“By the way, I have a bone to pick with you,” Elijah says to Kai. He turns to him with a puzzled frown.
“What?”
“You still owe me a date,” he says, with a smile. Kai’s expression softens as a smile appears on his face.
“I’m sorry for ghosting you, I was kinda busy trying not to succumb to the cold embrace of death,” he laughs before Elijahleans in and kisses him. It’s quick, and as they pull back, Kai’s face drops.
“What? But…” he says before leaning in for another one. Teddy looks at me and smiles before leaning in for one.
“Oh, don’t you two start now, the PDA in here is making me sick,” Cat gags. We all laugh together until the sides of my face hurt.
“Guess I’m not getting a kiss then?” Daisy asks, making Cat blush. They lean in and kiss, too.
“Yeah, I think the PDA in here is gonna make me sick too,” I say as we all laugh together.
“I’m guessing you missed me then?” Kai asks Elijah as they recover from the laughter.
“Definitely… still mad at you for missing our date though,” he laughs.
I look around the room and smile at my friends. I’ve found the people I want to spend the rest of my life with. The thought of forever causes my heart to beat wildly in my chest.
Teddy isasleep on a chair next to the bed. I can’t help but look at him. I’m so glad everything turned out okay.
It’s over. We’re free.
I unlock my phone and start scrolling through my pictures. I’m made so many memories with my new family, and I can’t wait to make new ones. A smile forms on my face.
A notification comes through.
Remember this from two years ago?
I tap the notification, a video pops up. I’m recording behind a door. I twist the door knob slowly, making sure not to make too much noise. It’s then I hear a familiar song. It’sI Believe In MagicbyHalsey- My mother’s favourite song.Then my eyes begin to well up at the sight of my mum. She’s washing dishes at the sink while singing along to the song softly. She catches me recording her, but instead of stopping, she decides to sing a line, about loving her boy, louder for me to hear. I can hear myself chuckle behind the camera.
“I love you too, Mum,” I hear my past self say.
I think I’ll take this as a sign from the universe. She sees me. She knows I’m okay. She knows I’m happy. I smile softly at my phone screen. A single tear slides down my cheek.
“I love you so much,” I tell the universe, hoping she can hear me.
Finally, the day is here. The Rainbow Bookshop officially reopens today. A massive crowd of people have gathered for the grand reopening party. There’s food and drinks, and laughter all around.
“I’m not too late, am I?” Arthur asks, walking up to me with a smile on his face.
“You’re just in time,” I tell him, giving him a hug. “It’s so good to see you!”
“Likewise. You’ve come a long way, eh?” He says, looking around the bookshop. Teddy walks over to us, and I introduce him and Arthur.
“So this is the famous Teddy?” Arthur asks.
“In the flesh,” Teddy laughs. Arthur puts a hand on his shoulder.
“Thanks for taking care of Noah. I’ve never seen him so happy,” he says as I grab a slice of cake from the buffet. I start biting into it. My face slowly gets covered in icing.
“Here, let me get that for you,” Teddy says, wiping the corners of my mouth. “You’re so messy,” he laughs.
“Says you, Mr,” I reply, punching him playfully in the arm.
“So, how long are you here for, Arthur?” Teddy asks.
