Even though I think the last chapter would be a nice ending, there is still too much to be told. I do realize I've written 25 chapters with giving you no more than a hug... for those who stayed, thank you for your patiency. Although I can't promise you anything, I have a feeling that something is coming this school year... Something big.

It will be their last year together, after all.

Monday, May 16th

I haven't written in a while! There wasn't a lot to write about. Since my last entry, I turned from the explosive package of grief back to normal. Merida convinced me and Hiccup to go to a football match, we've been to a theatre again and everything even remotely important or fun was still ahead - including finals and school trip.

I should go now, I thought as I checked the clocks. I closed my diary and put it on the shelf.

I walked out of home with a big smile on my face. It was a bit cold for May, but I didn't let it affect my great mood and didn't go back to get a jacket. I will be at school shortly, after all.

And then, I'm going to ask him!

I danced with my arms in the rythm of the music in my yellow headphones and started mouthing the lyrics. I may have gotten a few questioning glances along the way, but what did it matter? I was going to ask him.

What if he says no?

Gosh, I was acting the similar way I did when I was going to ask him to the dance lessons in freshman year. Asking him to go to the exhibition opening shouldn't be so hard, right? I don't need two weeks to work up the courage, and I don't even have that much time - the opening is tomorrow!

Last year, he went to the exhibition too, even though not to the opening. This year it's going to be a piece of cake.

(Baker's humor at its best.)

The first lesson was English, but when I came to the classroom, I found out we were together with the second group. Jack's group, that is.

Can this day get any better? I thought with a grin. My classmates got already used to my inexplicable smiles in the morning, commenting only with occasional: "Early birds." After I did my work, I chatted with friend and eyed Jack from time to time. He caught my glance once and smiled that beautiful sleepy morning "hello" smile. I smiled back and rather turned around again before I could become as red as a tomato, as if it was the first day of high school.

We spent Geography in a comfortable silence again. Teacher played us a short film, and with the curtains closed and the warm enviroment, we were both getting a bit mellow. Our breaths collided and I could see us in front of a TV, slowly drifting to sleep, resting against each other..

Enough daydreaming, ask him!

Before I could even collect my breath, the bell rang and Merida rushed to my desk. "So? Do you have everything ready for the exhibition?"

"Only one picture left to finish," I nodded. Jack stayed with us on our way from school and listened, to my relief. Now. Ask.

"The exhibition?" Jack repeated. "My friend invited me and Hiccup to the opening. I hope we will all meet there, then."

"I can't wait."

Merida ran to the bus stop and hid herself from the wind, while Jack and I still stood in front of the school, not knowing what to say, exchanging awkward smiles.

"So, um, see you tomorrow?" I asked.

Jack nodded, then frowned slightly and opened his bag. I watched him, confused.

"Here," he said, handing me tangled black fabric. "Can't have you walking in t-shirt in this weather."

I unfolded it and found out it was his jacket. I looked back at Jack. "Thank you, but..."

"I'll be fine," he waved it off with a smile and raised his blue hoodie to sight.

"Thank you," I repeated and watched as he dissapeared behind a corner of our school. Then I put the jacket on and walked home with a Cheshire cat smile.

...

I closed the door, rested against them and made a mental list of things to do. Print out the commentary for the exhibition and finish the painting. Bake something sweet for the visitors. I nodded in approval and took the jacket off.

The moving fabric let out a soft scent and I got lightheaded. It was the scent I loved more than the smell of freshly baked cookies. His scent. Pines, mint and sweet chocolate somehow working together and hidden behind a subtle cologne. I brought the jacket closer and took a deep, calm breath. I couldn't help but think that if things went differenty, I could be smelling the scent from its owner standing next to me, unlacing his shoes and maybe counting out the films we could watch in the evening.

I glanced through the empty space around and buried my face into the soft fabric.

It was full of the scent. So full that I could see Jack grinning at me, asking "How was your weekend?", making silly faces, feel him helping me with my winter coat, his arms embracing my small torso, his hand holding mine when dancing and our knees touching in the theatre…

To work.

…

I had the commentary printed, the painting finished and cookies baked, but after half an hour, I was still rolling in my bed back and forth. It was already late when lay down - I knew that if I didn't fall asleep soon, I would be dead tired in the morning. Ten minutes into mindless staring in front of me, I noticed a strange shape on my chair.

Oh, Jack's jacket.

Not really being able to think anymore, I reached for it to smell the scent for the last time that day.

Before I could put the jacket back on the chair, the sweet scent and the soft fabric pressed to my cheek lulled me to sleep. And let me tell you, I hadn't slept this good for what felt like months.