Epilogue(It's Complicated)

June

Graduation

I slowly walked back to my car, past all of the ecstatic families congratulating the other members of my graduating class. The noise was there, but I couldn't hear it. I clutched my rolled up diploma in my hand and reached down to unbutton the black button of my red graduation gown, but didn't take it off. It had a silver collar and the tassel on my cap was the same metallic color. My cap had remained clutched in my hands, contrary to what I was supposed to do. So much for following tradition, but I wasn't really able to follow tradition.

My mom had, in fact, not shown up. Not that I had expected her to make an appearance, but a small part of me had hoped. It was dumb of me to hope for that, but.. I couldn't help it. Apart from the fact that I heard she was on the run from the police because of a stunt she pulled with Bruce, she also had a hearing in court(that she had not attended) about the damage she had left on my body. I was glad she was taken care of, because that meant I wouldn't have to worry anymore.

Last night I'd had a mental debate with myself about whether or not I felt guilty about the possibility that my mom would be soon thrown in jail, and even though I had endured so much shit from her, I didn't feel guilty. I felt sorry for her. She's my mom, she was always there for me when I was a child and she used to care for and about me. It was just wistful thinking for me to keep hoping that it would somehow go back to that, and I needed to stop thinking about it.

I was stopped half way to my car by a small figure running into me and hugging me tightly. I looked down and recognized Kirstie's dark curls. I smiled and hugged her back. 

"I'm so proud of you for graduating high school!" She squealed. "I knew you could do it!" I smiled bashfully and looked down. She grinned and kissed my cheek.

"Thank you. And thank you for coming all the way from Oklahoma just for my graduation. I really appreciate it," I said, and she threw her arms around me again. 

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world, and you're my best friend. I care about you, and besides you came to my graduation so I figured I would just return the favor," She said, laughing. I grinned and kissed the side of her head. She reached up and touched my hair, pushing it back out of my face. 

"I'm going to go see some of my old friends, but stop by my house later to celebrate. You're obviously not going to Cindy's party, right?" She said. I shook my head.

"No, of course not. I'm just gonna go home," I responded. She gave me a small smile and another quick hug before walking away. I looked after her for a moment before walking away, still continuing through my high school's parking lot. 

The last few months weren't easy. But they weren't difficult either. I didn't struggle, but I didn't prevail. I felt empty after I stopped seeing Scott. I felt sad that Kirstie couldn't come at all, and besides the occasional facetime sessions, my best friend and I rarely talked. I never heard back from Frank about anything, and I figured Miranda must've been telling him that I was getting better, yet there was nothing wrong with me to begin with. I had stopped trying to convince her of that and just let it go along. Whatever floated her boat and kept her from breathing down my neck.

I was lost in thought when I saw him. Leaning against my car, in black skinny jeans and a red and black checkered sweater. He now had facial hair and his hair was styled nicely, standing on his head in what seemed like a quiff. My breath hitched and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. This could not be him. There was no fucking way. After 6 months of not seeing him, he was here. Right before my very eyes. Scott was here. He never forgot about me. He had never given up on me. His head was lowered, looking at something at his phone. I didn't know what to do. Should I walk over to him? Should I not talk to him at all? I didn't have a chance to make up my mind, because he raised his head and his eyes met mine.