Page 85 of Afterglow
Jazmine laughs, tilting her head. “What’s going on?”
“I just…I wanted to tell you. I love you Jazmine,”
Her eyes widened in surprise. Shit. I hope I haven’t scared her off. I know Jaz is scared of her own emotions sometimes, so I jump in to save myself. “You don’t have to say it—”
“No, stop. You just caught me off guard.” Jaz smiles, her eyes softening. “I love you Theo.”
Tears prick the corner of her eyes, falling down her cheeks. “Hey, no crying. Even if they are happy tears,”
Jazmine wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me into a hug. My arms tighten around her waist and Jaz’s signature scent of vanilla and coconuts invades my nostrils.
The longer we stand with our limbs intertwined and hearts aligned; while basking in the afterglow of the sunset, I know everything will be alright.
Epilogue
Theodore Knight
Life is good.
I am on the verge of starting my senior year of college with my best friends and girlfriend, while my relationship with my dad has been repaired.
It’s hard to believe how far I’ve come from not only junior year, but my very first day at Lakewood University—which was four years ago.
I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Jazmine and I decided to find an apartment together after Athena and Austin said they were doingthe same.
It is a big step to take, however, in a couple months it will be our one-year anniversary. Even the thought has me grinning. After graduation Jaz and I would be living together, so it made sense to start now.
I look across the room to find Jazmine, who is bossing Colton and Austin around. Her hand movements are crazy and chaotic, forcing a silent chuckle to leave me.
Today is move in day and with the help of some of my teammates, we are nearly finished. Jazmine, ever the perfectionist, can’t help but correct the position of anything that was placed in our apartment.
The best thing about our new place is its proximity to everything else. Campus is a short drive away, as well as Athena and Austin’s apartment. The boys grunt and shake their shoulders as they place the last piece of furniture onto the lounge room floor.
“Thank god that is done,” Austin says.
“It looks great,” Jaz says, her smile never fading.
“Did you find a place yet, Colt? You know you are welcome here,” I say.
Colton was the odd one out when Austin and I decided to get our own places. We both have offered for him to stay but he refuses.
“Not happening. The last thing I want to hear is you and Jazmine having sex,”
Jazmine and I laugh. “Fine,”
“You should talk to Sofia,” Jazmine begins. “She has a spare room in my old apartment. She said she found one girl but is still looking for someone else.”
Colton raises his eyebrow. “Would Sofia and this other girl be okay with a guy living there?”
“I think it would be fine. Sofia knows you and you aren’t a creep.”
Colt chuckles. “Good to know I align with the criteria,”
Hours later, Sofia turns up with takeaway. Everyone gathers around the coffee table. Athena is sitting in Austin’s lap and Jazmine is next to me. Sofia lays back, taking up one whole couch to herself while Colton has the single couch.
The night is filled with board games and laughter. It’s crazy to think this is how my nights are spent and there is no end in sight.
