~Brian’s point of view~
“Ya know, I feel bad for Kevin,” I said the next day. “You took his romantic interest.”
Nick smiled knowingly and just nodded over my shoulder. I turned around to see Carmen. "I'm pretty sure he's okay..."
“Like I said, I like the tall, dark, and handsome,” she smiled, an arm around Kevin.
“Hey, guys. All packed?” Kevin asked. He still had another month of working on the boat.
“Yup,” I said. The boat docked at three. Kevin and Carmen sat nearby and started talking. I turned back to Nick. “Well, our gang has certainly changed. Cassie’s out, you and Michelle are together…”
Nick laughed. “I think it changed for the better. Where are they at? They were supposed to meet us here ten minutes ago…”
“Wow, you’ve finally learned the art of telling time, Nicky,” Michelle walked up.
“Did I say things have changed for the better?” Nick asked me. “Cuz I forgot about how much time I was gonna have to put up with her!”
She punched him playfully, and sat down next to him. August came and sat next to me.
“Can I open it now?” she was paying to much attention to Michelle to really notice me.
“What?” I asked.
“Hm… I suppose you’ve waited long enough,” Michelle laughed, ignoring me, and handing a bag to August.
“Wow, where’s my present?” Nick joked. August pulled something out of the bag. It was the ‘Happily Ever After’ picture frame. Inside was the picture of August and I kissing at the Cinderella Castle.
“You were there?” I asked.
“Hey, how’d you get past the Brian-radar?” Carmen demanded.
“Aww… thank you!” August said, giving Michelle a hug.
“No problem… thanks for the necklace…” Michelle told her. The three of them were wearing ‘Best Friends Forever’ necklaces.
“Here Brian… I uh… bought you this… can top!” Nick picked one off the ground.
“Oh, shut-up, Nick. You’re just jealous no one got you anything,” Michelle smiled.
“Nuh-uh. Guys don’t need to waste their money buying stuff.”
“Oh, okay, I guess I’ll go to my room and throw away what I got you the other day,” Michelle started to walk off. Nick went after her, grabbing her hand as they walked away.
August laughed, finally looking away from the picture. “I can’t believe I’m actually glad she has a picture taking obsession!”
“Yeah… I’m gonna have to get a copy of that,” I grinned. “Come on,” I stood up, and took her hand. We walked over to the rail. I was going to miss being able to look at the ocean so much.
“Look, dolphins,” August pointed into the distance, smiling.
“Here,” I pulled something out of my pocket. “Nick lied when he said guys don’t buy anything.”
Her eyes went wide. “Oh, Brian, you didn’t have to get me anything.”
“I know,” I smiled. “I wanted to.”
She opened the little box, revealing the ring that she’d seen and liked so much in the Magic Kingdom. It had a silver band with stars leading up to the blue stoned heart in the center.
I took the ring from her and slid it on her finger. “It’s beautiful,” August stared at it, and gave me a hug.
“I didn’t want you to forget me,” I told her.
“Don’t worry, that’s not likely.” That’s when she noticed the piece of paper at the bottom of the ring box.
“It’s just the lyrics to the song,” I smiled, my face going slightly red.
August smiled brighter than the sun that was shining down. “Thank you…” was all she could manage. She embraced me in a hug. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.”
“Well, the boat docks soon. What do you think will happen with us?” she asked.
I glanced down at her picture frame. “Don’t worry, August, I have a feeling that there’s a ‘Happily Ever After’ in our future.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Drowning
Frick's Fairytales