2.0 The Chronicles of Us - Shame & Blame

Epilogue one

*♡ Ellie ♡*

Lollapalooza!

My first real festival. I'm in love with the ambiance and happy vibes. The fact that my guy is performing definitely adds to the experience. The band is not headlining, but they will play at the mainstage. I'm so proud of them.

It's hard to believe a whole year has passed since I moved back to Los Angeles. So much has happened, and all for the better. We are still looking for another apartment, but my therapy sessions with one of Gabriela's colleagues really helped, so we're not in a hurry to move. As insomnia and fear disappeared, lust for life returned permanently. Not only lust for life. My goodness! Those first few weeks we were nothing but utterly insatiable. I have pictures to prove it.

After a while, we found a nice routine. A balanced life. Busy days filled with photography and fulfilling nights being in his arms. We enjoy parties again. The fun kind. No more excessive drinking and casual drug use. Just the occasional tipsy nights with our friends. Our real friends.

I guess we became a normal couple with a normal life. Although, traveling across the country and strutting down red carpets on Tex' arm may not be considered normal. It's our normal, though. And it's great! Sure, we argue sometimes and there are things we still need to talk about. Important subjects like—

"Ellie! Put that camera down and join us."

I snap a picture while Maggie sticks her tongue out at me. Our friendship is better than ever. Now that she lives and works in L.A., we get to see each other all the time. "I can't help it. You two look so cute together!"

Frank gives me a wink and pulls Maggie closer to his side. They are madly in love like Tex and I are. In many ways, Frank looks the same but a lot healthier. "If you have to take pictures." He slants his head and shows me an overly done sultry look. "At least get them from my good side."

His modeling career really blew up his ego. A couple months ago, Tex agreed to do an interview for a health magazine. The purpose of the story was to crack open the taboo on male depression. Tex only had two conditions: Frank would join the interview, for he struggled with some issues of his own, and I would do the photoshoot. That spread skyrocketed both mine and Frank's career. None of us had foreseen Frank becoming an editorial model. Apparently, handsome though-looking guys are highly sought after.

"Here," Jonathan says, handing me a beer from the carton tray. "I have some good news. Remember that gallery on Rodeo Drive I mentioned a while back?" I nod and take a swig of beer. "You're looking at their newest curator! They gave me a call while I was in line at the bar."

I shriek, spilling all my beer when I throw an arm around his neck. "You and Aaron are moving to Los Angeles!"

Maggie joins our excitement, beaming brightly, and wraps her arms around our shoulders. "Isn't this great? The whole gang is here, having a kick-ass time, and soon we'll all be together in L.A. as well! Really, Ellie, who would've thought you'd be the one to make it all happen?"

I give a dismissive shrug. "You give me too much credit, Maggs. Tex got you the job at his label and Jonathan found a new job all on his own. I have nothing to do with that."

She nods, peering over the rim of the plastic cup. "That's true, but none of us would be here if you hadn't dumped that loser David. Just imagine how horrible your life would've been if you had married Mr. mommy-issues."

What a fool I was to think that a loveless marriage could somehow be gratifying. My relationship with Tex has taught me that true love needs no legal validation. It's wholly sacred by definition.