epilogue

there were a lot of ties in the voting for the epilogue ! so i'm trying my best to see how it turns out ! here we go <3

(also i think people didn't get notifs for the last chapter ! if u didn't i'm just here to let u know that it's out !)

***

Jason is laughing.

And not any of those shy chuckles or low cackles. No, this is a full out melody, eyes bright and grin wider as his teeth glint underneath the sun. 

Jupiter's all spread out onto his laps, one of his hands casually running over her coat, the bichon frise's tail wagging the entire time as she peers out of the window, tongue out.

I send Jason a quick glance from where I'm seated in the drivers seat, a chuckle escaping my lips as I glance over at him.

"What?" He asks, that smile never faltering as he tucks a longer strand of hair behind his ear, bringing his newly-pierced bottom lip beneath his teeth as he sends me a crooked grin.

"Nothing," I say with a soft chirp. "I just missed you."

Going to different colleges always seemed to be the sign marking the beginning of the end of a relationship. But our colleges were less than an hour away from each other, Jason making sure to drive over to my dorm every single week just because he could.

It's funny how I miss him despite the fact that the longest time we spent apart this year was three weeks. That was during April, when Jason had to crack down on guitar practice, seeing as he had to perform at an event in early May.

I'd listen to him play over and over again if I could.

My hands stay on the steering wheel as Jason's eyes stay on me, dark hair wisping behind him as that half grin never falters.

July rolled around, and with it, my nineteenth birthday. Jason hadn't wasted any time showing up at my dorm room and practically dragging me over to the pet shelter, where he'd found the most energetic bichon frise that he could. 

Jupiter.

I have to say, birthdays only seem to be getting better.

And now it's early August, sun beating down on us and weather all bright and energy-inducing. And not only is it August, but it's that day.

"You excited?" 

Jason's voice cuts through my thoughts, and my eyes flicker over to him as we turn a corner.

"Nervous as hell," I say, grin appearing on my lips. "But, yeah, pretty excited."

"Good," Jason says with a grin, black Vans tapping on the floor, his torso swaying from side to side as music rises to the air, "because all I'm hoping is that I did not slave away at that instrument store all last summer and this year, in vain."

"Please," I say, a cackle escaping my lips. "I can't even believe you managed to hold onto the job for that long. Because, like, you pissed off every single customer on a daily basis."

"Can you blame me?" he bats his eyelashes, running a hand through dark waves as he tilts his head to the side, his arms gently encircling Jupiter. "I really don't buy into that whole 'the customer is always right' bullshit." He shakes his head, incredulously. "Like, what type of headassery?"

My laughs rise to the air, mingling with his as I roll my eyes. "I mean, you have a point."

"There was this one middle-aged lady that kept on questioning my life decisions and asking me stupid-ass questions or making unnecessary statements." His eyes become vacant, a faint smirk on his face as his mind travels elsewhere. "Remember the time she got enraged because I kissed you in the store once?"

"Ah," I chuckle, making one last turn as trees rise blur past us. "She said it was inappropriate to be showing 'that kind of message' in front of her kids."

"And so," Jason says, cackling lightly. "I apologized before I decided to kiss you full-on. She reported me, and I may or may not have gotten suspended for a month, but I don't regret shit."

"Oh, I remember," I say, the laughs tumbling out in full force now. "And you had the audacity to turn to her and go: oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. Does this bother you? Because I can't say that I'm too sorry about that."

Jason cackles at this. And he's the only person that can look utterly devious and earth-shatteringly gorgeous as he does so. He sighs with a content grin. "Good times."

"Good times," I agree with an echo, Jupiter's head still poked out of the car window as Jason continues to grin.

After a few more minutes of our teasing reminiscing, we finally pull up to the apartment. It's one of those simple ones. Nothing remarkable, nothing special. But somehow, it's perfect.

