Winning Skylinn

69

After what felt like hours of crying, I finally realized that Denver was my ride home. But he'd already left, and I was pretty sure he wanted nothing to do with me.

Ugh, I should've just said yes to his proposal! Then he'd still be here! He'd still love me, and none of this ever would've happened!

But I'd meant everything I said. We weren't ready to get married. It wasn't that I didn't want to get married young; I just didn't think we were in the place to make that kind of commitment, to plan a wedding, to give up our whole lives for each other. Weddings took a lot of energy to plan, and I just didn't have time for it right now. I was trying to prepare for college, and I wanted to continue working at Sunrise.

And it wasn't just that. When it came down to it, I didn't want to move. I loved being neighbors with Jonny. And if I got married, I'd eventually have to move out of that house. Who knows where Denver would want to live? He'd lived all over the US; surely he wouldn't want to stay right here in Orlando.

Before I could think too much about it, I realized I needed to leave the school. I couldn't just sit here crying forever.

I didn't know who to call, though. Not Jonny. Definitely not him. I couldn't face him right now, after everything Denver had said.

I didn't know if I could face my mom, either. She would be heartbroken about this, and she'd probably make me cry even more.

My dad was out of the question. He'd be like, "Give me a gun, so I can shoot the fool who broke my daughter's heart." And in the end, wasn't I the one who broke his heart by turning down the proposal?

Finally I remembered Jake. My heart longed for her. We hadn't hung out in forever, and I missed her like crazy. She would know just what to say. She always did.

I wiped my eyes and found Jake's contact on my phone. She picked up on the third ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jake, it's me," I said, sounding tired even in my own ears.

"Is everything okay? You don't sound so hot."

"It's actually not... Can you come pick me up?"

"Sure, just let me tell my boss. I'm kind of at work."

"Oh...you don't have to come, then." I really wanted her to, but I couldn't ask her to leave the movie theater. She'd probably get fired.

"Dude, do you know me? I'm your best friend. I'm coming to get you, whether my boss likes it or not. You can thank me later."

I was about to say something when she hung up. In about two seconds, she called back.

"I forgot to ask. Where are you?"

"The high school."

"Wait. Seriously? Why?"

"I'll tell you when you get here," I promised, and hung up.

About twenty minutes later, Jake showed up in her rusty red pick-up truck. I always admired her for driving such a masculine vehicle, and not looking like a tomboy doing it.

I met her outside and we hugged right away. "Oh, you poor thing. What's wrong?" she asked, sensing my pain like only a best friend could.

"Denver proposed."

"WHAT?!" she shrieked.

"Yeah."

"How dare he not ask my permission. You know, I should send him to jail for this," she joked, and my mood lifted instantly. "Seriously though, why isn't he still here?"