If you've already read my post about the cover contest on my page, then you don't have to read this:

GUYS I WILL BE PUSHING BACK THE DUE DATE FOR THE COVER COMPETITION! I ALSO HAVE MORE INFORMATION FOR ANYONE INVOLVED IN THE COMPETITION!

Title: A Touch of Grace

Subtitle: Sometimes, guys tease you because they like you; and sometimes, they're just jerks.

Author: istolethecookiez

Basic description of the book/characters (to help you decide on the cover picture/font/etc): Gracelyn is a quiet yet sassy girl who keeps to herself. She has a few close friends, and some acquaintances. She likes traveling and exploring new places. She hates being told what to do. Phoenix is her twin brother's best friend (...yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, I know). He is obnoxious and always finds ways to bother Grace. In a sense, he acts like an older brother. He plays football and is known for his joking personality. This book is more of a fun book- a lot of humor and light romance. It doesn't have a serious tone like Becoming Beautiful. It's more like When Trouble Meets Trouble, not the plot, but the tone. :)

Character appearance: Grace- blue eyes, dark brown hair. Phoenix- green eyes, light brown hair.

YOU CAN USE ANYTHING ON THE COVERS (AS LONG AS IT'S APPROPRIATE). IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE A MODEL OR A PERSON, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM LOOKING EXACTLY LIKE I DESCRIBED. THOUGH THIS IS HOW THE CHARACTERS ARE GOING TO LOOK IN THE STORY, SO CHOOSING A MODEL WHO HAS PLATINUM BLONDE HAIR AND DARK BROWN EYES FOR YOUR COVER PROBABLY ISN'T A VERY GREAT IDEA LOL.

DUE DATE: FRIDAY, APRIL 10th, 2015. This is the last date, because that's when the new story is being posted. :)

ALSO, this story, in no way, relates to Just My Luck. I simply chose to use the name Phoenix because I really like that name. And it's unique, so it's an overall great name for a story character. A Touch of Grace is it's own story and is not a sequel, replacement, or spin off to any of my previous stories.

GOOOOOD LUUUUUCK!

NEW INFORMATION:

I'M ALSO WRITING CHAPTER 1 IN MADDOX'S POINT OF VIEW. Stay tuned for that chapter next week lol.

This epilogue is kind of short, and I never do the '20 years later' anymore because I personally feel as if it's unrealistic. Buuuut I tried to include all or most of the characters that you guys seemed to like (no Vivica or Aunt Gen), but it kind of gives you guys an idea in which direction their relationship moves.

There will be no sequel, no matter how many comments I get asking for one. No sequel from me or anyone else. No spin offs from me or anyone else. This is the end of the Forever and Always, Olive train.

HAPPY READING!

Epilogue

I sighed as I slipped behind the counter, adjusting my Burger King visor. “What’s with the long face?” Abel asked curiously as he tapped along the counter. A woman and her two children were sitting in a booth a few feet away and a lone man was eating a burger at a table. Other than those people, the place was empty.

“I’m tired,” I explained to him.

“It’s summer- brighten up,” he smiled at me as he glanced out the window. “You can go home and sleep for six hours without having to worry about messing up your sleeping schedule.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “I hate working five days a week.”

“You took on more shifts?” he asked and I sighed.

“Yeah, more shifts mean more money,” I replied as I rubbed my forehead.

“Look, you have a visitor,” Abel informed me as the door to Burger King opened. I grinned as Maddox entered, walking up to the counter with a smile on his face.

“What are you doing here?” I asked him as he stood in front of me, staring up at the overhead menu.

“Well, I’m hungry. I like fast food. And Burger King is only a half hour away,” he replied.

“McDonalds is right next door,” Abel told him. “You couldn’t go there?”

“Shouldn’t you be advertising your place of employment?” he inquired as he leaned over the counter, shooting a glare at his brother before turning to me.

“Ew, stop,” Abel muttered from beside me as he waited for more customers to enter the restaurant.

“We’re not even doing anything,” Maddox snapped at his brother.

“Stop leaning over the counter. It looks like you’re going to kiss her,” Abel retorted as he looked between the two of us.

Maddox rolled his eyes while I blushed brightly. “I’d like to order now, if that’s not too much of a problem,” Maddox spoke, glaring at his brother. He turned to the menu behind me and made a sound of thought.

“I don’t have all day,” I muttered jokingly and he shot me a glare.

“I’d like a whopper, large fries, and Coca Cola,” he responded with a large grin.

“Will that be all?” I asked, as I’m required to.

“Oh, and a kiss,” he added as he moved forward and kissed my forehead. “Are you free tomorrow?”

Abel sucked his teeth and scoffed. “You’re such a loser!” Abel guffawed from beside me.

“Mind your own business, Abel!” Maddox snapped, throwing a ketchup packet at his older brother. It simply hit Abel in the chest and fell to the counter.

“Say ‘no’ because that was so cheesy, Liv,” Abel whispered. Maddox glared at him. “You’re way better than that.”

I tried not to laugh as I looked at Maddox. “Yeah,” I nodded.

“Great,” he responded. “Now get me my food.”

It was my turn to throw a ketchup packet.

+ + +

When Maddox told me that we’d be hanging out, I thought it’d only be the two of us. I really didn’t expect it to be everyone. “So what are we going to do?” I asked him curiously.

“We’re just going to be hanging out, I guess,” he replied as he slammed the door shut. We were at Cassidy’s house, which is now considered the usual hang out spot. Without bothering to knock, Maddox pushed open the door. “The most beautiful person ever is here!” I glanced at him and he nodded. “Oh yeah, and Olive is here, too.” I laughed, reaching over and shoving him.

“You’re such an idiot,” I replied with a grin.

“I’m your idiot,” Maddox responded as he slung an arm over my shoulder.

