A Beautiful Mess.

I wish I could say everything from that point forward was perfect. I wish I could say we lived happily ever after. But the truth is, nothing in life is perfect. And Lisa and I are no exception to that. Lalisa's little brother did something horrible. And I was a survivor. And the two of us, we are messy. But I'm happy to think that we are a beautiful mess. And together, we make the world a better place.

Lisa and I remained friends for about two years. And then she finally said she wanted to be more. I mean… it took her long enough, right? And of course, I told her that I had been waiting. But even though I wanted us to be an us long before then, I knew that it wasn't the right time. And then suddenly, it was. And it was… beautiful. Amazing. Perfect.

And tonight, we are graduating college. Somehow, we both managed to make it this far, and I'm honestly surprised. When I started, I wasn't even sure I would survive the first semester, let alone the whole four years. I get to stand beside Mino in the line-up.

Oh, I forgot to mention… I'm Jennie Jacobson now. Stanley 'adopted' me. I mean, I was nineteen at the time, so technically I was already grown. But I was happy to change my name and happy to call him Dad. So Mino really is my brother now, and I love it.

I also got a new car.

Finally.

It's not pink. And it's also not a car. It's an SUV and it's perfect. Nobody is embarrassed to ride with me anymore, which is obviously a bonus.

When I walk across the stage and get handed my diploma, I feel a sense of relief. I didn't go to my high school graduation, but I can't imagine graduating high school feels this good. I mean, I'm glad high school is over, but I feel like I've really accomplished something good today. I wasn't forced to go to college by anybody. I mean, maybe a little in the beginning. But finishing college was a choice. Finishing high school was… mandatory.

When the ceremony is over, I find Lalisa in the crowd. She's standing by Rosé and she's smiling at me. I'm sure Lisa's thinking about how sexy I look in this flattering graduation robe. We walk towards each other and she wraps her arms around me and spins me around.

"We did it," she says.

I laugh. "Yeah, we did."

Lisa and I have been together just over two years now. It's safe to say that we are completely in love with each other. She tells me every single day, and I tell her back. Our love story isn't pretty, but it was worth every ounce of pain to get to where we are today.

After graduation, we all go out with our families to celebratory dinners. There are so many of us that we actually got a while room to ourselves.

Bobby and Jisoo are here with their families. They're actually married now. They got married the summer before our senior year of college. Their families weren't happy that they didn't wait for graduation before tying the knot, but I knew they would finish college. I am happy for them and I even got to give the 'best-man' speech at their wedding, where I basically let everybody know that they're together because of me.

Yeah, I was the best man. Or… best woman, I guess? It was cool. I mean, Bobby and Jisoo fought over me, because Jisoo wanted me as a bridesmaid, but Bobby won in the end.

Jisoo also told me something last night. Something exciting. Her and Bobby are expecting their first child. She hasn't told him yet. She says she's going to tonight. And I'm excited for them, but at the same time, I'm scared. They're my age. Twenty-two. And to even think about having a kid right now scares the crap out of me. I'm so not ready for that stage in my life. But if anybody is ready, it's them. Jisoo and Bobby are going to be great parents.

Lisa and Rosé's grandparents are here too. I have grown to love the two of them as if they were my own grandparents. And they love me too. I mean, I think they have loved me from the moment they met me. I don't think I've ever seen two people so excited as when they found out Lisa and I are dating. Well, besides maybe Rosé.

Ah, Rosé. Her and I are so different, yet we are truly best friends. I'm so glad to have her in my life. She's like a sister to me. And she tells everybody that I am her 'sister-in-law'. What a change from the girl who got so mad over me accidentally spilling soda on her.

No, Lisa and I are not engaged. And considering it took her two years to ask me to be her girlfriend, I'm not sure it'll be happening any time soon. I mean, we're twenty-two and just graduated college. There is no rush. But on the same note, I wouldn't say no if she asked. I'm just saying.

After dinner, Lisa and I go for a drive. I still like driving. Why is it so fun to just get in your car and drive in a random direction? I like just going when I have nowhere to really go.

"Are you happy to be back in Atlanta?" Lisa asks.

I shrug my shoulders. "I guess. I mean… I'm kind of sad because you still live in Savannah, so I suppose that means we're going to have to do a whole long distance thing."

"I was thinking about getting a place in Atlanta," Lisa says.

"Or maybe I can get a place in Savannah," I say, because I know Atlanta brings back a lot of bad memories for Lisa.

"Or… we could get married," Lisa says. "Then we could live together somewhere. Anywhere."

"Get married?" I ask.

"I really suck at this," she says, pulling the car over to the side of the road.

What the heck is she doing?

She puts the car in park and pulls something out of her pocket.

"You see, I was trying to think of something super romantic. I even thought… maybe at dinner with all our family there," she says. "But I know your favorite place to be is the car. And it's not at all romantic, but then again, you're not the kind of girl who enjoys big, romantic gestures. So, marry me, Jennie."

She opens the box that she pulled out of her pocket and there is a ring inside. I look from her to the ring because I'm still trying to process what she just said.

I mean, she's not wrong about me not liking big, romantic gestures. And, to be honest, the car is the perfect place to ask.

The ring makes me smile. Because there isn't a diamond in the center. She knows that diamonds just aren't my thing. Instead, there is an amethyst. And it's really, really beautiful. And perfect. So. Perfect.

"Okay," I say. "I'll marry you. And I don't care where we live. Just as long as I get to be with you forever."

Lisa smiles at me.

And I can't help but think that our forever is going to be fun.

I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with anybody else.

Lalisa and I… we're gonna make it.

The end.