Jumping Trains (Short Story)

Ch. 11 (Final)

*Recap*

I smirked and leaned up to kiss the frown off of his lips. A knock came at the door and I called for the person to come in, seeing as Benson wouldn’t release me.

“You love birds want to go out? It’s Friday night,” chirped my roommate Sydney.

“Where are we going?” I asked, craning my neck to see her.

“Beach!”

“At night?”

“The best time to go.”

            I didn’t even have to ask Benson if he wanted to go; he was already up and pulling me to the door. Even though I whined I was tired, he ignored me and told me it’d be fun.

*End Recap*

            Things were going well for me. I had a boyfriend that loved me, a mom that wanted to be in my life whether I was comfortable with it or not, and actual friends that usually didn’t take no for an answer when going out was in question. I was happy. Everything was falling into place and I couldn’t have asked for more.

            We were all lying in the sand, staring up at the stars when Benson nudged my shoulder and whispered for us to sneak away. My heart leapt into my throat but I nodded regardless. He took my hand and led me away from the pack. The only sound was the soft lapping of the water against the shoreline. Benson stopped us at a distance from the group and turned to me. His gaze sent butterflies swarming in my stomach. I looked away; however, he guided my face back towards his.

“I love you,” he said.

My heart stuttered. “I love you too.”

“I don’t have a big speech prepared or anything like that because I didn’t want to sound cheesy. I just want you to know that you make me happy and I’ll love you forever.” He grinned nervously and plopped down onto one knee in the sand. He extended a velvet box to me and revealed a ring. “Will you marry me, Ashton?”

I could feel the tears welling in my eyes as my throat constricted. “I…don’t know what to say,” I croaked.

“Say ‘yes’, stupid!” I heard Sydney scream behind me.

            I turned around to find her and everyone else with cameras in their hands, documenting this moment. Everyone knew except for me. I felt the tears stream down my cheeks. My gaze returned to Benson still nervously on his knee.

“Yes!” I shouted.

            He hopped up and threw his arms around me, spinning us in a circle. He slipped the ring onto my finger before kissing me gently.

“She said yes!” he screamed at the top of his lungs. 

            I was engaged. I wanted to cry, scream, and faint all at the same time. Everything truly was falling into place and I wouldn’t want it any other way.