Marry Me?

Popping The Question

Him

Calm down Parker, I reminded myself as I bent down on one knee and held out the diamond ring I worked so hard for before her.

Selene's eyes widened in shock. Everyone in the restaurant gave out gentle 'aww's. My mother clutched at her heart, tears brimming in her eyes.

I wasn't her little boy anymore.

Taking a deep breath, I said the words, "Selene Montgomery, will you marry me?"

You could feel the hushed silence as everyone waited for her response.

I ignored the panic-stricken look she gave me. After five years of our wonderful relationship, I was ready to commit.

I already knew what she would say, so I felt as cool as the summer breeze coming in through the open windows.

Wedding bells were already ringing in my ears, their melodic chiming resonating in my head.

That is, until she uttered a single word.

"No."

Then my world came crashing down.

***

I chugged down my fourth bottle of beer and slammed it down on the table. I still wasn't feeling drunk enough so I went to the ice cooler and got myself two more.

"Slow down, chugger," my best friend, Arnie, chuckled lightly. "Or you're gonna feel like crap in the morning."

"Good." I popped open the fifth bottle with ease despite my sluggishness.

Jackson was still cracking up from my explanation of what went down half an hour ago.

"So," he cleared his throat, trying to be serious. "She rejected you and you still had to drive her home?"

I didn't like the fact that he was laughing at my misery but I was almost too drunk to care.

"Yeah," I responded. "She's picking up her stuff from our- my apartment as we speak."

"That's tough luck, buddy," Arnie clasped his hand on my shoulder, rubbing it sympathetically. He can sometimes be a little too touchy-feely, especially when I'm drunk.

Usually, when I'm sober I just shrug him off, but I'm drunk and I could use a little comfort, so fuck it.

"How much did you spend on that baby?" Jackson asked, pointing to the ring box.

"$1200, it would've cost more but you know my mom and her 'connections.'"

He let out a low whistle and leaned back in his chair while running a hand through his thick brown hair. "Wow, that sucks. Did she give you a reason why?"

"You mean an excuse? Nah, I didn't let her give me any b-s." Originally, I did want to know why she said no, but I also wanted the pain to be over quick. Like ripping off a band-aid.

"That's too bad. Letting the ring go to waste, I mean," he said slowly, as if getting an idea, and I raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you gonna return it or somethin'?"

"Ye-" I started to say, then remembered something. "Aw fuck! I'm such an idiot." I slapped myself. "I was so sure Selene would say yes, I told the lady I wouldn't pay the return insurance fee, dammit!"

I cursed at the darkening sky as Arnie got up to bring me another beer and Jackson began to crack up again, "Haha! Parker, you're such a fucking idiot!"

For some reason, I found myself joining in on his laughter. Maybe all those beers were finally getting to me.

"I am a fucking idiot!" I shouted loudly, startling a couple of the squirrels chilling in Arnie's backyard.