Begin Again

ii. bonus scene

okay, so this is a scene from evie and veronica's graduation. this is about four months from the last chapter of the book.

i know in the epilogue, evie reveals she didn't graduate with veronica because she had already moved to paris. but i've already had this scene written and so it's a "what-if" scenario :)

also, writing this made me a bit sad since my college graduation will have to be virtual this year :( fuck you covid

• • •

I AM FINALLY here, sitting in the massive crowd of other NYU graduates that fill the stands of Yankee Stadium. My heart is practically in my stomach at this point, my hands a sweaty mess as the loud chatter of the people around me seemingly drown out my thoughts.

I don't even try to see if I can spot my mom, Axel, Luke, Miles, Talia, and Olivia in the sea of people, though Luke had sent me a picture of the six of them outside the stadium right before we'd all been let in. It makes me even more nervous to know they are all sitting together, possibly having caught sight of me already.

I feel a nudge in my side and look over to see Veronica staring at me, the yellow tassel from her cap blowing in her face. Thankfully, I'd managed to snag a seat next to her, which is probably not allowed since we are supposed to be sitting my majors. Veronica is most definitely a business major while I am photography, but I know I wouldn't have been able to survive if I was sitting alone in a row of people I don't even know.

"You look pale as fuck," Veronica comments.

"Yeah, I'm just extremely nervous," I mumble halfheartedly, chewing intently on my bottom lip.

"Honestly, me too." I snap my gaze to Veronica, who is staring straight ahead. I wouldn't have even guessed she is feeling any inkling of nerves, but then again, that's Veronica and her ability to skillfully hid her emotions.

She notices me staring, lifting her eyebrows at me in question. "What?"

"You being nervous at something like this—just shocks me, that's all," I honestly say. Veronica shrugs, adjusting the cap on her head.

"I mean, after today, everything is going to change. You, me, Talia. We're all done with college. What if we don't have anything in common anymore? What if our friendship was only supposed to last through high school and college? What if–"

"Ronnie," I interrupt her quickly. She blinks at me as if not even realizing she'd been going on a complete tangent. I'm smiling, though, despite her bleak questions. "You think we've been through all this shit to stop being friends? Nope, you're stuck with me. Sorry to burst your bubble."

The worried expression completely vanishes from Veronica's face as she laughs, shoving my shoulder with her own.

Then, the music playing from the speakers set up on stage began to stop, and the surrounding chatter ceases. I turn slightly in my seat, my eyes moving through the crowd above us as if I will be able to spot my family for a second time.

It's useless as I turn back, deciding I'll see them once the ceremony ends.

Veronica's aunt and uncle are in the front row, where I can see them now, snapping photos of Veronica and me, smiling and waving, much to Veronica's annoyance. I was surprised to hear that Veronica's family would come to see her graduate. But apparently, her aunt and uncle are incredibly cool, unlike Veronica's parents.