Goin' Viral (Kleinsen)

Chapter 23

(Evan) 

I woke up early the next morning. I had a lot of things to get done in one day. First I had to go to the store. I pulled on my light blue sweatshirt, jeans, and vans, grabbed my wallet and ran out the door. 

When I arrived at the store I went directly to the candle section. I bought probably 75 of them, the sizes varying. I grabbed a couple things of string lights and extension cords. Then I went to a floral shop (on skid row hahahaha). I selected lots of roses and rose petals (which I didn't even know you could buy but it did save me a lot of time so woo). I quickly drove back home. I changed into my tux, and texted my mom to let her know I would be on my way soon and to have the room available. I grabbed the ring that had been sitting on my night stand for months. I picked it out specifically for Jared. I knew I could never let him go after what happened that night.  I grabbed my bonsai tree I had received from Jared as a present and ran out the door. 

I headed to the hospital quickly. I had made plans for them to change Jared's room for a little while, claiming it was for maintenance. Once I got the all clear from my mom, I began brining in my hundreds of bags. The room wasn't super big, so hopefully it wouldn't take too long. 

I set up the string lights all around the room, with a little dip on each wall. I then managed to tape them to the ceiling, so that they kind of looked like stars. I set the candles up on tables and outlining what would soon be a path of rose petals leading to where I would be standing. 

The bed had been removed, obviously. Jared could walk on his own. He would be released from the hospital soon, I guessed. 

I set up the flowers in different arrangements around the room. Sitting on shelves and tables. I put the flower petals down, leading to me. I lit all the candles, which probably took 30 minutes on it's own. Then I felt the ring box in my pocket, set the bonsai tree up on a table beside me, and grabbed the flowers I would be holding. I sent a text to my mom, asking to bring him in. 

The waiting was the worst part. At least all of today, I had been busy, my mind was thinking about other things so I didn't have time to think about his reaction. My anxiety level was through the roof. I begged myself to stay calm. I could feel my heart in my throat as I heard my mom's voice just down the hall. Don't freak out Evan. Don't. Freak. Out. I saw the doorknob jiggle slightly and then he was standing in front of me. 

On his face was pure shock, and I saw my mother smile and back away, closing the door behind Jared. Here we go.