The Last Summer (EDITING)

Epilouge

Epilogue

Four months later
December 17th

I bubble in the last answer to my calculus exam, my last exam before Christmas vacation, and stand from my chair and collect my things before handing my test to my professor.

"Thank you Paige. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." I smile, leaving the room while a few more people are still finishing up.

My phone starts ringing in my purse. I dig it out and answer it. "Hello?"

"How'd your test go?"

I smile at the sound of my mom's voice. "I think it went really good. I studied like crazy last night so hopefully it paid off."

"Oh I know it did. You're still coming home for Christmas, right?"

I nod, even though she can't see it. "Yeah that's the plan." I tuck a loose strand behind my ear. "I have to finish packing, and I haven't yet talked to my boss about leaving, but I should be there. I miss you guys."

"We miss you too honey. Well I love you. Call me if anything comes up."

"Love you too." I hang up only to feel a hand on my shoulder. I jump in surprise and scowl as she starts laughing.

"You know I scare easily." I frown, shoving my phone back into my bag.

Ciera tries to contain her laugh,"I know. That's why I had to do it."

I roll my eyes,"So you're coming home with me right?"

Ciera gives me a weak frown. "Where else am I going to go?"

I wrap an arm around her shoulder as we continue to walk down the vacant hallway. "Still nothing from them?"

She shakes her head. "Haven't a word from them since the funeral."

I squeeze her gently,"Well you don't need to worry about that anymore. My mom practically calls you her second daughter."

Ciera smiles, leaning her head on my shoulder. "You guys are too good for me."

We exit the University doors and I squint as I spot my car a far distance away in the crowded parking lot. "I really need to get closer parking." I chuckle.

Ciera snorts,"I told you to pay the extra five dollars for a better spot, but no."

"Hey, those five extra dollars went just fine towards a burger and fries." I laugh, remembering that day when I was feeling exceptionally hungry than usual after my afternoon class. I took my last five dollar bill from my jacket pocket and drove to McDonald's. It was a good day.

Ciera rolls her eyes. "I will never understand your relationship with food."

"It's getting pretty serious."

She lets out a short laugh. "The fact that you can fit into a size four still amazes me."

We laugh together as we walk to the car. I pull the car keys from my mess of a bag and unlock the car for us. We hop in and Ciera instantly cranks up the radio.

"Yes! I love this song!"

I smile as she starts to belch out the lyrics to what I think is supposed to be another One Direction song. Although she doesn't seem to do the song justice, I just laugh at my tone deaf friend.

I turn the song down and she frowns. "So...heard anything from him?"

Ciera shakes her head remorsefully. "He hasn't called in a month or so." She shrugs. "I don't know why."