The clang of weights and the murmur of fellow gym-goers surrounds William as he lifts alongside Bastien. Rows of barbells, dumbbells, and various exercise machines stretch out before them. William stands in front of the gym's large mirrors, a sheen of sweat glistening on his skin as he pushes through another heavy set of shoulder presses. Beside him, his best friend matches his movements with ease. William's mind, however, is elsewhere. He pushes the weight above his head with mechanical precision, his gaze fixed on his reflection, yet seemingly seeing nothing.
The usual intensity that characterizes his workouts is absent, something Bastien can't help but notice. Setting down his weights, he arches an eyebrow and addresses his friend. "Yo, Dunbar, you're lookin' a bit out of it, bro," he remarks with a wry grin. "What's up?"
William snaps out of his daze and flashes Bastien a sheepish smile. "Oh, shit. Sorry. Zoned out for a second," he admits, running a hand through his hair. "A lot's been on my mind lately."
"It's cool," Bastien replies, clapping a hand on William's shoulder. "But seriously, you can talk to me, you know."
William hesitates, looking around the room to see who is within earshot. "It's Aelita," he confesses. "I've been thinking about... that thing I told you about a couple weeks ago."
"Ah," Bastien says, nodding with understanding. "Got it. So, what's the plan?"
William sighs and shakes his head. "Not sure yet. But I'm picking it up today. I'm worried she won't like it. She had no say in it. I didn't even talk to Sissi. The design is straight from my head about how I see her."
"Relax, dude," Bastien says, his tone reassuring. "Whatever it looks like, she's gonna love it. And as for how to give it to her, well, just be yourself. That's all you can do."
William nods. "Thanks, man. I appreciate it."
"Anytime," Bastien replies, grinning. "Now, if I'm not mistaken, we have a set to finish. Then let's go grab some lunch. I'm starving."
"I'm down," William says, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
After finishing their workout, the two friends head to the cafeteria for a well-deserved meal. As they eat, William's thoughts drift back to the ring he's picking up in an hour.
"So, any idea when you're going to pop the question?" Bastien asks, his voice low.
"Well, uh... to be honest, I haven't thought that far ahead," William says with a chuckle. "I genuinely have no idea."
"Well, I have an idea."
"Oh, do you? Enlighten me," William says with a smirk.
"Picture this," Bastien starts, putting his hands up in the air dramatically. "The floodlights are blazing, the crowd is cheering because we've just kicked ass at the championship game, and you're standing there on the field, holding the trophy high above your head. And then, as the excitement reaches a fever pitch, you pull Aelita onto the field and drop down on one knee, right there in front of everyone. And then, you ask her to marry you. Boom."
William laughs and shakes his head. "That's a pretty bold move, dude. But I could probably manage that."
"That's the spirit," Bastien says, grinning. "Just remember, go big or go home, bro."
William snickers in amusement. His phone vibrates in his pocket, and he pulls it out to see a text message from Aelita: "hi honey, whatcha up to today? wanna come over?"
William sighs and runs a hand through his hair nervously. He mutters to himself, "What fucking luck. Of course she texts me wanting to hang out on the day I absolutely do not want to. Dammit."
"What?" Bastien asks, arching an eyebrow.
"Aelita just texted me."
"And that's a problem because...?"
"Because I've been trying to avoid her so I feel less like a nervous wreck," William explains.
"Damn, bro. I knew you were down bad, but this takes the cake," Bastien says, shaking his head. "Just tell her you're busy. It's not like she can read your mind."
"Glad to see you understand my problem," William says, sighing. "But I hate lying to her."
"It's not really a lie, though," Bastien points out. "I mean, you are busy, just not with what you're telling her. Tell her you're practicing or conditioning or something."
William considers this for a moment, then nods. He types out a quick response to Aelita, letting her know that he's busy conditioning and training for his upcoming trial run with Paris Saint-Germain. To his relief, she seems to buy the excuse and doesn't press him for details.
"She took the bait," he says, exhaling a sigh of relief. "That was close."
"See? No harm, no foul," Bastien says, his tone reassuring. "Now, go get that ring!"
William grins and gives Bastien a fist bump. "Thanks, man. I'll see you later." With an extra spring in his step, he heads to his car and drives to the jewelry store. When he arrives, the clerk greets him with wide eyes.
"Woah! W-William D-Dunbar," the young man stammers in shock, "W-welcome to our jewelry store. How may I h-help you?"
"I'm here to see Mr. Dumas about the engagement ring I custom-ordered," William says, flashing the clerk a charming smile.
