Epilogue

Connor

It was finally here...

Caleb and I had studied our asses off for our finals. I had managed to ace most of the exams while, according to my brother, - he aced a few, particularly math. He was on cloud nine when he walked out of the exam hall that day.

After a shit-load of memorizing, after hours of practice, we gave our finals and both of us were quite happy with our results. Thanks to Kimberly.

It was finally over...

Graduation.

Euphoria filled the air. Everyone were scattered around on the football ground after the graduation ceremony, rejoicing their victory and bidding farewell to eachother.

I clutched a diploma tightly in my hands, staring intently at it.

My diploma.

Besides me, Caleb and every other friend that I knew were laughing and chatting while I couldn't stop grinning. Kimberly stood close beside me, my hands rested on her shoulder.

From far, I spotted my parents, who decided to leave our side, while we met our friends for one last time. Mom was crying an ocean of happiness while dad simply stared at us from afar.

I exchanged a heart warming smile with him and got back to talking to my friends.

The best part was that I made it to the university that Kimberly was in while Caleb had managed to get into a university with Gina.

"Uhm...guys?" Alberto spoke up, directing all our glances towards him "There's something you should know, especially Damon"

Damon's eyes widened as he adjusted his graduation cap "What is it?"

"Damon..." Alberto gulped, a drop of sweat trickling down his forehead "...I...I...it's just..."

"Speak up, puta!"

I laughed. Damon had learned a lot from Alberto, mainly his habit of saying 'puta' all the time. But right now, I focused on what it was that Al had to say. He was shivering from head-to-toe.

"Damon I'm..." he pursed his lips and looked away "I'm dating your sister"

The shock hit me like a bullet and I started laughing very hard. Many others accompanied while others held a horrified expression. Damon threw his graduation cap at Al "Say that again!"

"I'm dating your sister!" Al said again.

"Since when?"

"A month now..."

Damon's condition was half-raging and half-amused with a trace of confusion dangling in the middle. He raked his hand through his hair when his sister, Amber, suddenly walked out of the crowd and hugged Alberto in front of our eyes.

I must admit, Damon's sister was pretty hot.

"H-how? When? Why?" words flowed out of his mouth "Amber, you liked my best friend and you never told me?"

"I was shy" she shrugged "Not that I'd listen to you if you told me not be with Alberto. He really intrigues me"

Al proudly raised an eyebrow at Damon and leaned in to plant a kiss on Amber's lips. In front of him! Damon shivered a little at the sight.

I was trying really hard not to burst out laughing again. I was really happy for Al though.

Suddenly, from the corner of my eyes, I spotted Harley walking upto us.

I turned my glance toward her and we held our gaze for a while. She ceased in front of us, scanning all our faces meticulously.

The guys gaped at her body - she looked appealing even with her graduation gown on, damn this girl was extraordinary. She tucked her hair strands behind her ears, fiddling with the mortarboard in her hand and muttered "I'd like to have a little chat with Caleb, Connor, Kimberly and Gina...alone"

Almost immediately, the people around us walked away.

Harley stood rooted on her place, her head hung low as she clasped her hands together "I'm moving to New York now and I'll probably never see you guys again" she exhaled loudly "So...I thought maybe I'll apologize for my terrible actions before leaving"

Caleb scoffed knowingly besides me.

Harley took short, steady steps and stood in front of Kimberly. I had a sudden urge to pull Kim away from her, in case Harley had ulterior motives. But I ceased myself.

"Kim..." Harley smiled. I don't know how fake it was though "...I'm truly sorry for creating a scene in public that day, it wasn't your fault, it was mine. I should've been more careful"

And Kim, being the angel she is, replied soothingly "It's okay, I didn't mind it that much"

After shaking hands with Kim, Harley was in front of me, looking straight into my eyes with a demented and deep gaze - she looked more scary than sad. "Connor, whatever I did to you was all idiocy. I shouldn't have tricked you like that. That was really bitchy of me...I'm sorry..."

Her dangerous glance was working wonders with my consciousness but I didn't want to forgive her. She is a bitch and will always be one.

But at that moment, when you had loads of people staring, expecting you to forgive the poor, innocent girl in front of you, it felt like the right thing to do.

