The Bet [FINISHED]

Epilogue

3 Years later

It was a cold winter morning. The laughter of young children playing in the snow filled the misty air. Beautiful shaped snowflakes made their way down to the fields and gardens. Lucia closed the book she was reading and leaned her head back to the stone she was sitting in front of. As she sighed, the cold wind left her mouth, while a tear was rolling down her cheek. I'm sorry. She turned around, now looking at the stone she was leaning against. I know I promised not to cry anymore. I just miss you so much. Lucia wiped the snow off the rock, which made the letters visible.

Marie Edwards
1978-2014

Lucia was able to bring out a light smile.
Her mother had died a few weeks after her accident because of the epileptic seizures she had to deal with. Lucia lost everything on that day. She had no one to talk to, no one to make her feel better, since she had told her best friends Cynthia and Olivia how she felt about all of the things that happened and that she had seen them as bad friends and people and also after what happened between her and Henry. Since that day, she didn't talk to any of them. For 3 years, Lucia used to be alone spending time in the graveyard while talking to her mother. She had also developed an interest for reading books. That was the only thing that kept her going and the only place where she felt extremely safe.
Birds flew as the church bells started ringing. Lucia took a look at her wrist, where an old watch which used to be her mums was attached. 9AM already? Shit I'll be late again. 

Since she was the only one left from her family and underage, she had to live with her aunt, her mothers sister. They lived 2 hours away from her hometown, in a small neighborhood, close to a church. That was also the place where her mum was buried. Lucia went to college and unfortunately didn't find a lot of friends to hang out with or at least talk to. She was the quiet one, who was busy reading instead of concentrating on the lesson. After a few months living there, her aunt developed a sickness which made her unable to work, so Lucia had to take her place and work as a barista at a coffee shop. She quite enjoyed that job, it was something that distracted her from her problems.

Lucia got up and started walking to the bus station. As she sat down on the cold bench, she opened her book to continue reading. After a few minutes passed, she noticed someone taking a seat next to her. Without taking a look, Lucia kept on reading.

„Hey uh sorry." A deep voice said.
She turned her head to the person next to her.
Dark eyes, dark hair. A beautiful man.
„Can I ask what you're reading?"
Lucia was lost in her thoughts. He looked so familiar but so unfamiliar at the same time.
„Uh, yea sure, this is just a book I randomly bought, nothing big." She showed him the cover of the book. The man chuckled.
„You know, I used to read that all the time when I was younger. It was my favourite book."
His eyes were focused on hers.
Lucia felt like she had skipped a heartbeat. She immediately turned her head back to him.
No. No no no. This can't be true. This can't be...

„Hello Lucia."

Henry.

„Henry!" She threw herself in his arms. His body was warm as he let out another chuckle.
She didn't wanna let go. Ever again.
Her face was filled with tears.
Tears of joy.
Excitement.
Confusion.
As their hug loosens, Henry studies her face.
Her clothing. Her body.
„You haven't changed a bit, do you know that." Henry pushed back the hair that fell in front of her face.
„You're still as beautiful as I remember you."
Lucia let out a weak smile. A relieved one.

„I missed you so much Henry. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me, I-..."
He laughs. A deep genuine laugh.
Huh, why is he laughing...?
He then lets out a deep sigh.
„I know Lucia. I knew it from the start. I mean, why would someone like you start liking the unpopular kid. Do you think I didn't notice those stares and you guys whispering and laughing? And on that day, when I was in front of your door, I could see how you broke down. I just..."
He looked down on his feet.
„I needed time to think about all of that."
Henry met her eyes. His dark eyes will never stop making her feel safe.

„I never stopped loving you, Lucia."

Lucia raised her eyebrows. Nothing could stop her from sobbing right now. Henry's comforting smile warmed her heart.

„I love you too Henry... And I'll never stop loving you."

She put her hand on the necklace she was wearing. The necklace she loved the most. The one Henry dropped 3 years ago.

The bus arrived and the two of them got up. He had grown a lot taller. And definitely got a lot more handsome. Before they entered the bus, Henry grabbed her wrist. Lucia turned her head to him.
His eyes focused on hers, he says:

„Let's restart this, please."

Lucia raised her eyebrows as Henry gave her a wide smile.
The both of them start laughing, as they enter the bus.

They had finally found each other again, after all the years of suffering, and still deeply in love.