The Universe and Infinitely More

Epilogue

Three months later
July 18 ~ Summer Solstice

      SCREAMING, I bolted towards the edge of the cliff with my heart pounding and my legs pumping faster than ever before. I heard screaming and cheering from behind me just as I launched myself off the precipice. I felt my heart drop from excitement and thrill, feeling the wind whip past my body that was hurling towards the sparkling water down below. I felt my body delve deep and felt my hands touch the sand on the bottom of the seafloor. I kicked my legs to propel me up the surface of the water. I inhaled a lungful of air as I broke upon the surface, pushing my hair back from my face. I gazed up at the cliff where they were at, cheering me on and I waved my hands up in the air, feeling the heat of the sun upon my face and the coolness of the breeze against my skin. I grinned up at Caden, unrestrained and broad, as I gestured for him to join me.

     They all looked at each other—Chloe, Noah, Caden and the rest of our friends—for a brief second before they all came barreling towards the edge and leaped into the air. I paddled backward to avoid the impact and felt the splash of water from all around. They all resurfaced, laughing as Noah shouted,"Woo! That was awesome!" 

      ∼ ∽✶ ∽ ∽

     "You like him, don't you?" I nudged Mia in the arm as I caught her looking as Jason for the third time now. We were lounging on the sand with the guys playing soccer with a stray beach volleyball. Her eyes widened as she shook her head repeatedly. "Who? Jason? Psh, no way."

     I smiled knowingly,"How did you know it was him I was referring to?"

     She sighed and admitted,"Fine, okay. I like him."

     Chloe and the other girls popped their heads in between ours as they simultaneously asked,"Who?"

     "Mia here likes Jason," I answered.

     "You do?"

     "Is that serious?"

     "We should totally set them up."

     Mia slouched back and groaned,"See! This is exactly the reason why I didn't want you guys to know! Besides, it's not like he feels the same."

     The three of us girls crowded around her as Chloe shook her head,"You should ask him out."

     Mia looks deep in thought as she answered vaguely,"Maybe. We'll see." I stared at the guys, watching Caden balance the ball from one foot to another but ended up toppling to the sand as Noah stole it from him. Caden shoved Noah and they ended up wrestling in the middle of the beach with the setting sun beating down on them. 

       "Okay, okay! Mercy!" Noah shouted as Caden had him in a headlock. Caden released him, smirking triumphantly. As he prepared to stand, he caught me looking and threw me a subtle wink.

     I felt my cheeks flame as red. He always manages to make me blush even if we were almost a year into our relationship. 

     "So how about you, Jules?"

     "What?" I reverted my gaze back to the girls who were smirking with a knowing look on their faces. Mia was propped up on her arm from her position on the beach towel. It was her turn to tease me.