I pull into the parking lot, exhaling a breath as we come to a stop. Jason's eyes rest on me, gaze soft, expression inquisitive.

"So, this is it," I exhale, eyes finding his as his rest on mine.

"Yeah," he says, voice gentle. A few seconds of silence pass as Jupiter shifts on Jason's lap, practically urging us to get out of the car already. "Hey," Jason says, pulling my attention back to him. "We don't have to move here, you know. If you don't feel comfortable, we can just hang out at your dorm. Or mine."

My chest softens. "Of course I want to be here. With you. We've spent the entire year working our asses off for this over-priced little place. But, it's worth it." My hands find his as Jupiter wiggles around. "Every second of this year and eight months has been worth it."

"Okay," he breathes, that redness dusting his cheeks again, "okay."

"Alright," I say, letting him tug me against him and press his lips against mine, a lip ring pressing against my bottom lip as he pulls away.

"That was hot," I say, as a smirk curves onto Jason's lip. 

"Would do more, but Jupiter wants to get moving and I don't want her to hate me again."

As if on cue, Jupiter lets out the sharpest little bark, Jason grinning as we undo our seatbelts. With that, he kneels down, talking to Jupiter in that baby voice as he gets all her stuff from the trunk, holding her in his arms.

"Let's go, baby." Jason says, Jupiter snuggling into his arms as he glances back at me.

"Are you talking to me or Jupiter?" I tease, falling into step with me.

"Ha." He says, dryly, tossing his arm over my shoulder before winking. "You'll never know."

***

"It's a nice place," Jason says, breathing in the apartment, eyes scouting the simplistic but sweet area.

"It is," I say, nodding as Jupiter has a field day, running around the empty space. "And now, we have to set it all up. With our stuff."

Jason falls down onto the single couch, lazily miming tossing a ball at Jupiter, who whirls in circles as she tries to tell whether or not he's actually thrown it. "Do we, though?" He tilts his head to the side. "I'm feeling kind of lazy. Kind of unmotivated, to be honest."

Shaking my head, I give him a nudge in the foot with mine. "Lazy-ass."

"I am, and what about it?" Jason hums, legs propped onto the arms of the couch as he finally tosses the ball and Jupiter makes a run for it.

"Useless," I say blankly as Jason gasps.

"I came out to have a good time, and I'm honestly feeling so attacked right now," Jason says, hand rising to his chest in faux offense.

With a roll of my eyes, I make my way towards the luggage. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm going to actually start setting shit up, because someone here is responsible."

"Shade," Jason says, feet shuffling. I stay where I'm standing, eyes still on the luggage, scouting our things until I feel arms wrap around my torso.

"Jason." I say.

"Lucas." He echoes, his grip around my torso becoming tighter as I roll my eyes.

"You are not going to distract me," I say, more so for my own benefit than his. Not like he needs to know that.

"Oh?" Jason asks, breath fiery against my neck. I can practically see him batting his eyelashes in innocence even with my back turned to him. His voice lowers, "I wouldn't dream of such a thing."

With a sigh, I turn towards him, eyebrows raised. He just lets out a semi-victorious laugh, placing my arms around his shoulders.

"There we go," he says, voice low and teasing.

"You're being unhelpful," I say, but I'm smiling because Jason Nguyen has had my heart for twenty months and doesn't seem interested in returning it.

"I'm sorry," he grins, but his expression is anything but sorry as his hands settle on my waist. I let my shoulders sag, slowly giving in as I send him a death glare.

"So," Jason says, fully aware that he's won. "You think my lip ring is hot?"

"I..." My face flushes pink as I roll my eyes, grin appearing on my lips. "I'll tell you after you help me set shit up." I raise a warning finger. "After."

Jason sighs. "You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Garcia."

"And don't you forget it," I say, reclaiming victory as I side-eye him and Jupiter runs right past me, spitting out the bright yellow ball as Jason stoops down to pick it up.

