𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐋 𝐅𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃

♡ E P I L O G U E ♡

Song:
video games- lana del rey
slowed + reverb

LEENA

Two years had passed since the day we all tossed our caps into the air and said goodbye to high school, and now, life was moving forward in ways I'd never quite imagined.

Today was a special day-Juliette and Alexander's wedding day.

It was surreal to think about. They were tying the knot, officially becoming husband and wife, which also meant something else that had Lilith buzzing with excitement for weeks: she and Angel would officially become step-siblings. How cool is that?

The idea had us all laughing and joking about the dynamics of their newly blended family, but deep down, it warmed my heart to see two people we loved so much finding happiness together.

As for Angel and me, our lives had intertwined even more.

We were both attending the same college now, sharing more late-night study sessions, coffee runs, and quiet moments on campus than I could count.

Every day with him was a reminder of how lucky I was. His presence in my life felt as natural as breathing, and being together, even in a completely new chapter of life, was a blessing I never took for granted.

Lilith, Mitch, Reyna, and Matt, on the other hand, were all at a university a bit farther away. While the distance made spontaneous get-togethers nearly impossible, it didn't stop us from staying as close as ever.

Technology was our lifeline-FaceTime calls filled with laughter, teasing, and the occasional late-night rant about exams or terrible professors became our ritual. Twice a week, we carved out time to check in with each other, no matter how busy our schedules became.

Some nights, our calls lasted for hours, filled with nostalgia and stories about our new lives. Other times, it was a quick "Hey, just making sure you're still alive" kind of call, but every single one reminded me of how much we all meant to each other.

Even though our paths had taken us to different places, the bond we built back in high school remained unshakable.

And today, as I sat with Angel by my side, dressed for a wedding that felt like the start of yet another beautiful chapter, I couldn't help but feel a rush of gratitude.

Life had a funny way of working itself out, but one thing was certain-no matter where we were or how much time passed, we'd always find our way back to each other.

Time had a remarkable way of weaving lives together, of turning acquaintances into cherished friends and creating bonds that felt as though they'd been there all along.

Over the years, the dads of our group had developed a strong bond, forming an unexpected and tight-knit group of friends.

At the start, I never would have guessed that their relationships would evolve into the deep camaraderie they shared now.

Their shared experiences, countless barbecues, and late-night talks had brought them together in a way that made it seem like they'd known each other for a lifetime.

Watching them interact now, you could see how much their friendship meant to them-how it had shaped their lives, strengthened by years of mutual respect, laughter, and shared memories.

The same could be said for the women in our lives. The moms had formed a bond that was just as strong. What had started as simple kindness and the occasional cup of coffee had blossomed into a deep friendship.

They spent hours together, shopping, chatting about everything and anything, and supporting each other through the highs and lows of life.

It was no surprise to anyone when Juliette chose them to stand by her side as bridesmaids for her wedding. It felt right, like this was what was meant to happen all along.