Here Is All I Have

t e n

"let's go, Arabella. now." Peter says. I haven't even turned around yet. I don't know how he got in here so quickly, I swear he just pulled up.

"okay, baby," I say.

I turn to Lee and wave, but Peter pulls my hand down, rough. he's so angry.

we get in his car and he's fucking fuming. I can see Lee watching us in the rearview mirror.

"what happened to your therapy?" he says, in a controlled voice.

"I was about to text you to come get me, when Lee walked up and he asked to go to lunch. I didn't know how to refuse him,"

"yeah, because anyone with a dick is just too much to refuse!" he's jealous?

"I would never fuck him. it was just one meal. I didn't give him any way to contact me," I just lied again. when he finds out he will be furious.

"like you need a meal right now," he scoffs. "he should've taken you on a date to the fucking gym,"

"well, it wasn't a date. and I didn't eat anything, I promise. I just had a water,"

"good girl," he praises. he's calming down, finally. he starts the car and makes his way to our new apartment. we've had it for three days. it's right off campus, and very nice.

"you ruined our fucking day, but here's this," he throws me a box. it's small, with a silky bow on it.

"Peter? what did you buy me?" I say, getting slightly excited.

he stops the car in the lot by our apartment. he comes to my side of the car and opens the door. "I'm not gonna get down on a knee or anything, but I was hoping you would marry me?"

oh my god. I've been waiting for this day for ages. I jump out of the car and wrap my body around his torso, kissing him over and over again.

"is that a yes?" he sounds impatient, but also kind of nervous. my love.

"of course it is!" I stutter, getting off of him and opening the box.

"how did you pay for this?" my eyes must be deceiving me, he bought me a diamond ring.

"I had to sell a few things. nothing important. you're old guitar you never use was worth a lot," he sold my things. to pay for my gift. without my permission.

"oh. well that was kind of an important guitar, Peter. it was my grandpas before he died. he taught me how to play when he was diagnosed. I thought I told you that, the day I played for you. it had sentimental value, even if I didn't play it often I still wanted it as a reminder of my grandpa, and-"

"chill Ara. I got rid of it. so we could be married." he's right. it was a kind gesture.

I kiss his cheek and thank him once again. he just nods, obviously still upset. his cold hands gently place the ring on the incorrect finger. I don't say anything, because I love when he touches me softly. when he looks away, I quickly fix it.

our apartment always smells of alcohol when I get home from any all-day activities. I'm positive Peter brings his friends over and they party, and they drink. but Peter isn't typically drunk, so I choose not to bring it up.

"I cleaned up a bit," he says with a smile, taking a seat on our couch to watch a football game.

"how kind. why did you do that?" I assume it's because he made a mess of things. he just wanted to remind me that he does things. so if I ever say otherwise, he can bring this up to win the fight.