And with that, we start setting things up, moving furniture around, hanging up Jason's artwork and images of my performances. We make this place ours.

And despite Jupiter bounding from place to place as he urges us to chase him around while toppling over some of our things, and despite Jason sliding next to me to flirt whenever he can, or the occasional kisses— I have to say that we make significant progress.

While shifting the position of a chair, the ringing of our doorbell snatches our attention away. With quick exchanged glances, I rush towards the door, blinking as I pull it open.

And there they are.

Monday, an oversized t-shirt hung over their slender frame as sneakers tap against the ground, and Ellie, hair even longer as she adjusts the cropped t-shirt she's wearing and her simple pair of jeans. 

It's been over a year.

Over a fucking year.

I let out some mangled sound of some sort as I wrap my arms around their frames.

"Missed us?" Ellie says, her voice soft as she lets out a laugh. From the living room, Jason makes his way up to them, Monday ruffling his hair before practically squealing at Jupiter as they make their way over to her, their arms ruffling her fur.

Ellie's belly button piercing flashes as she tosses both arms around Jason after both having stared blankly at each other for two minutes.

"Fuck, I just realized how much I missed you, asshole." She murmurs into his chest as he grins smugly.

"As you should," he chirps, Ellie rolling her eyes and pulling away.

"And it's worn off." She says, decidedly, glancing between the two of us.

"This is a really nice—" But before she can finish her sentence, there's a few knocks on our door, and I make my way over to the front, grin wide enough to touch the stars.

Leaning against the doorway is Avery and Peter, Riya Khatri smack in the middle of them as she wades further into the room.

"Oh my God," Riya says before anything else, her hand taking my wrist. She blinks several times before grabbing onto Jason's arm as well. 

"You both got matching tattoos. Shut up." She says, black hair swishing above her shoulders as Jason lets out a laugh.

Almost imperceptible if you don't look hard enough, I have a tiny rose that curves across the inside of my wrist, curving up my lower arm.

"Says you," Avery says, hair now multiple shades of pure pastel, grin wide. "You went ahead and broke my heart by cutting your luscious locks."

"RIP, Riya's luscious locks," Peter says solemnly, Avery leaning against his shoulder as he gives her a soft pat, other hand caressing his chest.

"At least I donated it to a good cause." Riya says, shrugging with a grin.

"We love to see it," Avery chirps, face rising from Peter's chest only to shoot a show-stopping grin her way.

A huff comes from the other side of the door, cutting through the conversation. "I told you we should've gotten sandwiches, too. What if they don't want sushi?"

"Look, I swear to fuck, Daniella—" A familiar voice starts from the other side.

Jason opens the door faster than I can blink. Dani lets out a shriek, shaking him as though her life depends on it. Amir pops a smile as well. 

"Fucking assholes," Jason laughs, tears in his voice, "you never told me you two were coming. Bitches. I missed you. Fuck off." He says, as they all hold onto each other, both Daniella and Amir laughing as Jason curses emotionally.

"Oh, and by the way," Riya chirps, one they've pulled away. "Will McClain sent us three pizza boxes without context."

Riya, Dani, and Will go to the same college. And even though they've filled me in on running into him every so often and engaging in light conversation, it's clear that Jason is still surprised by the whole thing.

"But," Dani says, leaning against Jason's shoulder as she continues, "he sent a note."

"Will?" Jason blinks, stunned for a second before his lips curve into a grin. Dani hands him the note and his eyes rove over it as he reads aloud. "Senior year was a ride. But, I'm honestly happy that we got to grow as people. Even if we kind of had to do it separately." 

A pause as Jason looks up. "We've worked through a lot, to be honest. And just so you know, your apology meant a lot, and I'm happy that we're  both doing better. By the way, I heard about you and Lucas." Jason's eyes find mine over the note. "You two are cute. (Not as cute as James and I, though.)" Jason cackles, as his eyes flicker to the end of the paper. "Wishing you all the best, Will."

