EPILOGUE: THE NEW LEAF

"In loving memories of Sloane Hayne Laxon."

A sad smile crept between my lips while I'm staring at his grave. I put the candle and flowers down and muttered a silent prayer.

I sit on the damp grass while staring at the sky.

"Are you watching over us? Or you're busy screwing some beautiful angels up there?" I chuckled despite the pain.

I hold the necklace I'm wearing. "Why didn't you tell me that you like me? We could have better memories if you did. If Pierce hadn't tell me, I wouldn't have known. You're really dumb."

How many months had already passed in the blink of an eye? Six? Seven? Eight? I don't know.

I'm now taking up a Journalism Course in Paxton University. The previous school where I studied offers that course too, but I chose to transfer. Maybe it's a part of moving on from one of the darkest phase of my life. Ridley University witnessed the horror of our lives.

I sighed. "You're one of the most annoying person that I met. You always make my blood boil because of your annoying antics. I hate your conceited attitude and your guts." I laugh while remembering the times that we had petty fights. "But that's what I will miss the most about you."

I couldn't hold my tears anymore, so I let them fall. I get a piece of paper on my bag and read the poem again.

Those orbs are astonishing

That beam is captivating

You're a catastrophic scenery

I can forever watch with glee

Treacherous war I'm trap

You held my hand and stop.

My eyes glistened with tears,

Land a gaze and mend my fears.

I'm a ferocious raven,

And you're my safe haven.

You're my own implausible moon

I was a mayhem that you set in tune

Every strum of my guitar,

I wish you can hear.

Every shine of the star,

I pray you're here.

Painted my life with beautiful hue

I cherish you more than you knew

In this fondness I am stuck

I love you, to the moon and back

-Sloane Hayne Laxon

-to the woman who painted my gray life with a beautiful shade of blue, Lauren.

I gulped hard after reading it. This beautiful poetry, no matter how many times I read, has still the same effect on me. It still caresses the deepest core of my heart. I can't believe that he has a poetic side. That thought made me smile.

Pierce gave me this the moment he regain his consciousness. Yes, him and Alexandria survived a near death experience. At first, I did not believe when Pierce said that Sloane wrote it for me. Of course, who would even believe that the person who always makes fun of me writes a poem expressing his love ?! That was impossible and unbelievable!

That's what I thought at first. But after seeing his signature, my heart swells with joy. Pierce said that Sloane kept this poem for the longest time along with the bracelet because he has no courage to tell me his feelings.

I shake my head and hissed. "What a coward," I said scornfully and even pointed a finger on his name, as if he can see me.

Without any reluctance, I lie down on the grass and spread my arms on each sides. "I like you too. I denied it even to myself at first, but I always end up smiling every time I remember those times that we spent together. It's just sad that we didn't get the chance to tell what's inside our hearts." I wipe the tears cascading down my cheeks and smiled bitterly. "But I wish fate has other plans for the both of us- even in another life, if there is any."

I stand up and fix myself. "You will always hold a special place in my heart. I will visit you again in some other time."

Before I could even walk away, a cold and comforting breeze embraces me. Strange, but I feel like it was Sloane. I breathed deep.

I hope the next time we meet, we can finally speak the untold story of our hearts.

•••••

"Lauren!" Lorelei's high pitch voice called my attention.

After paying the taxi driver, I crossed the road and walk towards them. Sitting around the table situated on the garden are her, Alexandria, Luther, Pierce Rheign, and surprisingly, Lucas.

"Where have you been? You're twenty minutes late!"

I jokingly rolled my eyes at Lei. "It's none of your business."

She scoffed that made everyone chuckle.

"Kids! Here are the foods! I will bring the drinks later!"

We're interrupted by Rheign's mother who's carrying tray of foods. Luther and Pierce help her place the food on the table.

"Thanks, Auntie!" We said in chorus and she replied with a smile.

If anyone is wondering, the seven of us are attending the same University now. Luther and Lucas are both taking up Law. Rheign, Pierce and Alexandria are taking Political Science. Lorelei is a Psychology student.

With what happened with the past, we formed a rather strange bond. Despite the clashing personalities of each other, we're able to get along well.

"Lucas, you are so thin and yet you're a big eater. Where are you bringing all the foods you ate?" Alexandria suddenly asked Lucas.

He squinted his eyes on her. "Are you body shaming me, woman?" he asked in a sharp and dangerous tone that made us laugh.

His nose flared up. "I have a fast metabolism that's why."

He was about to take another spoon of cake when Luther leaned closer to him. "Yeah, such a big and messy eater," the latter said and wipe the chocolate icing on the corner of Lucas' lips.

All of us gasp when Luther licks the icing on his finger.

"Sweet."

I saw how blood immediately rose from Lucas' cheeks. I bit my lips to stifle my laughter. This is the first time that I saw him all flustered and shy.

"Aw, our baby Lucas is blushing," Lorelei teases him.

Lucas glared at her. "Shut up!" he exclaimed and turned to Luther. "And you! Stop invading my personal space! Just because we kiss doesn't mean-"

"You kiss?!" the five of us asked in surprise. Lucas, realizing what he said, pursed his lips. His eyes widened and his cheeks are as red as a tomato.

He was furious while Luther was just sitting with a sly grin on his lips. The latter is humming to a song, obviously teasing the former.

Lucas already told us about his sexual preference. I know how hard it was for him, which was totally understandable because it is a sensitive topic. But he eventually got the courage to tell us. I don't know what's going on between him and Luther, but I wish them happiness.

Our table was filled with laughter. While staring at the smiling faces of my friends, a warm feeling engulfed my heart.... finally.

Despite all the hurdles, I can confidently say that this journey is worth it. We gained numerous scars, the remnants of our dark past, learned lessons, lost some friends and gain some. But the most important thing is that, we are now ready to face the future head on. We found the courage to let go of the things that we can't change.

The late afternoon sun over the horizon seemed to brushed upon an artist's canvas, as if those rays were destined to create a great work of art- bathing the surrounding on its warm, golden light. The sky is currently lit on the beautiful shades of orange and red as the tiny specks of dust dances in the shaft of the dying glow of the sun.

The sunset is merely a prelude to the dawn, yet its majesty fills my mind with the most beautiful dreams.

I'm now closing the first chapter of our pain, sufferings and affliction. We have conquered the baptism of fire.