The Beginning Of The End | Cosmic Love Series

thirty-first - the end

The pink hue of the neon sign that stood proudly on top of the small family-owned establishment, lit up the night sky of California, and took my time inside the car, watching from behind the wheel, as the stars in the sky glowed in a shade of pink.

"We better get going, Zo." Noah said, interrupting my little stargazing session. I looked at him and nodded, proceeding to remove my seatbelt. He was right. "Mr. Ricci closes at eight on Sundays."

We all chose to meet at Frozen Amore, on what would be our very last day together as a group, as we know it.

It's been three months since Noah got out of the hospital, after the car crash he'd been in, on the night of prom. And, three months later, farewell was upon us with Noah and Ben going off to college tomorrow, and Wyatt going back to the East Coast for his third year at Columbia University.

"The lovebirds just arrived!" Kyle announced out loud, causing every single one of our friends to look in the direction of the front door, where Noah and I walked through to meet them, with smiles on our faces.

As for Harper, she would be spending the next seven days here in California, but in a week from now she would be flying off to New York, in pursuit of her dreams, where she would be joining Wyatt at Columbia.

"I already ordered the raspberry special for you." My cousin announced as she patted on the empty seat next to her, gesturing for me to sit there. I thanked her and did as told, while Noah sat across from me, next to his best friend's girlfriend.

Chloé, on the other hand, would be mine and Kyle's company as we went through the senior year of high school, and we counted on her to help us get through the final year. She followed her heart and chose to not go down the college route; Instead, she would be working on her modeling portfolio while retaking some classes at Davidson High to improve her GPA.

Carter also chose to put off college, at least for a year, so he could be more present and help out at his parents' business, a Mexican food restaurant that seemed to be doing better than ever.

"I have never met two people that are so obsessed with helados." He commented while looking at me and Kyle, me with my raspberry ice cream, and my best friend with his chocolate special, before he took a sip of his vanilla milkshake.

We ate our desserts and talked about everything and anything, cherishing each other's company before time flew by and change would occur. I was never one to like change (I don't actually think anyone does), but I have to assume that sometimes, change is a good thing. Getting out of your comfort zone is definitely difficult and a massive adjustment, but in my particular situation, that was one of the best things to ever happen to me. If it wasn't for that adaptation, I wouldn't be sitting at this booth, surrounded by amazing friends, celebrating each other's wins.

"Alright, is everybody ready to go?" Ben asked, taking a glance at everyone, right after wiping his fingers on the paper napkin and then folding it into a ball that he then tossed to the table.

"If you're not, you're about to be." Mr.Ricci said in a warning tone, but with a cheeky smirk, while he collected the empty ice cream bowls and jars. "Beat it, kids. I got the wife waiting for me at home with a homemade lasagna."

"You know what you could do?" Kyle asked. "Bring us some leftovers tomorrow."

"You're not the one moving away, pretty boy." We all laughed at the way Mr. Ricci always had a witty come back to Kyle, their dynamic was always so much fun.

"I'll set up a box of lasagna for the swimmers," He said as he looked at them. "You'll just need to heat it for a few minutes when you princes get to your new palace."