“You look cute,” Ranger says, and even though he’s trying to keep his cool, I can see that bit of pink in his cheeks as he folds me in his arms, giving me one of those signature hugs of his, the ones that feel like they can squeeze all the bad things out and make the world right again. “Too cute for your own good.” Before I step back to greet Church, Ranger pulls the neckline of his robe down just enough that I can see one of his grandma’s aprons underneath it. “This was Jenica’s favorite,” he says, and my smile softens up just a bit, thinking of the girl who never got to graduate, but whose brother is more than happy to carry her memory to the ends of the earth. Her spirit lives vicariously in him; I can see it in every smile.

“Are you nervous for your speech?” I ask, glancing over at Church, his blond hair tousled by the wind. He’s the valedictorian, after all—no surprise there. But he shakes his head and holds out an arm for me to take.

“Why would I be? I worked hard for the privilege of giving it, didn’t I?” He smiles as he says it, softening up some of that arrogant princeliness of his.

“Churchie!” his mom shouts, coming up the path with his dad and sisters in tow. His face pales a bit, but I know that even through all of the embarrassment of them swarming him with hugs and kisses, that he’s glad they’re there.

And the Montagues aren’t the only ones who show for graduation.

Ranger’s mother is there, hidden by a big, black floppy hat, looking like the reincarnation of Jenica Woodruff. Spencer’s mom and dad are there, but sitting on opposite sides of the room, Jack slumped in a seat on his mother’s right side. The McCarthys are there, too, sitting together but worlds apart from each other.

There’s a lot to unpack there, between the boys’ families and mine.

But we have all the time in the world to do it.

First, we graduate. Next, we travel. Then, we do college.

And all the while, we grow, and change, and love, and make mistakes, and learn.

My dad makes his speech first, ever the consummate headmaster, with Church stepping up to the podium at the tail-end of the ceremony.

“It’s been said that our high school years are the best years of a person’s life. I respectfully disagree. While I’ve met fantastic people here at Adamson Academy, while I’ve fallen in love with a beautiful girl”—he looks right at me, and my cheeks flame as the crowd turns to see who it is that’s captured that blinding smile of his—“I think there are no best moments in life. We’re all just lucky to be alive, period. And if we’re happy here, in this little corner of time, this slice of forever, then that’s enough.”

The crowd cheers like crazy for him—as they should because, uh, Church is freaking awesome—and the ceremony ends with us holding our diplomas in one hand, and our futures in the other.

“To the Jaw Flapper for ice cream?” Spencer suggests, and we all raise our diplomas in agreement, like knights raising their swords.

“For ice cream, and coffee,” Church corrects, and I grin.

“Ice cream, coffee, and good company,” I agree, and together, we walk down the stone halls one last time, head out into the sunshine, and into our future.

This is Chuck Carson, the secret girl, with her ruthless boys, her forever crew, signing out.

Peace, love, and pink cupcakes, my friends.

Always remember: hug like you mean it, love with your whole heart, and naked-bake something every once in a while.

Over and out.

The End …