Epilogue
Barrick pulls his truck up in front of the Cotten Residence Hall at ECU and I can’t believe that this will be Jade’s and my home for the next nine months. Mom, Gran, and the Carpenters are behind us. The sweltering Greenville heat hits me as I open the door, but the excitement that fills my veins is electric.
Jade and I walk up the large flight of stairs to the front door and sign in. We hurry back to the truck and everyone grabs a box to carry to our room.
I’m surprised when I see how small the room actually is. Jade looks at me and then sprints toward the bed on the right.
“Called it!” she squeals and I laugh.
“I can’t believe this is it,” I say to Barrick as he comes to stand by me.
“I know. It’s going to be an interesting year, that’s for sure,” he says.
We finish unloading his truck and Mom’s Suburban and then it’s time for everyone to leave. We all hug Gran, Mom, and Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter.
“Are you sure I can’t help you with anything, Bare?” Mrs. Carpenter pleads.
“I’ve got it Mom. It’s just two buildings down.” As tears form in her eyes, he gives in. “Okay. Come help me,” he says and her tears suddenly stop.
I hop into the front seat and Jade slides in beside me as we drive two buildings down to the Garrett Residence Hall to help Barrick move in. When he surprised us after the recital with the news that he got into ECU as well, I knew we’d always be together.
When the final box has been placed in his room, we say goodbye to our families once more. Our moms cry, Mr. Carpenter tries his best not to show any emotion, and Gran steals a piece of my heart.
“Y’all two behave yourselves, ya here. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she says with a wink.
“We won’t,” I say to her as I wrap my arms around Barrick’s waist.
As the Suburban fades into the distance, Jade is squalling like a baby. I open my arms and she falls into them as I look at Barrick.
“How am I going to live with you two?” he questions, pulling us in for a group hug.
After Jade calms down, she excuses herself and goes back to our room. I walk Barrick back to his room. As we stand in the doorway, I wrap my arms around his neck and feel pure joy in my soul.
“I can’t believe this is real,” I say as he bends down and briefly kisses my lips.
“Oh it’s real. I’d follow you to the end of the earth, Cadence Lewis. I’m head over boots in love with you,” he says as he seals my lips with a kiss.