Under the Radar

A Promise

I woke up numbly the next day. Today was my last day with Matt. I felt the backs of his fingers gently rubbing my arm. I didn't move. I opened my eyes and sighed sadly. I didn't want one of our last night's together to be remembered as me crying mercilessly all night. I felt Matt's lips on my shoulder. I turned and smiled sadly at him.

"Hey," I said quietly, my voice cracking a bit from a dry throat. He kissed me gently and gave me a sad smile as well.

"Today's the last day," he whispered. I closed my eyes tightly as my smile fell, and shook my head. His hand squeezed my hand softly. "Hey, it's not forever." He smiled encouragingly, repeating my line back to me. I sighed brokenly and shut my eyes tighter.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, referring to last night. He pulled me into him tightly and kissed me. His lips lingered on mine a little longer than usual.

"It's okay Marissa. You have nothing to be sorry about," he said softly. I opened my eyes and looked at him. He was smiling sympathetically. I reached over him and grabbed the remote.

"Let's see what the reason is for me leaving in tears was on E! News," I said changing the subject. I sat up and turned on the TV. Sure enough, there was a story about me on. A video of me staring into space and crying before I walked away was just going off. The reporter came back onto the screen and gave her audience a serious look.

"At first, no one knew why she was upset, but a couple of bystanders recalled her talking to a little girl. The bystanders said that she started crying when she announced to the girl's mom that she didn't grow up knowing her mother. After that, she requested to be taken back immediately," the reporter announced. "Onto other news, Taylor Swift was seen..."

Matt turned the TV to a different channel. I sighed and turned my head into his shoulder. He rubbed my back gently and held my close to him.

"Do you want to go get a beignet?" Matt asked. I chuckled and kissed him smiling. Pulling back, I nodded. I put on my purple sweatpants and a white v-neck with a black tank top layered underneath. I brushed through my hair and left it down. Matt dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. I slipped on my flip flops and started for the door. Matt hesitated at the door and looked to his bag.

"Umm, I just have to get one more thing. I'll meet you down in the lobby," he explained. I nodded and went to wait for him in the lobby. Eventually, he came down and we walked to a little café overlooking the Mississippi. We talked and ate quietly. Matt smiled and hesitated like he wanted to say something. I tilted my head and looked at him curiously.

"Is everything okay?" I asked. He smiled and sighed.

"Everything's great Marissa," he smiled lovingly. "But there is something I have to ask you." He got out of his chair and came around so he was right in front of me. He bent down on one knee. My eyes widened and I watched him smile nervously. My mouth opened slightly as I stared at him in awe.

"Marissa Dorrian McClain, I'm head over heels in love with you. I already want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I hope you want the same... will you marry me?" he smiled nervously as he pulled out a ring. I only stared at him in shock, my eyes watered. His eyes begged me to say something. I nodded silently. Finally, my voice returned to me.

"Yes," I whispered smiling. "Yes." I repeated. His smile widened and he picked me up in a hug. I giggled and pressed my lips against his. He placed me down but kept his lips locked on mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck. I was crying tears of joy when we finally pulled away. He picked up my left hand and I watched him put the ring on my finger. I was smiling as tears trailed down my face. I looked at the ring in place. It was a heart shaped diamond. The band was covered in smaller diamonds in the middle of the band. It looked beautiful. It looked expensive. I looked at him.

"You didn't have to get me something so... pricey," I said, crinkling my nose. He laughed and pulled me into him.

"It's only twenty karats," he shrugged. My jaw dropped and he laughed again. "You're worth every penny." He smiled. He kissed my nose. I kissed his neck where I left my mark and he chuckled.

"You're mine," I smiled. He looked at me lovingly and kissed his claim on me.

"And you're mine," he smiled. The doubt that Katy planted in my head was now long demolished. Matt would be mine forever, and no one could take that away from me.