Winter Love: with love & Ovaltine - 2. Epilogue 1

“Eli! Eeeeeeliiii!!”

Jace’s voice rang out from outside my house, waking me up while I was still groggy and half-buried under my comforter.

What the hell is he doing yelling my name like that before 8 a.m.?

“Eli, get up already! Wake uuuup!”

“I’m uuuup!! Just give me a damn second!” I shouted back.

Luckily, I was home alone today—my parents and Lila had gone out of town to visit some extended family near the coast. I stayed behind. Otherwise, Jace would’ve gotten an earful from my mom for screaming like a lunatic on our front lawn.

I dragged myself downstairs, unlocked the door, and pulled it open.

Jace immediately barged inside.

“What took you so long?!”

“You wake me up at dawn and then yell at me? Are you serious? Why didn’t you just text or call? Why show up screaming like a maniac?” I yawned mid-sentence.

“I got permission from my dad!!” he blurted out, eyes practically glowing with excitement.

“Permission? For what?”

“To go to the same university as you!”

A few weeks earlier, my college admission results had come out. I got into the school I’d dreamed of—one that just so happened not to be the one Jace’s dad had picked out for him since middle school. His dad wanted him on a completely different path. Jace, though, had always wanted to go where I was. He'd argued about it for years, almost gave up a few times, but he never really let go of it. Then, just a few days ago, he told me he was going to try one last time.

And now…

“Wait—seriously?! You’re going to Elkwood State too?!” I was fully awake now.

“Hell yeah! I’m freaking out—I’m so happy I had to come tell you in person!” He laughed and pulled me into a tight, breath-stealing hug.

I hugged him right back. “Your dad’s okay with it? He didn’t blow up at you?”

“He was… not thrilled. But my mom had my back this time. And even my grandparents stepped in! It was a full family takedown. They cornered him till he had no choice. God—I’m so freaking relieved!”

“I’m really, really happy too,” I said, swaying him gently in my arms. A grin stretched across my face, and something warm and full bloomed in my chest.

He leaned back and looked straight into my eyes. “Now there’s no escaping me, Eli.”

“Escape where, you dork?” I laughed. “Jace… I’m really happy. Like, for real.”

“When you smile like that, I already know,” he said, grinning even wider.

We stood there holding hands, just looking at each other for a moment. Then, slowly, he leaned in and kissed me—softly, like he’d been saving it for the right moment. His hand rested lightly on my head, thumb brushing through my hair.

“Phew… I’ve waited so long for this,” he said as he pulled back slightly. “Now I can finally ask you.”

“Ask me what?” I blinked.

“Eli… You’ve been the person I’ve loved for the longest time. But now, officially… will you be my boyfriend?”

He raised an eyebrow and gave me that signature, crooked Jace Rivera smile.

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.

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Well...

What do you think I said?