"That's really nice of him," I say, Jason's eyes softening as they meet mine. A grin curves onto my lips. "Think you got that closure you were looking for."

"Tell me about it," Jason says, shifting over to me as he slides his arm around my waist. "And did you hear that?" He announces with a smug grin, eyes finding our friends'. "He said that Lucas and I are cute. Weep, peasants."

And with a flurry of cackles, the teasing ensues. We all set ourselves around the half-done living room, Dani passing trays of sushi around as Riya scrolls through Netflix. I bring my knees up to my chest as a grin curves onto my lips, Jason's arm around me as he trades insults with Amir and Ellie, and Jupiter spending the vast majority of her time all cuddled up with Monday.

And sure, there are light differences. Differences like the occasional pecks Ellie gives Monday on the side of their head. Differences like Riya's haircut and the new rings curving around Peter's fingers. 

Differences like Jason's lip ring which I most definitely do not have any problem with, and differences like the rose that curves onto my wrist, telling Jason's stories and millions more. 

Differences like Dani's designing contract, and Amir's internship at a tech corporation. 

Because, we've lived and we've loved and we've grown.

We've seen more of the world and fought with the changing seasons and tides. We've become better, stronger, fallen deeper in love, whether platonically or emotionally. We've met new people, like Dani's Dominican boyfriend, or Peter's vivacious partner in crime, Aiden. We've seen our worlds change and our universes alter.

But some things have stayed constant. Things like Avery's leg slung over Peter's own, or Dani and Amir's incessant bickering, or Jason's vintage t-shirts and unhealthy obsession with Sweater Weather. Things like me still jumping into acting, and playing roles that challenge me whenever I can.

Things like Jason having my heart and me having his.

Jason licks his bottom lip, grin curving onto his lips as he leans closer to me, breath fanning my face. "What're you thinking about?" he asks, softly.

I let out a breath. "Thinking about how..." I shake my head, laugh soft. "I love my life. And I love everything that's happened these past two years, and I wouldn't change a thing."

"And?" he asks, grin teasing, TV playing in the background as various conversation fills the air.

"I might love you. But, only a bit." I say, shrugging easily.

"You're right. Only a miniscule amount," Jason nods solemnly. "Too much and then it's..." he leans forward conspiratorially, "gay."

I gasp, a laugh threatening to bubble up in my throat. "Excuse me, that's highly inappropriate."

"It's not gay if I give you a little peck, is it?" Jason asks, still teasing. 

I pretend to think. "I don't think so. Only if it's a peck."

"Alright," Jason says, one of those grins curving onto his lips as his hand cups my face, and mine finds his hair. "Only a peck," he lies.

Once my lips meet his, that feeling of explosivity returns at full force, tongue sliding into my mouth, and hands gently caressing my face. My hands knot in his hair.

"I've decided that we're infinity," I say decidedly, murmuring against his lips as I usually do during our best conversations.

"You're late to the party," he says softly, the lip ring rubbing against my bottom lip as he grins. "I already established this the day that we started dating."

"So, you think that?" I ask softly, smile gentle. "That we're infinity?"

"Always," Jason says, and his eyes hold a promise that pull a grin across my lips.

"Always," I repeat with a soft smile, and he smiles too, his lips reconnecting with mine.

And with our friends teasing around us, and our kiss soft but passionate, our world seems to shift. I remember the day that Jason had walked into that GSA classroom and rocked my universe.

With our lips pressed against each other's, we become brighter. We promise everything and the world.

And that promise turns our future into electricity.

***

first i just wanted to say i love u all i love u all i love u all. this book was scary to start,, but i'm kind of in love with it ??

 i'll really miss writing this and falling more and more in love with jason and lucas as the story continued </3

but mostly,, i'm so happy that u chose to read this.

i appreciate and adore all of u and your comments that make my day. thank u so so much for being here <3

-hayle ❤



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