Dad rushed up the stairs, hastily wrapping a dark grey tie- dotted in white specks- around his neck. His eyes darted around the hall as the wrinkles in his forehead became more prominent.

"Vince, have you seen my camera?" he called out, proceeding to march into my room.

Still attempting to adjust the graduation cap over my head, I turned from the mirror, only to find Dad peering around my room as well.

"Did you check the kitchen table?" I asked in reply. I raised an eyebrow as he pulled open my closet doors, poking his head in there as well. "I doubt that your camera would be in my closet."

Without hesitation, he raced back down the stairs, almost forgetting to close the closet doors on the way out. I took a deep breath before taking one last look in the mirror.

Draped across my shoulders, the graduation gown felt surreal. A sea of dark blue flowed down to my ankles, swaying freely with any movement. Walking over to my desk, I pulled open the blinds. A blast of sunlight shot through the window, adding to the natural light already illuminating the room. At the corner of my eye I spotted a figure, weaving between the ramps of the skatepark. Although I could only see the back of her gown, it didn't take much for me to identify her.

"Hey Dad," I called, jogging down the stairs, "Do you mind if I step out for a bit?"

With one hand still on his camera, he waved at me dismissively, nodding his head.

"We have to leave in 15 minutes though so be quick."

Slipping on a pair of shiny black dress shoes, I pulled open the door, proceeding to jog down the street. The moment I reached the skatepark, I was greeted with a warm smile.

"Nice costume," she joked, leaning in towards me. I slid into the spot beside her, careful not to sit on her gown as her lips met mine. She tasted sweet, leaving behind a hint of vanilla.

"Same to you," I replied, leaning back with a puff of laughter.

For a split second I glanced back down to her lips, which were a little glossier than usual. But besides that, she looked like how she would any other day. Not that it mattered, she was beautiful no matter what she wore.

"What are you doing here by the way?"

She simply shrugged, leaning back to rest on her arms. "The nostalgia I guess." A curtain of golden brown hair slid off her shoulders as she tilted her head towards the sky, exposing a spark of scarlet shimmering between stray whisps of hair. For a moment, it twinkled, as if it had been ignited by the sun. But before I could address them Wren had already caught my gaze, beating me to it.

"You like my earrings?" she asked, flaunting yet another playful smile. I couldn't help but chuckle, watching as she tucked the lingering strands behind her ears.

"It's been a while since I've seen them," I admitted to her, "But pretty nonetheless."

Her grin widened at my words.

"Thanks, my mom thought so too."

Looking back, I never really knew the importance behind her earrings. When she stopped wearing them, they seemed to disappear completely. I never thought to ask why.

"Did your mom get them for you?" I asked finally, earning a nod. She straightened her back, shifting her hands over her knees instead.

"Yeah, a while ago. For my birthday. I just stopped wearing them after she passed."

A moment of silence slipped between us as I gave her hand a comforting squeeze.

"This is kinda random but, I used to think that if she saw me wearing them, then it would show her how much I loved her," she muttered, meeting my eyes. Slowly, the corners of her lips lifted into a weak smile as the look in her eyes softened. "But I guess that was unneccessary."

Again, a slip of silence flew by.

"Though, I thought she might like to see me wearing them at graduation," she declared, mustering up another smile, a genuine one this time.

"I think she would too."

I gave her hand another gentle squeeze before I standing, grabbing her other hand to help her up as well.

"Although we do have to get to the graduation first," I remarked, hoping to widen her smile. She chuckled, adjusting the bottom of her cap, which stood lopsided atop her head. "Is your dad taking you there?"

She shook her head.

"I'm walking," she replied instead. "Which I should probably be doing right now-"

"If you want my dad could drive you," I offered, her hand still in mine. "We're actually supposed to be leaving in a few minutes."

With a mere nod and smile of gratitude- dimples and all- she took one last look at the sky, before dipping her head to look over the rough concrete ground beneath our feet.

"I'm gonna miss this," she let out, alongside a light puff of laughter. I followed her gaze, watching as a group of clouds swam across the sea of blue. With a sun that had yet to set, it was your typical evening sky; there were no stars adorning a sea of black, or hazy glow of moonlight. No sign of any early night charms to set the mood. It looked so ordinary, yet it felt so different.

