17 Last Times

⤹37❁ The End

Welcome to the last chapter.
You'll find my emotional talk right at the end.

Thank you

PS. There is a 4th book ongoing now. It's called 17 Much More.

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I thought about Nathan's advice and decided to take upon my writing career. I've worked on a novel for a few weeks, which meant I've gone through a lot of sleepless nights and way too many cups of coffee - this couldn't be good for anyone, but it was good for my writing. I sent the manuscript off and tried not to worry about the outcome. I highly doubted it would get accepted the first time around anyway.

On a different note, our dear friend Anaya has gone to jail. The recording that she didn't manage to destroy right before she'd killed her "therapist", was a piece of evidence no one could fight. What's more, she didn't even seem interested in fighting her own case. I think that guilt might have eventually caught up with her. Another person whose story is now done and dusted.

From the trial on, not much has happened. Our lives continued in a balanced and healthy flow. I know it's not entirely possible, but I hope it stays this way forever. I like being happy. Being happy is good.

Cheers to that! My subconscious raises a glass.

Sometimes I wish I could hug her, my inner me, but all I can do is smile to myself, so I do.

"Someone's happy," Will makes this remark as he emerges right beside me.

I can't see his eyes because of the sunglasses that sit at the bridge of his nose. I pull them off and slide them on top of his head, causing a few strands of his dark hair to entangle around the plastic frame. And there they are, his black eyes, intently connected to mine.

"Is it a crime now to crack a little smile?" I tease, wrapping my arms around me, looking ahead at the garden filled with people.

Nathan decided to throw a barbeque, so all of are friends gathered together. Alike anyone else, I expected his parents to be out, but surprisingly, they're here, hosting us the best they can. Such lovely people.

Sometimes seeing them brings back memories of my own parents, but those are still blurred and crooked by the lies and secrets they've told and kept. I guess one day I'll overcome the resentment, after all, I don't know the reasons for their choices. Unfortunately, I'll never get to know them, and so it will be my decision whether I want to remember them the way I always have. One thing I'm clunky of, though, is that at this point in my life, I know that whatever choice I make, it will be the right one.

This specific thought makes me look at Nathan. He couldn't have picked a better for this gathering. It's pleasantly hot and dry outside. Very balmy.

Will wraps his arm around my shoulder. He smells fresh but different than to what I was used to. "Smile as much as you want." He squeezes me harder. "I just saw you standing all alone. Wanted to see if you're okay."

"You know what I'm like. I might have an episode every now and then, but I'm fine."

He lets out a chuckle. "Oh I do remember."

I roll my eyes and take a deep breath. "What are you wearing? Smells different."

"I'm not really sure. Emily got it for me. She stumbled upon some weird bloke who insisted she bought this knock-off stuff. I think she got a little bit scared and felt like she had no choice."

"Am I allowed to laugh at this?" I stifle a giggle.

Will squints his eyes in a feign threat, but then gives a mighty chortle. "Okay, it is funny, but also worrying, got it?"