*Hands over a box of Oreos*

This song is my literal favourite and it somehow goes amazingly with the chapter. Do give it a listen <3

*Two years later*

Emily's P.O.V.

"Right!"

"Left!"

"Left!"

"Block!"

I exclaimed, stopping right before I could strike her in the face.

I sighed, taking off the padding. "You need to be faster."

"I know. I'll work on it." The young girl named, Valerie grumbled.

I grabbed her arm before she could walk off the mat. "And you need to learn how to chanel your anger through your body when you fight."

She glared at me. "What do you know about the shit I'm going through?"

I scoffed, letting go of her hand. "Oh I know plenty."

I turned away from her and waved. "Same time. Tomorrow." I yelled, walking over to the benches in the corner.

I grabbed my sipper, wiping the sweat off of my face.

Suddenly, I felt a body drop beside me and I turned to see Diana. "Happy birthday, kid."

I groaned. "It's 7 in the fucking morning."

"Birthdays start at 12... I think?" She frowned, making me chuckle.

"Thanks." I said, taking a sip of my water.

"Why are you cranky though? Shouldn't you be happy, it's your birthday." Diana asked, wrapping her hand wraps.

I scoffed. "What's so exciting about stepping closer to death?"

"You're just 20?! Geez, you really are a drama queen." She threw her hands up in disbelief.

I simply chuckled.

So, it's been over a year since highschool ended and as I planned before, I took a drop year to try and focus on myself and to kind of relax.

I wanted to try new things and also do the things I love to do.

Now, streetfighting wasn't an option because I've promised a lot of people to never look that way again.

So, Jacob, surprisingly proposed this idea that Diana and I can become professional trainers for young upcoming fighters.

Little Keith, who turned 4 this year spends a lot of time with Jacob when Diana isn't around, and those two make a very chaotic duo.

"So, made any progress in the Jacob department?" I asked, wiggling my eyebrows at her, making her sigh.

Jacob expressed his feelings for Diana about a year ago and that was the most confusing proposal I've ever seen. Diana said she wanted things to be professional between them till she's capable enough to support herself.

"Maybe..."

My eyes widened. "Really?!"

She rolled her eyes. "I'm financially stable now and I don't have to depend on anyone, anymore. I guess I can start thinking about making the right choice in men now."

I grinned in excitement. "That's so cool."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Yeah yeah whatever. I haven't decided anything yet though, so you better keep your trap shut."

I nodded like a kid.

I noticed Valerie, exiting the gym and called her name. "Don't get in trouble again. Remember what I said."

My voice startled her but she nodded nonetheless, before walking out stiffly.

"What's with that kid?" Diana asked, stretching her arms.

"Nothing. Just a regular client who wants to be strong." I said, fishing my phone out of my bag.

"Nope. I'm not good at reading people's thoughts that well, but that's not it." She said, making me frown. "She reminds you of yourself, doesn't she?"

I looked over towards the exit and slowly shook my head. "It's almost like my past standing right in front of me."

Diana sighed before patting my shoulder.

"I just don't want her to make the same mistakes I made. Because you make terrible decisions when you're broken." I said, looking down.

"No no don't go all depressed on me, specially on your birthday, you brat. You'll guide her well. I know that." She raised her eyebrows at me, and I sighed.

"I hope so."

"Now, more importantly, where is lover boy?" Diana asked.

My smile dropped and I scoffed, raising from the bench.

"How would I know?"

I heard her sigh. "What did that boy do now?"

"That's the point. I don't know." I scoffed.

She raised her eyebrows. "He still hasn't called you?"

I clenched my jaw, starting to unwrap my hand wraps.

She sighed again. "He must be busy, Emily."

I turned to face her. "It's been a weak. He's the one who said that long distance could work for us."

"And you're the one who supported him when he applied to UCLA." Diana said, stretching beside me. "And he calls you almost everyday girl."

I sighed, putting on my t-shirt. "Which is why I'm just- ugh I can't even be mad at him. But he could at least call me on my birthday. He's been giving me short, vague responses everytime I called him this past week."

I placed my hand wraps in my locker and turned to Diana when I didn't hear a response.

She was looking down at her phone with a cheesy smile on her face.

I let out a small chuckle. "You're more of a teenager than I am."

She suddenly looked up and put her phone away.

"Don't worry, it's cute." I winked at her, slinging my gym bag over my shoulder. "Anyway, I'll get going now."

"Going to meet him?" She asked, walking towards me.

I nodded. "Yup. Gotta celebrate this goddamn day."

Diana chuckled. "Great. Also," she fished a small box out of her pocket. "here."

I looked at the box before looking back at her. "Diana, I love you, I really do but not that way."

She rolled her eyes before shoving it into my hand. "Just take it. And don't open it just yet."

I frowned at the little box. "So, when am I supposed to open it?"

"You'll know." She simply said, before patting my shoulder. "Consider this service, a gift from me."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You're making no sense right now, but that's just everyday."

I looked back at her in all seriousness. "My 17 year old self wouldn't have thought that I'd ever say this to you but... thank you."

She passed a small smile and started walking backwards. "Anytime." She said, doing a mock salute before she walked away.

