Final

Amelia  (Lover by Taylor Swift)

It's been two days since the game—two solid days since Everett has been unreachable.

He left with his parents under the guise of seeing them off... and never came back. And for two nights now, I've been sleeping in his bed, drowning in his shirts, and inhaling the scent of him just to fall asleep.

Every hour, I dial his number. Switched off. Voicemail. Switched off. Every. Damn. Time.

I don't know why he's doing this to me. I can't think straight, can't eat, can't do anything right. No one knows where he is—even his friends are worried sick. He just… vanished.

Right now, I'm in class. Yet I'm not. My body is in the lecture hall, but my mind is somewhere else entirely.

It's funny how, within the span of one month, someone can grow so deeply into you. This stopped being likeness a long time ago. I don't just like Everett.

I love him.

God help me, I love him so much, it’s driving insane.

My phone chimes in my bag and I tug it out. Harper.

"Lia! Everett's home and he's PACKING! He's moving to Southside PERMANENTLY!!!"

What?!

The chair screeches as I shoot up, bag swinging over my shoulder.

"Miss Hart? Where are you going? Lecture isn't over. If you leave now, you forfeit your assessment marks for this course."

I glance at the professor. "Sorry!"

And then I run.

My head is all over the place. Everett is relocating? Just like that? No goodbye. No explanation. Nothing?

How selfish of a man... to make a woman fall this hopelessly in love with him, and then choose to vanish without a trace.

I hail a taxi and rush straight home, praying he's still there.

The moment I arrive, I hurry inside—straight into a house full of people. There's quite a crowd downstairs by the time I enter, but that's none of my concern.

"Where is he?"

"Upstairs." I rush past Cole and take the stairs two at a time.

I'm feeling everything at once—anger, panic, heartbreak—all of it clawing up my throat.

The moment I reach his door, I yank it open.

"Ev—"

I blink. My head goes hazy.

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Absolutely nothing. Because the scene I was bracing for... isn't what I meet.

I inhale sharply.

Everett stands in the middle of his room, and not a single box is in sight. Instead, fairy lights cascade down the walls like falling stars, candles flicker on every surface, and rose petals spiral across the floor and bed. Framed photos of us line the dresser—candid shots I never even knew existed. And strung above it all, glowing softly:

MARRY ME.

"Baby." He smiles at me.

God, how I've missed him. He's as handsome as ever. I remain rooted in the doorway, torn between slapping him and launching myself into his arms.

"Firstly, I owe you an apology for these past few days. I needed time to sort some things out, and I handled it badly. I'm deeply sorry, my Heart. Please, forgive me."

My chin wobbles. "You switched off your phone, Everett—"

"I know." He steps closer. "And I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. But first, I have a confession to make."

He stops an arm's length away, voice low and unguarded.

"I didn't just start liking you recently, Amelia. I've loved you since high school—no. Before high school. Ever since the first time I set eyes on you, something about you lodged itself in me and never let go. I was just a boy then, so I didn't have the words for it. But every version of me since then, at every age, chose you. You're my calm in every storm. My best friend. The first person I want to tell things to, and the last person I think about at night. I gave my parents my answer—I'm staying, for you. And if life ever takes me to Southside, it takes the both of us. Because there's no version of my future that doesn't have you in it."

By now, tears are streaming down my face.

He takes out a small box from his pocket and silently goes down on one knee, popping it open before me.

A diamond. It’s round, brilliant, and so impossibly clear. It sits on a slim platinum band. Minimalistic and timeless. This is the kind of ring that doesn't need to shout to be priceless.

Just like him.

"Will you marry me, Amelia Hart?"

Fucking hell.

I gasp, sinking down into a squat, my hand flying to my mouth.

Oh, fucking hell.

I chuckle between sobs and slowly draw near to him.

"Everett... yes." I whisper, sniffling. "Yes. A thousand times, yes."

His breath leaves him in a rush—like he'd been holding it for two days straight—and he slides the ring onto my finger. It’s a perfect fit. Of course it is. Then he rises and plants the sweetest, softest kiss on my lips.

"I love you, my Heart."

"I love you too, sugar." I giggle, eyeing the ring.

Then I hug him so tightly he grunts.

A roar rumbles up from downstairs and I pull back, startled.

"There's a camera here," my fiancé comments, eyes dancing. "They've been watching us live on the TV downstairs."

Oh. Wow.

"But— the packing—"

"Decoys." He grins. "Harper's text? Also me. I wasn't proposing without getting you home first."

"LET'S GET THE PARTY STARTED!" Spencer's scream finds its way up, followed by squeals and thundering applause.

"Crazy, that one," Everett rolls his eyes, and I laugh.

"Go shut the door, Cap." I motion with my head as we both rise.

A smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth, and he sprints to the door.

I giggle, watching him. My man.

Funny how life works. When it throws something unpleasant at you, catch it, hold on, and make do with it—until it throws something better. Or until you're able to snatch better right out of its grip.

Or, in my case—until the unpleasant turns into this. Pleasant.

____________

Epilogue

Spencer

Amanda fucking Delacroix.