30 July.

Awkward. The night was just awkward.

The vibe was off from the minute she saw his reflection in the mirror. Something was different. 

Awkward.

"I did a lot of thinking." He had been at Starbucks waiting for her to get off work. Sketching. And apparently, thinking.  

He meant that he'd been thinking about the future. His future. School. Career. All that.

She thought he meant something else. Their future. Thinking was never a good thing when it came to that. She thought wrong but thought nonetheless. 

Awkward. 

They walked into the apartment. It smelled like cat and wine. They were greeted. They sat. They ate. 

There was an uneasiness. Barely detectable. Situations with multiple couples were always strange. Pairs of people who'd rather be with each other than anyone else. 

Awkward. 

The conversation flowed. So did the wine. Then it turned. A shift. A change. He was instantly uncomfortable. She felt it. His posture, his face. Subtle changes. But she knew. 

Goodbyes were said and the door shut behind them. 

"Are you okay?" He really wondered. 

"I'm fine." She really meant it. 

The drive home was quiet. A pregnant silence lingered. As they pulled in front of her house it came to a head.

Things were said. He didn't like hearing about her party-filled past. She didn't like telling about it. But her friends did. And that's where they were at. Nothing she could really do. Nothing but apologize. 

The conversation lulled. She had to pee. They got out of the car. 

There was a half hearted hug. 

"I love you."

"Love you too."

"I'm sorry."

"For what? It's fine."

And then a pause. She looked down. He looked at her. Pause.

Awkward. 

She felt like crying. It was unexpected and unreasonable. But as she explained herself again the tears came. They welled up and she talked through them. Determined not to falter. But she did. She faltered. 

He tried to hug her. She told herself she didn't want it. Finally she took a step toward him. They hugged. It was nice. 

She said she was fine. And she really was. 

They said goodnight. She'd see him tomorrow. They both knew that. He'd look forward to it until then. 

She slipped the key into the lock. "I'm gonna marry you." She didn't even turn to see his reaction. So matter of fact. So certain.

"I'm gonna marry you." And he meant it.

And that was that. She went inside. He went home. The argument came and went but they stayed the same. 

She liked it like that. He did too.