Page 40 of The Ending is the Best Part
Xander and I walk down the carpet holding hands.It’s been a year since we handed in our episode to Meagan.They filmed the show and we even got to go on set while our episode was in production.It was magical and grand, and it was incredible to see actors bring the words we wrote to life.The season so far has been greeted with critical acclaim and our viewership has grown even more.Everyone, like we predicted, is on tenterhooks to see how Layla and Atticus’s arc will conclude in the final episode.And some of my favourite BookTokers are talking about the series!I’ve seen fan theories that one of them will die, that Layla is pregnant with her guardsman’s baby, that Atticus will kill her.None of them have got it quite right.
But more importantly, this past year with Xander has been the happiest of my life.I didn’t know if I’d be able to welcome someone into my heart again, but he’s done it.We love to browse Lunar Books together after work – him with a black coffee and me with my chai.We spend our evenings reading, watching old movies and doing other, private stuff too… I sometimes can’t believe we’ve finally got to this point of stillness after everything we have been through.It feels so right with him.
As we approach the mouth of the cinema and I think that soon everyone in there will be watching our episode, I feel the thrum of nerves simmering in my veins.I hope it goes down well.Tonight, we will finally get to see if all our hard work paid off.
Xander’s arm is laced through mine and, with a slight nudge, he jolts me out of my anxious thoughts, ‘You ready?’ He peers down at me as if he knows exactly what I have been thinking.‘Everyone will love it.’
‘I’m ready as I’ll ever be.’ I squeeze his hand to reassure him that I’m okay.
We head inside the cinema, where the seats are filled with an eager audience.I recognise critics from all the major publications and I pray that they’ll enjoy it.There are also some devoted fans who are giddy with the excitement of being able to watch the series finale of their favourite show early, among the glitz and lights of the watch party.
At events like this, it’s usually the cast, crew and some press ready to unleash their early reviews, but Meagan said we could invite our family and friends.I sit down next to Amira and wave at Andrew next to her – she finally dumped her loser boyfriend and he wasted no time asking her out.In fact, this is their first date – Andrew definitely knows how to impress a girl.
Maddie grabs my hand.‘Good luck!I’m so excited for you.’ She pulls me into a deep hug and whispers in my ear, ‘Do you think you can set me up with the hot actor y’all killed off in episode three?’
‘I didn’t kill him!It was the executive producers.’ I laugh.‘But yes, I can try.He’ll need someone to help him nurse his wounds.’
She squeals and squeezes me tight before running to take her seat again.
Xander holds my hand as the lights dim and the chatter falls to a hush as the long-awaited episode flickers to life.
Sometimes we get the chance to watch episodes early while they are in post-production, but Xander and I decided we would wait until this moment so that we could watch it for the first time on the big screen.Call us superstitious, but we thought it might be bad luck to see it any sooner.Like a groom seeing a wedding dress before the big day.
We are seated with the rest of the script team and producers.As the iconic title sequence starts to play, I turn to look a few rows behind me and spot my parents and Elif sitting there, their faces unreadable in the dark room.I sent them the invite on a whim, not expecting their attendance, seeing as they have never come to any work-related event of mine before.I’ve spent years trying to explain to them how much this matters to me, but they’ve never understood it.But tonight, they have come, which means the world to me.
And suddenly, there:
Written by
Yara Aslan and Xander Woods
And clapping breaks out behind me.I turn again and see my parents and Elif cheering and gesturing wildly.Someone shushes them, but there’s no stopping their smiles, which shine bright in the dark, illuminated by the screen.My dad waves wildly at me and Mum blows me a kiss.Elif puts a hand to her heart.She looks like she might be about to cry.I wave back at them, and turn round as the titles come to an end.
‘My name’s first, as it should be,’ I whisper to Xander.
He throws his head back and has to stifle his exasperated laugh.‘It’s alphabetical.And,shh, it’s about to start.’
The entire room holds its breath in suspense as the finale plays out on screen.Shocked gasps fill the room as Elaria is killed and the plot twist unfolds.Then, when Layla and Atticus finally kiss, the audience murmurs with delight.It’s everything Xander and I hoped for and more.
Finally, when the screen fades to black, the room is silent for a few beats, which makes me slightly nervous.Xander’s hand finds mine, offering me the comfort I need in this moment.Oh God, they hate it after all. I’m starting to panic when, all of a sudden, the sound of thunderous applause fills the cinema.I let out a breath of relief and look around with watery eyes.
Cheers and shouts of appreciation fill the space.Everyone who worked on the show, cast and crew alike, exchange emotional congratulations with each other.Awed, exhausted and grateful to have completed another successful season.
I stand up and start making my way to the exit, but then I feel a hand on my shoulder.My mum pulls me back and throws her arms round me.‘We’re sorry, Yara, for ever doubting you… All of this’ – she gestures with her hand – ‘it’s exactly what you’re meant to be doing.’
‘Told you so,’ Elif says, nudging my mum.
‘Elif was right,’ Mum says.‘You were right, Yara.’
My dad nods in agreement, his usually stern face soft with understanding.‘We’re really proud of you, Yazza Dazzler.’ And there it is.The acceptance I’ve been craving for so long.It fills me with something golden and precious.
‘Thank you,’ I whisper.This time it’s me who launches in for a hug.
I pull away and we chat for a while, all of them saying how much they enjoyed the episode, although my mum says it would be better without all the swearing.I’m filled with a feeling of belonging and contentedness, a sense that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be with everyone I love most.Everyone except…
I take a look around the room until my gaze lands on Xander.I watch the exchange that he’s having with Eloise, his sister.I let him have some time alone with her, as I know that’s what he needs.He’d swallowed his pride and sent an invite to his parents, which I knew was difficult for him to do, giving them a last chance to have a relationship with him and take an interest in his life.But to no one’s surprise, least of all Xander’s, neither of them even bothered to respond.Eloise had come through for him, though, and that fills my heart with immense joy.
Xander’s head peers over the crowd like a meerkat, his eyes searching and alert over the sea of heads.His brow starts to furrow until he spots me and his whole body loosens and his face breaks into a wide smile.He beckons me over towards him and Eloise.I wade through all the people, being stopped every few shuffles by an audience member who wants to wish me congratulations.When I get to them, Eloise is releasing Xander from a deep hug.
