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EPILOGUE

THREE YEARS LATER

EVIE

There was a hustle of students filtering in and out of the university garden. A chorus of "Congratulations" and "You finally did it!" could be heard wherever you turned. You could tell just by looking around who were the ones that were finally graduating by their lips that were pulled across their faces in a excitement, and eyes glistening under the late April sun.

We did it. We were finally done.

I couldn't have been more thrilled. The last three years had been a complete whirlwind. With a year out of my university career spent getting better, I honestly didn't think I'd be able to be here so soon. But I had beat it. I had beat my eating disorder and I had beat the doubters who were a hundred percent certain I wouldn't be able to complete my degree so soon after.

Of course I could. I'm a Jones girl after all.

The sound of my heels clicking over the cement pavement was drowned out by the celebrations that surrounded me. I clung to my cap and gown, savoring the feeling of the scratchy fabric. I took a moment to take it all in.

I took in the buzzing sounds that surrounded me. I took in the feeling of absolute completion. I took in the sigh of relief that emitted from the back of my throat the moment I had completed my last University exam. Lastly, I took in the excitement and proud looks my parents were giving me as I made my way towards them.

Maggie and Leah stood on either side of them, the same excited smiles spread across their faces. Ryder stood close to Leah's side, while Max (Maggie's husband for over a year- yes, you heard me correctly), stood beside her.

"There's our little graduate," cooed Mom. She wrapped me in for a big, bone crushing hug. I felt suffocated by her peony perfume, but didn't fight her. I've learnt very quickly that you don't fight your mother when you are graduating from university. It will only result in a long antidote on how she birthed me. It's not very pretty.

"Hi mom," I squirmed under her embrace, trying to catch some air. She let me go, only to hand me off to my father who embraced me in a less bone crushing hug.

"Proud of you kiddo," he spoke quietly in my ear, kissing my cheek. "I knew you could do it."

I felt my cheeks turn a nice tint of pink, "Thanks Dad."

Glancing around, I noticed quickly that someone was missing, "Presley isn't here yet?"

"She called and said she was going to be late. Robin got off work late," explained Maggie.

I cringed, "That must have put her in a mood. Did she tell him like... last week?"

"Yup, but you know how Robin gets," sighed Maggie. I nodded because I understood. As much as I liked Robin and thought that he was a good guy, he was quite flaky. I knew that he was well aware of how much that bothered Presley, and I was sure he did it on purpose. But she loved him and put it aside. I guess you have to sacrifice things for the ones you love.

Glancing around I looked back up to be met with happy smiles and knowing looks. "Is he coming," asked Mom with a very knowing and obvious look on her face.

"Yeah," I sighed. "He said they're running late."

"I'll be sure to save them two spots beside us," she said, patting my shoulder lightly.

"Thanks."

"We should probably get inside if we want to be able to do that," interrupted Dad. "We'll see you in there kid."

I stood still as they each took a turn kissing my cheek and hugging me. I laughed and smiled, too excited to think about how I'd be finished with this chapter of my life in less than an hour. I was almost done. This - this whole school thing was almost over with. Soon I'll be living in the real world, trying to figure out what I was going to do with my life.