The Bet

Epilogue

"The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." -Ayn Rand

: ¨·.·¨ :
' ·. 🦋
╱|、
(˚ˎ 。7
|、˜〵
じしˍ,)ノ

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Like a breath of fresh air, a smile grows on my face. Just maybe this is what I truly needed all along.

Devin came home for winter break; he only stayed from Christmas Eve to the morning of New Year's Eve. He apparently had plans with the guys which also meant he would be with him as well. The semester came and it went just as quickly. During the time, I spent most of it with my family. I went to my therapist as scheduled like I promised Devin I would. Therapy actually went well, I just had my last session two days ago. Devin hadn't been home much, he called or texted to check up on me. But, on weekends or spring break he never attempted to come home.

Was I burden to my brother?

Don't be stupid Ari, he has a life too. I have exactly one week left until it's fall semester and I made my decision on if I would go back to Sleepy Hollow University or do a small college here. Slowly my belongings have been packed and I'm ready to move into my dorm tomorrow. I have to make the three hour drive back to Sleep Hollow. This time around, I think I'm ready. I believe I can handle him and everything else that gets thrown my way. I'm not the same Aria from freshman year but I'm also not the same Aria from last year. I'm somewhere in the middle where I feel like I'm completely myself. I can't ever go back to the Aria from freshman year, I'm different than who she was. I have different priorities, expectations, appearances... I'm just different than her. I'm matured a lot from last year, my style is in between the goth and preppy style. I love my blacks but I also love my pinks. I've studied a lot and somewhat went back to freshman year where school was important to me.

Devin or my friends know this but I done the spring semester online so I technically didn't take a semester off. I just took it in the safety and comfort of my childhood room. I don't party anymore and I haven't had a sip of alcohol or any drugs since last year. I'm comfortable where I am with my mental health and just my health in general. As I said before, I've grown and I've matured a lot since then.

"Ari, is your belonging packed that you'll need to take with you?" Mama asks from the doorway.

"I'm all set Ma." I answer her with a smile. A smile that isn't force or a smile that isn't half assed. An actual smile is placed on my lips.

"Good, get some sleep. You have a bit of a journey to get there." Mama says with a smile.

"Yes Ma. Goodnight." I call out to my mama from my bed.

"Goodnight baby girl." Mama says from her doorway at the end of the hall. That's the last thing I heard before I fell asleep. I woke up eager this morning to get to my dorm room. My car is loaded back up with the things I would need. Once I get settled into my dorm room, I'll go out into town to get what I'll need for the semester. After a tight hug to my parents and siblings, I back out of the driveway and make the trip back to Sleepy Hollow University. I park in my assigned spot and find the email with my dorm number.

Dorm 408

It's okay Aria, you're bound to run into him. You would rather it be sooner than later. Right? I pull my massive suitcase out of my trunk. I tug my scrapbook into my chest as I walk towards my dorm building. The same old elevators open for me and close right behind me with a creak. The old doors open on the fourth floor and I step out with my suitcase rolling behind me. I take my key out of my pocket and open 408; which is across the hall from 407. As I turn to grab my suitcase, the door to 407 opens quickly. Out steps Noah and it's like the wind has been knocked out of me.

He looks different than he did last year. His hair is styled neatly yet messy. His moppy hair has been trimmed shorter. He's gotten more muscles on his body. His bright eyes aren't bright anymore. They're dim as if the light had been turned off.

"Aria." His voice is raspy and raw. I roll my suitcase is as I stand in the hall holding my door open still. My scrapbook is visible to the world to see.

"Noah." I breathlessly say as I step into my dorm and close the door behind me. My heart pounding in my chest as I try to breathe.

It definitely was sooner than later.

: ¨·.·¨ :
' ·. 🦋
╱|、
(˚ˎ 。7
|、˜〵
じしˍ,)ノ

A/N:
The second book to The Bet will be out in a few months. Noah and Aria's story isn't over with yet. The next book will be called... The Bet: Fragments of Us.