Chapter 29

When Stella wakes up, her mother gives her a sketchbook titled “FIVE FEET APART.” Stella can see that it is from Will. Inside the sketchbook is a rich, beautiful visual record of Stella and Will’s lives and their time together. As Stella reaches the end of the sketchbook, as if on cue, Julie flips on a switch, and the courtyard outside Stella’s window blazes with holiday lights. Will is making up for Stella missing the holiday lights in the park. Stella spots Will under the lights and realizes he is saying goodbye to her. He calls her on the phone and tells her that he loves her too much to stay. Staying with her will jeopardize her life, which he can’t afford. Asking Stella to close her eyes, Will walks away.

Chapter 30

Eight months after he leaves Saint Grace’s, Will is at an airport, ready to travel to Brazil with Jason and “a pair of shitty lungs.” As he watches people around him hug and kiss their loved ones, he revisits Stella’s latest YouTube video, in which she talks about the importance of human touch. Will thinks of his poolside date with Stella and is filled with longing for her. Suddenly he hears his “favorite sound in the world,” which is Stella’s laugh. He looks around and finds her standing in the airport in person, a few feet away from him.

Chapter 31

Stella marvels at her new lungs, which make her breathing so much easier. However, she also remembers the pain of the surgery, just like she still feels the pain of losing Abby and Poe. The pain will never quite go away but will remind Stella of how much she still loves her sister and her best friend. Stella notes that one doesn’t get over loss but learns to live with it. Stella is at the airport to go to Vatican City with Mya and Camila. Her parents are back together again. Suddenly, her friends notice something. Stella turns around and sees Will at the airport. He is still sick, looking tired, and carrying a portable oxygen cylinder. However, Stella is overjoyed to see him. As Stella walks toward him, Will catches sight of her. Soon, they are only five feet apart. Though Will and Stella may not be able to be together permanently, they still have a future.