Two years later

"Oight, class. This is yer last dae af school, afterr this dae, you'll all be goin' ohn with yer lives. Doon't fock it up," Ms. Wilkinson says. I look over to Kathrine, who looks just as confused as me.

"After all this time, I've never understood a single thing she's said," Kath says, I nod in agreement. "So what are you gonna do when you graduate?"

I think for a moment. I think of my life, what I want to do, where I'll be. I need to make the right decision.

"Well, I'm going to get a job. I don't know what job, but I'll find that out later. I want to be with my boyfriend forever. I mean, I'm almost eighteen, I've still got the rest of my life left, and I want to spend every minute with him. What about you?" I ask her. She smiles.

"I'm going to become a publisher for the newspaper, so I'll be writing the stories the newsies will be hawking. I'll stay single forever. I like being independent, so I'll spend the rest of my life like that," she says. I nod.

"That sounds like a good life," I say, thinking about what I want to do, but I'm not entirely sure. I'll probably use some of the money I've made from being A.K. a couple years ago that I never used and have saved up to buy a nice place.

I work through the rest of the day, getting ready for the final graduation ceremony. All the newsies are going to be there, and I'll finally not have to go to school.

As the bell rings we walk down to the courtyard, where we're setting up the graduation. I take my seat in the front and wait for all the friends and families to come.

After about 20 minutes, the room is filled with people here to watch all of us graduate. And the principal gets up on stage and holds up her hand, quieting the room of people. I look behind me and see all of the newsies smiling at me.

"Hello, everyone! Today we are here to watch our friends and family move on to bigger and better things. School has shaped us to grow, thrive, learn, and now, these girls will put their knowledge to the test, and use it in the real world.
We will bring up each student today, handing them their award for graduating school, and then share some of their best qualities. Each one of these girls has worked hard, they have their good qualities, and their flaws, and today we shall award them for both. Now, where shall we start?" The principal asks herself, looking down at the notes in her hand. "Asleigh Clover."

She then calls up students, sharing some of their greatest strengths and accomplishments. There's only two people left, me and Sofie.

"Sofie Mccoll, please step up on the stage," the principal says, there's people clapping for her. Sofie does so and stands there with a smile. "Sofie Mccoll, the voice of fire. Never once have I seen her back down from a challenge. Always speaking her mind is sometimes not a good quality, but we all know that she will never stand being unhappy. Bravery is one word I'd use to describe her. I already know that she will go on and become one of the most powerful women in our country. Thank you so much, Sofie, for being a part of our community."

Sofie then takes her award and sits next to me.

"And last but most certainly not least, Ash Kelly," the principal says. I step up and even more people cheer for me. "I have never in my life met someone who has suffered as much as Ash and has pushed through it. So many people have broken down and failed, but Ash is strong. Persevered through thick and thin. Not to mention she used what she learned outside of school, to work hard in school. Ash has aced every class, even social readiness. As an orphan, ex newsie, and someone who has been kidnapped twice, she has made her way through life flawlessly. There is no doubt in my mind that Ash will go on to do creative, impressive, and wonderful. She has been, and always will be one of the most impressive part of this community. Thank you so much, Ash, for being the most brave and wonderful. No words can be used to describe your past and future accomplishments."

I smile at her kind words. I know that she put love and effort for every student's accomplishments, but she really put effort into mine. I take my award and walk back to my seat.

"Now, I only have two words to say before everyone can celebrate. Happy graduation!" She yells and everyone begins cheering. I stand up and hug Sofie and Kath. We begin to walk over to our friends and family.

I run over to Spot and jump into his arms, giving him a huge hug, which makes him press a kiss to my cheek.

"Congrats, Ash, ya did good, kid." I turn my head to see who's talking to me and see Blink, I smile and hug him.

"Blink! I'm so glad you came!" I say, he laughs and hugs me back. After a few beats, we pull apart.

"Well, I just wanted tah say in place ah Jack, I'll miss yous, and I know he would too if he were heah, and whateva you go on tah do, both ah us will be proud," Blink says, wiping a tear from his eye.

"Thank you, Blink, that... that means a lot. What are you gonna do now that I'll be leaving?" I ask, knowing that he somewhat depended on my after Jackie's funeral. Blink sighs, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"I'm gonna try tah bettah m'self. Try tah get a job, a life, hell, maybe a goilfriend," Blink pauses. "Or boyfriend."

