We're Still Human

Chapter 43: You'll Always Have Me

The music thrums through Kendall's house, a constant pulse that seems to match the heartbeat of everyone crammed into the space. This party feels different—less about celebrating and more about saying goodbye. It's a bittersweet energy, one that fills the air with laughter but laces it with something heavier, something we're all too afraid to name.

I'm leaning against the kitchen counter, sipping from my cup as I scan the room. It's filled with familiar faces—people I've spent years with but might never see again after tonight. My heart aches at the thought, but I push it down. Tonight isn't for mourning; it's for remembering.

Nadia catches my eye from across the room. She's leaning casually against the wall, her drink in hand and her expression unreadable as always. But there's something in her gaze that softens when she notices me, and she gives a small nod, beckoning me over.

I weave through the crowd until I'm standing next to her, leaning my shoulder against the wall. "You look like you're plotting something," I say, raising an eyebrow.

She smirks. "Always."

There's a pause, and then her smirk fades into something more serious. "So, you're done, huh? With school, with all of this."

"We all are," I reply, shrugging. "It feels... surreal."

Nadia takes a sip of her drink, her eyes flicking to the floor. "Word is you've been opening acceptance letters."

I laugh softly, shaking my head. "You've been talking to Kendall, haven't you?"

"Maybe," she says with a small grin. "But come on, spill. Have you decided yet?"

I hesitate, letting the silence stretch before answering. "I have."

Her eyebrows shoot up. "And?"

"And... I'm not telling anyone. Not yet, at least."

She tilts her head, studying me. "Not even Kendall?"

"Especially not Kennie," I say, grinning. "I want it to be just us when I tell her. No noise, no interruptions."

Nadia lets out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "Heart over head, huh?"

"Always," I reply, tapping my chest lightly.

She's quiet for a moment, then turns to look at me fully. "We're good, right? You and me? After everything?"

I nod, the tension in my chest easing slightly. "Yeah, Nadia. We're good."

Her lips twitch into a small smile. "Good. Because I'm not ready to lose you, Nothando."

"You won't," I promise, and for once, I feel like I mean it.

She nods, before sprinting off. I make my way out and try to find Joanna and Lynn in a crowd full of people. Once I make my way out the dining room, I find Joanna and Lynn on the couch, laughing over something on Lynn's phone. They both look up as I approach, grinning widely.

"Yasmina!" Joanna exclaims, patting the empty spot between them. "Come sit with us."

I squeeze between them, laughing as Lynn wraps an arm around my shoulders. "Our fearless leader," she says dramatically. "How does it feel to be at the end of an era?"

"Exhausting," I admit, resting my head against Joanna's shoulder. "But also kind of... freeing?"

"Yeah," Joanna says, her voice softer now. "It's weird, isn't it? Thinking about how far we've come since last year."

"We've grown so much," Lynn adds. "Even you, Yas. Especially you."

I scoff, nudging her playfully. "You make it sound like I was a disaster before."

"You were," they say in unison, laughing.

I roll my eyes but can't help smiling. "Okay, fine. Maybe I was. But we all were, in our own ways. And look at us now."

"Look at us now," Lynn echoes, holding up her cup. "To us."

"To us," Joanna and I say, clinking our cups against hers.

For a moment, everything feels perfect. That is until the doorbell rings, cutting through the music. I glance toward the entrance, where Kendall is already making her way to answer it. Curious, I follow her, stopping just behind as she swings the door open.

Audrey stands on the porch, her hands shoved deep into her pockets and her shoulders hunched like she's bracing for something. Her eyes dart between Kennie and me, uncertain but determined.

"Hey," she says quietly. "Can I come in?"

Kenny hesitates, glancing back at me. I nod, giving her a small smile.

"Yeah," Kenny says, stepping aside. "Come on in."

Audrey steps inside, her gaze flitting around the room like she's trying to find her place in all of this. The tension in her posture makes my stomach twist, but I force myself to relax because I know something in Audrey has changed. We all have, and there is no reason to keep on isolating people or keeping them away. We're finally united as one. The class of 2026.

***

By the time the house quiets down, the party long since faded into memory, it's just Kennie and me left. We're in her bedroom, the faint hum of the air conditioning filling the silence as we sit side by side on her bed.

"You okay?" she asks, her voice soft.

"Yeah," I say, though my chest feels tight. "Just... thinking about everything. This year. Us."

Kennie shifts closer, her hand brushing against mine. "You're thinking about next year."

I nod. "And about how much is going to change."

She takes my hand, lacing her fingers with mine. "Yasmina, look at me."

I do, my breath catching at the intensity in her gaze.

"Nothing's going to change between us," she says firmly. "Not really. You're my heart, Yas. My home. And nothing—not distance, not time—can take that away."

Tears prick at my eyes, but I blink them away, squeezing her hand. "I love you, Kennie."

"I love you too, Yas," she whispers, leaning in to press her forehead against mine.

For a moment, we just breathe, the world shrinking down to the space between us. Then, I pull back slightly, my voice trembling. "I've made my decision."

Her eyes widen. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," I say, a smile tugging at my lips. "But I'm not telling you yet."

"Yas," she groans, laughing as she falls back against the bed. "You're killing me."

I grin, leaning over her. "Meet me at the plaza next weekend. I'll tell you then."

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with warmth. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"And you love it," I tease, leaning down to kiss her.

Her hands find my waist, pulling me closer as the kiss deepens, turning slow and intense. My heart pounds in my chest, every nerve in my body buzzing as we lose ourselves in each other.

For the first time, there's no fear, no hesitation—just us.

When we finally pull apart, her lips swollen and her cheeks flushed, I rest my forehead against hers, my voice barely above a whisper. "You're everything to me, Kennie."

"And you're mine," she murmurs back.

And as we pull each other back in, my mind can finally rest knowing that all the suffering these past two years is now over.