Page 140 of Vespertine

Nicky closed his eyes and sang softly.

“Running like wild horses

In the summer rain

Oak leaves, and pine trees

Shelter us again

Love shines too bright for darkness

Goodbye to uninspired songs of sin

Sweet dreams my love,

Sleep tight, settle in.”

Jasper laughed. “Wow. Thatissappy.” He shrugged. “But I think I’ll need to hear another five hundred justas sappy as that one before I’ll have my fill.”

“Are you sure?”

Jasper stood and pulled Nicky up into his arms as Dizzyscampered past chasing a shadow on the floor. “I’ve never been more sure ofanything in my life.”

Epilogue

“LIZZIE,YOU’RE A DRILL SERGEANT,” Nicky said, pushing sweaty hair out of hisface. “The new fort doesn’t have to be built in a day.”

Lizzie gazed at him seriously, her lipsticked mouth going intoa flat, disapproving line. “It’s already been ten days, Nicky. You and Jasperleave for your shows next week. The other kids need to stop slacking so much.”

Nicky looked around at the twenty-fiveLGBTQkids who’d taken over his and Jasper’s island in orderto build a new and improved, much larger and stronger fort for Blue Oasisretreats. In the year since Nicky first returned home, Jasper had been able toexpand Blue Oasis the way he’d always wanted, and he’d done it on his ownterms. Nicky was proud of him for that. And he was proud of Lizzie too. She’dcome far from the shy girl he’d first met, blossoming into a lovely andconfident young woman. Still, she wasn’t really in charge around here, even ifshe liked to act like she was.

“Lucas!” Nicky called, motioning him over and seeing Lizzie’scheeks blush the way they always did when Lucas came around. “I have to getback to Blue Oasis to see Jasper. Can you take over here?”

“I’ve got it under control,” Lizzie said, haughtily.

Nicky sighed. “Next year, when you age out, then you can bein charge. But until then, you’re one of their peers, and you’ll make it hardfor yourself atBOif you piss the other kids off,girl.”

Lizzie pushed her long hair off her neck and looked up atLucas. “I can handle them. Can’t I, Lucas?”

Lucas cleared his throat and looked flustered when she gavehim her best and prettiest smile. “Sure, Lizzie. It’s, uh, yeah. I’ll be yourbackup.”

She grinned. “Perfect. Go on home and shower, Nicky. Don’tmake Jazz wait for you.”

“When did you get so bossy?” Nicky asked, wrapping his armaround her shoulders and kissing her cheek.

“Like Beyoncé says, I’m not bossy—I’m the boss.”

Lucas looked away, still flushing and shifting awkwardly.Nicky didn’t know what was going on there, and he didn’t want to know. It wasn’tphysical, that he was sure of, and legally that was all that mattered, but hedidn’t doubt that two minutes past Lizzie’s eighteenth birthday, she’d doeverything in her power to change that. He just didn’t know if Lucas was actuallyinterested.

“Be good,” he said seriously.

“Like you can tell us to be good.” Lizzie snorted.

“Do you want to make Jasper cry?” Nicky asked. “If you likethe idea of his pretty face in tears, then go right ahead and be bad.”

Lizzie rolled her eyes but seemed to consider it. “He’d bepretty crying, wouldn’t he? But, no. I’d feel too guilty. Fine, we’ll be good.Gus! Stop lazing around! You’re supposed to be helping Calista with that beam!”

“I’ll deal with it,” Lucas said under his breath and hurriedoff.