I smile, feeling proud of him for being open about who he loves.

"Finally, I was waiting for you to be honest with yourself," I say. Blink shoots me a mock offended look. "What? With you flirting with both me AND the other newsies, you think I didn't notice?"

After a minute of talking and joking, Sofie walks over, her arm locked with Mush's.

"Hey, Ash! You got some nice words up there," she says with a smile. I look up and smile at her too. I see Mush placing a kiss on her cheek and I wiggle my eyebrows at them. He stands maybe two or three inches taller than her, but her badassery makes her look like the man while he looks kinda like the girl. Which I find super cute.

"Are you two dating?" I ask. Mush laughs, while Sofie smirks.

"You betcha we are. I've never met a guy as sweet as Mush. Not to mention he's a total hottie," Sofie says, making Mush blush. She then looks at Spot with a gallon of anger in her glare. "I trust you now. Don't fuck that up."

"I won't. And I'se real sorry fah doin' dat. I was a real joik, but I promised her two yearhs ago dat I wouldn't make da same mistake twice, and I haven't and don't plan tah do dat evah again," Spot says. She nods.

"Treat her right. Or I swear to god I will make sure you suffer just as much as-" Sofie begins, but Mush kisses her on the lips to shut her up. I just realized that he's exactly like a tiny puppy dog while Sofie's like a tiger ready to kill. The opposites attract thing is super cute.

"Hey, trus' me, darlin', I'se been around dem fah a while, he ain't gonna hoit her," Mush says, making Sofie look weak in the knees.

"Okay, I trust you, my love," she says. Mush turns to me and pulls me into a bro hug. I hug him back and he pats me on the head.

"You know you can always come to me if you need anything, right?" Mush asks. I nod, which makes him smile and turn back to Sofie. "Now, time for me to meet your family, mi amor."

They turn around and I hear Sofie giggling.

"I love it when you speak Spanish to me," she giggles out. I watch as they disappear into the crowd and turn back to Spot, who's smiling sadly. He looks very nervous.

"Hey, you okay?" I ask him. I place a hand on his shoulder, which he takes a gentle hold of.

"Do you think dat I'm gonna hoit you again?" He asks. I let out a laugh.

"Spot Conlon. I know with all my heart that you would never ever ever in a million years do that again. And I promise that I will always love you, and you know that," I say. He smiles and pulls me into a hug.

"This is why I love you," he says. Without warning, he throws me over his shoulder and starts running out of the building. I start laughing and playfully tell him to put me down.

He doesn't stop running, so I just continue laughing as he runs. I'm trying to guess where we're going. It seems like we're crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, but he stops halfway.

Even though it's like 6 o'clock, the sun'd already going down. He finally sets me down, and we stare out at the sunset for a solid minute. The sky is has beautiful auburn pinkish glow. And the moment where I smile the brightest, I see Spot moving out of the corner of my eye.

Looking over at him, I see that he's down on one knee, pulling a ring out. I feel my heart begin to flutter. The ring must have costed at least $30 if he bought it instead of stole it, which would make more sense.

"Let me begin by sayin' dat back when we was togedda, I asked Jack if I could do this, and he approved. Now, I'se gotta day dis, you make me happy ev'ry single day of me life. And I'd like it if ya would spend da rest of it wit' me as me wife," Spot says. I can feel happy tears prick at my eyes.

"Yes! Yes a million times yes!" I yell. He quickly jumps up and pulls me into a big hug, before carefully sliding the ring on my ring finger.

I pull him into a strong and passionate kiss, with more passion than our first kiss. I can't stop crying from the happiness and euphoria I feel inside of me.

"God, I can't wait to show you off to everyone I see, yelling 'This is my wife!'" He says, which makes me laugh.

"And I'd be glad to back you up, babe," I say with a smile. I don't think I've seen him this happy in years, and he's always pretty happy. He then begins to plant millions of kisses all over my face, before picking me up bridal style.

He then begins walking me back to Manhattan, to show the boys. As we're halfway to the lodging house, an old, not too big but not too small, building catches my attention.

"Whoa whoa whoa, set me down for a second," I say. He does so and I run up to the building, smacking my face against the window.