I felt my gaze soften as a wave of melancholy- something I've been putting off for a while- rose from my chest.

This was it. 

I would be leaving to visit Mom the next morning, and by the time I would be back, Wren would already be gone; aboard a flight to her university on the other side of the country.

"Vince are you..."

Suddenly, a few tears pricked the corners of my eyes and one-by-one, began rolling down my cheeks. Wren was quick to swipe them away, before her gaze became watery as well.

"We haven't even graduated yet," she cried, shaking her head. In spite of the tears trickling down her cheeks, her smile grew. "A-and we'll still see each other later after the ceremony, and we'll have dinner with Tyler and-"

I pulled her into a hug, not willing to let her go; not yet. The edge of her cap dug into the side of my neck, and the string tassel brushed the edge of my ear. She draped her arms around me, her grasp just as tight.

"When you get your phone, text me," I muttered into my forearms. Despite my inner reluctance, I loosened my grip, taking a single step back to meet her gaze. Two hazel orbs looked back at me, shrinking into cresents as her lips curled into a heartwarming smile.

"Rest assured that you'll be the first person I text. I promise."

I couldn't help but smile, suddenly feeling embarrassed for getting upset. The pink flush over Wren's cheeks began to fade away, leaving behind an adorable grin.

"Isn't your dad expecting you?"

"Don't worry," I assured her, "I'll be forgiven once he sees you with me."

Suppressing the laughter threatening to tumble from her lips, Wren descended the rope ladder, bringing me along with her. She hopped off a few feet over the ground, causing the abundance of fabric flowing from her waist to bounce with her.

"Just out of curiosity, what're you gonna do with that when you leave?" I asked, gesturing towards the ladder.

"I guess I'll leave it there," she replied, quickening her pace to catch up with my strides. "Just in case."

She entwined her fingers with mine as we walked, past the rusty lamppost of the skatepark and down the crosswalk. Once we crossed the street, Wren leaned in, giving me one final taste of vanilla lip gloss before facing my father.

"No more crying," she stated, her tone reflecting the playfulness of her smile- one that rendered her words as serious as an excited puppy. "But I've packed tissues for after the ceremony."

I scoffed, making a show of rolling my eyes. Immediately, a surge of laughter spilled from her lips. As we approached the house next-door, Wren suddenly stopped, lifting her gaze to meet mine.

"And also, thank you," she said, her eyes expressing a deep sincerity. "For everything."

"Anything for a wish-buddy."

Again, she laughed, sending a beam of cheerfulness through me as well.

"Hey Dad," I called out as the front door flew open. He locked the door shut behind him, keeping his head down as he trotted down the steps. "Wren's gonna be joining us for the car ride if that's alright."

He lifted his head upon my words, making sure to greet Wren with a welcoming smile.

"Not a problem," he replied, waving his hand in dismissal to emphasize his point. "We do have to leave now though."

Following the clink of car keys, the garage door rumbled open, exposing the navy blue metal of Dad's Honda Civic. He was first to lead the way, Wren and I following not long after.

"This doesn't mean there has to be any goodbyes," Wren said, her voice low enough to go undetected by Dad. "Not even after the ceremony."

I simply nodded, an action that spoke loud enough to earn another dimpled smile.

Three years later, she would hold true to her promise. Amid the stress of homework and internships, my phone would buzz, an unknown number lighting up with it.

Don't forget to make a wish
- Wren 🍒

And I didn't.

***

A/N

Annnnd...that's a wrap! 🎉

I know I've already said this, but I'll say it again; to anyone that has made it this far, words cannot express how grateful I am for you support!!

(Also @_Micah-Drew_                                                   I've probably already mentioned this, but you seriously have some superpower when it comes to updates 😂. You're literally the first to read the chapter, even before I could finish writing an announcement lmao. But thank you so much (again) nonetheless!!)

I'm really gonna miss this story and the characters... (But hey, maybe there'll be a revival, who knows lol).

Anyways, hope you enjoyed the epilogue as much as I enjoyed writing it!!

Next time I see you, there'll be a new story for me to tell ;)

Love you guys and stay safe!!

- Epiphany ❤