My Crush's Bestfriend

》Epilogue《

A/N It's done. It's bad, but it's done. Also tried editing it but I can't even make it past the prologue without cringing😃I just needed to be done with this awful book lmao enjoy :) 

"Holding on to all this strange behaviour. Can't believe what I thought would save me- a pretty girl." -Bleachers

-UNEDITED-

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A Year Later

It's been exactly one year since that day. The day all the pieces finally fell into place. 

I stood in front of the slightly weathered gravestone, tracing my finger over the engraved name.

Jordan Evans

It didn't feel real. Standing in this grim graveyard surrounded by death. It was a reminder to me to live every day to the fullest because I truly didn't know when I would take my last breath.

Jordan didn't. 

I visited Jordan's grave every day since the incident. Even in knowing that he was using me, that I was just a pawn in one of his games with Alex, I felt guilty. I felt responsible for his death. 

I should have noticed the symptoms in Alex. I should have recognized them. From the moodiness to the possessiveness. It was something I grew up observing when it came to my father's condition. It was something Alex silently suffered with. Remaining undiagnosed until it was too late. Until a life was already lost. 

His anger got the best of him that day just like it got the best of my father all those years ago. Alex took the loss of his best friend the hardest. They might have had their differences but Alex didn't want him dead much less be the one to kill him. 

He had a breakdown that day when the ambulance arrived. He cried until there were no more tears to shed. He kept apologizing between his incoherent mumblings. He was lost. His eyes weren't the same ones that I loved, they were now full of pain. Pain, regret and above all confusion. My heart broke for him. I looked at him that day and saw my father. I looked at him and felt his heartbreaking along with mine as the realization of everything finally set in. 

 He faced trial for his actions but due to his mental state at the time, faced no jail time. He was admitted into a mental facility and has been improving gradually. He's learnt to accept and manage his condition. I visit him almost as much as I visit Jordan's grave. I couldn't hate him. It hurt me deeply when I found out the truth when I found out he chose me to be the latest victim in their games. Yet I couldn't hate him. I knew he felt something for me. I knew because it was what caused him to finally break that day. That's why I felt guilty. I've been seeing a therapist and working on that though. I've been working on myself.

I heaved a heavy sigh as I placed one of the bouquets of flowers on his grave before walking a few feet away to another grave. I stooped as I gently rest the other bouquet on the barren grave. My father's. I had to endure two funerals that week. I grieved for my father and mourned the loss of Jordan. It was a tough time for me. I was in a dark place. My thoughts were constantly consumed with death. I barely left my house for months after that. I barely attended my classes. I was depressed beyond words but my mother and my friends helped me through it. They pulled me out of my slump and I will forever be grateful to have a support system. 

A heavy arm draped around my shoulder, pulling me into a hard chest. I immediately knew who it was by the warmth that coursed through my body. A small smile played on my lips as I leaned into him as he placed a soft kiss on the side of my head. 

"Ready to go?" River inquired as I wrap my arms around him. 

I looked up at him nodding. He grinned at me showing off his deep dimples as he lowered his head to plant a quick kiss on my lips. He pulled away, intertwining out hands as we walked back towards his truck where Mia and Parker were waiting. 

He pulled open the passenger door for me like the gentleman he is, before buckleing me in. He flashed me a smile as his hand teasingly lingered on my waist. I leaned forward, unable to resist him as I plant my lips against his. We pulled apart laughing as Mia and Parker groaned in annoyance at our antics.  

River and I started dating a month ago. He has always been there for me and it was no secret he liked me. I always thought it was a passing phase but after seeing the way he stood by me when I was at my lowest, I knew I couldn't let this one go. I asked him out and he was way too eager to agree. I smiled at the memory.

"God, you guys can't keep your hands off each other for more than a second. If I have to watch my brother stick his tongue down my best friend's throat one more time I'm going to barf." Mia complained making a face to show her disgust. 

"Mia we've had to endure this with you and Parker for years." I pointed out chuckling. 

"She's right. Cut them some slack babe they're in the honeymoon phase." Parker teased as he plants a kiss on her cheek. 

"It's different!" she protested. "He's my brother." she shivered for dramatic effect. 

River rolled his eyes at her, closing my door as he rounded the truck to the driver's side. He buckled his seatbelt, turning to me with a smile that I've always silently appreciated but can now openly adore. "Let's get this road trip started."

Parker whooped in the backseat, "College here we come!"

I content smile crept across my face as I turn the music up, ready to start a new adventure with my best friends. 

The End.