It's an old library, but it's pretty run down. There's cobwebs everywhere and chairs knocked over. All the books appear to be gone, as well as a lot of other objects. I feel a sense of security just by being in the presence of this building and a library.

I know what I want to do. I turn back to Spot and smile at him.

"Spot, can we buy this place?" I ask calmly. He looks slightly shocked.

"Uh, why?" He asks. I skip up to him while giggling.

"I want to own a library! I'll lend out books, maybe even write a few and stick them in there, doesn't that just sound amazing? And besides, the nearest library is all the way in Brooklyn, so we need one over here in Manhattan," I say with a playful smile. He looks down at me and ruffles my hair.

"If that makes you happy, it makes me happy," he says with a smile, kissing me on the lips. I smile and we continue running back to the lodging house.

When we get there, no one notices except Davey and Blink, who are smiling happily at each other from the same bunk bed. "Hey, Ash, Spot, I noticed dat you two left early from da graduation. Did you do anythin' fun?" Blink asks. I just laugh and hold up my hand, showing off the ring.

"Not much, just got engaged is all. What about you? I mean, you proposed to Sarah last year, so you'd know if it was fun," I say with a smirk. He smiles and pulls me into his big bear hug.

"Oh my gosh! Congratulations! So when's da weddin'?" Blink asks. I shoot him a questioning look.

"So are you and Davey...?" I ask him. He chuckles nervously.

"Well, you can't tell anyone, but I'se really like him, and I know he's... like me. We're not a thing, but I want to be," he says. I smile and hug him.

"I'm so happy for you, Blink. You said you'd hope to find someone, I didn't think it's be so soon," I joke. Blink pats my head and lets out a blushy chuckle.

"Yeah, he's amazin'. I can't was fah it tah be official," Blink says with a goofy grin. I laugh and hug him again. "So do you guys think you'll be gettin' married anytime soon?"

"Prolly aftah we jobs. Ash heah wants tah buy a library, sos that should be a way tah make money. And I'se prolly gonna get a job soon, too. I'll have tah pass my title of king down, and it's gonna be tah Leo, but don't tell 'im that. It's a surprise," Spot says. Davey hears mention of a library and walks up to us.

"You want to be a librarian?" He asks. I just awkwardly shrug.

"Well, I also want to publish my own books, but that'll just be for fun. But yeah, we need more libraries," I say happily. Blink ruffles up my hair.

"Y'know, I always tot you spent too much time at da libraries, sos I shoula guessed dat you was gonna be a librarian," he says. I scratch the back of my neck just hearing that people kinda knew.

"Well, I just want to make sure that I'm doing something I love. And I wanna spend my life with the person I love," I say, hugging Spot.

"Well den, Spot, if you hoit her again, I will make sure dat all of Brooklyn will suffah," Blink threatens, but Spot holds up his hand.

"I swear, I isn't gonna hoit ya sistah. She's already been trough so much 'cause ah me. I ain't gonna do dat shit again. I'se almost nineteen now, sos I'm more mature den I was back den," Spot says. I nod.

"I know, but I just gotta warn you, livin' wit' Ash is one of da hardest things you can do. Seriously, sometimes you wanna just chuck 'er out da door 'cause she's so annoyin'," Blink jokes. I shoot him a dirty glare, which makes both boys chuckle.

"Well if I'm going to be made fun of, then I'm leaving," I say, when in reality I'm just giving the boys time to talk.

I step outside, looking at the beautiful night sky. I then look down at my hand, the sparkly silver gem in the middle. It feels like everything's happening so fast, and like my dreams should be coming any minute.

The first bosses are down: School, Luis, being cheated on, Luis kidnapping me again, and my fear.

But that was just on easy mode.

Now time for hard mode.

The game is on.

Sorry that this was short, I just didn't want to cram too much into an already packed chapter. But I have the timeline written down in my notebook and I'm ready to go!

Also please check out my oneshots book. I'd like requests but if you don't have any, that's fine, just please read it. I beg of you just go to my profile and read the book. Please. I have a wife and 7 kids to feed. Please.

Future me again! So this is the final chapter! You did it! The next one is just a promo for my other book which I think you should check out. Sorry for not writing much lately, I've been really focused on writing an original novel, so sorry. But anyways, hope you've had fun, hope you didn't cry too much, and I hope you have a wonderful day! Bye!