Perfect Strangers |Complete|

Epilogue

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Our principal meets everyone's eyes, smiling at the crowd.  "It'been a long time coming, but it's finally here. Congratulations!"
     Cheers and caps ripple through the football field where our graduation stage was set up. Marcus and I stand up, hands interlocked. We stop at the edge of the field, glancing at all the kids we've grown up with partying, taking selfies, and talking with their families.
Marcus sighs. "We're a long way from where we came."
I laugh. "Well, I am taller.."
He laughs. "No, we're adults now."
I laugh as he smiles. "Are we? I don't feel like an adult."
"You will soon enough."
He leans his arm on my shoulder. "Now we can go to college and leave this all behind."
"That does sound nice..."
"Partying after class, dates without glares, a fresh start..."
"I like the date part."
I smile. "Of course you do."
"You're not leaving me behind."I turn to see Annie coming up alongside us.
I nod. "The three idiots going to explore the world."
Annie pauses. "Who says me and you are idiots? Marcus on the other hand though...."
Marcus sighs. "I get to be teased by both of you?"
Annie nods. "You know it. And I can third wheel with you two."
I laugh. "You are the best third wheel I know."
Marcus grins. "That's quite a compliment."
Annie smirks. "Is it really?"
I laugh."Are you being rude and not accepting the compliment?"
"Maybe I am."
"Why are we friends again?"
"Because we both love teasing Marcus."
"Ah yes. The best entertainment ever."
Marcus smirks." I can't wait for four more years of you two."
Annie looks at me and we burst out laughing.
He looks between us, confused. "What did I say?"
I meet his eyes. "You think we're leaving you after four years?"
Annie nods. "You wish. You're stuck with us."
He sighs. "Great."
Annie glares at him."Ouch."
"And this is why you don't be nice to people."
Annie nods. "You just get bullied."
Marcus nods. "Exactly."
We all grin, biting back laughs. "You guys are the best."
Annie smiles. "You think we don't know that?"
Marcus smile. "All jokes aside, its's nice to be reminded. And you guys really are."
Annie nods. "We've found the good ones."
I smile. "I'd never ditch you two."
Marcus smiles. "Yup, we're stuck with each other."
"The geniuses stuck together forever."
Marcus' family comes over, with my m
om right behind them.  She holds up a camera. "Guess what time it is..."
I force a smile. "Photo time."
She nods.
Marcus sighs. "Do we have to?"
His mom glares "Unless  you want me to bring out your baby books when we get home for the after-party..."
Annie and I grin. "I want to see those..."
I nod. "They sound amazing..."
She nods. "They really are."
"Can I take pictures of them?"
Annie's eyes widen. "Oh, can I too?"
Marcus glares at me. "If you keep being so mean to me, I might not give you a ride..."
I glance at him, struggling to keep a straight face. "You can't be mean to your best friends even if you tried."
He bites back a laugh. "Yes I can."
Annie meets his eyes. "Really?"
Laughter erupts through the whole group and in that moment, I realize something.
I may not ever stop having flashbacks or nightmares, I may not even be able to leave this behind me as I move forward in my life.
But as long as I have Marcus, Annie, and our families with me, I'll be okay. And that's enough for me.
I glance at his mom. "So will you give is a ride?"
Annie grins. "And tell us baby Marcus stories?"
She smirks. "I have lots of stories. Who knows, maybe we'll even get their before the others so we can look at some photos.."
Marcus pales. "No, mom, don't do that."
She grins.."So you will take a pictures then?"
"Yes I will!"
We laugh, smiling at the camera. "Cheese."
She puts the camera down. "I like it. First one home gets baby pictures!"
We all dart towards the cars. As chaotic as this is, I'd never want to be with anyone else.

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