Nightshade: A SimLit | Chapter 60: An Unexpected Proposal

"The photo turned out pretty great, don't you think?" Tiffany asked Orion, admiring the framed picture on her bedroom wall -- the two of them in their graduation cap and gown. A week had since passed and it still felt like yesterday that they were at the ceremony. 

"Yeah," Orion agreed with a slight nod. "I just can't believe it happened..."

"But now we're free to do whatever we want. Or at least I am. You still have another month until official adulthood," she teased. 

"Less than a month!" He laughed. "Besides, you were eighteen for a while before we graduated. I didn't see you doing whatever you wanted to then."

Tiffany rolled her eyes and turned to approach her bed. "I've always done whatever I want, Orion," she said as she flopped down onto the mattress. 

Orion giggled and laid on the bed beside of her. "I guess I can't argue with that..."

He rolled onto his stomach with a sigh, beginning to run out of things to say. Tiffany propped herself onto her elbow and ran a hand along his back. "So... what do you plan on doing now that we're out of school?"

"Me?" Orion smiled. "I applied for a scholarship to go to college. I'm becoming an astronaut, so I have to get a bachelor's degree."

"Oh," she said. "Four more years of school? No thanks. If I need a job I'll work fast food or something... but, um... I..." her voice trailed off.

He side-glanced at her. "Yeah?"

"...I was hoping you'd be open to some other plans," she continued, "but I guess you won't have much time for anything else."

Orion raised an eyebrow. "Other plans?"

"Okay, so I know you're gonna say I'm crazy, but..." Tiffany took a deep breath. "I was going to ask you to marry me." 

His eyes widened. "W-What?"

"Later this summer, after your birthday," she continued. "Well? What do you say?" 

Orion propped himself onto his elbows with a nervous sigh. "I... I don't know, I..."

Tiffany reached out to run a hand through his hair. "You don't know? But you tell me that you love me," She frowned. "Don't you mean it? You do love me, don't you?"

"O-Of course," he stammered, "but I... I'm going to be so busy with college, I don't know if it's a good idea to--"

"That's the problem?" She looked away. "You won't have time for me when you go to college, just so you can learn how to fly some stupid rocket ship? You're just going to dump me off like I never meant anything to you?" 

His expression softened. "Of course not... I-I just wanted to get school out of the way before making a life decision like that. We haven't been together very long. Besides, once I graduate, I'll have a stable income and it would be a way better time for marriage. Don't you think?"

"...No," Tiffany flatly replied. "You know what I think? I think that I don't care that you're busy with school, I don't care that it's too soon! I don't care about anything but how much I want you."

She grinned, pointing her finger at him for emphasis. "You, Orion Star. Out of everyone I could want, it's you. I'm not going to stop wanting you, and I'm not taking no for an answer. You're mine and you're going to keep being mine until I say so."

He couldn't hold back a bright smile and quietly giggled. "Just until you say so?"

"Well, I'll never say so and that's the point. You're not escaping me any time soon, so you might as well surrender."

Orion averted his gaze. "I love you, but are you really sure about this? I don't want to say yes if you'd change your mind..."

He blushed as Tiffany moved to crawl on top of him. Gingerly, and maybe a little cautiously, he reached out to place his hand on her cheek. Their eyes met, and his heart raced so fast that he thought it might leap out of his chest. "Tiffany, w-what are you--?"

"Showing you how sure I am. I've never been more sure of anything," Tiffany replied, her voice low and husky. "I want to marry you. I want us to be bound to each other forever. It's a simple yes or no answer, Orion," she leaned in closer, her lips brushing lightly against his as her hand traveled down to the hem of his shirt. "Do you want it, too?"

All of his resistance melted away. He knew there would only be one answer she'd ever accept. "Yes..."

---

Tiffany swallowed the lump in her throat as she stared at the bedroom door in front of her. She hadn't really thought of how she planned to tell Onyx and Amelia the news...

Hesitantly, she knocked and entered when she heard their inviting response.

Wasting no time, she skipped the greeting and sheepishly approached them. "I have to tell you something."

Amelia leaned against Onyx and smiled, not expecting it to be anything concerning. "Alright... what is it?" she asked. Onyx quietly waited for Tiffany to explain, but he got the feeling it was serious.

She took a deep breath. "So um... you know my... friend Orion? Well, I... he..."

"Is he okay?" Amelia interrupted. "Something didn't happen between you, I hope?"

"Well... actually, yes," Tiffany continued. "You see, we..."

"Did you have a fight?" Onyx frowned. "Don't worry. I'm sure you can work it out--"

Tiffany shook her head. "No, it wasn't a fight! I know I said he was just my friend, but the truth is... we're together. You know, like... in a relationship... and..." her voice trailed off as she noticed Onyx and Amelia's shocked expressions.

Amelia was the first to speak again, lighting up in a bright smile. "Really? Why didn't you tell us sooner!? What's he like? Does he treat you well? How long have you been together?"

Tiffany cringed as Amelia's excited questions continued to pour into her ears, and before long, Onyx had joined in. They stared expectantly at her for answers, yet barely even gave her time to speak. Without thinking, she interrupted them loudly. "We're getting married!"

She only cringed more when the two of them fell silent, and exchanged wide eyed glances before yelling in unison.

"WHAT!?"