One year later

"Nervous?"

I look up at Thorne as I adjust the skirt of my dress, separating the cloth from my heels. No matter what I do, I can't seem to stand still. I suppose that has something to do with all of the nervous energy I have stored inside, as today is a big day. Not only are Thorne and I moving into our brand new apartment together that is perfectly spaced from our respective college campuses, but Charlie and Violet are getting married.

I've known this day was coming for months, and yet that doesn't make me feel any more prepared for it. Summer is coming to an end, which means I will be starting my sophomore year at the local university in just a few short weeks. Thorne will be beginning classes at the community college around the same time, and I couldn't be prouder of him. After tonight, Thorne and I will be officially moved into our very first apartment together, which is a big step to take in our relationship—though it's a step I think I'm ready to take.

But biggest of all: After tonight, two of my best friends will be married.

"A little," I admit to Thorne with a sheepish smile, unable to calm my racing heartbeat. Months ago, back when Thorne and I had just graduated high school, Violet finally proposed to Charlie. The wedding planning had followed soon after, and now here we are a year later, the day of the wedding.

And I'm the maid of honor.

I'm still unsure of why Charlie and Violet wanted me to be their maid of honor. When they asked me to fill the position, I could hardly believe they were being serious. It just seemed to me that they'd want someone else to be such a big part of the beginning of their forever together, and yet they seemed adamant that I be their maid of honor. Charlie had told me she couldn't think of a better person to fit the title, as both she and Violet loved me like a sister.

I might have shed a few tears at that.

And now here I am, standing next to Thorne—who was appointed the best man—about to walk down the altar with him. It's nerve-wracking and exciting all at once, and I can't seem to stand still.

"You look beautiful, Sunshine," Thorne whispers to me as he tucks a strand of dark hair behind my ear, his green eyes meeting my hazel. "And you have no reason to be nervous."

I smile at him, noticing how handsome he looks in his suit, his usually messy hair combed perfectly in place. It's comforting to know that I'll be walking down this aisle with him by my side; that no matter what happens he'll always be there. So much has changed in the past year, and yet Thorne and I are exactly the same as we've always been.

"And who knows?" Thorne's signature smirk curls onto his lips as he looks down at me, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Maybe someday, this will be our wedding."

I know that Thorne is only teasing me, yet there is a hint of seriousness to his tone as well, like he's testing the waters on the subject. Although I'm only nineteen, nowhere near ready for marriage—I mean, I'm still trying to get through college—something about the thought is relieving, too. To think about marriage is a big—almost scary—thing, and yet the thought of marrying Thorne someday doesn't scare me at all. Quite the opposite, actually.

"Maybe someday," I agree, grinning up at Thorne. "If you're lucky."

I expect Thorne to tease me, to say something cocky or ridiculous. Instead, he simply takes my hand in his and murmurs, "Can't disagree with that. You ready for this?"

I meet Thorne's gaze, nodding as I say, "Ready as I'll ever be."

And with that, we push open the door in front of us and step out onto the altar awaiting us. Violet and Charlie decided on an outdoor wedding, and I immediately notice how perfect the decision was as I step out into the warm summer air, my arm looped through Thorne's. I can feel the guest's eyes on me as I walk down the aisle, though I'm not as nervous as I thought I'd be. I just keep walking, one foot in front of the other, smiling as I notice the red rose petals on the aisle beneath me. I spot my parents in the crowd, and I meet my mother's gaze as I walk past her. Up on the stands next to the stage where Violet is waiting for her bride, I meet Emmie's gaze with a smile—she's another bridesmaid, along with a few other friends of Violet and Charlie. Jay and Wells are among the awaiting groomsmen, and I catch their gazes and offer warm smiles. So far, everything is running perfectly, and I know things will only get better as the day wears on.

Thorne places a kiss on my cheek once we reach the end of the aisle and have to part with each other, the gesture making me smile. I meet Violet's eyes, noticing the wide grin she wears. I discreetly give her a thumbs up as I pass her to take my place next to Emmie, unable to believe that this is it. In a few seconds, Charlie is going to walk out of the building in front of us, and everything is going to start.

The guests sprawled out in their seats in front of me are deathly silent as Charlie begins her walk down the aisle, all of the audience rising to their feet at her appearance. My breath catches in my throat when I see Charlie, unable to deny how beautiful she looks. Her black hair has been curled to perfection, cascading down her shoulders in soft waves. Her gray eyes are bright, just like her smile, as she makes her way toward Violet, the love of her life. She looks absolutely amazing in her white dress, the long dainty train following behind her with every step she takes.

When Violet lays eyes on Charlie, she starts to cry. I'll admit that I tear up a little too when I spot Violet raise a hand to her mouth, shaking her head as she glances at her bride-to-be. Charlie laughs happily when she reaches Violet, wiping her tears before they can smudge her perfect makeup.

