4 years later

Evelyn and her friends sat on the grass outside of the dining hall eating their lunch. Other groups of students resided outside as well, reading, or studying, or talking. Tobi rested in Tiffany’s arms, purring as she scratched him behind the ears. Evelyn had convinced President Woodside to let her resurrect him her third year here, and she hadn’t regretted it what so ever. Tobi seemed to adore Tiffany almost more than Evelyn, and it made her jealous sometimes. Tiffany wore a fuzzy purple jack that she knew Tobi loved, and Evelyn could see his eyes start to droop as he fell asleep.

Clay sat next to Evelyn, his dark skin contrasting with the white hoodie he was wearing. He had his arm wrapped around Jade, and she looked very happy. She always got this dreamy look in her bright green eyes whenever she and Clay were together. They hadn’t made it official, but everyone assumed they were an item. She wore a blue Epiwiths sweatshirt that she bought from the school store ages ago, so long ago that the letters and symbols had started to crack and fade. She twirled a lock of her frizzy brown hair on her index finger as she watched Clay talk about the football game from last week. She had no interest in sports. Evelyn mouthed to Tiffany, They are so dating! Tiffany mouthed back, I know right!?!

“What are you guys talking about?” Aster asked, walking up to the group. She wore a tight fitting workout jacket, gray of course to match with Xander’s gray hoodie. Xander followed behind her, his hand resting on her hip.

Tiffany smirked and claimed, “About what a cute couple you and Xander are!” Tiffany knew how self-absorbed Aster was. Not in a bad way, but she could never resist talking about herself. A perfect tactic to change the subject.

“Aww, thanks!” Aster stood on her tiptoes and pecked Xander on the cheek. He smiled and blushed a little at the compliment.

“Yeah, thanks,” he mumbled. He was shy and didn’t talk much, but he was still a nice guy. He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his hoodie, too timid to say more. They sat down next to Tiffany, and Aster immediately started to pet Tobi’s back. She woke him up from his slumber but he didn’t seem to mind. Aster loved cats, and had loved Tobi since day one. Evelyn took a bite from her ham sandwich and leaned back, allowing herself to enjoy the cool autumn breeze flowing through her hair. She sat up when she realized they were missing a member of their party.

“Hey, where’s Rick?”

“I don’t know,” everyone mumbled at once.

Evelyn sighed. “Who was the last person to talk to him?” she questioned.

“Uh…”

“Hmmm…”

“I dunno.”

“Maybe...uh…I don’t know.”

Evelyn groaned in frustration.

“Did someone send him to go get food or something?” she asked.

“Oh yeah...heh. Me!” answered Tiffany.

Evelyn snorted. “You have a horrible memory!”

Tiffany giggled at the truthful comment. “Yup!” she laughed.

Evelyn saw Rick in the distance carrying a bag of sandwiches from the food shop they all loved. She stood.

“Yo Rick! Over here!”sShe shouted to him, waving her arms so he could see her. He scanned the groups of people outside and his face brightened when he spotted Evelyn. He trudged up the hill to meet the group.

“I brought the food, y’all!” he said in his southern accent. Everyone thought it would fade over time, but it was still as thick as ever, and he was proud of it. It made him feel unique. Evelyn sat back down and Rick followed her example.

“Okie dokie smoky…,” he opened the brown bag and started going through the food, “Turkey and lettuce on rye?”

“Me!” called out Aster. He threw it to her and she caught it with one hand.

“Nice!” he praised.

“Thanks!”

Rick continued handing out lunch until there was nothing left. When he finished, he unwrapped his meatball sub hungrily, and eagerly started to devour it. Evelyn had brought her own food and finished it a little while ago. She laid back on the soft grass, her green army jacket keeping her warm on this cool day.

She listened to her friends talking. One big group of seven people, filled with camaraderie and love. She heard Jade and Clay flirting with each other, and she heard Tiffany praising Tobi, basically for existing. She heard the chatter between Xander and Rick about upcoming assignments, and Aster complaining with them about the overwhelming work load. She heard them all laugh when Tiffany made a joke, and listened as they steered the topic of conversation towards graduating, and getting jobs, and starting their actual adult lives. She sat up, joining in.

“Look, this may sound sappy, but I’m glad we’re here. I’m glad I found you guys. I know I didn’t have a bad life growing up, but I had the toughest luck making friends,” the group nodded in agreement; they had heard about her horrible attitude when she was younger, “But coming to Epiwiths, and changing my attitude got me you guys. You’re some of the kindest, the most loving, caring, positive people I’ve ever had the blessing to meet. So thank you so much for being there for me,” she paused, blinking some tears away and sniffing, “And I don’t know what will happen in the future. None of us do. And it’s scary. But I know that as long as we have each other, we’ll be okay.” She finished speaking, frozen in place as silence fell.

Suddenly, a resounding, “Awwwwwwww!” came from everyone. She exhaled, relieved.

“Group hug!” yelled Tiffany. Everyone sat up and gathered around Evelyn, and they crushed her in a massive bear hug.

She started laughing, and so did the entire group. “I love you guys!” she giggled.

“We love you too!” they answered back.

Wrapped in the love and support of her friends, holding Tobi in her arms, Evelyn felt safe, and most importantly, truly happy. No matter what would happen in the future, she’d have her friends there with her. And that was what mattered.