Bad Memories // a.u.

epilogue

*one year later*

noelle's pov

"That looks gorgeous on you," Skylar commented from the doorway of my room. I was wearing a mint green skater skirt with a white crop top. 

"Are you sure? I want to make a good impression and I'm not sure this is the right thing," I said, looking myself over in the mirror. 

"I'm positive. And anyway, what do you have to be nervous about?" I shrugged, still looking at myself in the mirror. I decided that the outfit would have to do and I put on some eyeliner and mascara. 

Tonight, there was a celebration dinner for Keaton. It was being held downtown and I had received my invitation a couple days ago. We have seen each other around town, like at the beach and when I went to eat in his restaurant, but other than that, we've barely talked since I moved back. I did notice that he and Sam weren't hanging out and that made me feel like it was my fault. 

Keaton had stopped by Drew's the day after I moved back to talk to me. He told me that I was the love of his life and he would do anything to get me back. I wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms, but I just couldn't. I told him that I needed space to figure myself out and he reluctantly left. 

When I received the invitation to his dinner celebration, I was surprised. I had known that he threw himself into his music and put up a bunch of covers on YouTube, but I never expected that he would get a record deal this fast. I was extremely happy for him, but at first I wasn't sure about going to the party. Skylar had convinced me though, so here I stood checking to make sure all my hair was in place. 

"Noelle! Come on, we need to leave or we're going to be late," Skylar called up the stairs. She had been ready hours ago, dressed in a simple black dress. 

"Coming!" I called, slipping my feet into my wedge heels and rushing down the stairs. 

**********

Once downtown, I climbed out of my new car and walked arm and arm with Skylar into the fancy restaurant that was booked out just for the party. There were tables of food set up and the room was crowded. Skylar noticed Drew off to the side and rushed off. They were still going strong, and I was happy for Skylar. She was much better off with him than Jake. I didn't hold anything against Jake, he had just made some poor decisions. I text him sometimes, he's planning on going to college next year in Rhode Island. I don't get it, but he says he loves it there and could never leave. 

I didn't see Keaton anywhere, so I decided to go to the bar for a drink. I got a glass of water from the bartender, sitting down on a stool. 

"You came," I heard behind me and I turned around to find Keaton. He was dressed in black skinny jeans and a light blue button up shirt. He sat in the stool next to me, ordering himself a coke. 

"Of course," I replied. "I'm happy for you. You're gonna be a huge star now, huh?"

"I wouldn't go that far," he laughed. I missed his laugh. The bartender handed him his coke and he took a long drink. "I have to get back to mingling, but do you think we could talk later?" he asked, hopeful.

I bit my lip, contemplating my answer. "Sure," I said finally. 

"Ok, I'll find you after," he told me, placing a hand on my arm. My skin burned from his touch even after he walked away and I couldn't help but get a nervous feeling in my stomach. 

keaton's pov

I couldn't believe how much had changed in the last year. I never won Noelle back, but I got a record deal. My mom insisted on having a party once she found out and at the last moment, I decided to invite Noelle. I wasn't sure that she would come, seeing as we hadn't really talked in a long time. There she was though, sitting at the bar and sipping on a water, looking as beautiful as ever. 

I wanted to talk with her, but I knew my mom would get pissed if I spent the whole time talking with Noelle so I told her I wanted to talk later. I could see her hesitation, but I was relieved when she finally agreed. 

The party was winding down now, only my parents and closest friends were left. Noelle was back sitting at the bar, this time sipping on a coke. I walked up to her again, my nerves kicking in. "You ready to talk?" I asked, holding out my hand for her. "I thought we could take a walk around the city."

"Sounds perfect," she said, grabbing my hand to get down from the stool, but then she let go. I wanted badly to lace my fingers with hers, but I refrained. 

The night air was cool, but felt nice since it was getting hot in the restaurant. "I don't know how to say this, other than to get right to it," I said after we walked for a couple minutes. "I miss you, Noelle. I miss just talking to you and watching movies and holding you close as I fall asleep. I miss us."

I glanced over and she was squeezing her eyes shut. When she opened them, she said, "I miss you too, Keaton but is that a reason to get back together? I'm more trouble than I'm worth."

"Stop for a second," my voice sounding desperate. We both stopped walking and I held onto her hands, looking into her eyes. I leaned in close to her, my heart starting to race. The moon and the stars shone above us, reminding me of the night at the beach when I wanted to kiss her so badly. "Let me kiss you," I whispered. I felt her breath on my lips as I leaned in more, our lips centimeters apart.

"Keaton," she breathed out, but didn't stop me kissing her. I held onto her face with both hands and she pulled me closer by the waist. The kiss was a mixture of love and longing and she pulled away a minute later. "That was a mistake," she whispered, looking down at the ground. 

I lifted her chin up with my hand so I could look her in the eyes. "Tell me if you want me to go and I will. I'll never talk to you again. I don't want to because I've been waiting to kiss you again for over a year, but if you tell me now that you don't want us to be together I need to move on."

Instead of giving me an answer, she stood up on her tiptoes and reconnected our lips. When we separated, she had a smile on her face. She said, "I love you Keaton. I'm sorry I took so long to find my way back to you." 

I laced my fingers with hers, finally, and we walked hand in hand around the city, catching up on lost time. 

hi everyone (: I just want to thank anyone that's read this from start to finish because it means the world to me. I hope you like the epilogue and please vote/comment. I'd love to know what you think of the ending.

p.s. I have a calum story that i'm working on now if you didn't know and I'm planning on starting another one soon so watch out for that (i'm not sure of who yet because i'm indecisive haha.)