in contact, but he's attempting to make friends up north."
Julian nods.
We pull up to Graham's apartment, finding the familiar complex as I'm reminded about my birthday. We pull to a parking space as I ring up to Graham's unit, heading up the elevator. Julian follows behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist as we enter into the hallway. I knock on Graham's door, and moments later, Tara opens the door.
"Hey!" Tara greets cheerfully, noticing Julian next to me. "Boyfriend?"
Julian nods, "yes, ma'am."
"Oh, god, don't call me ma'am, that makes me sound like my mother," she rolls her eyes as she looks back between me and Julian. "Anyways, Graham is inside, come in!"
She moves aside as Julian and I enter the large apartment. I had walked in before, but it was an amazement of how beautiful this complex is. The rooftop, the pool deck, and even their living space is amazing. This would be a true goal of mine if I make it in the city.
The apartment had two separate bedrooms, and private bathrooms. It owns a large modern kitchen and nice living space, with a balcony connected to the living room. Since Tara wanted a good view, she had the near highest apartment to her likings.
"Graham!" Tara yells, calling for her little brother before turning back to us. "Anyways, Julian, right? Don't hurt my sister or you'll answer to me." She said sternly before walking away, heading into her bedroom. Julian turns to me, with a confused — yet frightening — look and I stiffen a laugh. He arched a brow, asking me to explain.
"Inside joke," I replied between escaped laughs and Graham exits out of the room. He was in Calvin Klein boxers.
"Hey, Francena," he greets cheerfully, before turning to Julian. The smile slightly faltered between his teeth, "Dean."
"Rivera." Julian acknowledges and I roll my eyes. I remove myself from my boyfriend's grip as I walk over to Graham.
"I'm leaving soon for a flight, so I'm here to say goodbye," I declare, wrapping my arms around my best friend. He returns the hug, before pulling apart.
"We're going to the same school, though," Graham said, slightly baffled. "Why are you saying goodbyes?"
"Flights are terrifying, y'know, how the flights could—"
"LA LA LA!" Graham shoves me off and plugs in his ears, beginning to spit random syllables to block out my voice. I hunch over in laughter, knowing this is not helping his fear of heights. "Francena!"
"I'm joking, I'm joking," I said, choking on my laughs. I wipe a tear from my face, as Graham stared at me with a fixed pouting face. "Oh, shut up you man-child."
Graham rolls his eyes, dropping his arms by his side. "Okay, are you done here so I can get back to my porn?"
"GRAHAM!"
"Kidding, kidding," he sends a glance down to Julian who, despite holding up a front, was chuckling at Graham's play at a joke. "Oh look, I got the boyfriend to laugh."
"I didn't laugh,"
"Sure you didn't,"
I roll my eyes, shoving my best friend away, "stop teasing my boyfriend."
"Why should I? I'm sure you tease him all the time when you're alone, in bed—"
"GRAHAM RIVERA!"
"Okay, okay—stop hitting me!" I paused, as Graham slowly lowered his arms in his defence. One last hit before I back away. He turns to Julian, "I hope she doesn't abuse you like this."
Now, Julian laughs.
"Alright, mission accomplishment: he finally laughs." Graham mumbles under his breath and I roll my eyes at his idiocy. "Alright," Graham looks up between the two of us, "see you two in a month."
"Bye, Graham," I said, beginning to head out the door.
"Bye... Graham." Julian said, with a slight pause of hesitation between his takes. Graham looks at me with widen eyes before turning back to Julian.
"Bye," he said shortly, just as we stepped into the hallway, Graham's voice pulled me back.
"AND JULIAN," the name felt unfamiliar under Graham's tongue, "IT'S ONLY A MONTH. IF I HEAR ANY SHIT YOU DID FOR FRANCENA, I SWEAR TO THE FUCKING GODS THAT—"
"GRAHAM!"
He quiets. "Sorry, sis," he mumbles, and I couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Graham approaches the door, hands on the handle as he looks onto Julian. "About what I was saying," he said a bit lower, "if you do anything to Francena in the one month I'm not there, I will not hesitate to—"
"I got it, murder threats, protective best friend, got the gist," Julian waves off, seemingly unfazed from Graham's words. "Don't worry."
"Jesus, is no one scared of me? Rose is literally a feet shorter than me and Dean is not intimidated by me. What is going on with me?"
"You have a sweet face," I shrug nonchalantly. Graham looks at me with a pointed expression. "But you can be scary when you want to be."
"That's better," Graham smiles, "thanks Francena. Bye, guys."
He slams the door close and ends the conversation. I turn back to Julian, who stared at me with a passive look before breaking out into a laugh.
"That's your best friend?"
"Yup, and I love him to death, so don't say shit,"
"Wasn't trying to," he raise both hands in the air. "Just saying: I knew Rivera—I mean, Graham, for years on the team but he's never acted like before. It's cool."
"Oh, god. Hearing you and Graham call each other by your first name is weird; just return back to silently acknowledging each other with a nod in the head and last name displayed."
Julian chuckles, "who knows? Maybe we'll be good friends by the end of college." Julian muses.
"You better. Cause I'm planning on having the both of you around for a long time." I smile, causing Julian to return my glee. He bends down, planting a kiss on my lips before pulling apart.
"Anywhere else?"
"Time?"
"Less than an hour till our flight."
I frown, thinking that I've already said my goodbyes to Iris, it should be good. I shake my head and we retreat back to the car, entering through the car doors as Julian pulls out of the parking lot.
As Julian takes the highway down to the airport, a sudden thought occurred to me.
"Wait!"
"What?" He seems unfazed from my sudden reaction, probably knowing that I've done this too often to be surprised at this point.
"I actually do have one more place to go. And it's not a goodbye, so it'll only take a second."
"Are you sure?" He sends me a confirmation look, "cause we need to weigh our bag and board the plane and all that—"
"Yes." I nod, knowing that I definitely need to do this. Julian sighs, as I begin to pull up the directions of my next location. Luckily for us, we didn't have to go back and instead followed the same road to the airport with a different turn.
As Julian begins to pull up on the building, I ringed her to come downstairs. Knowing how time permits, Julian drops me off at the front as I begin to make out her silhouette of a figure in the background.
"Just one second," I promised, unbuckling out of the seat. I begin to run up the building as Iris' curls come into view.
"Francena! What are you doing?!" Her hands out as she panics for me, "you have a flight—"
I slapped it onto her hand, as she cuts herself off and looks down at her hand. A fifty dollar bill in her palm.
She opens her mouth, about to ask me what it's for when I simply smile. "You win. Fifty dollars. Easy money, right?"
It took her a moment before she explodes into laughter, clamping onto her knees as she hits her thigh. I shook my head, "I got it," she said, once sobering from her fit. "I got it."
"Good," I replied, turning back towards the car. "Well, I gotta go. Bye!"
"Bye," she reminds, a bold smile on her lips. "FaceTime!"
"Wouldn't be the same without it!" I shouted in return, hopping into Julian's car. I turn back to the boy, who gives me a curious, yet confused look. "What?"
"What was that all about?"
At the thought, I immediately raised to a smile. "Nothin'. Just a bet."
THE END