Promises We Keep

Epilogue: Graduation

MARCUS POV

"Marcus Deeks, MIT," the principal calls. 

I hear cheers from the audience as I walk across the stage. Kaitlin and Karen are sitting next to each other with proud smiles on their faces. I look back at Grace, who is in line about to be called, and send her a thumbs up. She grins widely at me.

"Grace Lancaster, MIT." 

Grace practically struts across the stage to get her diploma. Once she gets it she turns towards the crowd and bows. I shake my head at her. Why are we friends?

Grace runs up to me and I pick her up into a hug spinning her around. "We graduated!" she screams.

"I know," I laugh.

"I can't believe you actually made it," she says. "I'm glad, I didn't place bets."

I ruffle her hair roughly. "Fuck you."

Officer Mike comes up and hands Grace flowers. "Congrats, sweetheart," he says, hugging her.

"Marcus!" I turn to see Karen running up to me. I hug her. "Oh my boy. Look at you," she says, placing her hands on my cheeks. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Karen. I really appreciate you coming."

"I'm just happy you wanted me here. Besides, if I can't see Ken walk across the stage you're the next best thing. I think of you as my son too."

I smile at her and hug her again.

I look up and see Kaitlin standing back a little, looking uncomfortable and annoyed. I pull away from Karen and walk up to her.

"Good job, Marcus," she says, looking at me.

"Thanks, Kaitlin." She nods, looking down biting her lip. I take a deep breath. "I mean, thanks...Mom."

Her head shoots up and her mouth opens in surprise. "I...I don't deserve that," she says.

"I know you don't. But you can try to earn it," I say.

She smiles and pulls me into a hug. "How about we all get something to eat before you and Grace leave. My treat."

I look at the others and they nod. "That would be great."

I shove my last suitcase into the backseat of Grace's car.

"How do you have more bags than me?" Grace asks, rolling her eyes.

"One of them is just a suitcase filled with my comic books," I shrug.

She groans mumbling something about me ruining her image at college. I just laugh. I place the police scanner on the dashboard of the car.

"Hey! Where did you two get that?"

Shit.

Officer Mike glares between the two of us. I look at Grace who looks back at me. She narrows her eyes, her face saying 'you're an idiot'. Unfortunately, in this situation, I can't disagree. Grace sighs and opens her mouth to speak, but I stop her.

"I stole it." Officer Mikes turns to me furious. I put my hands up in surrender. "In my defense, I did it for research into the field. I just really like police work," I say.

He doesn't say anything to me. He just grabs the scanner from the car giving me the death stare. He turns to Grace. "Grace, I hope you make a lot of friends at college. New friends. Better friends," he says, smiling at her. I roll my eyes.

"Marcus is the best friend I'm ever going to have," Grace says, rolling her eyes at her uncle too.

"He stole police property!"

"Oh give it a rest Uncle Mike. I was the one who stole it. He just covered for me. And no, it was not his idea. It was mine," Grace says, frowning at him.

Kaitlin looks at Grace, impressed and Karen just shakes her head in disappointment. Officer Mike starts grumbling about how teenagers are giving him headaches. I pout as I watch my scanner being taken away. I'll miss you, dude.

"We should go," Grace says.

I nod. I give Karen a hug while Grace hugs her uncle.

I then turn to Kaitlin. "Just message me if you need anything," she says.

"I will. Don't get arrested," I say.

"No promises," she laughs.

"I'll see you when the three of us come back to visit."

"Okay," she says. She looks sad.

"Take care of yourself. I'm not going to be here to come get you of trouble."

She looks up at me. "I'll be fine."

I hug her goodbye hoping that she will be. She's come a long way in these past few months. I never thought I would get the chance to see her like this, here and involved with my life. I just hope it sticks. I give everyone a final wave and join Grace in the car. 

"Ready?" Grace asks.

"Let's get the hell out of here," I grin.

Grace starts the car and we begin the drive towards Massachusetts. Towards Ken.

"I plan to throw the best parties," Grace says. "Those Cambridge kids won't know what hit them."

"I'm just going to try not to get arrested," I joke.

"Please," she says. "With Ken there, you'll be fine." I nod, smiling. She nudges me and wiggles her eyebrows. "So you and Ken are sharing a room huh?"

"Uhhh..yeah so," I say laughing.

"Nothing. That's just going to be exciting for you, I bet."

I shake my head. "Whatever, Grace?" I plug my phone into the car radio and start looking for a song.

"So....what's it like being a Bottom?" Grace asks.

I drop my phone, coughing to gain my composure, and willing my cheeks to stop burning. Fucking hell Grace!

"Why the hell do you think I'm the bottom?"

She snorts. "Well aren't you?"

I look away, positive my entire head is red right now. "We could switch off you know," I mutter.

She pats my shoulder in fake sympathy. "Awww, you actually think that."

I shrug her hand off. "Keep talking and I'll throw your ass out of your own fucking car. You can walk to Massachusetts for all I care."

Grace laughs, taking my phone and choosing a song. 

I look out the window my mind filled with Ken and the multitude of possibilities in front of me. I'm ready for it all.