Wait No More

Part Twenty-Five 🌶️🌶️🌶️

The Stone Mountain trip had been an emotional high, a perfect culmination of their journey together. The students disembarked, their faces glowing with the afterglow of a perfect day.

Olivia and Ethan walked side by side towards their dorms, their steps slow and deliberate. The comforting silence between them was a testament to their deep bond, a connection that words could not fully encapsulate. Their graduation day, was only a few days away and she knew it would be filled with promises and farewells.

"Can you believe it?" Olivia broke the silence, her voice tinged with both excitement and apprehension. "We'll be graduates soon. Everything we've worked for... it's finally happening."

Ethan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I know. It's surreal. Part of me is ready for the next chapter, but another part of me doesn't want this to end."

She turned to face Ethan, her eyes searching his. "Promise me, no matter where life takes us, we'll stay in touch."

Ethan took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I promise, Liv. This isn't the end for us. It's just a new beginning."

As Ethan spoke those words, a sense of calm washed over Olivia. She felt the warmth of his hand enveloping hers, grounding her amidst the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. Their shared experiences—late-night study sessions, laughter over silly mistakes, and the deep conversations that stretched into the early hours—flashed through her mind like a montage.

"I know we'll have our own paths to follow," Olivia replied, her voice barely above a whisper, "but I can't help but worry that once we leave here, things might change."

Ethan tilted his head slightly, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Change is inevitable, but that doesn't mean we have to lose what we have. We'll make it work. We're both stubborn enough to try."

She chuckled softly, the tension easing just a bit. They both knew that stubbornness had gotten them through many challenges, and it was a quality they admired in each other. "You're right. We've come this far together. I just—I guess I'm afraid of losing the connection we've built."

Ethan let go of her hand, but only to step closer. He looked her straight in the eyes, his expression earnest. "You won't lose me, Olivia. No matter where we end up, I'll always be in your corner. Besides, we can plan visits, video calls... I mean, people make long-distance relationships work all the time."

She nodded, feeling a swell of hope. "Yeah, you're right."

Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden burst of laughter from a group of their peers who were gathering nearby. The reality of their impending graduation loomed large, but the moment felt timeless, as if they existed in a bubble away from the world.

As the night air began to set, casting a coolness over the campus, Ethan reached for his phone and suggested, "How about we take a picture to remember this day? One last snapshot before we step into our new lives."

"Great idea!" Olivia agreed, her spirits lifting as they joined their friends. The group posed together, arms slung over each other's shoulders, smiles wide and genuine.

Once the photos were taken and the laughter subsided, Olivia felt a wave of nostalgia crash over her. "Whatever happens, I'll always remember this place," she said, glancing around at the familiar sights—the dorms, the cafeteria, the sprawling lawns where they had shared countless memories.

"Me too," Ethan replied, his voice softer now. This place has been a huge part of our lives. It shaped us into who we are today. But it's the people here that made it special."

As they stood there, surrounded by friends who had become family over the past months, Olivia felt a bittersweet pang in her chest. She was grateful for all the experiences they had shared but could not shake the feeling of uncertainty that loomed ahead.