“Not for long,” I muttered as I slipped out from under his arm to hug Winona. I hugged Cassidy, and then Jackson, and then Nicholas. I even hugged Isaac because I had been seeing a lot of him for the past few months, and I guess we’d grown closer.

Once I finished hugging everyone, Maddox grabbed my hand and yanked me down beside him on the couch. I rolled my eyes at him but smiled nonetheless. I watched as Nick sat down beside Cassidy, who allowed him to slip his arm behind her shoulders. I looked at Maddox and he simply winked at me. Jackson was on his phone, texting away carelessly. Winona and Isaac were sitting on the floor, playing a game of cards.

“So what movie do you guys want to watch?” Cassidy asked as she looked around at us.

“Anything that isn’t black and white,” Isaac blurted.

“Why not? Those movies are the best!” Cassidy grinned.

“No, they’re not. I like being able to see color, thanks,” Isaac responded.

“Yeah, I agree with Isaac,” Winona expressed.

“Shut up! You’re only agreeing because he’s your boyfriend,” Cassidy scoffed.

“And you’re my best friend, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit through a two hour long black and white movie,” Winona responded.

“Who’s down to watch some old films?” Isaac asked. No one raised their hands.

“You guys are jerks,” Cassidy blurted as she glared at all of us, even Nick, who smiled innocently and easily accepted her as she placed her head on his shoulder.

“Who’s up for a comedy?” Isaac inquired and everyone raised their hand, except for Cassidy, who was still grumpily staring at all of us. When she made eye contact with me, I stuck my tongue out at her and she simply put up her middle finger. I looked at Maddox with slightly wide eyes and he smirked and laughed.

“You started it,” he muttered.

+ + +

Halfway through the movie, the doorbell rang twice and Jackson walked over to get it, seeing as no one else made a move to get up. I heard a familiar laugh and I looked at Maddox to see him rubbing the bridge of his nose as a sigh escaped his lips. “Hello!” Abel shouted as he plopped down in the empty space beside me.

“Hey, Abel,” I grinned at him. He leaned over and beamed at his brother.

“Hi, Maddox,” he greeted with a smirk.

“Go away, Abel. No one here likes you,” he sighed.

“Your girlfriend does,” Abel retorted.

Maddox narrowed his eyes at Abel. “Speaking of girlfriends, where’s yours?” he asked.

“She’s at work,” Abel explained as he plucked the popcorn from Maddox’s lap.

“Shouldn’t you be at work?” Maddox asked.

“Nope, I don’t have a shift until eight,” Abel assured his brother. “I don’t have to leave until seven.”

“Great,” Maddox sighed, earning a nudge in the side from me.

The movie continued to play, and by the time it was over, Maddox looked at me. “Are you hungry?”

I nodded and he looked at everyone. “Guys, we’ll see you later. We’re going to head out.”

“Bye guys,” I smiled at all of them. I hugged everyone as Maddox and I were leaving. Abel lifted me off of the ground during our hug and Maddox sighed, taking my hand and leaving the house beside me.

“Where do you want to eat?” he asked me.

“I’m not really that hungry,” I confessed. He looked at me and I shrugged. “I thought we were going to be hanging out alone today.”

“Oh, you should’ve said something on our way here. I would’ve told them that we were going to hang out alone,” he told me. “Sorry.”

“No, it’s cool. I love hanging out with them- they’re our friends,” I responded quickly. “Besides, I don’t want to keep you from hanging out with them.”

“I can always hang out with them. It’s you I can’t spend as much time with. I just thought that you’d want to see them. I didn’t want to take up all your time,” he told me.

“I want to see them, but I want to see you, too,” I told him. “I hate having to work so much. I can’t spend as much time with you…guys.” My face was red at my slip up. I don’t want to seem clingy. I glanced at him and sighed when I noticed that he caught it.

“I get it,” he smiled at me. “You just can’t get enough of me.”

I rolled my eyes at him. “So where to?” I inquired as I buckled my seatbelt.

“It’s 6:30. The sun’s still up. It’s summer. The possibilities are endless,” he responded.

“How about the cliff?” I asked.

“Is that the only place you know in this town?” he asked me with a smile.

“It’s a special place,” I told him.

“I know it is,” he nodded as he began driving there. “It’s our special place.”

+ + +

We were both lying on the grass. My head was on his chest and I listened to the steady sound of his heartbeat. “We’re going to be seniors,” I told him as I looked up.

He nodded. “Yeah, I know. It’s all happening so fast.”

“I know,” I agreed. “What colleges are you thinking about going to?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know yet. Do you?”

I slowly shook my head as I sat up, yanking him up with me. “I don’t know. I don’t even know what I want to do with my life,” I admitted. “I know it’s a little too soon to be asking this, but what’s going to happen to us? You know, when we go to college.”

“What do you mean?” he asked me with furrowed eyebrows.

“What if we go to different colleges? What if, say, you get a scholarship for baseball and the school is across the country? And I go to the state college?” I asked him. “I’d definitely want you to go. I wouldn’t want you to miss an opportunity like that for me.”

“Olive,” Maddox began and I stared at him as I had my arms wrapped around my knees. “If I go to school across the country, or if you go to school across the country, I’m sure we’d be able to make it work.”

“Really?” I asked him.

“Yes,” he nodded. “It’ll be hard, but I think we can do it.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“Do me a favor?” he asked with a smile. I looked at him distractedly and nodded. “Stop thinking so much, okay? Take it one day at a time.”

“I know, I will,” I told him.

Smiling at me, he sighed. “We have forever.” When he realized what he said, a slow grin broke across his face and I sighed. “Forever and Always, Olive,” he spoke. I glared at him jokingly and he laughed. “What? I got it right this time!”