The Community Service Project

Epilogue

"Guys I can't believe were going to be seniors next year." I state as I put my hand on my forehead to block out the hot summer sun.

"We really need to make the most of it." Lucy declares, as she finally looks up from her passionate makeout session with Zach. Lucy and Zach have been dating since. This is one of the most serious relationships Lucy's ever had. They've already said "I love you's" to each other.

"Drinks are here!" Matthew says as he comes out from inside and onto the deck with a bunch of beers in his hand. Sofia, Izzy, Francis, Lucy, Zach, Matthew and I are all currently up at Sofia's lake house for the fourth of July. She usually invites us up during the summer so she continued that routine this summer. We were all surprised that her parents let her extend the invite list.

"Matthew." Lucy says suddenly, after she takes a sip of the beer in her hand.

"Yes?" He asks.

"I dare you to go jump off the dock." Lucy states.

"Alright. It was getting too hot anyways." Matthew states as he runs to the dock, with us all following him from behind.

"Walk the plank." I tease him.

"You first." And before I know it, I'm pushed in the water by Matthew. Everyone begins laughing and Matthew jumps in right after. Then everyone else starts jumping off, doing cannonballs off the doc.

Later that night.....

It was currently 1am, but Matthew and I were sitting on the hammock on the deck, watching the fireworks go off.

"Matthew it was you who donated all that money to the senior home wasn't it." I state suddenly. I had been wondering for a while now but thinking back to it, it all adds up. I mean the senior center wasn't able to get money for construction for years and then the second Matthew shows up, someone anonymously donates money. I can't believe I hadn't realized it earlier. I guess I just hadn't given it enough thought. 

"Fine you caught me. Yeah well I had asked my dad to help me donate some. So with both the payments we were putting in at the same time, it was enough to cover construction."

"I can't believe it. Why didn't you tell me? Why leave me to figure it out on my own?" I ask.

"It didn't come up." He shrugs. I sat in his arms for a second or two in silence....

"I have a question." I say suddenly. 

"What is it?" He asks. 

"When did you start liking me?" I ask.

"Hmm well I remember thinking you were super pretty. And then that night we were painting late at the senior center, kind of started it all. I actually fully realized my feelings for you a couple days before Lucy's party and I was planning on telling you at her party but that obviously didn't go as planned..." Matthew states. 

"Oh my gosh I remember when we stayed late at the senior center painting, that was so fun." I say. 

"I know." He agrees. 

"Listen Ellie I need to tell you something now...."

'What is it?" I ask.

"Our relationship is so different from my past ones because you're so special. And my main goal was to make sure it wasn't like my past relationships. I just wanted to tell you how special you are to me. Ellie, I love you so much." He states. Butterflies go off in my stomach at his statement. 

"I love you too." I am so thankful we are in the dark so he doesn't see the blush on my cheeks. Yes, I still get embarrassed about blushing in front of him.

Matthew then plants a kiss on my lips. I definitely didn't expect to be here right now with Matthew Haze, watching the stars on the 4th of July, but here we are. I couldn't be happier....

The end!!

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading!! I hope you liked it!