Marching Band: The Journey [EDITING]

Epilogue

Forget the over-the-water bungalows for us, they rented a private plane! Everyone was excited and rushed home to pack, ignoring the taste of champagne in our orange juice. We gathered at the private airport where the plane was fueled and ready to take off. The flight there was enjoyable at the maximum level. Drinks were flowing and laughs were full. Each couple had a bungalow to themselves: Tony and I, Carson and Em, Phillip and a kind girl he met at the graduation party, Reese and Tracey. Only Ethan had a bungalow for himself. The trip was filled with late lunches, fancy dinners, extravagant restaurants, fun activities, bright sunshine, and tiring night activities. We didn't want it to end, but eventually, it did. And we had to return to real life.

Everyone returned home to pack for their new lives. Each of us had our own paths to follow. Reese and Ethan were moving to LA to get into modeling. Tony was heading off to Texas with a football scholarship. Em was moving further upstate with her parents for four years of school and then another four years of medical school. Carson was staying to support Magnolia and Jack, with a little help from the Harringtons. Phillip wanted to go into the military, but wanted to explore and live a little before entering. And since I had no idea what I wanted to do yet, we decided to travel the world together like we always planned.

We spent a week together just the nine of us, trying to make a few more memories before we all had to leave.

Tracey and Reese made a mutual decision to break off what they had. Phillip and his new girlfriend, Nicole, were going to try the long distance thing since her family was moving out of the country. She was in marching band with us the whole year, but since Phillip was always focused on his ex, nothing ever happened. Apparently she's had a crush on him for the past two years. Nicole was kind and innocent, something Phillip needs in his life. Em and Carson didn't know what they were going to do. She mentioned something to me, in private, about breaking it off so that he wouldn't wait for her. She said she couldn't handle the long distance thing and she wouldn't have time for a new boyfriend while in medical school. Carson understood and painfully accepted her decision.

Tony and I were in the same boat. We didn't want to break-up, but how could we stay together? His sole focus was going to be training and football, and more than in high school. I didn't know when I was going to come back from traveling. And I still didn't know what I wanted to do. We made a mutual decision that we would take some time for ourselves to focus on our lives and careers. So, we didn't break-up, we separated.

Since Phillip and I didn't leave for another few days after everyone else would leave, we decided to help our friends pack. He spent a day with Nicole the same day I was with Tony, helping them pack. The day after, we helped Em pack up her room to take with her. A lot of tears were shed. Who wanted to leave the friends they thought they would have for life? I promised Em we would text and video chat whenever we could, that I would base my sleep schedule on her class times.

When leaving day approached, it was hard to say goodbye for the last time. Carson didn't come because he said he couldn't stand to see Em go. Phillip kissed Nicole once more before she had board her flight. Tony and I had a long and deep kiss before he had to pull away for his plane. Reese and Ethan left after Tony did since they were road tripping to California. Once all our friends were gone, Phillip and I went to Carson's to check on him.

We hung out with the Woodbridge clan at Em's favorite park. Carson was silent and guarded, forcing fake smiles whenever Magnolia or Jack would turn to him. He had a lot weighing down on his shoulders. He got his father arrested and put in jail, his mother is in the hospital getting treatments, and he has to support his family. Basically giving up any possible future since he isn't going to school.

After a few days of helping Carson with Magnolia and Jack, Phillip and I have to leave. We're touring around in other countries, spending a week in each city. Sweden, Norway, United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Egypt, and Morocco. We've been planning this since freshman year and now it's here!

While we're in the airport waiting for our flight to Sweden, I'm video chatting Em. We've been doing it ever since she left. For an hour on her drive up, we did so I could keep her company since she was alone in her own car. Phillip just got off the phone with his mom and settles into the seat next to me.

"Hey, Phillip!" Em calls, her eyes focusing away from my face. Behind her is her empty walls. They only were recently just painted and still drying so she can't hang anything yet. "Excited to travel the world?"

"I would be if my mom didn't call every five minutes. We haven't even left the airport." He pouts, crossing his arms as he scoots further down in his seat. Em and I share a look over the phone.

Before either of us can console him, the intercom comes on and calls the boarding for our flight. Phillip jumps up to gather his bag and thankfully mine. I turn back to my phone as I blindly follow Phillip to the gate.

"Sorry, Em, we're boarding now. I'll call when we land." I say to her, hovering my finger over the hand-up button.

"That's fine, I need to build furniture anyway. Have fun, but not too much. Bye!" She calls out, ending the video for me.

I chuckle at my friend, stuffing my phone in my back pocket as I step onto the plane. Phillip has already gotten to our seats and tucked our bags away. Settling into the seat next to him, we share an eager smile.

This leg journey of our lives has come to a close. This is the next leg. And it begins now.

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AH! It's done! It's over! (kind of)

I started this book on November 17, 2017, and am proud to say I am posting the epilogue on November 17, 2018. It took us one long agonizing year to finish this journey. Thank you to everyone who read this book because it's close to my heart.

For any wandering questions about whether there will a sequel, let me explain. Anytime I get an idea or start writing any story, I automatically think about what will come next. In this case, I was excited about a sequel until I realized something. What would I write about? Their lives are just getting on the way. And then I had an idea. But you'll have to stay tuned for that. ;)

In other news, I have many stories on the back burner. I am aiming to finish TLAD (Tough Life of Annalise Drayton) first before introducing anymore stories.

Thank you to all readers, and I will see you (or more like write to you) in the next one!

~Lotus