I walked out of the gym and started making my way down the very familiar path.

I've been going to meet him a lot more frequently in the past year, since beside him is the only place where I feel a sense of belonging.

To day that I've been lonely would be an understatement. Everyone around me supported me when I decided to take a gap year but they obviously had their path planned.

Alec got accepted into a medical college, in New York and left after finishing high school. It took a lot of promises from me, to not get into shit, for him to actually leave.

To no one's surprise, we both shed a tear when the realisation set in. It's been over two years and this is the longest that I've spent without him by my side.

Lexi had a hard time that year but she directed her attention towards the books and in the end managed to get into NYU.

The day she had to leave was a very hard day for the both of us but I wished her the very best. I was happy knowing the fact that she would finally reunite with Alec as their campuses were just a few minutes away.

Perri and Cole got into a college just out of town, where Perri decided to study fashion designing and Cole opted for a course that is a little too difficult for me to understand.

Mia decided to study to be a veterinarian due to her love for animals while Dylan is studying business.

It didn't take me much time to process all of this as much as it took in me to process the fact that Ryder got into UCLA on a football scholarship.

It was a bittersweet feeling as I was ecstatic for him to have achieved this but the little sting of separation was there.

Now, all of that pretty much left me here. It's not like they zapped all connections with me. We talk almost everyday and it makes me feel very proud at how they're all working hard towards their future and that they're all happy.

I smile looking up at the clear sky as I reached my destination.

Upon reaching Ethan's grave, I placed the white rose there and took a seat beside him.

"Happy Birthday Ethan." I said. "Here I am again on another weird birthday. It's weird because everyone seems a little too indifferent that usual."

I stopped before sighing. "I can't believe I'm actually complaining to you about my life but oh well, it's not like I have anyone else."

I scoffed.

"So, none of my friends have called me, not even Alec." I rolled my eyes. "It's kind of understandable since they all have their own lives now and they're all thriving. But I'm still sulking like the adult I am. Not because I don't like their indifference or whatever but because I miss them, a lot. I know life doesn't stay the same always but I guess I wished for a little more time of the happiness that I finally had."

I looked up at the sky again. "Can you believe that Ryder hasn't called me either? If you were here, I'd want you to beat him up, honestly. I haven't seen him in months, he came here on Christmas last year and that's it."

I ran my finger over the silky wrapping over the little box that Diana gave me. "I miss him, so much. And I wish I could give him the big news first but since he's too busy, I can't help it."

I turned to the stone and smiled. "So I got-"

"EMIE!" My head jerked to the direction of the voice and I saw little Grace running towards me.

My eyes widened when I saw her trip and fall.

I quickly got up and rushed towards her. "Gracie! Are you okay?" I picked her up and checked for any wounds.

Thankfully she fell on grass and didn't hurt herself much.

She nodded.

"You need to be careful Gracie." I said, making her pout and nod.

I picked her up into my arms and smiled. "So, what is little princess doing here?"

She looked around for a bit before answering. "I wanted to see you." She said, almost mechanically, as if she's memorised a script.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I frowned.

She nodded before she started wiggling in my arms.

I slowly put her down. "What's wrong?"

"Do you- do you have a box?" She asked.

I frowned. "A box?"

She nodded. "Yes. A purple box."

Realisation hit me and I slowly pulled out the box that Diana gave me. "This one?"

Her sparkling eyes landed on it and she extended her hand to grab it.

I frowned before shrugging and handing it to her.

"Just be careful with it Gra-"

My gasp swallowed the rest of the sentence when Grace grabbed the box and threw it over my head and somewhere behind me.

My eyes widened and I stepped back to try and catch it before it hits the ground because I still wasn't aware of what was in it. It could be something breakable.

Just as I was about to catch it, my back hit a hard chest and I jerked to a stop, while a much bigger hand grabbed the box.

I let out a sigh of relief and turned to face the person but as soon as I did that, my breathing stopped.

"Hey, beautiful."

Staring right back at me were beautiful grey orbs.

I stood there opening and closing my mouth like a fish.

"You- you..."

I quickly shook my head and rubbed my eyes, not believing my eyes one bit.

"Great... Now I've started hallucinating."

I heard a deep chuckle before warm hands grabbed mine and pulled them down.

"I'm very much real babe." He said, making me look up with wide eyes.

"Wha- How- huh?" I stuttered.

"You really though that I would forget your birthday?" Ryder tilted his head to the side.

"Good job, Grace!" He winked at Grace standing behind me and then I heard her footsteps as she ran away.

My frown disappeared as I looked at him, really looked at him.

He was so beautiful that it almost hurt to look at him. His beautiful face structure had gotten sharper and he had a fresh haircut making his hair look even shinier.

I didn't waste any time before jumping into his arms and thankfully he caught me just in time. I felt his huge arms go around my waist and I immediately felt safe and warm.

"Oh my god, you're here." I breathed out into his neck, and a shiver went down his spine.

"I am." He said, placing a soft kiss in the crook of my neck.

He had also gotten considerably bigger as I saw his biceps peeking from his huge t-shirt.

Calm the fuck down.

I slowly pulled away from him and stood at an arms length.

