But today is different. The pattern is broken. I can’t make myself get up.
The crushing weight of Adrian’s sudden marriage proposal pins me to this bed.
Adrian Campos, also known as Peterson High School’s most desired himbo, proposed to me last night.
He didn’t even get down on one knee. He just proposed.
And what did I do? How did I react to such a development? Well, I did what any normal girl, suddenly blindsided with a proposal she didn’t want nor expect would do.
I laughed.
And I laughed.
And I slammed the door right in his face.
Now when I say “laugh,” I’m not talking about a considerate “this is quite awkward, but I’ll let you down gently” kind of laugh. I’m talking about a “you’re clearly insane, you need help and you need it fast” maniacal cackle. Mom and Granny were shocked, wondering why their normally quiet caretaker sauntered up the stairs laughing like she was a deranged psycho who loves to watch the world burn.
I could have easily written off the entire exchange as a lo mein-fueled hallucination, vowing to never have a meal at the Tasty Noodle House ever again. But just as the sleep was about to take me, an email notification popped up on my phone.
From Adrian. Of course, it’s from Adrian.
Kay,
I know you think I’m crazy and you have every right to. I know this all came out of nowhere and you definitely weren’t expecting it. But I want you to know that I am 100% serious about what I said. You probably don’t believe it, but I’ve always taken the pact seriously. I know we set the age at 30 but after seeing you at the reunion, I knew I couldn’t wait two more years.
I get that this is a lot to take in right now and you probably have a lot of questions. Or you want to beat me upside the head with a hammer. Both are valid ways to feel about me right now. I know I’m asking a lot of you, but I hope I can see you tonight. I want to make you see how serious about this I am.
Here is my number. If you’re willing to hear me out, please give me a call.
Adrian
The writing is on the wall—or rather the screen. There’s no denying it. His proposal was no dream and dealing with it is my reality.
This man is serious.
He’s also insane.
Couldn’t really sleep well after that.
“Micaela, are you in there?” My eyes snap over to see Granny peeking in. With that smile on her face, you’d think she was dressed in designer threads instead of a floral-print housecoat. “I just made some coffee and toast downstairs. You want to have breakfast with your granny?”
“Sure. I’ll be down in a minute.” I fake the most nonchalant smile. “Thanks for thinking of me.”
“I’m glad to see you’re doing better.” She gives me the once, twice over. My smile stays firm. That’s right, Granny, don’t suspect that something is wrong. “I don’t know what you were playing at, coming home cackling. Did you hang out with a group of witches last night?”
“No, but that would be fun.” That’s right. Downplay it. “Other than eating at a tasty restaurant for dinner, nothing happened last night.”
“Nothing, huh?” Granny gives me a lopsided grin. “Does this mean we’re going to meet this ‘nothing’ soon?”
I fold my arms across my chest, bristling. Did she have to take it there? Wait, this is Granny. She always takes it there. If it were up to her, I’d have been engaged before I finished high school and married before I started college. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course, you don’t. Anyway, come downstairs and eat. My ride will be here in twenty minutes.”
The moment she heads downstairs, I dive for my phone. George. She’s the only person I can talk to about this. Pretty sure this is her day off from streaming and I am in need of her sassy advice right now. If I keep it to myself, it’ll eat me alive.
S.O.S. Something has come up. Need my friend. Are you busy with meetings and stuff? If not, can I come over?
Thankfully, I don’t have to wait long for a reply.
Oooh, sounds juicy. Always free for you, Babe. Come over whenever. Tell me everything.
That’s exactly what I plan to do.
George lives in Anselito, a trendy and laidback neighborhood full of artsy types located west of downtown. Between the gorgeous parks and pretty beaches, Anselito is a hot rental market for young families and professionals all dying to live life by the beach. To me, she was George, but to the world, she’s TaketheV, a variety streamer (meaning she plays all kinds of games) who dazzles the crowd with her silky strawberry blonde hair, hypnotic hazel eyes, and crackling wit.
Her condo is one of the few indulgences she’s allowed herself after becoming a streaming success. But she’s never allowed her popularity to get to her head. Like me, she supports her parents, who struggled to provide for her growing up, and she never forgot about the teasing and bullying she endured during her time at Peterson.
“Jokes on them!” I remember her telling me as we cabbed it back home from the reunion. Sure enough, she was recognized not as the brooding Georgia Sweet but as the alluring TaketheV. Smiles turned to stunned silence when she revealed her true identity to her previous tormentors. “They better check their cholesterol levels because after tonight, they’ll be feeling mighty salty.”
George buzzes me upstairs and meets me at the front door. She looks casually adorable in her pink hoodie and gray leggings. Her messy bun looks much cuter than mine. “Hey, girl. Gimme the goods and tell me what’s up.”
“A little eager, aren’t we, George?” She grabs my arm and drags me into the apartment. “Hey, watch it. I enjoy having two arms, thanks.”
“You don’t text me with S.O.S. often and when you do, it usually involves your grandmother demanding you get a man.” She raises an eyebrow. “Did your grandmother demand that you get a man again?”
“No.” Well, she did but that’s not the point. “But it is about a man.”
“Oh sh—” All of the Milky Way sparkles in George’s eyes. “You’re not messing with me, are you? Is it actually about a guy?”
“Yes. It is.” My heart jumps into a sprint when George shrieks, thumping her feet against the floor. “Do you have to do that?”
“Yes, because you never talk to me about guys!” She squeals even more, clapping her hands. “Start from the beginning and leave nothing out.”
We plop down onto her ivory sofa, her eyes wide and expectant. This is the part where I tell her everything. But now that I’m here, I’m hesitant. Once I start, there will be no turning back. I’ll will have to tell her everything. I know George. The girl is a romantic at heart. She’ll have a massive fan girl moment. She also won’t let me hear the end of it. I swallow hard. It’s okay. I’m okay. For all her teasing, George is my best friend. If there’s anyone I can trust with this, it’s her.
I take a deep breath. “Adrian wandered into Wilson’s yesterday.”