Sweet Harmony (35 page)

Epilogue

Annamarie sat next to Daniel in her dorm room as Jaiden and Gavin played games on their phones. It was a Saturday morning, three hours before her flight back to London where she'd stay at home for summer break. The four months of school had breezed by. Well, mostly.

"I don't get why you guys always hang out in
here," she muttered. "My room is tiny."

"If I didn't come
to your room, then I wouldn't see you." Daniel scowled.

Good point.
She thought his dorm room was cold.

"I come for the
snacks." Gavin held up a bag of chips. "You have more junk food than any other person I know."

Jaiden snorted. "I'm here because everybody else always comes here."

It was no wonder she'd barely passed this semester. Her room was party central and she hardly had time to study.

"You do realize the two of you are going to have to leave the room after Daniel and I head to the airport," she said.

"Yep." Gavin popped a chip into his mouth. "But I should be full by then."

"I can't believe you two are ditching us for a whole three months.
" Jaiden stretched. "What am I going to do without you guys?"

"Eat," Gavin said.

"Take up karate," Annamarie suggested.

"Play video games," Gavin said.

"Go for a run," Annamarie said.

"Wow." Jaiden shook his head. "I love how you two just said what you like to do. Maybe
over the summer I should find out what I like instead of just going along with everybody else. It'll be good for when I go to college. I can't major in business just because Daniel is."

"
While Jay pursues such a noble quest, I'll eat and play video games." Gavin grinned and crunched a chip between his teeth. "I already know I'm going into graphic design."

Daniel
smirked, then checked his watch.

"Well, I hate to break it to you guys, but
you're going to have to commence your summer plans elsewhere as of now." Daniel stood up. "It's time that Annamarie and I head to the airport."

She checked
the time on her phone. Yeah, they really needed to leave. She was going to miss the academy, but at least now she could go home and torture her little brother again. She stood up too, dusting invisible lint from her t-shirt.

Both Gavin and Jaiden hopped to their feet.

"See you later." Gavin gave her a hug, then Daniel.

"Be careful," Jaiden said.

Jaiden embraced her and then stepped back.

"I will." She nodded.

"Take care of yourself." Daniel clapped Jaiden on the shoulder. "You sure you'll live without me?"

"I'll be fine." Jaiden nodded. "Just
be careful. Don't get into any fights with Annamarie or break any bones."

Daniel and Jaiden
hugged too. Once Daniel pulled back, he checked his watch for the second time.

"You ready?" Daniel asked, glancing at her.

"Yep." She seized her suitcase and Daniel grabbed his.

Once the two of th
em went into the hall, all girls around stopped in their tracks and stared at Daniel.

"
The girls are going to miss you when you go to college next year," she said.

"Will you?" Daniel
scrutinized her.

"You're going to Berkeley," she said. "It's ten miles away from the academy. I'll see you
all the time."

"Who are you going to kick around
during the day, though?" Daniel asked.

"
Owen." She never kicked Owen around, but she didn't want Daniel to think she would be helpless without him.

"So you don't need me at all, huh?" Daniel asked.

It could have been her imagination, but she could swear he looked disappointed. She stopped and tugged at his arm.

"Daniel, I'll always need you," she said. "
Even though you're annoying, conceited, aggressive—"

"Watch it!" Daniel scowled at her.

"—loud, and pompous, you bring harmony to my life."

"I'm going to ignore all of the insults you just threw in and pretend I only heard the 'bring harmony' part," he said.

"I guess I should have added
ignorant
to my list of insults." She walked out the door.

"Just you wait…" Daniel muttered, following behind her.

Once they were both outside, she came to a stop again.

"
What am I waiting for?" She faced Daniel, cocking her head. "What are you going to do?"

Daniel paused for a moment, then a devilish smile crossed his face.

"This," he said.

Daniel
swooped down and embraced her. When his lips met hers, she dropped her suitcase and wrapped her arms around his neck. No matter what they argued about, being in Daniel's arms was sweet harmony—and that would never, ever change.

THE END

About the Author

Amy Malone Evanston grew up on a farm in Afton, Wyoming. An avid animal lover, she has a houseful of cats and dogs. Her goal, along with expressing herself through writing, is to open an animal rescue. Along with reading and playing with her pets, Amy loves cake, good friends, and sweet tea.
You can reach Amy at [email protected].