The Kings of Summer

epilogue.

Charlie Young waits patiently in line, anxious to accept her diploma.  She had never imagined herself being in this position, accepting her award and showing everyone that she was smart enough to actually finish high school with the highest GPA in her grade.  She runs a shaky hand through her long hair, careful not to mess it up.

She looks on the stage where her boyfriend, Joe Toy stood.  His eyes were bright, and his smile was wide as he claimed his diploma.  Their eyes met for a brief second before he winked at her.  She laughed and mouthed, "I love you."

"I love you, too," he mouths back.  He turns his back to her, walking off the stage and over to his father who smiled proudly at his son.  Although Frank had never been one for showing affection, he couldn't have been prouder in this moment.  He always knew his son would prove himself.

A few agonizingly slow seconds later, Charlie's name was called.  She takes a deep breath, nervous to get on stage in front of everyone.  She puts one foot in front of the other, her heels making small clicks with every step.  She tries not to focus on the heels her mother got her for her seventeenth birthday, and more on the diploma waiting for her.

She lifts her head and looks at the principal.  He is smiling at her, his eyes slightly tired from being here all day.  "Congratulations, Mrs. Young.  You've earned this," he says, patting her back gently before shaking her hand and handing her her diploma.  She looks toward the crowd, her cherry red lips curling up into the largest smile anyone has ever seen.

"Go, Charlie!" an ecstatic Joe shouts from the crowd.  Next to him, Patrick claps and cheers wildly, the rest of the crowd quickly following his actions.  "We love you, Charlie!" both boys shout.  She feels her face warm up drastically, and she tries to hide her face.

"Thank you so much," she says, directing her attention to the principal.  He happily ushered her off the stage where she ran towards her friends.  Joe's arms outstretch, waiting for her to plunge into them.  She obliges, wrapping her skinny jean-clad legs around his waist.  Her face nuzzles in the crook of his neck as she squeals.

"Hey, I know you're dating and all, but I need some Charlie love, too," Patrick speaks from behind the couple.  He smiles, his perfectly white teeth sparkling.  The brunette girl untangles herself from Joe and rushes to him.  His strong arms wrap around her waist, pulling her closer.

"Way to go, Short Stack," the ginger mumbles in her ear.

"I am so happy for you guys," she states, pulling them both in for a group hug.

"Thank you all for joining us here today.  Refreshments and snacks will be outside for your convenience," the principal states.  Everyone walks out of the large auditorium, a mass of giddy teenagers and proud parents.

"Come here and take a picture, kids!" Karen Young announces, pulling out her phone and preparing the camera.  The short girl stands in the middle, pulling her two closest friends towards her.  They squished her, pressing their lips to her cheek before the camera flashed, signaling that picture was taken.

"You guys look wonderful.  You boys are so handsome," Karen mutters to them.  She pinches both of their cheeks, smiling wildly.  Ever since Charlie came back the summer after freshman year, she cleaned up and quit drinking.  To this day, she is now a year and a half clean.  She spends more time with her daughters and makes more of an effort with family matters.  Her attitude has also improved drastically, thank God.

"Celebratory dinner?" Charlie suggests, her fingers intertwining with Joe's.  "You can even bring Caitlin."  Patrick smiles at the thought.  During junior year, Caitlin had broken up with Biaggio, finally tired of his antics and distance.  Since he still resides in the woods, Caitlin has completely given up on their 'long distance relationship'.  She moved on from him and eventually found Patrick.  They've been dating ever since.

"That's such a kind offer, but I think I'll celebrate with my friends tonight.  Besides, her and I can always celebrate later, if you catch my drift."  He winks and smirks.  Charlie groans, but Joe just punches him in the arm lightly.

"Charlie and I will be celebrating later tonight," he whispers huskily.

"Hey!  There are parents standing right here," Frank groans.  He tries to keep a stern look on his face, but can't help but smile.  As much as he was against his son being sexually active with Charlie, he couldn't stop them from doing anything.

"How about it, Mom?"

"I suppose.  Kayla can spend the night at Jennifer's tonight, and Frank and I will have dinner," she settles.

"Whoa, whoa.  You're dating Charlie's mom, Dad?" Joe asks.  He sounded against the idea, but the smile on his face said otherwise.

"Well, we might be trying something out," Frank smirks.  Karen just shakes her head and walks up to her seventeen-year-old daughter.  

"I love you, sweetie.  Here's thirty dollars.  Have fun at dinner."  Charlie graciously accepts the money, giving her mother a kiss on the cheek.

"Bye!" all three kids shout after both Frank and Karen.  They begin to walk towards the parking lot, searching for Patrick's beat up car.  It was given to him by his parents, and he had already managed to mess it up--thanks to the troublemaking couple, Charlie and Joe.

"Hey, Pat?  Where are your parents?" Joe asks.

"They aren't necessarily too keen about your families still-"

"Jesus, it's been three years!" Charlie exclaims.

"I know, I know.  They're probably somewhere around the snack table, sulking and waiting for me to approach them."

"But you're leaving," Joe states.

"I guess I'll see them at home then, huh."  He laughs before unlocking his car and hopping in the driver's seat.  Joe gets in the passenger's seat, and Charlie slides in the backseat.  She leans forward, her head right between the two boys.

"I love you guys," Charlie whispers, patting them both on the shoulder.  They both smile at her as they drive away.

~

Later in life, Charlie decided to become a counselor for troubled teenagers.  She took her own experience from her past and that one fateful summer in the woods to help others through their own problems.  She had felt like her mother didn't love her, and that she had nowhere else to go.  Having had that experience, she has a better understanding of the kids she helps.

Patrick became a photographer, traveling the world and experiencing its raw beauty.  He often sends update pictures from each new place he is in, and he always comes back to spend two or three months with Charlie and Joe.  He decided to become a photographer because of his parents.  They always smothered him, keeping him in close quarters, so he naturally had the instinct to break free and go somewhere different--without his parents.

Joe remains unemployed, supporting Charlie through her endeavors--whom he later proposed to.  She graciously accepted the proposal, and they now live in a small house in Ohio.  He absolutely loves seeing and making her happy, and he loves supporting her every step of the way.

Biaggio still resides in the woods, hunting and gathering to keep him alive.

Through all of this, though, the four managed to remain friends.  They've been through thick and thin together, and that's how it will stay.

__________

Word Count: 1,222

I know I said the last chapter was the last chapter, but I lied.  I wrote another chapter!  WOOOOO

And the ending of this chapter is when they are all around 20-25 years of age.  Joe and Charlie didn't get married at 17. Haha

Anyway, thank you guys so much for reading this book.  It makes me so happy to see my reads go up every single day.  I cannot thank you all enough for making this book so popular.  Without you guys, I don't think I would've had the strength to finish this book.  

I finished this for you all.

Thank you so much for reading.  I hope you like how I've added my own twist to The Kings of Summer. Feel free to message me anytime you like with questions or if you just want to talk!

I love you guys!

xoxo