2026
All night, I've been flashing back to it: "Will you marry me?"
With every fiber in my being, I want to ask the love of my life Bailey this question, but there's something holding me back every time I think about it: fear.
What if she says no? What if she doesn't want to move to New York with me? She doesn't even know I'm going to New York in a month.
For weeks, I have held myself back from asking her, even though I had already bought a ring. My best friend Gavin has tried and tried to convince me that it'll all end up okay, but I just can't bring myself to believe him.
I was rejected one time before. I don't know if my heart can stand being rejected again.
At that moment, my phone starts ringing.
It's Riley.
She starts talking before I even say a word.
"I know it's three in the morning, but I was up thinking, and I just had this feeling I should call you."
"Okay . . . What's up?"
"Propose to Bailey."
"Wh-what?" How did she know I was up at that exact moment thinking over this same issue? Furthermore, how did she know I was thinking about popping the question at all? I only told—
She interrupts my thoughts. "Gavin told me. Propose to Bailey. Don't be too late like you were with me."
I'm reminded of all the summers without her.
"If you had just told me your feelings a year earlier, it probably would've worked out. We probably would've worked out. Just ask her."
"But New York." Moving to New York is something I had told Riley about.
"She loves you. Don't worry over the details. Figure it out together."
"I still don't kno—"
"It only takes two seconds: 'Will you marry me?' Just do it Riley."
She hangs up.
I stay up all night thinking over Riley's words, and by 6 AM, I've made a decision. I'll do it.
If it hadn't of been for the incident with Riley back in our teens of me not telling her how I felt until I was 100 percent ready to, I honestly wouldn't even be dating Bailey.
You live and you learn.
I've learned that if you care about someone, tell them as soon as you realize it. If you have a crush on them, tell them. But most important of all, if you love them, don't let the opportunity to tell them so each and every day slip through your fingers.
Each day you don't is like a grain of sand that gets through the cracks. If you let too many fall, that person might not accept the few grains of sand you have left when you tell them. Love them and never stop. Stopping means those grains of sands will remain stuck in your pants for the rest of your life, with no way of escape. They will remain there when you meet a new person to love and a new bucket of sand is dumped into your palms. And they will uncomfortably weigh you down.
So tell them. It's three simple words.
- - - - - - - - - - T H E E N D - - - - - - - -
Thank you so much to everyone who has embarked on this journey of a book with me. I really enjoyed spending my summer writing Riley's story! While I didn't have many readers, the ones I did have were committed. I'd just like to name you guys below.
KevinaOyatedor Selene_the_Ravenclaw CookiePhoenix PrivateConversations clare2013
Thank you everyone! I'm glad there's people out there who actually read and enjoy what I write.
If you have enjoyed "Summers without Her," I have a similar short story on my profile that I think you'll like called "The Story of the Moon and the Sun."
Random side note: This story's ending aligns perfectly to when I'm transitioning into a new period of my life. I'm leaving for college in two days!
Adieu
<3 ash | 8.20.16
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