Big Tree Village

Chapter 19 - THE END

Chapter 19

            The school reeked of perfume and cologne. I could barely breathe. I pulled my bag over my shoulder and waved Good-bye to my dad. To make it worse, today is kind of my birthday. But no one but my dad knew that and I made him swear not to tell a soul. I hate birthdays. I hate surprises and all of that. So I just like to skip it all and just say, ‘Yeah I’m 18’ next time someone asks. Sarah nudged me from my right. She would be the only friend I start out with at Big Tree High. Chance, Rocki, and Demona are all in college now. I licked my lips, “Yeah?”

                “That’s Michael.” She pointed at a scrawny boy as he ran across the hall towards the guidance office. “He asked me to prom last year.” She rolled her eyes. I gagged alongside her as we picked up our schedules.

                Everyone from Big Tree High ends up at the nearest college, Saint Big Tree. It makes no sense to put ‘Saint’ in front of the name but that makes it private. Chance, Demona, and Rocki started college three weeks ago. They all live in the same dorm, I am so jealous. But Chance and I are going to make this work, besides we love each other too much to end it now. Larry and Ms. Murray just recently announced their engagement and Demona is hiding her bump very well. But she wants an education more than anything, and once the bump is too hard not to notice she is going to take off until she is ready. Rocki is going to take off with her, they’re such great parents! Oh, and it’s a girl!

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                After a long day of immature seniors I was happy to meet Sarah at the exit. We walked out, carrying books, binders, and bags. I gasped as I saw Chance, Demona, Rocki, Peter, (holding Oinkers), and Artie standing by my teal truck. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOEY!” They all yelled. My face beamed bright red and they laughed. I ran to the trunk and dropped my books and bag. Then I embraced Chance and took in his smell. He still smelled like flowers even though he had to let his shop go, he couldn’t handle college and flowers. I ran my hand across the Big Tree tattoo on his shoulder and he kissed my cheek.

                “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” He whispered. I shuddered. But he tapped me with a small box and my fingers shook. I unwrapped it and looked down at him. He was on one knee. Oh my god. He helped me open it to reveal a sparkling diamond ring. I almost fainted but Artie stood behind me, holding me up. Chance smiled and asked, “Zoey Hawkins, will you marry me?”

                “YES!” I shouted hugging him again. Warm tears cleansed my eyes. Artie’s mouth came close to my ear as he said.

                “I hope you have a fairytale wedding. I hope you both live happily ever after, and I hope one day I can meet Kylee.” This meant so much. Not only for him to come but to remember the things that I had said to him when we played that alphabet game. Chance put the ring on my finger and I shuddered. Demona embraced me next.

                “Congrats! I’m so happy you two are getting married!” She felt her stomach and turned green. “I’ll be right back.” She turned around and ran to a bush, Rocki followed after handing me another box. I opened it and saw a CD. In neat handwriting there was. ‘Thanks for helping me chase my dreams. Love Demona.’ I smiled and slid it in to my back pocket. Peter handed me Oinkers along with a $600 dollar check.

                “I know you need to visit mom, I located her. This is for a ticket to go see her.” I had to stop almost-crying so I let the tears pour out. He knew deep deep deep down I missed my lunatic mother. I hugged him and felt Chance behind me, my little protector. Oinkers squirmed between my father and I and I stepped back. “Happy Birthday my little girl. Oh and Chance has been begging me for my approval for that past month!” Peter said kissing my cheek. I wiped my tears and sighed deeply. After an awkward talk with Sarah being confused I drove Chance and I to our spot. The place where I pulled over to get away. The place where I told him I loved him. The place where he said, “it’s her.” The place where it all began.

                “I love you,” he whispered kneeling by the silver rail. He pulled out a small knife and started carving a C. He handed me the knife after writing a plus sign.

“I love you too,” I carved a Z. Then underneath I carved half a heart, and he did the other half. “I know I’m young and you’re young too…”

THE END