Chapter 18: Epilogue

One year later…

I walk to the front porch and set my last box down. Today's the day. I'm going to college.

I never thought it would be this soon. I remember how I used to always look forward to the day I actually gradate and get the heck out of Solaria. Now, it seems like a stupid wish. I moved back in with my Dad after the whole Baltor fiasco. He was adamant about it and I wasn't about to disagree. It wasn't like I could keep staying with Cassandra anyway. They moved back to Florida after settling me in back at home. My sisters and I still keep in touch. I wish I could say the same for my mother, but I don't think our relationship will ever be repaired.

Sighing, I pick up the box again and move towards Brandon's truck to load the it in. Brandon let me borrow his truck today since he already moved his things into his college dorm.

I hear a honk and smile. Flora comes bouncing over to me, pulling me into a fierce hug. "Can you believe you're leaving today?" she asks. I shrug.

"It was bound to happen some day. This is actually my last box." I shut the truck and turn to her completely again. "What about you? You and Helia move yourself into your college yet?"

Flora decided to stay here in Solaria and apply to the same college as Helia. Lucky for her, she got in. They went through some rough patches throughout her senior year, but graciously got through it. I'm so happy for her.

"Yep!" she gushed. "I just came to see if you needed any help."

I shook my head. "Nope. Brandon should be here in a few minutes to help me move into my own dorm." I got accepted into Gainsville College, about three hours away from Solaria. "Have you talked to Musa lately?"

Musa moved away a year ago; around the time she was released from the hospital. Apparently, her parents want to keep her away from the "violence" and "ridicule" of Solaria. I can't completely blame them. She moved to Washington. We talk with each other from time to time.

Flora nodded. "Yeah. She's taking online classes instead of going to a university for college. She said it's more of a challenge."

"I think going to college is a challenge in general." I reply.

"Yeah, but she wants to do it. May the odds forever be in her favor," she smiles, quoting a movie we just saw. It was pretty good.

"Well, I'm going to head out. Bloom is being a bitch about the room decorations or something like that," Flora rolls her eyes in irritation. I find it highly hilarious that they ended up being roommates. Bloom isn't as bad as she used to be. We are on a civil basis now. Flora has become more confident in herself, so Bloom's teasing of her quickly came to a stop.

I laughed. "Okay, chick. See you on the flip side." We hug and she jogs back to her car, driving off. I sigh and rub my eyes wearily. I hardly slept last night, again. Yawning, I go back into the house to drink some water.

Aunt Faroganda called to wish me luck. I didn't really need luck to move into a dorm, but I was grateful for her call nonetheless. I know that she must be lonely with Mitzi being gone. She didn't even tell her own mother were she left to go. Heck, I don't even know where she is. After Baltor's death, she was just kind of lost to the outside world. She really was in love with that lunatic.

The doorbell rings. I walk over and look through the peephole to see who it is. Like I didn't know. I opened the door and grinned at Brandon's lean, muscular form. He smiles and bends down to greet me with a sweet kiss.

"Hey, gorgeous. Ready to go?"

"Yeah. Just…give me a second, okay?" He nods slowly and I turn to walk into the den. I'm going to miss this place. Of course I'll be coming back to visit and everything, but it won't be the same. I think back to last summer, when a lot of my life changed. Bloom tried to ruin my social life, I met Brandon, my mother made an appearance along with her two daughters who are almost as old as me, and Baltor tries to kill Brandon and I. I certainly had a wild summer last year.

My Dad and I already said our goodbye's last night, since he had work early this morning. I smile as I remember his awkward but sweet goodbye.

Flashback

Dad and I are sitting on the couch like old times. Just flipping through the channels. He turns the TV off suddenly and stands up. I look at him curiously.

"So…you're leaving tomorrow morning. I go to work before you wake up so I guess we should say our… well you know."

I smile sadly and stand in front of him. "I'll come back to visit Dad. I'm not leaving forever."

"It feels like you are," He mumbles, looking away from me. My chest constricts a little and I let out a small breath.

I pull him into a hug that he quickly responds to. "Dad…I'm a big girl now. I'll be fine."

"It's just…hard to let go Stella. I almost lost you once and I just don't want to go through that again."

"I know, Dad. Brandon will look after me." Brandon is going to a college that's only eight miles away from mine.

"I guess that will have to do for now." He pulled back. He has a newfound respect for Brandon since he did indeed save my life.

"I love you, baby girl. Don't forget it, alright?" He says softly and I smirk, tears stinging the back of my eyes..

"How could I?" I then realized that I am a major Daddy's little girl.

End of Flashback

I feel arms snaking their way around my waist from behind.

"You okay?" Brandon asks, laying his chin on my shoulder.

"I guess so. I'm just going to miss this place." I yawn again as Brandon turns me around to face him. He gently rubs the bags under my eyes.

"Had a bad night?" He asked concernedly. I nodded and looked away. I had told Brandon months ago that the nightmares had stopped. Truthfully, they did. Recently, though, they've come back in full force. I have no idea why. My dreams always starred Baltor either killing me or killing Brandon. I hated seeing that angry and pained expression on his face every time I told him about it, so I decided to just lie and say that I don't have them anymore. That was really hard to do.

Brandon gently grabbed my chin and turned my face towards his own. "What's wrong?" I really suck at lying to him and it's useless to keep lying now.

"I…uh…I had the nightmare again." I mumble. His face remained stoic.

"Oh," was all he said. After a few moments, he pulled me into a fierce hug. I held onto him for dear life and…cried. Not just silent tears, I mean full out gut-wrenching sobs. I've been acting so brave and keeping a lot of stuff in. It just felt good to get it out.

Brandon rubbed my back and whispered comforting words in my ear. I didn't really register what he was saying, just him voice. That in itself was soothing.

Brandon didn't get out of Baltor's attack without injury. The stab wound in his leg barely missed a main artery and he was on crutches for some time. The doctor said that it pretty much ruined his chance of ever playing a sport for the school or anything like that. He walked with a slight limp. If you didn't know he had been stabbed, you would not notice his limp now. He pushed himself pretty hard in physical therapy, much to my chagrin. I just wanted him to relax and heal properly. Of course, he was too stubborn to do that. Kind of like me.

"Wha-what's w-wrong with m-me?" I sob into his shoulder. "It's b-been a year a-and I'm s-still crying!"

"I'm sorry, but I don't think it's ever going to go away. But remember," he pulled back and framed my face with his hands, "you will always have me. Okay?" I nod and he rests his forehead against mine. "We're in this together, princess. You and me." He brushes his lips against mine and I realize that that's the only place I ever want to be.

"You and me." I whisper back and when he kisses me, I lose myself completely and thank the heavens for gifting me with such an amazing person in my life.

A/N: I just don't even know what to say. ALL OF YOU ARE AWESOME! Thank you to everyone who supported me and this story. It has been one heck of a ride. I'm sad to see it end, but I think their story is finished right now. Time for another one. Here are TWO summaries that I would like you guys to choose for me to do next:

1. Stella Cross: Wealthy 21-year-old with no job, wealthy friends, and a highly successful fiancée to match. Brandon Woods: Middle-class 23-year-old mechanic with a mysterious past and tough exterior. When there paths cross on that fateful day, neither knew how they would each irrevocably change each others lives forever.

2. After a bad breakup, Stella is alone, confused, and still unemployed. She starts working at a restaurant where a certain business extraordinaire dines daily. He seems to take an immediate interest in her that no one else has before. Little did Stella know that this successful young man would inevitably change her life forever.

Which one do you think will do? Number one? Number two? Niether? I would love to know your opinion so I can get started on another project!

So…for the last time in this story….Review!