And by then
I guess that was the last time they ever spoke to one another. Then that day came. It was just before graduation. That night she told me.
"We're engaged!"
She gave me an eyeful of the petite golden ring on her left hand. For a while, all I could do was stare in shock. "Wh-whoa! That's so…"
This was it! I'd have to give up now! There was nothing left for me to say or do that could ever change things! I chewed down the swelling bitterness of defeat within me – the final defeat. "W-wow!" I exclaimed covering my mouth with a hand.
She approached me slowly, a strange, serious expression on her face. "But before I give him my final answer, I need to know: do you like him?"
"More than that! I love him! And I can never tell him how I feel," I thought, "Because he loves you."
She repeated the question, "Do you like James?"
"You could say that," I replied with a yawn, pretending to have suddenly heard her, "He's been more of a brother to me than anything else."
I blinked open an eye to look at her and smiled apologetically. "Sorry," I told her, "Just deep in thought at the moment."
I turned to face her properly. "You know, since he's been after you, it's been my job to protect you from his likes."
I grinned. "You don't need that anymore though, do you?"
She blushed and I half admired her for it too. She was free to be one of the girls, but to the boys I'd be nothing more than one of the boys. I gave her a hug. "Congratulations Lily. Good Luck. I really love you both."
I could only think of one person, who'd be as happy as me at the announcement. I would have to be the one to tell him too. I approach him carefully – studying as usual. "Oi Sev!" I called out to him.
"What do you want?" he asked testily.
I kept on walking and took a seat on the grass next to him. "Not in a good mood today? So I guess you've heard?"
"Heard what?"
"About Lily and James?"
He gritted his teeth and looked up at me from his work. "I am quite aware that they're dating. I am not so misinformed."
"The whole school knows that, idiot!" I yelled out angrily.
"Then why do you have to remind me?"
"Idiot! Just shut up and listen!" I told him, "You know that I'm as happy about it as you!"
"Sorry," he murmured.
There was a silence as we both looked down. "Th-they-they're…"
His eyes suddenly widened with frightened anticipation. "They're getting married!" I blurted out.
I'd actually said it! I clenched my teeth, but that didn't stop my tears. I used a hand to cover my face. Sev – he was dead frozen with shock, then the tears began to fall and I could just imagine the world falling around us both. Each of our hopes was dead.