The reception goes so quickly, it's like time is flying right before my eyes. Charlie and Violet go through their vows and exchange their rings, and a lot more tears are shed throughout the whole ordeal (mostly from me, but still). Before I know it, Charlie and Violet are already leaning forward and uniting their marriage with a kiss.

Loud music starts to play the instant they pull apart, taking each other's hands and making their way down the stand and spinning each other as they grin like idiots and laugh happily. The guests begin to converge in the center of the venue, some pairing off as they dance whilst others take seats at the beautifully decorated round tables around us and eat amongst vivid conversation.

Once I'm down from my spot on the stand, I dance with Emmie, living in the moment as long as I can. Across from us, Wells flirts with one of the wedding guests (I'm not surprised there), asking if she wants to dance. Jay and his new girlfriend, Haley (a girl he met in one of his college classes, as Jay finally decided to start at the community college when he heard Thorne was enrolling), slow dance together a few feet away from me and Emmie. Emmie spins me out of her arms as we erupt in a fit of giggles, and the next thing I know I'm being spun back into another set of arms.

"Having fun, Sunshine?" Thorne asks as I spin into his chest, wrapping his arms around me as he does so.

"Well, I was . . ." I tease, barely resisting my smile. Thorne simply rolls his eyes, as if I am not amusing to him.

"You better start being nicer to me," he murmurs, snaking one of his arms around my waist.

"Or what?" I taunt, resting my hands on his chest, smirking up at him.

Thorne opens his mouth to reply, but I cut him off by placing a finger to his lips and saying, "Hold that thought."

I drift away from Thorne as I notice my parents in the corner of the yard, standing near one of the crowded tables. I indulge in conversation with my parents for a few moments, both of whom were invited by Charlie and Violet personally. In the past year, my parents and I have grown closer than ever, and they've really made an effort to be a part of my life. That means that they've met all of my friends on occasion, Charlie and Violet included.

At that moment, I spot Charlie in the corner of the yard with her bouquet in hand, grinning as she cries, "Gather round ladies!"

My mother smiles as she shoves me toward the circle of bridesmaids and a few other guests, grouping together for the ceremonial throwing of the bride's bouquet. Catching it is supposed to signify that you will be the next to get married, and trust me when I say I'm in no rush to have that bouquet in my hands.

Charlie turns her back to us before sending her flowers flying through the air with such force the bouquet sails over the entire group's heads. I turn around to see where the flowers ended up, only to find a way too smug looking Thorne smirking back at me with the bouquet in his hand, which instantly makes me blush.

"Does it sill count?" Thorne teases once all eyes are on him, gesturing to the roses in his hand. The crowd around me erupts into laughter, and even I'm unable to control the smile snaking across my lips.

Emmie appears next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as she says, "When you two get married, I better be the maid of honor."

"I don't care if he caught that bouquet or not," I mutter in response, rolling my eyes as I assure Emmie, "I at least want to get through college before becoming a wife."

Emmie only smirks as if she knows something I don't, shooting me a pointed look before fading back into the crowd, heading off to the dance-floor with Asher in tow.

When I turn back around, I find Thorne standing in front of me with the rose bouquet still in hand. He holds them out to me with a smile, muttering, "For you."

"It does not still count," I say in response, though I do take the flowers. Thorne merely rolls his eyes, grinning as he does so. I meet his gaze, wondering why I can't wipe the idiotic grin I'm spouting off of my face. I think it has something to do with the love in the air, the aura of happiness radiating off of Charlie and Violet as they dance together in the center of the yard. Or my smile could simply be caused by Thorne, as I can't deny that it's nearly impossible not to smile in his presence.

Before Thorne or I say another word, the upbeat tempo of the song currently playing suddenly morphs into a much slower, almost somber beat. I know the song before I even hear the words, and I know Thorne does too. He's smiling faintly as he tilts his head, listening to the intro of "Every Rose Has its Thorn" by Poison.

Thorne extends his hand out to me, grinning as he questions, "Do you want to dance, Sunshine?"

I meet his gaze with a faint smile as I slip my hand into Thorne's, taking a step closer to him.

"I do."

✧✧✧

a/n: I know they say all good things must come to an end, but I still can't believe that Better Off is actually over. this is my first ever Wattpad story, & I've had so much fun creating it & writing about Mia & Thorne's journey.

if you're reading this & if you've been here since the very beginning: thank you so much! I hope that you enjoyed being able to take part in Mia and Thorne's story, and that reading about them made you smile. I wouldn't have been able to do this without you guys, and I love you all so much!

feel free to leave a vote or comment telling me what you thought about my story, as this is my first work on Wattpad, so I'm sure there are ways I can improve. if you liked Better Off & want to keep up with my future works, you can follow me to stay notified. :)

once again, thank you so much for reading.

♡