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Seven of them stood there, staring out at the thirty-foot drop below.

“This is nuts,” Blake said. “You guys are nuts.”

Rory reached for Melanie’s hand, her other laced together with Tyler’s. “When has that ever stopped us before, Blakey boy?”

“Yeah but…in your graduation gowns?” Blake asked, eyeing the group.

Rory, Melanie, and Tyler were still wearing their navy-blue gowns, caps on their heads. The group drove to Sunset Rock after the ceremony at Rory’s request, a hidden gem in town that was a known spot for rowdy teenagers daring to make the big leap into the ocean below. Calvin even closed Scoops for the night, all so the Scoopers could have this moment before the busy summer season ahead.

“Oh yes,” Rory said, flicking her head slightly to get the tassel out of her face. “Caps and all.”

“But do we really all have to?” Blake pleaded.

“Three—” Melanie started.

Tyler squeezed her hand. “Two.”

Rory beamed, scanning the group she loved dearly beside her. Jess removed her glasses, tossing them next to her bag. Jay returned Rory’s gaze and winked.

She grinned. “One.”

They all sprinted. Jay hollered as he jumped, curling his body into a cannonball. Melanie let go of Rory’s hand and screamed with delight, holding tightly to Calvin. Jess dove with the grace of an Olympic athlete, and Blake cursed loudly into the sky before his body slapped against the water beneath.

Tyler pulled Rory back before she could jump, curling his arms around her and brushing his nose against hers. “So…still best friends forever?”

She grinned, drawing close to his lips, then wrenched out of his grasp and ran to make the jump.

“You MENACE!” he yelled, chasing after her.

She laughed, holding her arms out wide. As her cap soared off her head and a smile bloomed across her cheeks, Rory finally felt ready to embrace the future that didn’t feel so scary after all.

Epilogue

Rory sat on the floor at Calvin’s house, a cup of tea next to her in a rather ugly mug, the sun painted on it like it was done by a kindergartener. Which, according to Melanie, it was.

“Hmm, I can’t decide. I love the colors on this one, but the lettering here is so much clearer,” she explained, holding up two different designs in each hand.

Tyler nudged her hip with his foot, his legs tucked in next to Rory as he sat on the couch behind her. “I think the colorful one. It’s more you.”

“Yeah, but she’s right,” Calvin retorted. “Our older customers may not be able to read it well.”

“Babe, I highly doubt older customers are even going to bother buying stickers that say They’re Not Sprinkles, They’re Jimmies,” Melanie added.

“Headband, we have a lot of loyal customers. They may buy simply to support us.”

“Then having bigger letters probably won’t matter much,” Rory said. “You’re right, Ty. Colors it is.”

He kissed her on the top of the head. “Good.”

Kevin stepped into the living room, holding a plate of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. “Guys, someone tell Gram to stop baking cookies. She’s a machine back there.”

Melanie snatched a cookie off the plate. “Never.”

Calvin frowned. “Weren’t you supposed to pick up pizza, like, a half hour ago?”

Kevin’s eyes went wide, fumbling with the plate as he dropped it onto the table. “Shit, sorry. I got pulled into cookie heaven.”

“Maybe we should call Penny’s and add another pizza now that Tyler is here?” Rory asked.