A Little Hope

Epilogue

Gabriel's POV
I didn't even know why I was here. It had been two years since Savannah dumped me that day. We were going to go to France. She was going to be mine.

I sighed deeply. The past was in the past and I needed to move on. It was just difficult and I hadn't had a girlfriend since. Savannah and I had still kept in contact, of course. Just the bare minimum though.

I was surprised to see the wedding invite. I figured I would go and leave right after the ceremony. I owed Savannah that much at least.

The trip here had been painful. I hadn't been back in this area since I left for France that rainy day. My tuxedo was black, customary for weddings but also for funerals. Maybe this was my funeral.

Sebastian had come out, signally the ceremony was going to start soon. I ushered myself into the darkest corner, wanting to remain unseen. I would watch Savannah marry the love of her life, and then I would leave. This would be what got me to move on.

My silence was interrupted by a loud whisper from the seat next to me. The seat was occupied by a dark haired girl wearing a short blue dress. She leaned in and whispered into my ear, "I see I'm not the only who is pained by this wedding."

I stared straight ahead and ignored this strange girl. I was here to get over Savannah, then leave and bury myself into law school. I thought about France. France was waiting for me to come back. France was my escape from a blond haired girl that still consumed my heart.

The girl didn't seem to notice my ignoring her. She pulled out a goofy smile and whispered once more, "I'm Lily. And you are?".

"Trying to pay attention that's what. The bride will be out any moment," I said with an extra harshness.

She pulled back and bit her lip before coming back in, "I hear she's pregnant, you know. That's not why their getting married. Sebastian proposed a year ago, but recently they found out so that's why they rushed the wedding a little bit."

I felt irritation grow inside of me. Who was this little pest that would say something like that about my Savannah. I checked myself. She wasn't mine. She was his. She made that abundantly clear when she ran into his arms and left mine.

"You shouldn't really listen to rumors, you know," I said.

She grinned at my response and said cheekily, "Oh, don't worry. I check my sources. It kind of helps when your best friend is the groom."

"Your friends with Sebastian?" I asked her surprised.

"Mhm, sort of. I wanted to be more than friends at one point. I almost had him too, until he saw Savannah outside his window," she said with a faraway look in her eye.

She seemed to be talking to her and recalling a memory as she carried on, "He didn't even see me anymore. He saw her and that was it. He got reminded that she was the only person that he would ever truly love. It was like they were made for each other and that is their sole purpose in their life. Good for them but sucks for us. I figured you're the guy she dumped. You're the only other miserable person here. You just suck at hiding it."

My mouth was left ajar as I took in her words. "What did you say your name was again?" I asked.

"Lily. And you're Gabriel, I assume?" She responded.

I nodded and was about to say more but then I heard the pianist start playing the intro song for Savannah to walk in. We all stood up and the doors opened.

Savannah walked in, arm in arm with Jasmine and Rue with both on the sides of her. She wore a white dress with laced sleeves and a long trail flowed behind her. She looked stunning.

Everyone was looking at her, but she wasn't paying attention to them. Her eyes were set on Sebastian as his were on hers. The way they looked at each other, you just know they were made for each other.

The pastor was talking the typical wedding nonsense, but they weren't paying attention. They just kept each other's gaze and held each other's hand. When it came time for the vows, they mumbled the simple I do.

Then they kissed like no one else was in the room. They sealed their eternity with another with such passion and understanding that only other people could ever dream of. It really made me rethink to how I even manage to snatch her away for the little I had with her.

I looked over at Lily and she had a small smile on her face but I could see the sadness behind her eyes. I think I was right for coming. This is what I needed in order to say goodbye. I will say goodbye and move on.

I stared at the eccentric girl next to me and grabbed her small hand. She looked at me and nodded once at me, with her hand tightening around mine. I felt this weird connection with this gremlin next to me. I could tell she was different. She had the same energy as Savannah but it was somehow more different. Like she was still innocent like Savannah, but she was her person.

I watched as Savannah and Sebastian left. They were in each other's arms and I pictured their future together. I wondered if Savannah would stay little. I didn't know for sure but I knew her well enough that would be happy. The two of them would travel and fulfill their dreams. They would have their baby and maybe even more and take their trauma and use it to make them amazing parents. They would have each other and that would be enough for them.

I wondered if there would be someone to make feel enough. I glanced over at Lily. Maybe France would wait. Maybe I could stay here for a bit. Maybe that would be enough. All I needed was a little hope.

//END OF A LITTLE HOPE//