Epilogue

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Derek asked as he helped Arela in her long forest green gown out of his car. “I mean- Gwen's sure to cause a scene.”

“Gwen can go jump off a bridge for all I care.” Arela muttered as she handed her ticket to the usher at the door. “I mean she's barely said two words to me all exam period so what makes you think that she'd start again now- here at our Prom?”

Derek shrugged. “That's our beloved Gwen for you,” he began sarcastically. “Bitter and petty to the end.”

“That's our Gwen, totally unpredictable and yet not here” Felicity stated as she came up to them with Jack who had Allison on his arm. “Glad to see that you're alright Arela.”

“Yeah,” Allison agreed as she momentarily left Jack's arm to give Arela a hug. “We were so worried.”

“Derek especially.” Jack confirmed. “Weren't you dude?”

Derek nodded. “Yeah well-”

Arela smiled and squeezed his arm. “He's such a sweetie-” she teased with a smile. Technically they were a couple now and it just felt so right. “-and so caring. Did you know that he brought me a dozen roses every day that I was in the hospital?”
Both Allison and Felicity let out a little squeal- they hadn't known because unlike Arela who got a buy from her exams, they had to write them. “No,” Felicity stated. “I had no idea.”

“Neither did I.” Allison agreed as she turned to Jack. “Why don't you get me Roses?”

Jack shook his head looking bewildered. “You said that you hated flowers. If I had known I would have been showering you with flowers these past few weeks.”

Allison giggled. “Any girl who says that is lying.” she smiled and then turned back to Arela as a soft ballad began to play over the speakers. “But I'll forgive you if you dance with me.”

Do you ever stop and wonder

Jack nodded. “Alright.”

Where this road will take you?

Felicity sighed as they left only to follow herself with one of the more handsome guys on the football team.

What's around the corner

Derek and Arela meanwhile just stood at the end of the floor, feeling awkward.

Will it make or break you?

“Arela?” Derek asked.

Is this your destination

“Yeah?” Arela asked with a smile. “What is it?”

Or is it the start of something new?

“Dance with me?”

Arela smiled. “Okay.”

Derek took Arela by the hand and led her onto the dance floor. He in his black suit and she in her forest green gown made them one of the more gorgeous couples on the floor.

What will you accomplish?

“Hey Derek,” Arela began looking up at him. “I want to say I'm sorry.”

Which way will the wind blow?

“What for?” asked Derek as he pulled her a little closer.

For every door that closes

“For being so mean to you...” Arela apologized. “I'm sorry...”

Find an open window.

“Don't be sorry,” Derek stated as he kissed her forehead. “You have nothing to be sorry about.”

And everyone is watching as you write the story of your life

Of your life.

“I don't know about that...” Arela sighed.

And you won't look back.

“Now you listen to me Arela,” Derek began. “You've made mistakes, we all have...”

Cause it feels so right

“That's for sure,” muttered Arela

And no matter what it'll be alright.

“But we survived,” continued Derek. “And we're together now..”

In the brightest day or the darkest night-

You will find yourself

In the story of-

Arela sighed. “I guess...” but she wasn't convinced.

In the story of your life.

Silently, Derek and Arela continued to dance each feeling as awful as the other.

Will you do the choosing?

“Can I tell you something?” Derek asked.

Or be the lucky one that's chosen?

“Sure.”

Will you recognize the greatness in your smallest moments?

Derek paused feeling nervous.

And every step your taking, you'll write another chapter

“I think I'm falling in love with you.” he said finally.

In the story of your life

Arela was stunned but she only smiled and shook her head.

And you wont look back

“I don't think I'm falling in love with you,” she stated with a smile.

Cause it feels so right

“No?” Derek asked all his worst fears being realized

And no matter what it'll be alright

“No.” she confirmed. “I know I'm falling in love with you.”

In the brightest day or the darkest night
You will find yourself in the story of, in the story of your life

Derek was stunned. Happy but stunned. And floating on cloud nine he led his date around the dance floor as though they were the only people in the world.

Everything you are
And everything you do
Anything you want it's right in front of you
Its right in front of you

As Arela listened to the words she realized that it was true- all of it. And as Derek leaned in to kiss her- Arela felt as though she was the luckiest girl in the world.

And if I turn left or if I go right
No matter what, I'll be alright
Standing in the shadows or the spotlight
Here I find myself
In the story of my life

Each of our lives is a story, and we need to write it the way we want it to be written; no matter the plot twists or story arcs or villains or happy endings. Each story is precious and it needs to be told.

And you wont look back
Cause it feels so right
And no matter what it'll be alright
In the brightest day or the darkest night
You will find yourself in the story of,

In the story of your life

This was Arela's story...what's yours?

A/N- So this is it. The end. I would like to thank all my beloved readers and reviewers who have stuck with this story over the last couple months. It has been a wonderful journey with my dear friend Megana poking me all the way. Well girl- this is the ending- does it make you happy?

At the end of it all I've changed it's name...and I would love to hear what you think. So please, take this last chance to review. I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you again.

-Anjirika