The Quiet Was Final

"Except this time, I'm one step ahead of you."

He flipped open the box, and there it was, a silver-white necklace with a pendant that was understated yet chic. It was totally my vibe.

"Our one-month," he said, a smile playing on his lips, his tone all warm and fuzzy.

I blinked, caught off guard, and stepped back a little. "This... You didn't have to."

"Why not?" He closed the gap between us, his voice a soft rumble as he said, "Imagine us at tomorrow's class party, rocking matching necklaces. It'll look awesome. Let's show them we're an item."

I parted my lips, words teetering on the edge.

He caught my hesitation and let out a chuckle. "I get it. I can't splash out on something fancy... It's just a token. You won't hold it against me, right?"

He paused, his words hanging like a vow in the air. "One day, I'll get you the real deal."

Before I could protest, he slipped behind me and clasped the necklace around my neck, his fingers lightly brushing my collarbone.

I looked down, my silence heavy.

A bitter taste crept up from the pit of my stomach.

'Eric, there's no one day for us,' I thought.

…

At the party the next day.

Eric tugged me inside, and the place was already buzzing like a hive.

"Look who finally showed up!" someone called out as they spotted our matching couple's necklaces.

"Seriously? Rubbing it in our faces with all this lovey-dovey stuff is just cruel to us single peeps!"

Another classmate, laughing, banged on the table. "Tessa's got game, snagging a hottie like Eric! Half the girls at school couldn't get him to glance their way."

"And it's not just Eric being a looker. Tessa's the whole package: a brainiac and a total babe. They're like the perfect power couple!" my bestie said with a giggle.

The room buzzed with excitement, and someone shouted, "Let's see a kiss! You can't walk away without showing a little love in public, can you?'"

Eric, grinning that easy grin of his, slung an arm around my shoulders. "A kiss for your viewing pleasure? Dream on!"

"Oh, come on, don't be bashful!"

"Just one little kiss to make it official!"

The chants for a kiss echoed around us.

I looked down, forcing a smile.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Jocelyn Graham's face twisted in a scowl.

She bit her lip, eyes fixed on us, and then made her escape. "I need to hit the restroom."

Eric, who had been pretending not to notice her, was quick to follow.

I slipped out of the room and down the hall to a little side balcony, and there they were. Jocelyn, standing with a storm brewing on her face, and Eric, who had followed her out.

"You just had to flaunt your romance in front of me, huh?" Jocelyn's voice was icy, but I could hear the hurt she could not quite hide. "You two are wearing matching necklaces? Doesn't that just gross you out?"

Eric reached for her, his voice a low, soothing murmur as he said, "Haven't I explained it to you? It's all for show, to keep her off the trail, to keep things cool.

"The happier she is today, the more mortified she'll be tomorrow."

He paused, then said, reassuringly, "Anyway, what's a cheap necklace worth, really?"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box, extending it toward her with a meaningful look. "This is what really matters," he said.

I was hidden in the shadows, but I could see the logo on the box as clear as day.

It was that international brand's limited-edition promise ring.

One per person, for life: a symbol of a once-in-a-lifetime commitment.

Eric had it all wrong.

I was not unprepared for our one-month anniversary. I had scrimped and saved and ordered the very same ring to surprise him last night.

However, I never got the chance to give it to him.

Then, he was giving that ring, our ring, to Jocelyn.