Hidden Within

epilogue

"I didn't burn the cake," Mom assures me as she sets a large pan down on the table. A knowing gleam shines in her gaze.

"I'm proud of you, Mrs. Carter," Mason teases. "I almost didn't think you had it in you."

"Oh, please." Mom rolls her eyes as she sets two candles atop the cake, careful not to mess up the frosting she spent hours decorating the cake before me with. "You're not funny."

A round of laughter breaks out around me. I'm too excited to pay much attention to the commotion. I can't do much besides study the cake on the table, my stare fixated on the candles that together make the number eighteen. I still haven't managed to wrap my head around the fact that I woke up an adult today. So much time has flown by in the blink of an eye.

Glancing around the room, I take in the scene as I realize with a start that today will be one of the last few memories I make during my childhood before I move onto life behind the walls of my parents' house. The people I love most and who have been by my side over the past year are gathered around me. Mason picks at my mother, who bickers with her playfully. Kai and Clover argue over which type of cake is superior, the contestants being chocolate or red velvet. Devon sits with my sister at the bar, my father standing next to them. Luna is seated at the table beside Clover, shaking her head as her girlfriend argues with Kai. Grace and Bianca stand off to the side by my left, as I have once again grown close with them over the past few months. As it turns out, neither of the girls had been big fans of Delaney, though the fit into the group I found when I began dating Devon easily. Today feels nearly perfect, as if nothing could possibly go wrong.

I notice the sound in the room fade to silence as the lights in the kitchen are suddenly cut off. Mom leans over the table to light the candles atop the cake, and all of my friends and family gather around the table to sing me happy birthday. I'm beaming as I revel in the moment, leaning forward in my seat to blow out the candles, remembering to make a wish as I do so. I wish for more moments like this. To make more memories with the people I love.

I open my eyes to find that the flames that had previously been dancing atop the lit candles have been extinguished. The overhead lights cut back on and illuminate the room. The cake is soon cut and slices are handed out as my friends wish me a happy birthday, taking seats at the table around me and striking up conversation. Devon falls into the spot beside me after kissing the top of my head, resting a hand on my knee beneath the table and turning to face me with a smile.

"My girl is all grown up," she teases. There's a slight ring of truth to her words. It's hard to believe that our junior year of high school has come and gone, and that our senior year is soon to start. All things change with time, and I can easily see the way the past few months have made a difference in Devon's appearance. She looks somewhat older now, wiser even. Happier. She practically glows.

"I haven't even graduated high school yet," I retort.

Devon laughs, squeezing my knee comfortingly. I join in on the conversation my friends are sharing, adding to the chatter and laughter going on. The moment is as perfect as I'd hoped it would be, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't immensely happy with the way my life has turned out. I never thought I'd reach this point, but I'm grateful I never gave up, even though I can admit there were times I'd wanted to.

I think back to the past year, recalling all that has happened. Last summer had been hell compared to this summer, which has so far been three wonderful months that consisted of growing closer with my friends and spending nearly all of my free time with Devon. Grace and Bianca returned to my life as Delaney slipped out of it. She hasn't reached out to me in a long time, not that I'm bothered by this. She has a new group of friends I see her around with occasionally. I can only hope Delaney has reached a point in her life where she can be happy.

Next to me, Devon swipes frosting across my nose. I shove her as my friends laugh, squealing in mock-disgust as Devon leans over to lick the pink frosting from my face. Daisy tries to hop up on the table to snag pieces of cake, which has my mother fussing and everyone else bursting into giggles all over again.

I'm surprised when I hear the doorbell ring, as I'm not expecting any other guests to make an appearance today. I glance over at my mom, who meets my gaze from across the kitchen and answers my unspoken question with a shrug.

"I'm going to see who that is," I tell Devon as I rise from my chair.

"Okay," she says with a nod. "I'll miss you, though."

I laugh as I press a gentle kiss to her lips, assuring Devon that I'll be back soon. I exit the kitchen and cross over to the entryway, catching a quick glimpse out of the window as I pass. I don't notice any new cars parked in the driveway, which adds to my curiosity as to who the surprise guest could be.

Opening the front door, I can't even fathom who I'm about to greet. Needless to say, I'm dumbfounded by the person I come face-to-face with, unable to speak or think straight as I stare through the open doorway in shock.

I take her in, blinking to be certain what I'm seeing is real. I study the chestnut-colored hair, olive complexion, and lean figure. My gaze fixates on the sprinkling of freckles across the sharp-featured face I'm met with before finally settling on a pair of multi-colored hazel eyes I know all too well.

"Hi," says a voice I haven't heard in so long I'd nearly forgotten what it sounded like. Just the simple word brings back a whirlwind of memories.

I can't seem to come up with anything to say besides a mere word; a name I haven't said aloud in what feels like forever.

"Sloane?"

___

a/n: i love a good cliffhanger. pls y'all don't kill me for this ending.

on that note, i want to thank those who read this story from the bottom of my heart. this is probably one of the most meaningful stories i have written (and the most personal), as it is the first i've written based around an lgbtq+ couple. i think it's really important to see more representation of my beloved community portrayed in the media, and i wanted to be a part of normalizing this needed representation.

to any of my lgbtq+ readers, or any allies of the community and anyone else reading this, please know that you are valid. you are worthy. you should never feel as if you have to hide who you are. and most importantly, you are not alone.

once again, thank you all for reading. i hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as i enjoyed writing it.

until next time,

- c