Best of Me

Chapter Twenty-Four

alright, I caved and wanted to post this sooner cause I love and appreciate all of you for your votes and comments and support! So This is it people! The last chapter! The song above is by literally my favorite group in the whole world. I stan. But, it was also the song that inspired this whole book. If KPOP isn't your thing, you should still listen cause it's a freaking bop and cute as heck.

Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Four:

"Any sign of her, yet?" Julia asks as she takes a seat next to me on the bench. I shake my head, eyes still roaming through the crowd hopefully. "Whatever happens, we stand behind you, Theo." I peel my eyes away from the crowd and smile gratefully at Julia. Elliot, Jasper, Asa, Natasha, Christopher, and Mac all stand scattered around the bench, each a few paces away from the other. They are all turning slowly in circles looking through the crowd the same way I am. "We've got your back." She gives me a quick hug before skipping back to her spot amongst my cousins.

I pay them no mind letting them do as they please and walk over to the tall tree in the town square. The stage where the Mayor is making his speech in half an hour is to the left of it, a gazebo with a smaller Christmas tree stands to the right. I gaze up at the tree.

It's massive. If I think hard enough, I can picture Mae and I hear several years ago waiting for the countdown to begin. I can hear the pop of the fireworks, the cheers for a new year. I can feel her soft lips on mine, a promise for our future together. My fingers brush along my lips and I smile remembering those beautiful moments I got to have with her.

The blissful memory collapses when the blonde beauty morphs into the tan goddess that has occupied my thoughts the most these past couple days. Quinn had spent so much time when we first met trying to show me that I can love someone even if they are gone; that I can miss them despite the painful way in which they left me. And she was right. If Quinn doesn't come back, if she chooses Tae-Jin, then I will accept that. I can't control everything in life, but I can control the way I react to this. She will always hold a special place in my heart, just like Mae, but I will not allow her to destroy my whole being. I am more than the love I receive. I am more than the pain I have endured. I am more.

The music that has been playing through the speakers on the stage suddenly cuts out. I turn toward the stage to see the Mayor's assistant tapping on the microphone. Static pumps through the speakers followed by the echoing of the thumbs of her hand against the microphone.

"Hello?" She leans forward into the microphone as she speaks. "Oh, good, it's working. Hello, everyone! Welcome to the annual Whiteridge New Year's Eve Fair! The Mayor will be giving his speech in fifteen minutes, and then the fireworks will go off at midnight! It'll be a great start to the New Year, I hope you're all excited!" The perky woman gets a mediocre round of cheers. I clap slowly from where I stand watching as she ducks her head. "Um, anyway, enjoy the rest of the evening!" She trots off the stage and the music flits back out of the speakers. I turn away from the stage, moving toward the gazebo get some distance between myself and my family.

They continue their rounds watching the crowd as they joke back and forth with each other. One of them always has their eyes on me. Watching my every move. Checking my body language. It's obvious in the way their eyes rove over my body, linger on my face, and tilt their head in question whenever I catch them. I don't engage. I blatantly ignore them. I know they mean well. That they care. I appreciate it, I really do. But, right now, I need my space. Quinn is either going to show up within the next twenty-five minutes or she isn't, and that will be the end of that. Even if I don't want it to be. At that point, it'll be clear what she wants.

The benches in the gazebo are empty, everyone has flocked over to the stage waiting for the fireworks. It's the best spot to watch them if you get there early enough. The gazebo's view is partially blocked by a line of houses and trees, but I know that I'll be able to see them from here. If I stick around long enough, that is.