Epilogue
Permanent
Jeff helped me stepped in the tour
bus as the rain started to fall. It’s been a while since I really appreciated
rain. I wore my black hoodie as I hugged myself; it’s getting frigid again,
since it’s only seven in the morning. I toss my arm sling on the other seat as
I rested my head on the window and bring up my knees up to my chest and hugged
them tightly.
I already said goodbye to Troy many times now, though I didn’t bother
seeing him today. I also said goodbye to Jacque, Mandy, Stephen, Gwen and Iya
and said that my dad decided t go back in Vancouver. I did that yesterday too,
with Troy beside me; and it became really... emotional.
“Stop crying you guys...” I said to both Mandy and Jacque. “We’ll just
text and call every day,”
“Aren’t we gonna see you again?” Jacque asked wiping her tears.
If I go back to California for
another round of concerts, of course you will. “Of course you will,” I
repeated from myself.
And that conversation ended by treating them in an ice cream parlour. I
guess banana split solved the problem. I invited Gwen and Iya too, since they
became my friends too even for just a short period of time.
Jacque asked how Troy and I got back together, and I said the simplest
things that would drive her crazy; we walk, and talk... about stuff. She didn’t
ask anything else, though I can tell that that was not enough for her. I didn’t
notice Mitch in school yesterday, not that I’m planning to ask her to come with
us. I just want to thank her for what she did; at least she made it a lot
easier for me to tell the truth to Troy. I don’t know how I’ll tell Troy that
I’m really Lauren if it weren’t for her help. And if she didn’t help me, it’s
either I wouldn’t tell Troy the truth, or if I did, it’ll be too late, and I
wouldn’t have time to explain, and I would probably leave without any change; I
would probably leave without my best friend back.
I tried calling Dylan last night, but he hadn’t been answering my calls.
Troy said that Dylan’s probably busy these days.
“You want to stay, do you,” Jeff said coming beside me.
“It’s no use if I say yes anyway. I have to leave,” I murmured.
“You’ll be having a break for another two months. You won’t have a tour
and maybe you’ll just be guesting in a few shows, but no concerts... shoot a
movie, but not in Chicago...” he said, trying to make it all sink in to me.
“And you’re saying?”
“You can stay if you want,”
I stared at him, hoping he’s right. “What did you say?”
“You can stay. I can see in your eyes how much you want to stay in this
city. Well, until your tour starts again. And besides, if you’ll stay, I can
have a reason to visit Stacey,” he smirked at the idea.
“So you’re gonna use me to see Stacey?” I chuckled.
“Kinda,” he breathed. “Besides, I want to get to know the guy who’s
deserving enough for your tears,” he grinned.
Of course Jeff would figure that it’s Troy. He’s smart enough to guess
that the same guy who made me cry is still the same guy I love no matter what.
“But please don’t be mean,” I chuckled.
“Even just a little bit? I love having fun with your guys,” when he says
having fun with them, that means
making fun of them.
“He got trauma...”
“That’s part of the fun,” he laughed. “So, where are we going off?”
I looked to my phone to see that it’s ten minutes before the first
period and I don’t think they went to class already. But then again, it’s
raining... so it’ll take someone crazy to wait outside.
“I want to go to school today,” I smirked. It’ll take someone as crazy
as Troy to wait outside; I hope.
Jeff smiled again and stood up and talked to my mom. It didn’t take long
for him to convince her, of course. Jeff always has this ability to have his
own way; it’s his special talent.
I don’t know where I’ll stay for the next few months, but I’ll think
about it later. Right now, all I want is to get out and embrace Troy. The car
stopped after taking a turn, and Jeff signalled me to step out the car. I took
the umbrella and went out and hurried to the campus.
Okay, so if I’m Troy Edward
Anderson, where will I be? I repeated again and again in my head.
I
walked to our usual spot before, under the oak tree. I know that no one can
stay there when it’s raining; but it’s Troy. It’s not just anyone else... it’s
him.
“Hey, is this spot taken?” I asked when I saw Troy sitting under the oak
tree. He’s wearing a black raincoat and holding an umbrella while reading Blue Moon by Alyson Noel. I guess I left my book in my room.
He looked up to me and smiled. He stood up and walked toward me. “What
are you still doing here?”
“I don’t know. I guess I left my heart and took someone else’s by
mistake,” I smiled.
“What if you didn’t take it by mistake? And what if I don’t want to give
it back to you?”
“Then I guess I won’t leave at all,”
“No kidding?” he said earnestly.
“Yes,” I hugged him tightly. “You’re really wet right now, what’s the
use of the umbrella?”
“I’m just making sure your book wouldn’t get soaked,”
“Good,”
“So, are we gonna hug forever or go to class already?”
I looked to him my arm still around his neck. “Well, Lauren doesn’t
really keep a clean record in school. How about you?”
“You’re gonna break my record?” he asked taking my hand and giving it a
soft squeeze.
“Yeah,”
“Taylor?” a familiar voice called from behind. I turned around to see a
guy with dark brown hair with his short fohawk, tanned skin and muscular body;
Dylan. I didn’t recognize him at first because of his darker hair.
“Dylan?” I said with excitement.
“The one and only,” he opened his arms as I ran and hugged him tightly.
“Omigod, what are you doing here?” I asked when I let go.
“I’m staying,” he smiled endearingly as Troy came to my side and put his
arm around my waist.
“For how long?”
He flickered to Troy with a sudden twitch and brought his gaze back to
me. “Permanently.”
I looked to Troy then back to him. I guess the next two months will be
life changing... again.
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