Epilogue-2

Personally, I took to a white eyelet sun-dress I found at a thrift shop, paired with a denim vest, a thick brown belt and some boots. Cute, casual - just fine for a Sadie Hawkins, I thought. "You ready?" Shelby asked, holding her arm out for me to link. Returning the grin on her face, I nodded and we linked our arms together, grabbing our clutches and heading out the door. We did a quick make-up check on each other before walking down the stairs. Evan and Theodore were still facing away from us, talking to my parents. Evan dressed in a pair of black jeans, some nice shoes and a blue button up. Sneaking a glance at Shelby, I could tell she was chomping at the bit to just run to him already and give him a hug. Rolling my eyes, I let go of her and pushed her. "Get going, you dork," I joked, yanking down my dress again and taking a deep breath before walking up to Theo and tapping him on the shoulder. He turned around and we just sort of stood there, smiling at each other. The best thing about his appearance wasn't the nice polo or the pressed slacks. It wasn't the fact that he tried to tame his unruly hair. What I loved most was how he wore his glasses. He didn't try and ditch his usual look, trading in the specs for contacts. He looked like Theodore and that's what I absolutely loved. "You look amazing," he said with a smile, taking a step closer and grabbing my hand. "Yeah, well, you look pretty awesome, too," I replied, nudging him with my elbow. Over the next few minutes, Shelby and Evan joined Theodore and I, the four of us talking and smiling. My mom insisted on taking pictures, turning the ordeal into a complete photo-shoot. After fifteen minutes of pictures, Dad could sense our distress and quickly diverted Mom's attention. He signaled for us to go and we practically ran out the door. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The gym didn't get too much of a make-over for the dance, keeping it pretty casual. Balloons covered the ceiling, streamers hung down from all sides and a stage had been put up for a local band to play on. Tables lined one wall, filled with punch, brownies, chip and other snack type things. Theodore and Evan walked off to the snack table, smiling and laughing, even pushing each other on the arm as we went and found a table to sit down at. Shelby and I just staring adoringly after before turning to each other. "I still can't believe everything that's happened this past year," I murmured, setting my head in the palm of my hand and looking over at her. She nodded in agreement. "Definitely. But I think everything shook out pretty good, right? I mean, you have a boyfriend. I have a boyfriend. The freak sending you notes is behind bars and now you know your real dad. Pretty kick butt year in my books." Shelby nodded in affirmation, crossing her arms and leaning back. "Hey!" Looking up, we found Shane standing there, his date on his arm. I recognized her as fun one of the pitchers from the girls softball team. I heard she was outgoing and a lot of fun; basically, the perfect match for Shane. "This is Mandy," he introduced her to us, with Shelby and I doing our best to make her feel welcome and immediately delved into conversation about whatever came to mind. Evan and Theodore came back with drinks, snacks and soon, the six of us were caught up in a conversation filled with smiles and laughter, Keegan joining soon after, clearing running stag for the night. He said that he preferred flying solo when it came to social events. Then there was me: glancing around the table at my friends, grinning. As we connected as seven totally different people who just somehow clicked, I couldn't help but let my eyes stray directly to Theodore. Despite the obstacles that seemed to throw themselves in our way, Theodore and I had really come into our own and it made a great relationship. And to think I almost didn't open that letter. And even though I had no idea where our relationship would end up, I was happy to have him now. Who knows? We may not even be together in a few years. I hoped we would be, but you can never tell; life has a funny way of throwing you a curve ball. With all those thoughts running through my head, I realized something with a smile. I didn't want a player like Shane. Or a quiet guy like Keegan. I didn't even want a bookworm Oliver. Because none of them fit what I wanted; what I needed. It didn't fit what I had. Holding my hand at that moment was a great guy. Smart, funny and caring. He showed me not to judge a book by it's cover and taught me a little about myself along the way. So, no, I didn't want a Shane or a Keegan or an Oliver. I just wanted my Theodore.