Sunday arrived gently—sunlight laying soft ribbons of gold across Suzanne's room.
She stood in front of the mirror, smoothing her hair for the fifth time.
Her heart had been beating faster since morning.
Because today… Ryan said it was important.
When she stepped outside, he was already waiting by the gate.
His smile widened when he saw her.
"You look…" He paused, exhaled. "Beautiful."
She rolled her eyes, laughing. "Shut up."
"I'm serious," he murmured, scratching the back of his neck shyly.
A Place She Never Expected
Ryan led her across the old bridge near their neighborhood.
She'd walked past it a thousand times but never really noticed the narrow wooden pathway hidden behind the trees.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"You'll like it. Trust me."
After a few minutes, they reached a quiet riverbank, the water shimmering like scattered diamonds in the sun.
A soft breeze played with her hair.
"Wow…" she whispered.
"Yeah," Ryan said, watching her instead of the river. "Thought you might like someplace peaceful."
They sat down on the grass, near a patch of tiny white flowers.
Suzanne hugged her knees, feeling the calm seep into her bones.
"I didn't know this place even existed," she said.
"That's why I brought you. A secret spot for someone special."
She looked up sharply.
"Special?"
Ryan's ears turned red. "I mean—not like that—well, maybe like that—okay, forget I said anything—"
She burst out laughing.
"You're so adorable."
He covered his face with his hands.
"Please pretend that didn't happen."
When he uncovered his face, he held something small and white.
A tiny Polaroid camera.
"You didn't tell me you had one!"
"It's new," he said. "I want to start collecting moments. With the right person."
She felt her heart twist—but in the sweetest way.
"Come here," he said, lifting the camera.
She leaned in, and as he clicked the button, the shutter froze them in a perfect split-second.
The photo came out slowly.
Ryan shook it gently, waiting.
When the picture developed, he smiled like a child on his birthday.
"Suzane.… look."
She did.
It showed her and Ryan, shoulders touching, sunlight behind them, smiles soft and genuine—like they belonged together in that moment.
"It's perfect," she whispered.
"No," he said quietly, without looking away from her face. "You're perfect."
Her cheeks flushed.
"Ryan…"
"Sorry," he said, shaking his head. "I don't know what's happening to me. I just… I want to make you happy. Always."
She didn't know what to say.
So she didn't say anything.
Instead, she reached out and gently placed her hand over his.
His fingers curled around hers slowly, like he was afraid she might pull away.
She didn't.
They stayed like that, hands intertwined, until the warmth became a conversation of its own.
Ryan inhaled deeply.
"Suzanne… there's something I've been wanting to ask you."
Her breath stopped.
"Ask me?" she whispered.
"Yeah. But…" He looked away, nervous. "I don't know if it's the right time."
"Ryan…"
He looked back into her eyes.
And for a second, she felt the world hold perfectly still.
But then—her phone buzzed.
A message from her mom.
"I—I have to go home soon," she said softly.
"Okay," he nodded, but the hesitation lingered. "Then… next time. I'll ask you next time."
"Promise?"
He smiled faintly. "Promise."
As they walked back, Suzanne secretly peeked at the Polaroid in Ryan's hand.
He guarded it like something priceless.
And that's when it happened:
He whispered to himself, almost too quiet for her to hear—
"I hope she'll say yes."
Her heart thudded so hard she nearly stopped walking.
Yes… to what?
She didn't know.