ALT Ellie and Riley at the beginning of their “relationship.” (American Dreams!) — Just friends..? Ellie and Riley, before everything changed for the worse… or perhaps, from the worst to the best. That line connecting the orderly spiral to the chaotic scribble is so meaningful because they’re still learning how to understand each other. Ellie might have a thousand thoughts running through her head, and Riley might seem calmer on the outside. But Riley has her own demons, too. Neither of them is as simple as they might seem behind their masks. And they’re still so young. They have so much left to discover about themselves, the world, and what it means to love someone. They’re still learning each other’s language, even when expressing that love doesn’t come easily to either of them. They love each other. And they don’t need to put it into words. Sometimes, simply being there, standing by each other’s side, says more than a thousand words ever could.

ALT In Jackson. Now they’re standing face to face. Riley smiles at Ellie, Ellie looks at her, and there’s an intimacy between them that needs no explanation. But the scribble is still there. Because growing up doesn’t mean becoming any less complicated. Having someone by your side again after so many years, following an argument that tore your relationship apart because of choices made and lies told, doesn’t automatically erase everything that happened between you. And loving someone doesn’t make all your problems disappear. The difference is that now, they can look at each other. Despite everything, they love each other. And neither of them could imagine living in a world without the other.

ALT Epilogue — No matter what happened in the past, what matters is choosing to live without regrets about the decisions you make moving forward. Just like Joel, Riley doesn’t regret what she did that day in Salt Lake City. She would do it again. And again. As many times as it took to have her girl alive by her side. Even if Ellie hated her for it. “Even if it takes 10, 20, or 30 years, I’ll still win you over.” — Riley Abel to Ellie Williams. Riley didn’t know that Ellie had always been wrapped around her little finger. Unfortunately for Ellie. Which is funny, considering that even after years apart following Salt Lake City, Ellie never stopped caring about her. . . . “So what if you’re with someone else or seeing someone new? I promised I’d love you, and I can wait a lifetime for you.” — Riley