40. Epilogue

"Ready?"

I nodded, his palms remaining clasped firmly over my eyes and moving with the gesture.

"Alright..." he muttered. I could hear his steps moving around me, his fingers shifting so that light slitted through the gaps, but not enough to let me see anything. He shifted, his clothes rustling, and his fingers felt lighter over my eyes. "And... Here you go."

His hands lifted from my face and I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the light.

And then I saw it.

The ocean.

I screamed.

"You did not!"

He couldn't answer before I was out of the car, kicking my shoes off and sprinting across the hot sand towards the water.

It burned at my feet, and my steps were sloppy, slipping and unused to the way sand shifted under your toes, but it was perfect.

It was everything I'd imagined and more.

Waves rising towards the sky. Blends of blue and green and turquoise lined with the whites of sea foam. Sand – blindingly white, the water chewing at its edges. Shells pressing on my skin beneath the soles of my feet and the sound of seagulls in the distance, blending with the calming noise of waves.

Jace was behind me, picking my shoes up in his arms and jogging towards me, a massive smile splitting across his face.

As soon as he reached me, I threw myself into his arms. He dropped our shoes, laughing and wrapping his hands around my waist, lifting me off the ground.

"I take it you like the surprise then?" he asked, grinning.

"Like it?" I echoed in disbelief. "I love it. Did I ever tell you that you are the best boyfriend ever?"

"Once or twice," he teased. His smile softened and he took my hand, squeezing my fingers. "Congrats on graduating, Jasmine. Never thought we'd have made it."

"You're telling me." I snorted.

Two years ago, graduation seemed like a distant dream. Now, it was real. We had graduated. We were done. And we were going to college soon. Together.

We'd rented an apartment together. A tiny, squished together apartment just an hour out from West Mormet. We could still visit our therapist. I could still volunteer at the centre and visit my family. And Jace was an hour closer to California. Sure, it was still far, but it was closer, and he'd gotten his own car now.

Things were moving forward.

Jace's hand tightened around mine and I craned my head up, but he wasn't looking at me.

He was looking towards the ocean, the sun turning his eyes a bright gold. He smiled and I could see a million Jaces in one. The boy with eyes that seemed wise beyond his years. The boy with a limp. The boy who kissed me breathless. The boy who graduated.

I leaned against his side, feeling his warmth, feeling his skin.

The ocean swelled, water brushing over my toes and sending a chill up my spine. The water was cold.

It was cold, and tugged at me, slowing my movements, sometimes drowning me.

But not today.

Today, I could see how the sun glittered over waves. How the water splashed over rocks and pulled at the sand. I could feel the sand under my feet and the sun on my face. The wind, whipping at me hair. Salt, sticking to my skin.

Jace's hand squeezed mine again and I melted into him. I didn't have to speak for him to know what I was thinking.

I'd reached the surface and I could see the horizon.

THE END

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I had to make the whole ocean thing come full circle hehe

Well, it looks like we've made it to the end! Thank you all so so much for following Jace and Jasmine along on their journey! This story was the most difficult story I've ever written, but I think it was worth it. I've grown so attached to these characters and their stories, and I'm really really going to miss reading all of your comments every week!

I really hope you all enjoyed this story! Ily all so much and seriously appreciate all the support you've given me! It really motivated me not to give up on this story!

Thank you so much for reading Like Gold, and I'll see you in another book!

- liv xx