"You're forgiven Harley"

I didn't mean it though.

She beamed at me, bowed slightly and moved to stand in front of Caleb. Of course, Cal had a huge smirk plastered on his face, his hands crossed over his chest, eagerly waiting for her to begin. He knew this day would come soon.

"I'm sorry" she whispered, without meeting his gaze.

Caleb raised one eyebrow "That's it? Where's the speech?"

"I'm really sorry guys...both of you" she turned to look at Gina, then turned to Caleb and back at Gina "I...I...was stupid to hurt you guys, my best friend. I should've thought before-"

"Stop" Gina cut Harley off.

All our eyes landed on Gina who was staring ragingly at her ex-best-friend "I will never forgive you Harley, ever. I believed in you, thought we were besties. But you, you tried to steal my boyfriend from me?"

Caleb placed a hand on Gina's shoulder but she shrugged it off "Go away Harley, I shall say no more"

Harley's eyes were fixated on Gina's face. Shocked. Expressionless. A little while later, her expression materialized into guilt and she smiled "Thank you Gina, for everything"

She whirled around and walked away. No. She didn't walk sadly or even with a hint of remorse; instead, she strolled seductively and proudly as if she had achieved something great. As always, people moved aside to adjust enough space for the ultimate queen bee to stomp away.

She stopped midway, flicked her hair, and turned around "I forgive you guys too for ruining my car. Don't worry, I won't tell the police. And you guys - I'll never forget you. I hope our paths cross again someday. Until then, Ciao!"

And that was the last time I ever saw Harley Martinez.

**********

The wind gushed loudly against my ears, the air striking my skin with force making my hair strands swish all over my face.

"Faster Con, faster!" Caleb yelled from the passenger seat. On his command, I changed the gear and increased the speed of the car. The street was dark and empty as we made our way to another one of Julian's crazy midnight parties.

An ear-piercing rap song emanated from the speakers and Caleb and I were yelling along with the song "I don't fuck with you!"

I bit my lip as I hit the accelerator. With a jerk, the car gained speed. Caleb shivered and clutched the seat tightly.

I laughed my head off "Look who's not being a man now!"

"Hey, I'm a man alright" he giggled, punching me playfully "I'm even manner than you"

"Do you mean to say 'manlier'?"

His cheeks flushed red with embarrassment "Yes...that"

I laughed again. Caleb used his hand to ruffle my hair "I'm proud of you bro. It's kinda hard to admit but...I'm gonna miss you when we go to college"

I smiled sadly and looked straight up ahead "That's life. You need to make sacrifices if you wanna survive in this world. I'll miss you too Caleb. I'll never forget the amazing times I spent with you, the egging especially. And I'm already having flashbacks of us playing together when we were young. You remember we used those cardboard boxes to make cars and then we pretended to race? Those were the times. I can't believe where the time went, how the seconds ticked by and we didn't even know. We're so grown up now and have so many responsibilities. Wish I could stay with you longer Cal, stay in touch"

When I was done, I stole a glance at Caleb. He clearly had a very amused expression on his face, his lips twisted into a one-sided smirk.

"What?" I asked out of curiosity.

"You need to teach me all those phrases before we depart"

Final Author's Note:

This was probably the longest epilogue you've ever read.

But seriously, I'm in tears right now! T_T I had no idea what it felt like to complete a book and now I do!

I still can't process the amazing success of 'Twin Tussle'. Thank you all very very much for all the support and love! And for reaching the end of the book!

There are a many people to whom I couldn't dedicate a chapter but you guys have played a very important part in my book's success and I can't thank you all enough! :') A very big thanks to all of you!

❤️❤️❤️❤️

If you'd like to support me further, please do check out "Always" and "Carlton"! Thank you so much!

A note to the writers:

A successful book doesn't have to have a huge amount of reads OR numerous votes OR a lot of attention OR even a high rank. Even if there is just one reader who makes it to the end of your book and genuinely likes it, then congratulations, your book is a success!

Thanks again for all the lovely comments and votes (^_^)

I now announce Twin Tussle as COMPLETE.

Love, K!