Champagne Problems

part 4

January 01, 2021
12:00 am
———

He knelt to the ground, pulled out a ring, and said, "Marry me, Rebekah."

My eyes widened. I opened my mouth to answer him.

———

No words came out for a few seconds.

"I'm sorry." I dropped his hand and whirled around, just noticing all of our friends. Fuck.

Their shock pulsated through the room.

Oh my God, they knew. They all knew! Why didn't someone tell me? Shouldn't I have been prepared for this?

His sister already popped open the bottle of Dom Perignon.

Everyone looked ready to start applauding and celebrating. Nobody was celebrating, though.

They were all frozen in place and at a loss for words.

I caught a glimpse of Drew. He was still kneeling and looked absolutely crestfallen. It was like his heart was made of glass and I just dropped it.

In front of all of our friends. God, I am such a bitch.

"I'm sorry. I just can't," I said again before running away. My face burned in shame and humiliation.

I couldn't even give him a reason. I guess sometimes you just don't know the answer until someone's on their knee and asks you.

— — —

I fled the room and ended up on the front porch.

Deep breath in, deep breath out repeated in my mind. Why was I even crying, to begin with?

I stared out at the streetlights for what felt like forever. The lights started to blur because of the tears in my eyes. I made no move to wipe them away. What's the point when more will come?

I heard the front door open. I turned around and saw Drew slowly approach me. He sat down on the step next to me.

We sat in silence for a moment before he spoke up.

"Why?"

"I don't know," I responded after a prolonged pause.

He sighed loudly. "Seriously? That's it?"

"I'm just not ready for marriage."

"We've been together for over five years. Where did you think this was going?"

I didn't respond. He had a point. I just don't know.

He huffed. I watched the cloud of his breath move through the chilly air.

"I'm not the right one for you. I could never give you peace," My voice cracked. I cleared my throat before speaking again. "I mean... it's just that we're at different spots in life. I can't give you what you want. What you need... It's for the best."

"Don't you think I get to decide what's best for me?" He scoffed.

"I'm not what's best. You'll find the real thing instead," I said in all seriousness. I turned to face him. "Nobody wants someone who's fucked in the head. You'll find a perfect girl, have a perfect family, and forget about my champagne problems."

"There you go, playing the victim again," he sighed. I turned and watched him rake his hand through his shaggy hair.

"I'm just stating the truth," I said, not caring that I was being melodramatic. I turn and stare at the streetlights and the neighbors' front porches again.

"You know what? Fine, we're done then. Have a good life, Rebekah."

"You too," I mumbled. He stood up and walked back inside, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I stayed outside well after my hands grew numb from the cold. At least the numbness in my fingers overshadowed the pain in my heart.

I knew that I should go back inside, but I couldn't find it in myself to face them.

After gaining courage, I stood up with shaking hands and opened the door. All eyes were on me. It's like they were waiting for me to come back inside.

I kept my head down and reached into the closet for my purse and coat.

I went back out to the porch and called an Uber. It was the coward's way out, but I was well past caring.

Twenty minutes later, the driver arrived. I left without saying goodbye, not once looking back.

— — —