Well, maybe I growl it. It's hard to say for certain. But I can tell you this. I am fuming, smoke flying out of my ears, mad as I take the engagement ring off my finger, shove it into Phillip's hand, and march toward the stage. The march to the stage feels like it takes forever because there are a million thoughts running through my mind.
Did all these people come here because they really thought I'd say yes?
Or did they come for the fireworks of me saying no?
Do they wish us well?
Or hope to see us fail?
I reach the stage and tentatively walk out on it. One of the band members hands me a microphone, and I know I really need to say something to all these people.
Phillip and JJ sitting in a tree, K I S S I N G.
Great! Now I'm having flashbacks to when I was ten. As I survey the crowd, I see many of the friends who tortured me with those songs, except they're all grown up now. Well, sort of grown up, I half expect them to break out in song. Unfortunately, they are just standing there, staring at me.
I may die of embarrassment.
Actually, I wish it were possible to die of embarrassment then I could drop dead, and I wouldn't have to do what I am about to do.
Part of me wonders how in the world I got here to begin with. Phillip and I have been friends for a really long time and, all of a week ago, decided to have a real relationship, as opposed to the totally platonic one we've always had.
And well, it has been really incredible.
I mean, Phillip is incredible in ways I hadn't even imagined!
Okay, so I might have imagined a little.
Anyway, as of about 6 minutes ago, we were out on a romantic first date.
Then he had to go and blow the whole thing all to hell by asking me to marry him.
Can you believe that?
Me neither.
And if it isn't unbelievable enough that he asked me to marry him on our first date, he was so damned sure I'd say yes, he planned this huge, surprise engagement party.
Tonight. On our first date. Like, right now!
On stage, I shudder and mentally prepare myself for what I am about to do. I have to tell everyone who came here tonight that there is NO WAY I'm going to marry that boy!
I put the microphone up to my mouth and say, “Well it took me a little while, but I finally figured out this isn't a fund raiser.”
Laughter all around me.
“Now, I know you all came here tonight expecting to surprise me with an engagement party.” I pause for a minute. “Well, at least we got the surprised part right.” I chuckle.
Oh, I'm failing miserably up here. Just do it, JJ, get it over with.
“Actually, Phillip did ask me to marry him tonight. And I have to tell you all that, well, I said NO.”
The crowd sighs. I glance over at Phillip's mom. She looks like she's going to faint, but I continue. I'm in too deep to stop now.
“I told him that it's crazy. That this is our first real date, and God, what would people think?”
I try not to look at Phillip, but I do. He's standing very still, staring at my perfect ring, probably wondering how his magical plan went so astray.
But I go on, “So he told me he loves me, that he has always loved me and who cares what people think anyway? But I'm thinking, I do. So I say NO again.”
The crowd goes, aaahhh, and then is silent.
What am I doing? If I say no tonight will Phillip still date me, or will he give up on me forever? And what in the world would I do without him?
Just as my life about blows up in my face, I spot Danny and Lori in the crowd and something very important clicks in the back of my mind. I flashback to the conversation Phillip and I had after their engagement.
He asked me if I'd ever want to be surprised in front of a whole bunch of people.
Didn't he?
And I told him yes.
Didn't I?
Because I thought it would be so cool to know a guy planned all of it for me.
MY GOD, I asked for this!
He did it all for me.
ALL OF IT .
The spa, the dress, the limo, the charms, the ring, the party. He did it because it's what he thought I wanted.
I look at Phillip again and melt. He's still my Phillip, my handsome prince. He still loves football, and cars, and darts and well, me.
So I decide.
For good this time.
What's my mantra?
Say it with me now!
What the hell!!!!
I continue speaking to the crowd, “But then, Phillip reminded me of something that happened so long ago, I had completely forgotten it.”
I start to get tears in my eyes.
“He reminded me of when we were ten, and he gave me my first kiss. We were on the swings out behind school, and right after he kissed me, he got up and ran away. Then all of a sudden, he stopped, turned around and yelled back, Will you marry me someday? I smile big at everyone as I remember this and tears start streaming down my face.
“And I yelled back to him, YES! And so he said that if people ask, I could tell them that we've been secretly engaged for the past twelve years. And so,” I close my eyes for a second and think, here goes nothing, open them and look straight at Phillip, “you will probably all think I am very crazy, but I had to say YES again tonight!”
Everyone screams and laughs and claps.
Phillip looks up at me, smiles a huge smile, runs, and leaps up onto the stage with me. I wrap my arms around his neck and give him a really big kiss because I know in my heart that I've just made the very best decision of my entire life.
Phillip grabs my left hand and holds it out, so everyone can watch him put the ring back on my finger, where it definitely belongs!
He smiles at me and says, “Princess, don't ever take that off again.”
I kiss that boy, then say very seriously, “You know, if you want to be my husband, you've really gotta stop being so bossy.”
About the Author:
Like Jadyn, Jillian Dodd has drank from a keg in a cornfield, did attend the University of Nebraska, and once spent half a day walking beans.
Unlike Jadyn, she does know all the words to Dear Old Nebraska U.
She currently resides in Texas with her family, where she is working on the sequel to That Boy.
A portion of the proceeds from this e-book will be donated to the following organizations:
The University of Nebraska Foundation
Make-A-Wish Foundation (in honor of Chi Omega Sorority)