The Anatomy Of Skailer King

32.// epilogue: a year later

So much had changed in a year like Jackson and me going from dating to breaking up, back to dating again, until we decided to just break up.

Ian and Alec had been dating and going strong for a year now and Caleb was completely focused on football, he loved having Nate as a coach.

I loved my classes and I'd even made a few friends but we all sort made a promise last summer....

"Hey Richards" smiled Jackson, joining me as I stared down at the water below us where I'd first met Skailer in her element

"Hey Grover" I smiled turning to him

"You all realised how weird this is, right?" questioned Alec standing to my right with Ian

"I doubt anything is weird with this group anymore" stated Ian as we all look down, waiting for the final member of our group

"Should I be worried that you're all standing and looking down at the cliff?" asked Caleb with a smile as he stood to my write, filling the space between Jackson and I

"Hey Richards" I smiled up at him

"Hey Richards" he smiled back as I pulled my letter out of my pocket, "I hope you know I put alot of effort into this shit"

"Who's first?" I chuckled

"Me" said Ian excitedly before unfolding his letter, "Dear Skai. It's been a year and good news is Alec and I are stronger than ever, bad news is I came out to my parents and I'm pretty sure they disowned me but that's okay because I have these idiot. I just wanted to say thank you because without you none of this would not have happened, you are my favourite pep talks over iced coffee and I miss you. PS I finally listened to that playlist you sent me and I'm in love with it"

"I'm next" said Jackson talking a step forward, "Dear Skailer. The first time we ever talked, you said I had a laugh worth writing about and I found someone who did exactly that, now everytime I read that ridiculous poem, my mind goes back to that afternoon in your backyard on your birthday when you made me laugh so hard that I forgot how to breath. That will always be my favourite memory even years from now because I choose to remember you at your best. From the idiot who you once bit"

"She bit you?" questioned Alec

"Don't question it" smiled Jackson as Alec nodded his head before unfolding his letter

"Dear Skai. I didn't know what to write because no words could honestly say how much I miss, you gave me an idiot that I love the hell out of and you gave me the courage to be myself despite fear that the world won't accept me. Ian wouldn't be him without you and I wouldn't be lucky enough to love him without the night you called me and told me to buck up. I've never told anyone about that night but you talked me off the edge and for that I'll always love you. PS, your secret is safe with me"

"Guess I'm next" stated Caleb with a sigh as he opened his letter, "Dear Skai, the first girl who I've loved. I wrote you a letter everyday this year, told you about everything and how much I missed you so I'll tell you the one thing I couldn't write. I didn't love with you, I was in love you, with your pain, your scars and the way your smile lights up even the darkest days. You are my breath of fresh air and playing football is easier than admitting that I'm suffocating since you left but I'm getting help, I swear. I'm going to therapy and I'm working on not falling apart whenever I remember you. From, the boys who's hoodie you wouldn't return"

"Caleb" I mumbled as everyone hugged him as he wiped his tears away

"I'm fine, just read your letter already" he mumbled as everyone released him

"Dear King. So much has changed since the last time we talked, like me having a boyfriend and even though I've only been with him for a month, I really think you'll like him. He makes me laugh and smile and when I'm him I'm not sad because when I'm alone all I can think about is you and how if you were still here I'd tell you that you were the best thing that every happened to me, every single day because you are and you deserved so much more than whatever little time you got on this world. You always made everyone around you's life better and I wish I could have done the same for you" I read as Jackson grabbed a lighter from his pocket

"If any of you burn your fingers, it is none of my business" stated Jackson, his voice cracking, making it clear that he was crying though I was pretty sure everyone else was crying too

"Just give me the damn lighter" said Caleb with a sniffle as he set his paper alight before passing the lighter to me

"Can we rush this along, I've already cried. I don't need you to burn my fingers too" stated Jackson as everyone turned to him with a frown

Soon enough all our papers were on fire and we all stared down at the water.

"To Skailer King" we all said as we released our papers

"You realise we just contributed to global warming, right" stated Caleb as I hit him in the side with a frown

"Anyone else suddenly want Starbucks?" asked Ian as all eyes turned back to him

"Yep" said Alec

"Me too" said both Jackson and I as Caleb shrugged

"I could do with some coffee" he mumbled