I Understand Now (Ricky Dillon Fanfiction)

Epilogue

{Here it is! I hope you guys like it. I made a trailer for IUN but I can't attach it for some reason, so just search up 'I Understand Now (Wattpad Fanfic Trailer)' on YouTube, or go to my channel BestKeptAnonymous if you want to see it. Also Ellie is still played by Lauren Froderman, but in the trailer she's played by Shelby so that I could get vids of them together. Enough from me-let's get to the story.}

4 YEARS LATER
Ellie's POV.
It's been four years since the day I let go of everything. Four years ago, I was 18 years old and I said goodbye to my first love.

Ricky.

But now, here I am, nervously standing on his doorstep, in Los Angeles, California. I wonder if he will still love me the way he did all those years ago. Even though I'm now in a relationship with someone, I've never let go of Ricky, because he has always been, and always will be, my first real love.

I lift my hand to knock on the door tentatively. I look at the house he now lives in with some friends while I wait for someone to come to the door. It's pretty big, and very modern. I'm glad he's doing well for himself.

At that moment, the door opens, and a boy with messy half blond, half brown hair is standing in the doorway.

"Hi," he greets with a smile. "You must be Ellie."

"That's my name," I confirm.

"I'm Kian," the boy informs me, holding out his hand which I shake. "It's nice to finally meet you."

A dog barks loudly from somewhere inside the house once Kian finishes speaking. I laugh as he steps aside so that I can walk through the doorway.

"That's my dog, Hazel," he explains. "She can get pretty excited when we have visitors." The adorable golden retriever puppy comes into view and jumps on me, panting and wagging her tail.

"Hi there, Hazel," I say with a laugh.

"Ricky!" Kian calls up the stairs. "Ellie's here!" After a moment, footsteps can be heard, and the boy I fell in love with four years ago is standing in front of me. He stops in his tracks and stares at me.

"Hey," I say quietly. Ricky doesn't respond. He just runs to me and hugs me tighter than ever before. I smile and hug him back, and I hear Kian laugh behind me.

"I'll leave you guys to it," he says before walking off. I step back and look at Ricky. He's barely changed since we were in high school. Since then, I've cut my hair so that it's even shorter, added a few pink highlights, and shaved one side. I also wear contacts all the time instead of glasses.

"I missed you," Ricky says with a smile.

"I missed you too," I reply.

"You look different," Ricky remarks. "But you're even more beautiful now." I giggle.

"You haven't changed at all," I say. "But I'm still in love with you."

Ricky still just smiles. "You ready to go?" He asks. I nod eagerly and he leads me to the door.

"Have a good time," Kian says as we walk out the door.

"We will," I call over my shoulder. Once we're outside, Ricky and I get into his car and he looks at me.

"I still remember that day four years ago," he informs me. "I remember every single word you said to me about how you never expected to have a boyfriend, you always thought I'd just be the new guy all the time. Well, look where we ended up."

"I know, right?" I agree as he starts the engine. "You know, I think I like it here in LA. Maybe I'll have to move here."

"Really?" Ricky asks as we start moving. I laugh at his excitement.

"I'll see how things go," I promise. "Where are you taking me, anyway?"

"It's a secret," Ricky teases with a smirk. "But I'm sure you'll like it. Maybe it'll remind you of a time we shared back in Australia."

It turns out he's taking me to a cafe not unlike Third Wave, which is still around, and I still go to it a lot. Once we arrive, we sit down at a table together.

"So, what've you been up to back in Melbourne?" Ricky asks.

"Well, I'm doing my last year at a university called Deakin," I inform him. "I'm working towards a Psychology degree, which has proven pretty hard, but it's still enjoyable. And I've made a lot of friends on campus."

"Psychology?" Ricky seems impressed. "Nice. And, um....did you find anyone?"

I bite my lip. "Yeah," I admit. "This guy called Troy. I met him sometime last year, and he's been really kind to me. I hope you're okay with that."

"Oh, of course, yeah," Ricky assures me. "I wouldn't want you to be single just because you can't move on from me."

The waitress comes over to our table, and we each order a coffee. Once she leaves, Ricky tells me about what he's been doing since he came back to LA.

"I'm living with my friends Jc and Kian, who you met," he says. "I'm single, but I've got my eye on someone. I also have a music career, and I got signed last week. I'm working on a song at the moment, and I kept you in mind the whole time I was writing it."

"Really?" I say. Ricky nods. "What's it about?" I ask.

"It's about how there can be so many people in your life," Ricky explains, "but there's only one person that you want, that you need. There's nobody like them." He smiles.

"I'll have to hear it one day," I decide. "You know...it's really great to see you again."

"Great to see you too," Ricky replies. "And good to know you still wanted to see me." Our coffees arrive, and I thank the waitress before taking a sip of mine.

"I honestly can't tell you how grateful I am for having you in my life," I say, putting my cup down. "You've completely changed the person I am. I never would've been here if I hadn't met you, because I wouldn't be in love with you."

"And I'm grateful for being able to show you off," Ricky jokes, and I laugh. "Now that you're here in LA with me," he adds, and I just shake my head.

Ricky has made an impact on my life that I never expected, and I can't thank him enough. Everything changed the day he came into my life. He helped me through my fears, stood by me the whole time, and taught me how to love. And you know what?

I think I understand now.