Transform Me (A "Shatter Me" Trilogy Fanfiction)

TWENTY-FOUR: ANNOUNCEMENTS

24: Announcements

Caitlan’s ultimatum hangs in the air, and as I ponder on her words, I can’t help but feel pressured that I have to eventually make a decision.  Why did things have to be so hard?  I wish I could just erase all my complicated feelings for Kim and Kenji.  But at the same time, I’m not quite certain that I’d like to be alone for the rest of my life.

             I have no idea what to do now.

             “Thanks for listening to me, Caitlan.”  I nudge her shoulder with mine.  “It helped.  A lot.  It feels like a weight has been lifted off my chest.”  And replaced with another.

             “I’m glad you opened up.  You almost never do.”  She replies quietly.  “I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you.  That’s what friends are for, after all. 

             “You’re not just my friend, you know.  You’re like the big sister I never had.”

             “And pretty soon we’re going to be in-laws.”  She grins, green eyes wild with excitement.

             I blink.  “What?”

             “Oh, Jun and I had promised each other we’d tell you together, but I just can’t hold it in anymore.”  She clasps her hands together and squeals.  “Jun proposed to me last week!  We’re getting married!”

             The surprise hits me first, but it’s quickly followed by elation.  Caitlan’s smile is just so contagious.

             “Wow!  Caitlan, congratulations!”  I wrap my arms around her.  “I’m so happy for you two.  I can’t believe it!”

             “I know, right?  Neither can I.”  She sniffles, squeezing me back.  “There’s never been anyone else for me but him, and there’s never been anyone else for him but me.  It’s like a fairytale.”  She suddenly pulls away.  “Oh!  I forgot to show you the ring!”

             She sits up and yanks at a chain necklace I hadn’t noticed around her neck.  It’s so long that it extends down her shirt.  As she lifts it higher, my gaze come in contact with a simple golden band with a small white gem twinkling under the fluorescent light.

             “Isn’t it lovely?”  She sighs, her eyes going dreamy.  “He transmuted the diamond from some of the minerals in the lab.  The gold ring, too.”

             “Does Devin know?”

             “Oh, aye.  Nothing gets past her.  She’s already given us her blessing, though—somewhat reluctantly I might add.”  Her mischievous smile reappears.  “But other than her, you’re the only other person who now knows.  Jun and I wanted to tell you first before we make the engagement public.”

             “Thank you, Caitlan.  I appreciate it.”

             “If it’s not too much to ask, Hiroko, I’d like to ask you a favor.”

             “Name it.”

             She takes my hands in hers and gazes imploringly into my eyes.  “Will you be my Maid of Honor?  You’re my closest friend, and I wouldn’t want anyone else.”

             A happy warmth begins to spread through me when I hear this.  I’ve always considered Caitlan to be my closest friend, too, and I feel incredibly humbled by her request.

             “Are you kidding me?  I’d love to.”

             Caitlan squeals again.  And as she tackles me into a hug, we hear a rapid succession of knocks on the door.