Feel Pretty

Epilogue (Odell)

A year had passed since that night, and life had changed in so many ways—ways I never imagined when I first met Eli. As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of my shirt, I couldn't help but smile at the reflection staring back at me. I looked happier, more at ease, and maybe even a little more confident.

The sun was setting outside, casting a warm, golden glow through the window. It was the kind of evening that made everything feel perfect, like the world was exactly as it should be. I ran my fingers through my hair one last time before stepping out of my room.

Downstairs, the house was filled with laughter and conversation. The sound was comforting, familiar, like something that had always been a part of my life. I made my way to the living room, where everyone had gathered—Eli, Everly, Tanner, and our parents. The sight of them all together filled me with a sense of peace.

Eli noticed me first, his eyes lighting up as he broke away from the conversation to come over. "There you are," he said, slipping his hand into mine as he always did. His touch was still as comforting as the first time, still as warm. "You look great."

I smiled at him, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest. "You always say that."

"Because it's always true," he replied with a grin, leaning in to press a kiss to my cheek. His lips lingered there for a moment longer than necessary, and I could feel the heat rising to my face.

Everly's voice rang out from across the room. "Aww, look at you two! Still as adorable as ever."

I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't keep the smile off my face. "You're never going to stop teasing, are you?"

"Never," she said with a playful wink. "But seriously, I'm happy for you guys."

Eli squeezed my hand gently, and I glanced at him, feeling a wave of affection. We had come so far—from that awkward beginning to navigating the ups and downs of a new relationship. But through it all, Eli had been my anchor, the one person I could always count on.

Dinner was a lively affair, filled with stories, jokes, and the easy banter that came naturally when we were all together. It felt like a celebration—not of any specific occasion, but of everything we had been through and how much we had grown.

As the evening wore on, the conversation shifted to quieter topics, and eventually, Tanner excused himself to go for a walk. I watched him go, noticing how much he had changed as well. He was still healing, still dealing with the loss of Diana, but he seemed more at peace now. Time had helped, and so had the support of the people around him.

After dinner, Eli and I wandered out to the backyard, the night air cool against our skin. We sat down on the porch steps, side by side, our shoulders touching. The sky above was a deep, inky blue, scattered with stars.

"Do you ever think about where we were a year ago?" I asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

"Sometimes," Eli said softly. "But mostly, I think about how far we've come."

I nodded, leaning my head against his shoulder. "I never thought I could be this happy."

"You deserve to be," Eli murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "And I'll do everything I can to make sure you stay that way."

I closed my eyes, letting his words sink in. It felt like a promise, one that I knew Eli would keep. Because that's who he was—someone who cared deeply, who loved fully. And somehow, I had been lucky enough to be the one he chose.

"I love you, Eli," I whispered, the words coming easily now, like second nature.

He turned his head, brushing his lips against mine in a soft, lingering kiss. "I love you too, Odell. Always."

And in that moment, with the stars above us and the quiet hum of life all around, I knew that we had found something special—something worth holding onto, no matter what the future might bring.

As we sat there, wrapped in each other's warmth, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude—for Eli, for our friends and family, and for the journey that had led us here.

It wasn't just the end of a chapter; it was the beginning of something new, something filled with hope and endless possibilities. And for the first time in a long time, I was excited to see what the future would hold—for both of us, together.

This was our story, one of love, healing, and learning to Feel Pretty in a world that sometimes tried to tell us we weren't enough. And as we moved forward, I knew we'd continue to write our own chapters, one day at a time.