Better Off Alone (BOOK 1)(Wattys 2016)

Epilogue

Two Months Later

I stand in front of my mirror, taking in my appearance with a bittersweet feeling. Today, I am graduating and in three months, I'm going to be living in France for almost a year. I'm not going to focus on the fact that I'm going to be away from everyone I know and love during that time, but I'm going to concentrate on the better side of things - the side where I'm spending the three months prior to my time abroad with Larkin and my friends and my family.

There's a knock on my door and in walks Clive, dressed in a graduation gown just like me. He gives me a goofy smile and I smile back, still overwhelmingly proud of him for scoring the professional position in the surfing industry. He's going to be sponsored and he'll begin his competitions and training in three months as well.

Because both me and my brother were able to find alternative routes for funding our futures and my parents are now able to use the money - or some of the money - they've saved for a relaxing trip on a beach in Hawaii.

Clive crosses over to me and straightens my honor cords that hang around my neck. "Can't believe we made it, huh, sis?"

I shrug. "You and I... we're always going to make it as long as we have each other."

Clive nods. "Right, even when I'm on the beach in some foreign land and you're in France or some other European country studying art."

"It'll be the first time we've ever been separated for longer than a week." I sigh, knowing it'll be hard to be away from Clive, my other half for so long.

He wrinkles his nose. "Let's not focus on that now. We still have three months."

The doorbell rings and Clive arches an eyebrow at me. "Sounds like your boyfriend is here."

I smile. "Sounds like it."

"Tell me again, why he had to meet us here instead of at the school? It's not like you're going to be away from him that long."

"Why don't you just ask Larkin?" I say, blushing some.

"Ask me what?" Larkin pushes into my room and I burst out laughing. He's dressed in the plum colored graduation gown, but it looks so out of place on him. He should be in black skinny jeans and a ripped up shirt advertising an edgy band. I look at his feet to see his converses peeking out and the hem of his skinny jeans. I smirk.

Larkin wrinkles his nose. "What? Not my color?"

I cross over and kiss his cheek, smiling against the little bit of stubble there. "You look beautimous, my love."

He wraps an arm around my waist and looks over to Clive. "What did you want to ask me, Clive?"

Clive rolls his eyes, but he's smiling at us. I know he's happy for us. "Why you couldn't wait to see Gemma at the school, but you had to come here."

Larkin's smile deepens and his dimples appear more prominently. "Well, I have some exciting news... but I have to tell her first."

Clive rolls his eyes and sarcasm lines his voice. "Wow, gee, way to really make my presence feel welcome, guys. I get it, you wanna mack out before we graduate. No need to encode the dirty details."

Clive leaves and I shout after him, "I love you, brother dear."

"Whatever," he replies, a laugh lilting on the edges of his voice.

"So, what's your news?" I ask, my arms hanging loosely around Larkin's neck. "Or was that only code?"

He presses his palms into my hips gently and practically beams down at me. "Well, let's see, you're going to live in France for nine months and I'll be left alone here in the states..."

I nod. "Yes... that's not really news, babe."

"Unless... I happen to get an early present from my dad."

I feel a smile creeping onto my face. "Ah, and what would this present be?"

Larkin pretends to think for a moment. "Hm, maybe, say, a check?"

Giddiness ebbs into my voice and I bounce up and down a little, realizing what Larkin's saying. "A check for how much?"

"Hm, well, let's just say enough to pay for a plane ticket to France...and enough for me to live there for nine months as well."

I feel my eyes widen and now I'm really jumping up and down. "No, freaking way!? Are you serious, Larkin? Are you coming to France with me? Why did your dad give you this?"

"Well, he still feels guilty about the whole divorce and the stuff before it... this is his way of trying to make it up to me and I know, it's not good to say this, but it's kind of working."

I smile up at him and he kisses me, making me realize this isn't a dream.

Well, maybe it is.

It's a dream come true.

~~~

A/N: Video on the side is "Illusion" by One Direction because it sums it up really.

PLEASE READ AUTHORS NOTE!!! (Next chapter)