they were drinking coffee and they both really liked it because auden BECAME AN ADULT *winkwinknudgenudge* and they were cute and eli and auden forever yaaay :D

the end

-by auden

So my best friend wrote that as the epilogue but I decided to do something a little bit more... legit. Hahaha. And due to the fact that she is studying abroad in mere hours, this shall be her parting gift. It only took nearly three years for me to complete (it bees like that sometimes).

I don't own Starbucks (namely peach iced green tea lemonades and white chocolate mochas) or Facebook.

And once again I want to thank all of you guys for being with me even though it took me years to finish this, everyone was super supportive and I really appreciate it. I, as well, am studying abroad this semester. So I hope to write more for this site soon. Just not sure how soon it'll be :)

Mea, this dedication is gonna be kinda sucky cause I'm kinda in pain. But I just wanted to tell you that I love you so much and thank you for everything that you do for me. And I can't wait for you to find someone who is worthy of your love, because when you do it'll be the absolute best feeling in the world 3

Auden's POV

It was late August and it was almost time. To leave. To separate from my friends and family for the first time. To go off to college. But I was going to enjoy every last bit I could. With the people I loved just as much as my family.

"So are you excited?" Nellie asked sipping her Peach Iced Green Tea Lemonade.

"Very," I grinned, "I wish you could come with me though," I pouted playing with the lid on my White Chocolate Mocha. Funny how much things changed. I suddenly became a coffee person.

"I won't be far," she laughed, "Just a couple of hours. We can visit lots."

"Good, we better. I'm going to miss you so much!" I exclaimed, temporarily abandoning my coffee and throwing my arms around her, almost knocking her over.

Suddenly Eli entered my messy bedroom, holding his own coffee in his hands, "Something I need to be jealous of?" he said when he saw my arms around Nellie in a tight embrace.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny," I said sarcastically, releasing Nellie to throw a pillow at Eli's head.

Nellie just smiled in response, "I should be going though. I, um, have to meet someone. I'll see you before I leave though."

"You go so soon," I frowned.

"I know, I'll be back later," she gave me a tight hug, nodded at Eli and left my room, closing the door behind her.

"What's up with her?" Eli asked, sitting down on the floor next to me.

"I don't know, she's still acting weird. I know it's got nothing to do with us though. That all got sorted..." I bit my lip and stared off into space, trying to figure out what was going on with Nellie for the past almost year. Whatever it was, it should be solved before she left. She shouldn't have to bring baggage with her to school...

Noelle's POV

I pumped my feet, causing me to go higher, higher, higher, before sinking, just to go right back up again. When I saw him he was almost to me. I stopped pumping before waiting till I was low enough to leap off. He waited for me to finish without comment.

"Hi," I breathed.

"Hi," he responded.

"Would you like to sit at the benches or go for a walk or-"

"Here," he cut me off, "here is fine."

"Cole..."

"Noelle."

"I'm leaving soon."

"I know. So am I."

"Yes, but... I just want to make sure we're on the same page here."

There was a long pause as I waited for him to respond. To prompt me. He wasn't making this easy. Naturally.

"I... when we come back. For breaks and stuff... I... Don't think we should see each other. I don't want to see you anymore, Cole. Ever. You hurt me. You did things to me. You're not good for me. This thing we had- it's over. So don't call, email, Facebook, IM, text, skywrite, telegram, anything, okay? You're not good for me. We're not good for each other..." The entire time I dug my five dollar flip flop into the sand, staring at my chipped pink toes while the August wind pushed my pink tulle skirt around my legs. I waited for him to respond again. I looked at him.

"So this is goodbye... forever?" he asked quietly.

I nodded.

He nodded in response. He took a step towards me, causing me to step back against the pole of the swing set. He took another step towards me. I didn't move. Slowly, so that I had a chance to escape if I wanted to, he lowered his face to mine and gave me the softest kiss of my life, leaving my lips tingly.

"Goodbye, Noelle. I truly wish you all the best at school."

"Thanks," I whispered.

And with that, he turned around and walked away. And I let him. No matter how much I wanted to scream for him to come back- that I was only joking- I didn't. I climbed back onto the swing and pumped my legs as hard as I could going higher, higher, higher, feeling lighter, like a weight being lifted off my shoulder. Like I was free of emotional baggage... Like I was free... And it felt damn good.

Eli's POV

I wondered if I should tell Auden about Noelle and that guy. I was worried too, but I didn't want to interfere in their friendship more than I already had. Plus, Noelle was strong. I know she's going to do the right thing. She just needs time...

"What are you thinking about, silly?" Auden asked from her position on my chest.

Most guys would be irritated by the question- but I liked it. It kept me on my toes and reminded me that she cares about what I think, "Noelle, actually..." I answered honestly, wondering if it was going to get me into trouble or start an argument. Auden and I had been doing great the past couple of months. I wouldn't want something non-existent to ruin it...

"You're worried about her too, right?" she asked, scrambling to sit up.

"Yeah, I mean. Kind of. But I believe in her. She isn't like me..."

"Oh, Eli..."

"I just mean that she doesn't need someone to help her do the right thing, the strong this, the hard thing. She'll do it eventually. She just needs time. Even if it's in the moments before she drowns. She'll always manage to save herself..."

There was a pause while Auden gave me a look I couldn't read. I could feel my heart race and panic rise in my throat, "How much time did you spend with her while we were apart?" she laughed.

"Oh, um. Not all that much. We just... I don't know. Have certain things in common, I guess," I answered as my heart rate returned to normal.

"Hmm. Yeah. I know what you mean. It's probably what makes me love you both, huh?"

I laughed, "I guess so." I just smiled at her, "So. You're excited, huh?"

"Yes!" she squealed, ever since we got back together she was practically buoyant, "and you coming with me is just the icing on the wonderful college cake."

I was going to go to school with Auden. Well... sorta. She was going to her preppy smarty pants school while I was going to an Arts school about 15 minutes away. And we weren't going to do anything crazy like move in together. We just... might have some sleepovers. Often. And it's not like this was an Auden prompted decision either. In the beginning therapy sessions we were talking about school and how I was taking time off to help out my family. We had talked about me going to school and before I knew it I was sending off rush applications for schools and scholarships and getting replies too great for me to even dream of. And when my mom found out she was tearfully ecstatic, ready to support me no matter what I chose. So choosing which school might've been a bit Auden inspired, but we were two separate people, living our lives... together. And in love.

"It's just nice you know, having someone to help me move in. Carry all those bags," she laughed, joking, "The load is so much easier when someone else is helping you carry it."

I couldn't agree more.