chapter thirty-seven ;

I recall all our fights, most of all, all the times you would lie in my arms. Now you're gone. There's a lot that you don't notice when you read between the lines. The future's out of focus, when you're blinded by the light. It's the hope for all the hopeless, in the worst of trying times. I resort to being speechless cause our love won't survive. Don't speak a word.

"Brent ... I ... don't know ... I ..."

He kneeled in front of me and it felt like no one else was around us. My eyes were fixated on his. I could feel his breath on my face. I watched his hand reach up to my cheek and my breath was shaky.

"I can't see myself with anyone but you."

"I don't know if I have an answer for you right now."

"We don't have to get married right away. We could be engaged for 50 years for all I care."

I chuckled slightly, "make that 25 years."

"Is that a yes?"

I nodded slightly, my butterflies were killing my stomach. He flips open a small black velvet box, and my heart stopped. There lied, a siliver, three diamond band. It was sparkling against the christmas lights on the three. The entire room grew still as he slid it over my knuckle and it sat there, perfectly. Like it belonged there. I couldn't imagine my hand without it now. I took in his presence for a mere second before I wrapped my arms around his neck, spontaneously bursting into tears. He pulled me away from his chest, we were both laughing for no reason before he kissed me. Our first kiss as an engaged couple. It felt right.

As I pressed my forehead against his, I saw Gabby at the corner of my eye. Furiously putting her boots on, giving me a final glare before she slammed the door shut.

"What's .. her problem?" Steeger slowly asked as his eyes shifted.

"She hates me, what do you think?" Brent sighed.

"Well, she's gunna have to get over it. It's a done deal." I deeply sigh this time. This wasn't how I was supposed to feel right now ...

I throw my coat on and head outside. I see Gabby sitting in a chair, staring into the banks of snow. I clear my throat and sit beside her. She won't even look at me.

"Gabby ..."

"I can't fucking believe you." She said it so quickly, but I could feel the anger in her words.

"Gab's, you know how I feel about him." I whispered. "It was bound to happen."

"Do you remember anything about those three months when he was gone? Anything?" She snapped, finally looking over at me. I didn't respond to her, causing her to roll her eyes. "How about the fucking time I broke into your room and seeing you slashing your wrist so deep I had to drive you to the hospital?" I started to tear up as she grabbed my wrist, exposing the scar. "Does he know why you have this? Does he?"

"Gabby, stop it. He doesn't have to know about that ..."

"Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me right now?" She screamed at me, causing my face to fluster.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!" I screamed back at her as the tears began to form. "You're putting me in a such a difficult spot right now."

"He has you brainwashed, you're the same anymore."

"He has not! What do you want me to do?"

She quickly ran her fingers through her hair before she bitterly stared at me, "I want him gone, Ally. He's a horrible person! He's a horrible, selfish, self-serving person. He only wanted you back cause Jon had you."

"No, he's not. He's made mistakes like we all have. You don't know him like I do."

"We've never had problems until he came around. Now that is has happened, I just can't be around you anymore. He's always with you now. I can't believe you took him back so easily."

"Well, that's too bad. He's gunna be around for a long time. I'm marrying him for god sake."

She stood up from her seat, sniffing back her tears. I could feel her eyes on me, but I kept mine on my toes. I was letting my best friend down. I was losing a friend over this. I just couldn't win anymore.

"I just want us to be okay." I whimpered as a few cold tears hit my face.

"It's not gunna be okay, until he's gone"