Misinterpreting Fate (Book 2)

Epilogue

Epilogue 

Sam

"Stop fussing with it," Dad said, grabbing my hands to keep them still. "It looks fine, Sam."

I sighed, lowering my hands to my side. This cap seemed to fit so weird, but I guess that was the point. Nobody ever looked good in their graduation cap and gown, right?

"I can't believe you're graduating," he said, pulling me into a hug.

I squirmed out of his grasp. "Dad... It's just high school." Besides, we were currently standing outside of said high school, with a bunch of my peers wandering around. I didn't need to be seen with my overly-emotional father right now.

"Boo!" someone screamed behind me.

I jumped, letting out a very non-threatening squeak. When my gaze landed on Courtney, I pouted. "That was rude."

She just burst out laughing. "Oh my god, Sam. That was the best noise I've ever heard you make!"

I slapped her arm, but that only made her laugh harder. "Shut up," I told her. "You're not funny."

"I'm hilarious. Now, where's Jaime and Ryan? I haven't seen them yet."

"Speaking of finding people," Dad said, before I could tell Courtney I hadn't seen them, "I'm going to leave you two. I have to go find your father and sisters." He then left us with some more congratulations and a promise to find me after the ceremony is over.

Courtney hugged me. "I'm so excited, Sam! We're finally graduating!"

I hugged her back, just as excited. "I'm so glad to be done with this place." Backing out of the hug, I looked up at the school building that stood before us. So much has happened here over the last four years. It's going to be weird not coming back in the fall.

I watched as my classmates were starting to make their way inside while their families headed around to the field. We should probably also head in, but I wanted to wait for Ryan and Jaime. We had planned to meet up outside first. So where are they?

"Sam," Courtney said, making me look at her again. "We should probably go in."

"But Ryan...? And Jaime? Where are they?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. But I don't want to be late for them, even if they are our best friends slash your boyfriend."

I nodded slowly. I didn't want to be late either, but I definitely didn't want them to be late too. I wasn't too surprised that Ryan wasn't here, to be honest. I mean, I loved him, but his punctuality has never been the best. Jaime, on the other hand, was never late to anything. Her not being here yet really worried me the most.

Walking through the front doors of the school, I noticed quite a few students hanging out in the hallways. They were all wearing their caps and gowns too, excitedly talking. I scanned the groups of people, hoping to see Ryan or Jaime, but they weren't there.

Then a kid broke away from one group and approached Courtney and me. I recognized him from a couple of my classes over the years, but I honestly couldn't remember his name. I also couldn't figure out a reason he'd be coming over here, since we've never really talked before.

"Sam?" he asked, stopping right in front of me. "I have something for you..."

He pulled a single rose out from behind his back and handed it to me. I didn't take it, and instead just stared at it. Why would he give me a rose?

"Uh... Sorry, I have boyfriend already. I can't accept that."

He just smiled. "I know. Take it anyway. Besides, I'm straight."

Courtney nudged me, silently urging me to take the rose from the kid. I did with a hesitant 'thanks'. Then, as quickly as he came over, he was back in the crowd of people.

"That was weird," I muttered, turning the stem between my fingers. "Do you think Ryan will be mad?"

"I think you'll be fine, Sam. Now come on. I think we need to go to the C wing."

She took off down the hall and I had to hurry to catch up to her. Why would we need to go there? I thought we just had to wait in the lobby with everyone else?

On the way to the C wing, three more people stopped me to hand me a rose. After the second one, I had already suspected something was going on, and I had a feeling Courtney knew what it was, even though she wasn't talking.

We rounded the corner of the C wing and the first thing I noticed was how empty the hallway was. Except, of course, for Jaime standing outside a classroom. She smiled when she saw us.

"Hey guys!" she said as we walked up. "I have something for you, Sam."

"Is it another rose?"

She nodded, lifting it up for me to see. That made five roses now.

"What's going on, Jaime?" I asked her.

She kept smiling as she tucked the rose she had been holding into my hand with the other four. "You are loved." It was the only thing she said before opening the classroom door and motioning me inside.

And there, in the middle of the room, was Ryan, holding a single rose in his hands.

"Hi Sammy," he said. "I see you got my roses."

I shook my head. "What are you doing, Ryan?" I asked. "You better not be proposing. We're only eighteen and I doubt my dads would allow it anyway."

He laughed. "Not today, but one day I plan on proposing to you."

I blushed at the thought. We've only been dating for about a year and a half now, but already I liked the idea of being with him forever.

"I figured you deserved a big romantic gesture, Sammy," Ryan went on, "because you deserve the world. Which is why I'm asking if you'll come to Europe with me. It's not the whole world you deserve, but it's close enough for now."

I stood there with my mouth hanging open. I already knew Ryan was going to visit his aunt and uncle for the summer and have them give him a full tour of Europe. I never expected to be invited.

"Your dads already said yes, by the way. We leave next week, if you want to come."

I dropped my handful of roses onto a desk and flung myself into his arms. I couldn't form any words at the moment. All I could think was how happy I was that Ryan and I would be spending the summer together, exploring new countries.

It may have taken me a while to realize it, but my fate had always been standing right there next to me, since we were little kids. He was mine and I never wanted to let him go. 

A/N: Hey guys! This is it for Misinterpreting Fate! I really hope you enjoyed the book! Thank you all for reading and all your support! 

As of whether or not there's going to be another book in this series, since I know some of you have been asking.... I don't know yet. I want to do something with Shawn, but I haven't figured it out yet. As soon as I know, I'll let you guys know though.