"O-of course. Right this way, Mr. Dunbar, sir," the clerk clumsily says, leading William to the back office.
Mr. Dumas, a portly man, looks up from his paperwork and smiles when he sees William, instantly recognizing him from months ago. "Ah, Mr. Dunbar, so good to see you again," he says, his voice warm and friendly. "Come in, come in. Have a seat. So did your lovely lady like the ring from last time?"
William enters the office and sits down in the chair across from Mr. Dumas. "She loved it. Wouldn't stop showing it off. So, the new ring is ready?" William asks, his tone hopeful.
"Indeed, it is. Let me show it to you." He pulls out a small, light mauve velvet box and opens it, revealing a stunning three-stoned oval diamond ring.
William's breath catches in his throat, and his eyes widen as he takes in the sight. "Wow," he breathes. "It's even better than I imagined it would be."
"I'm glad you think so," Mr. Dumas says, smiling. "Now, all that's left is for you to pay, take it home, and put it on her finger where it belongs."
"Right," William says, chuckling. He pulls out his wallet and pays for the ring, his hands trembling slightly.
"Good luck, Mr. Dunbar," Mr. Dumas says, his voice sincere. "I hope she says yes."
"Me, too," William replies, his heart racing as he leaves the jewelry store and gets back in his car. His thoughts are a whirlwind of emotions. He takes a deep breath and tries to calm his nerves, knowing that the hardest part is still to come.
Aelita sits in her practice room, her fingers dancing across the piano keys as she plunks out the melody line of her audition music. Her voice fills the space, the notes flowing effortlessly from her lips. As she plays and sings, her thoughts drift idly to William and the strange way he's been acting recently. "He's been so distant and secretive lately," she muses aloud. "Just what the hell is going on with him?" Suddenly, she hears a familiar voice drifting from the adjacent practice room. "What? No way," she whispers, her eyes widening in surprise. "That can't be him." She listens intently, her curiosity piqued. As she eavesdrops on William's practice session, she can't help but admire his talent and passion. "Why has he never mentioned this to me?"
Suddenly, the strum of the guitar stops, and Aelita hears a loud string of curses and swears from down the hall. A smile tugs at the corners of her lips, and she can't help but giggle softly.
William's voice drifts through the thin walls, his frustration evident. "Ugh, why is this so hard? I've played this song a million times, and now, all of a sudden, I can't even play the damn intro."
Aelita's smile widens, and she shakes her head in amusement.
"Maybe I should just give up," William says, still thinking aloud.
"Don't give up!" Aelita calls out, her voice echoing in the empty hallway. "I believe in you!"
In his practice room, William's eyes widen in shock, and he nearly drops his guitar. "A-Aelita?" he stammers, his heart racing.
"Yes, it's me," she replies, her voice growing closer as she approaches his practice room.
William hastily puts his guitar away and opens the door, his palms sweating.
"Hi, honey," Aelita says with a bright smile. "Interesting seeing you here."
"H-hey," William replies shakily. "Sometimes I come here to get my mind off things."
"Speaking of keeping your mind off things, what's going on with you?" Aelita asks, her tone curious. "You've been acting weird lately."
"I, uh, I don't know what you're talking about," William says, avoiding her gaze.
"William," Aelita says, her voice firm. "Something's up. You can't hide it from me."
William sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "Aelita, I can't."
"Can't what?" She furrows her brow in confusion.
"I can't tell you," William replies.
"Why not?" Aelita asks softly. "William, what's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. I just can't. Okay? I promise you'll find out soon, but not right now," William says, his voice strained.
Aelita sighs and shakes her head. "Fine. But you better not be hiding anything bad from me."
"I'm not. I swear."
"Okay," Aelita relents, her expression softening. "I trust you."
William smiles and pulls her into a tight embrace. "Thank you," he whispers.
Aelita pulls away slightly and looks up at William with a mirthful grin. "So, when were you planning on telling me you were so musically gifted? I had no idea you could sing or play guitar like that."
"I never knew how to bring it up, you being a music major and all. I didn't know how you'd react. So, I kind of just avoided it." William says as he avoids her gaze, sheepishly scratching the back of his neck. "This isn't even my guitar. It's my dad's. I'm just borrowing it."
"And yet here I am impressed. You know, Hotel California was one of my father's favorites? Hearing you play it made me really happy."
He looks behind him at the guitar he just put away before looking back at Aelita. "Would you... would you like to sing along with me as I play?"
"Only if you sing the harmonies."
"Deal."