Ring by Spring| ✓

five.

"ANNIE, WHERE ARE THE PAPARAZZI?"

"Amusing, Kate." A scoff sounds from my mouth.

A lot of people had watched the video of me getting knocked out at the Duke basketball game. As in a million people views. I think it's a funny video, so no Lizzie Mcguire moments for me. Meanwhile, Kate and Jason had gone their separate ways for the Christmas holiday, but I'm sure they'll make up for lost time when they see each other on new years eve. Kate has only reminded me of it almost every minute.

  I am pushing a cart full of junk food, and Kate is holding a basket full of fruits and vegetables, which will probably just sit in the refrigerator for decoration, prattling on about Simirn's wedding theme. I'm pretty sure my calendar has one wedding scheduled for the next twelve months. Being fortunate enough as I am I'll reach my 10th mark for being a bridesmaid by my 22nd birthday. Not complaining, I haven't worn an ugly dress yet.

"Have you heard from Emerald after that blind date fiasco?" Kate stops walking, scanning the variety of ice cream in the freezer section.

"I have not heard from our beloved Emerald, except for the ten laughing emojis she sent my way after the basketball incident." A small smile makes its way onto my lips as I look down at the cart trying to estimate the price we'll be spending on our unnecessary items.

Kate opens the freezer door, deciding on a flavor. "Girl, you've had quite a December and Christmas hasn't even arrived yet."

"All I'm missing is the guy of my dreams and an engagement ring," I mumble this desire hoping that I didn't say it too loudly but who am I kidding I'm quite sure Kate heard me.

Kate closes the freezer door with a bump of her hip, cradling four cartons of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Kate's eyes gleam with joyfulness as she dumps the contents into my shopping cart. Then her almond eyes narrow to me as she pulls me and the buggy towards a private area.

"You listen here, and you listen good, Annie Chance, stop valuing your life on whether you're engaged or not. The right guy will come around, and you have to understand that he doesn't need to be found while you are still in college you can find him as your life progresses." Kate sighs, shaking my shoulders with her small hands - I assume this is her way of trying to talk me back into reality.

It's not insane. I refuse to think that marrying someone you find in college is unrealistic. Oh my soul, did Kate not just get engaged one week ago while still being in college?

"I'm not saying that I value my life on an engagement ring, but my life will go up in value if I get a ring on my finger by the end of spring." I lift up my left hand, rubbing the place where I expect a ring to be in a few months.

Kate lets out an exasperated sigh. "Oh, Annie, you're something else. To even have a chance at being engaged, you have to have a boyfriend. And if my memory serves me correctly you haven't had a beau in years."

The palms of my hands cover my now inflamed cheeks. I am not having this conversation right beside the bathrooms in a grocery store. Kate might be right, but I have a little more than five months to fall in love with the guy of my dreams.

"Kate, come on, we can talk about this another time. The ice cream is melting."