Breaking Free

Epilogue

Epilogue

7 Months Later - Graduation Day

I inhale sharply, trying to calm my fluttering heart. My palms sweat as I shuffle through the flashcards that have my speech written on them.

I'm sitting on the floor of the school library, my graduation gown flowing outwards around me. It's been abandoned for the past three days since school let out. The silence helps me to reflect.

The last few months have been- crazy, to say the least. As soon as Carter was released from the hospital, reporters were everywhere. The phone didn't stop ringing. We couldn't go into public without dark shades and a hat. I got calls from magazines- BIG magazines- who wanted to interview me.

My family, Carter, Ezhno, and I were on the cover of People magazine. I was featured in Seventeen, Time magazine, and Horse Illustrated just to name a few.

The CEO of a talk show offered to pay both mine and Carter's college tuitions if we would come on. So, we agreed.

In short- we are semi-celebrities. And we have more money than we know what to do with.

"Taylor- you're on in ten minutes!"

I turn around and see Amelia poking her head into the room. I smile weakly at her, and outstretch my arms. Taking the hint, she grabs my hands and helps me stand to my feet.

"Thanks," I mutter, grinning at her.

Amelia and I have completely changed our opinions of each other. As soon as she heard what happened, she was overcome with guilt for being so mean to me. She rushed to the hospital and begged me to forgive her. Since then, we've become super, super close. She's almost like my sister.

Speaking of sisters, I've come to find that Ariel is actually pretty cool. I've started teaching her to ride, and she's a quick learner- though she still has a lot of room for improvement. But don't we all?

My parents- well, I'm still getting to know them, and vice versa. At first, I was so angry at them I refused to talk to them. But Carter convinced me, being the mediator that he is, and since then we've been trying to mend the oodles of conflicts we have.

"Tay, you look like you're going to pass out," Amy chuckles, slinging her arm over my shoulder.

"I might-" I queasily reply, taking a deep breath.

"Don't worry about it Tay- you'll do fine. You've been on live television- a speech at your college graduation should be nothing," she encourages.

"To be fair, there are camera's here," I sigh.

"Taylor- there are always cameras when you are involved. Your like Americas Sweetheart!

"Please, don't call me that," I laugh, temporarily forgetting my nerves.

She lightly punches my shoulder, her graduation gown ruffling from the movement. As we approach the auditorium, my stomach starts to do flips.

"Maybe I can ditch," I reason.

"Ditch your own graduation? No. Come on, let's go sit down."

Since our last names are so close- Evans and Euros- we are sitting together in the auditorium. We make it just as the principal starts making his opening address.

We are the queens of 'fashionably late.'

The principal goes on and on about how we are about to 'embark on the most amazing journey' yada yada yada.

Then he says the words I'm dreading to hear.

"Now before we start with the ceremony, our own Taylor Evans is going to say a few words," he announces.

Amelia squeezes my hand reassuringly before I stand to my feet and make my way to the stage.

I take a look around. I see my parents and Carter's, along with Ariel, smiling at me. Joy, Andrea, Ethan, Sky, and Erica all have euphoric looks on their faces. Even aunt Corrine and Serenity made it down.

My nerves seem to overtake me till my eyes land on Carter. He gives me a reassuring look, calming all my fears. Not breaking eye contact with him, I start to speak.

"This past year has been, by far, the craziest year of my life. And I've had a fairly crazy life."

A few people chuckle, before I go on.

"Just a year ago, none of you knew me, and I didn't know you. We were just strangers coexisting in this world of ours. But fate had it that we all came here for our senior year."

"We have all had problems this year. We have all been through hell and back- I know I have. But we went through it together. You guys- you have helped me through so much and I feel like I'll never be able to repay you."

A few tears threaten to fall from my eyes, but I push them back and continue.

"I can't believe this is it- after today, we are adults. After today, we will go our separate ways. We'll pick our paths and follow them, hoping and praying that we picked the right one. But today- today is our time. Today we are one, today we are united."

"There isn't really much left to say- except that I love you guys, and I wish you all a lifetime full of happiness."

Applauds fill the room as I make my way back to my seat, and the principle comes back onstage to start the ceremony.

One by one, we all go up to get our certificates. When it's my turn, I trip over my gown being the graceful person that I am. I'm sure the cameras loved that.

After everyone's done, we throw our caps in the air, and then run off to meet our families.

I run past my friends. I run past my parents. I even run past my sister.

And I run straight into the arm of Carter.

I wrap my arms around his neck, and he lifts me off the ground, spinning me so that my legs flail behind me.

Once we stop spinning, I crash my lips to his. We just stand there kissing for an immeasurable amount of time.

We finally break apart, and I rest my forehead on his.

"I love you so much Carter," I whisper.

"I love you too," he replies, grinning widely at me.

I lay my head on his shoulder, and stand on his toes. And despite the fact that people are all around us and there is no music, we start to dance.

A/N

Holy crap it's over. I feel like crying. oh my god.

This has been the most amazing journey. You guys are so great. I have no way to thank you for all that you have done for me. Thanks for following along with Taylor's journey with me.

Sorry it took so long to put this chapter up. I just couldn't bring myself to write it, because after I did, it was over. No more Taylor or Ezhno or Carter. I feel like a little part of me just died.

I guess, for the last time-

Goodnight My Lovelies.

WAIT!!

The surprise! I almost forgot!

I am considering writing a spinoff of this book. It would be about 5 years down the line when Ariel was a junior in high school. It would mostly be from Ariel's POV but it would still have some Taylor/Carter POV in it. What do you think? Yay or Nay?

Love you guys!!!