Heat crept up my neck as unholy thoughts entered my mind, making him frown.

The effect he has on me is unreal.

"Are you blushing?"

I looked away from him and scoffed. "No."

He chuckled and placed a kiss on my forehead. "Don't worry, you have the same effect on me, beautiful."

He then placed the palm of my hand over his chest.

I frowned in confusion before a felt his fast heartbeat.

He looked down at me sheepishly. "See?"

My face broke into a smile before I shook my head. "What are you doing here?"

He frowned. "What do you mean? I'm here for you."

My eyes slowly widened. "This is why you were being so hostile towards me."

"Yeah... Sorry about that." He said rubbing the back of his neck. "We wanted it to be a surprise."

"We?" I frowned.

"No no no that's not the point. I gotta do something first." He quickly said, before taking a step back from me.

My eyes widened when I saw him take a step back and open the little box.

My jaw was on the floor as my body went into a state of shock.

He then looked at me as I stared at the plain, but beautiful ring sitting there in the box.

"Miles, to this day I can't believe that I get to call you mine and as promised I plan to keep it that way forever." He said, taking the ring out and extending his hand, asking for mine.

With the minimal working of my senses, I spoke. "You're not gonna get down on one knee?"

'What the fuck?'

Someone kill me, please.

"Not yet." He said, pulling me out of the trance as I looked up at him in surprise.

My body reacted on its own and I placed my hand in his.

"But this," he said, sliding the ring in my ring finger. "is a promise that I will, when the time is right."

I felt a fresh layer of moisture in my eyes before a chuckled. "You're as cheesy as ever."

He smiled down at me, before wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me to his chest. "Just for you, beautiful."

I wrapped my arms around his neck as we stood there staring at each other.

Familiar sparks shot up my body as I felt his strong body mold into mine.

His gaze dropped down to my lips, making me smile and do the same. "What are you waiting for?"

His smile widened before he shook his head and quickly placed his lips on mine.

And immediately, a euphoric feeling took over and at that moment, we were the only two people in the world.

It was a soft kiss as we moved our lips in sync.

As soon as we pulled away, he shifted to place a kiss on the corner of my mouth, my cheek, my nose and then my forehead. "Happy birthday, Miles."

I giggled as I felt the tickle on my skin, as he looked down at me with an endearing smile.

"I love you." He said.

"I love you too." I said, pecking his lips.

"Alright, that's all the alone time you get." A loud voice said, making Ryder groan.

My eyes widened as I turned to see Alec with a scowl on his face.

I gasped, before detaching myself from Ryder and running towards Alec. I jumped into his arms and he caught me just in time.

He chuckled before a slowly pulled away and looked at him wide-eyed. "You were in on this too?"

He nodded, before ruffling my hair. "Of course. I couldn't miss your birthday loser."

"You missed it last year." I deadpanned.

He rolled his eyes. "You know I had extra credit work Em."

I sighed. "I know. But you guys made me feel really lonely, this past week." I said, looking at Alec and Ryder.

Ryder walked up to us. "I know. I'm sorry babe. If it makes you feel any better, I'm staying for a whole week." He said, kissing my cheek.

Alec fake gagged. "Gross."

"Also, the plan to pretend to forget your birthday wasn't ours." Ryder said, making Alec nod. "I only planned the ring."

"I helped him choose." Alec said, proudly.

Ryder rolled his eyes. "Yeah out of the two shortlisted ones."

"You guys just can't stick to the plan, can you?" Another voice called out and my eyes widened.

I turned around once again and there they were. My happiness, my life...

My family.

The whole group stood there, some looking taller and more mature, but they had the same warm smiles on their faces.

"Asparagus!" Dylan was the first to break character and run to me, followed by the others.

I was laughing and smiling till my cheeks hurt, after a very long time. This place felt like home.

Being with everyone, with the family that I found by sheer luck.

"You just had to interrupt their moment, didn't you?" Lexi said, smacking Alec's shoulder.

"Hey! He got plenty of time."

"They have been in a long distance relationship Alec, they barely meet." Lex said, making Alec pout.

I saw a small frown on Ryder's face but it vanished as soon as he saw me looking at him.

I turned to him, not liking his forced smile one bit. "Hey Ryder."

He hummed taking my hand and kissing my knuckles one by one.

I ignored the butterflies in my stomach. "I don't think this long distance thing is working for us."

And then there was silence.

Everyone went quiet and Ryder froze.

"What- Miles-"

"God, sorry. I can't do this to you. It's a bad idea." I suddenly said, breaking character.

His face held so much pain that I felt my chest tighten.

That would be too much.

"I'm not breaking up with you, babe." I said, cupping his face. "We just don't need to do long distance anymore. I got accepted into UCLA."

He froze again but his face held pure shock. "What?" He breathed out.

I nodded, smiling with tears in my eyes. "Yeah. I wanted to tell you, but you were busy ignoring me..."

"Oh my gosh..." Mia gushed.

"Ryder's soul almost left his body." Cole laughed, making Perri roll her eyes.

"Really?" Ryder suddenly asked, looking at me intently.

"Really." I grinned.

And then I was in