I told you it was coming. I promised too. I keep my promises. Well...most of them anyways. So here goes, the long anticipated...

Lilly picks up a rock, and bites her lip as she watches it skip perfectly across the calm beach. I raise my eyebrow as Oliver also tries to skip a rock across the beach but after a mere imitation of a skip it just sinks. Oliver groans, as Lilly and I giggle, and puts his arm around her hips. I pick one up too but because I know I can't make a rock skip even if my life depended on it—I really do hope it never does—I just throw it as far as I can. Oliver holds on to Lilly's hand and I lock arms with her. We all close our eyes to make a wish; this will probably be the last time we'll do so in a long time. I suggest we take a picture, so we end up taking about 20 in all kinds of poses.

Today is the last day of our last summer together. The last time we'll get to walk barefoot through the warm sands of Southwest Spit Pier 9 Beach all together without worrying that it will be forever until it'd happen again. Today feels like the last day of happiness in general because tomorrow Lilly and Oliver are going to LA to attend UCLA and USC, respectively. Luckily for them they are only going to live about 20 minutes away from each other. I'm going to spend this next year around the world on my Hannah Montana World Tour and then I am going to college in Tennessee. Don't get me wrong I'm ecstatic about traveling the world and going back home, but the excitement tends to stop at the thought of leaving my best friends.

We lie down by the spot where Lilly and Oliver had dropped their skateboards when we came here. They haven't skated in months because of how busy our senior year had gotten so even though we were already at Rico's for lunch, they drove all the way back home and skated back here. Those are their crazy ideas I am bound to miss.

I go through the pictures we took, deleting the ones in which my thumb covers half the picture or we are too up close. We've all changed so much over the years. Lilly has gotten taller although since we all have, it doesn't even show. Somehow even after living all these years in the blazing sun she never gets any tanner, while my skin just seems to get more golden every day. I stare at a picture I took of Lilly and Oliver. He had her on his back, she had her face squishing onto his, and her recently golden-dyed and layered hair blew in the wind. She's always been a joyful girl but when she's with Oliver her bluish-gray eyes twinkled like the shining sea and her smile seems ten times wider. Oliver's hair has also grown into a shaggy monster you just want to ruffle (which I often do to get on his nerves). He also seems more masculine since he and Lilly started dating…maybe it's from carrying Lilly around so much, I don't know. But his dark brown eyes have a boldness to them making you actually consider taking what he says seriously (Lilly and I still don't bother to). I guess I have also changed a bit. Like I mentioned before, my skin is darker from the sun making me this golden shade I've grown to get used to. As far as physically growing…yeah, I grew. I'm now three-quarters of an inch taller than Oliver (without heels), and never fail to bring it up. I also cut my hair a bit past my shoulders, dyed it a brown mahogany or dark reddish-brownish as my lovely friends like to call it, I have bangs, and I now let it be it's curly self. In fact I wore bangles, layered tank-tops, and a skirt to school one day and Lilly said I looked like a gypsy. Don't ask. Sweet, isn't she? I guess I should be glad she's honest.

Lilly sits up, "We all really need to keep in contact next year and the years to come."

I sit up too, "Of course. I'll try my best to call at appropriate times during my tour, you know because of time zones and what not. I'll definitely keep in constant texting communication. At least you guys are only 20 minutes apart."

Lilly nods, "But we'll still probably not see each other during the school year because our schedules are so different, our jobs, and I'm still thinking of studying abroad in England. The important thing is that we all remain friends."

I raise my eyebrow, "Right…" She looks at me and I look back, and then glance at Oliver, then back at her, and again Oliver. I think I do this like 10 times before she gets it.

She shrugs, "I honestly don't know…" she whispers sadly, "He won't talk about it."

"I heard that," Oliver says from his lying position on the sand.

Lilly rolls her eyes at me and then turns to him, "Well, it's no lie, you won't."

"Your point?" Oliver doesn't sound irritated, he really just in facts sounds like doesn't want to talk about it. Lilly groans, stands up and walks off. Oliver stands up, "Lilly! Don't get mad at me, it's our last day here." This is another part of the growing up I find Oliver's done. During their friendship, he would have probably said something mean, and let her storm off. But he immediately stood up ready to run after her.

While walking Lilly turns to say, "I'm not! I just saw a pretty shell over there," with a wink she continues on toward…'her pretty shell'.

"Wow. So seriously though Oliver. Do you and Lils plan on staying together throughout college even though after a while you'll see less and less of each other?" I ask Oliver as he sits back down.

His shoulders droop, "You know, you might as well say that evil aliens from planets light-years away are going to kidnap us and it wouldn't sound any worse."

I slowly nod. "There's the way to be optimistic!" I say sarcastically. He shrugs. "If you're so worried, why don't you talk to her about it? She's worried too. Why do you think she gave up going to Davis with her brother?"

Oliver shook his head, "Oh gosh, do you have to remind me? I feel like I'm ruining every bit of her life for my own needs."

"It's okay. Her needs are your needs. Well actually, her needs are you, but you know what I mean." I put my hand on his shoulder, "She loves you Oliver. You think you'd know that after almost 3 years. Heck, although you both have yet to admit it, you loved each other before that."

He looks back at me with a mischievious smile, and just then Lilly comes back skipping with an actual shell in her hand--and I thought she was making it up. "Hey Lils," Oliver calls her to sit beside him, "Alrighty, close your eyes," he notices me just curiously watching him dig through his pocket, "You too!" I complain but also close my eyes.

About a minute or two later he tells us to open them, and my mouth absolutely drops at the sight of Lilly's hand.

"Lils, I know I barely say it but I really don't want to ever lose you. And with these sudden changes it seems like we are obliged to be apart…but I want to promise you and you to promise me that we'll never grow apart. But…I want to make it official by asking you...," he goes into a kneeling position,"…to marry me. Well a few years from now that is. Just the knowledge that you have this ring, and that it makes me your fiancé will cover my worries. So what do you say?"

Lilly has tears in her eyes. I have tears in my eyes. Just like Oliver to have this plan all along and not mention a thing to anyone. She whispers, "You're crazy Oken."

He shrugs and nods, "I know."

"But that's why I love you isn't it? And will always love you. So, okay."

"Okay?" Oliver repeats almost to make sure.

"Yes," Lilly grinned, "But how on earth did you afford this?"

"My dad loaned a bit." Oliver answers a bit ashamed. Lilly smiles and leans in to kiss him but stops to glance at me, reminded of the talk I had with them junior year about PDA in front of me. I was kidding but since then they never had more than a peck when I was present. Best friends they are, indeed and I love them.

I waved my hand, "Oh, don't even worry about me! You guys are engaged now! Kiss, do whatever you want, go crazy! I'm going to go gather more shells." They are already kissing since the moment I said 'kiss' so I just happily crawl away to sit by the beach and let the small waves wash my feet.

I always take credit for their love, but we all know that it existed before I even met them. The fact that they continue to share it with me (I'm going to be her bridesmaid!!) makes me happier than ever.

wow sniff I haven't read this in a while. I miss this story, and I hope you like this...finale P xoxCamy