“I doubt it,” I answer. “I think college will give us perspective, but doesn’t this just feel like it fits? This chance to build something real, a way to share all this fundamental knowledge with the world? I don’t know, it almost feels like—”

I don’t finish, because the next words I almost speak take me by surprise.

“You were going to say ‘like we were born to do this,’ weren’t you?” Chase asks, grinning

“I was going to say ‘meant to do this,’ but same difference,” I answer, grinning too. “I certainly think we’re meant to follow through on the discoveries we made.”

“Logan’s ears must be burning,” Chase says. “Some things really do change.”

“Maybe it’s more like seasons changing? Different expressions of the same thing?”

“I like that,” Chase says. “Kind of like you and me?”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“If this trip has taught me anything, it’s that we’re not as different as we used to think. Maybe our personalities, sure. But the things we value, our instincts, how we see the world—that’s all the same.”

“Two faces of the same coin,” I say, emotion stirring in my chest. “Just like Grandma always said.”

“Exactly,” Chase replies. “Which means a little distance won’t kill us. I think maybe it’ll only make us appreciate everything even more?”

“And if not, we now have The Lianist Way to connect us,” I add. “This new expression of our old ways?”

Chase nods and I smile. I then hook my arm through his as we continue our descent, my partner in turning this final page—and all the pages to come.

Click here

“You’re leaving all this in your rear view, aren’t you?” I ask.

“I wouldn’t exactly put it that way,” Chase answers. “The tarot is always going be a part of my life—it’s the only spiritual center I’ve ever really trusted. And I am curious about The Lianist Way, but I’m not sure I believe in organizing spirituality this way. Or at least, I’m not sure I believe it’s right for me. Besides, I want to leave myself a bit of an open slate for college, to see what else I can discover.”

“I’m going to do that, too, you know,” I say. “I just want to take all this along with me, in a more structured way. It’s a part of me, now more than ever. Especially after this final discovery.”

Chase pauses, taking some silent steps before speaking again.

“You know that you’re the part of all this I’m taking with me, right? Even if we’re not together every day, you’ll always be my best friend, Amelia.”

Emotion stirs in my chest once again.

“That goes without saying,” I reply. “But I’m glad you did, anyway.”