As I started the next episode of The Carrie Diaries on Netflix, a knock came on my bedroom door.

"Busy!" I called out.

My door pushed open, and Bryce was standing there, a smirk on his face.

"This is what you call busy?"

He was wearing a pair of khaki pants and a red button-up flannel, his sleeves rolled up to his forearms.

I let out a laugh, pulling a pillow over my face. "Go away."

He climbed into bed next to me, nuzzling his face into my neck. "I'm taking you out."

"I'm in my pajamas."

"Well then I'm either taking you out in your pajamas or you better put something on. Either way is fine by me."

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

I glanced up at him, and he was just smiling at me, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"I hate you."

"Hurry up my love."

"Will I like it?"

"I certainly hope so."

"More than The Carrie Diaries? Because I doubt it."

"I'm going to go ahead and go out on a limb here and say yes."

"I don't believe you."

He just chuckled. "You're wasting time."

I pulled myself up out of bed, casting him a look before trudging over my to closet.

I decided on a teal romper with an Aztec type print, along with a pair of wedges with a teal strap and a brown wedge.

I let my hair down from my messy bun, applying some makeup and then accentuating my curls with my curling wand.

Bryce watched in fascination, always curious when I did my makeup.

"I don't understand," he mused. "Why do you outline your lips before you put on the lipstick?"

"It helps with a smoother finish."

"So confusing."

I just chuckled, turning to face him. "Well are we going to do this then?"

An excited smile lit up his face. "Yes!"

We headed downstairs, where there was a vase of wild flowers sitting on my counter.

"I brought those for you," Bryce said, with a boyish smile.

"They're gorgeous."

"Are you guys headed out?" mom asked me, with an excited smile.

"Why do you know where we're going?" I questioned.

"I don't."

"You lie."

"Have fun."

I gave Bryce a look, and he just smiled at me, that stupid smile.

I swiped my keys off the counter, leading Bryce out to my car.

"You'll have to tell me where we're going so I can drive us there," I reminded him.

"I'll have to tell you where to turn and when, but I don't need to tell you the destination," he declined, with a smirk.

I let out an annoyed sigh, to which Bryce just laughed.

I drove to the destination completely blind, Bryce instructing me where to go as he fiddled with the radio.

"Am I going to like it?" I asked him.

"I sure do hope so."

"Was this like a spur of the moment thing?"

He shook his head, glancing up at me. "This was our 3-year anniversary date."

I couldn't help but bite back my smile. "Bryce, you didn't have to do this."

"I did," he argued. "I loved spending our anniversary together, but I want to take you out on a proper date. One where I didn't just get out of the ER and I'm not feeling like complete shit."

"Well did you drink plenty of water?"

"I'm probably like 90% water."

I rolled my eyes, causing him to crack up again.

"Okay, turn here. And then we'll practically be there."

"Where in the world are you taking me?" I asked, with a laugh.

His smile just widened.

But I turned down the road he instructed me to, the excitement building in my chest.

I'd been curious as to our surprise date for over a week now. And I couldn't get any of my family members, or Kylie, to break. Not even after it'd been cancelled.

I parked in the parking lot of what looked to be a warehouse.

"Is this like a Footloose thing?" I asked, glancing over at him. "Are you going to swing from the chains and the abandoned machinery and put on a show for me?"

"Kinky, but no."

I laughed as I stepped out of the car, Bryce wrapping his hand around mine as he led me down to the docks that sat upon the river.

There was a guy waiting on the bank, and he began waving us down.

"That's our guy," Bryce whispered to me.

"We have a guy?" I whispered back.

"Yeah, and I think that's him."

"Well that's encouraging."

We made our way down to him.

"Mr. Harrison?" the guy asked.

Bryce nodded, shaking hands with him.

"Thanks for rescheduling," Bryce said, with an easygoing smile.

"No problem, no problem," the guy promised. "Come, follow me."

"Are we going to swim down the river?" I guessed.

Bryce raised his eyebrows at me, and this time I dissolved into laughter.

"Did you rent a boat?" I guessed.

"Something like that."

The curiosity was killing me.

And then I saw it.

There, sitting in the water, was a little gondola. It had a covering, with a seated bench, and inside was a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of roses.

"What did you do?" I asked, turning to face Bryce.

"Me?"

I came to a complete stop, staring at the gondola before us. "Bryce."

"Sophie."

"You did this for our anniversary?"

"Well now it's just a date, since our anniversary was last week."

I wrapped my arms around his neck, giving him the kiss that he deserved. "You're such a romantic."

"I'm going to take it that you like it?" he asked, a bit breathlessly from the kiss.

"I love it," I said, with a smile. "I can't believe you did this."

"I just wanted to do something special for you."

The gondola man asked if we were ready, and I nodded, still in shock.

Bryce stepped down first, offering his hand up to me.

I stepped down onto the gondola, taking a seat on the bench next to Bryce.

"Champagne?" I asked, with a laugh.

"Well you don't have to get drunk," he reasoned. "But there's no reason not to enjoy the night."

He poured me a glass, and I took a sip, letting out a small sigh.

"This is perfect," I said, resting my chin on his shoulder.

He wrapped his arm around my lower waist, bringing me closer to him.

The cool, evening air whipped through my hair, and I closed my eyes, taking it all in as we coasted down the river.

"I'm glad you like it," Bryce said.

I reopened my eyes, staring into his ice blue ones. "I couldn't imagine anything better."

"And I haven't even given you your present yet."

I raised my eyebrows at him. "Present?"

"Your anniversary present."

"We've never exchanged anniversary presents," I reminded him. "And I didn't get you anything. So you can't give me a present."

"Too late."

"No."

A smile played on his lips. "You don't have to get me anything."

"That's the cliché line for the person that's already bought the gift. Damn you Bryce, that's playing dirty. You should've told me you were doing gifts this year."

Bryce just took a sip of his champagne, a smile dancing on his lips. He was clearly enjoying this way too much.

I picked up a rose out of the vase, playing with the petals on the flower.

Roses weren't my favorite type of flower. They were too cliché. But Bryce loved the clichés, so it didn't surprise me that these are the types of flowers that he chose for our anniversary.

"You got me flowers already," I reminded him. "Wild flowers."

"I can't come to your house and not bring you flowers," he pointed out.

I couldn't help my growing smile. "Why are you such a romantic?"

"I can't help it but be one for you."

"Why do you have to say things like that?"

"Because I love you."

I shook my head, tilting my chin up as he leaned in for a kiss.

Three year anniversary or not, this was absolutely perfect.

"So are you ready to accept your gift?" Bryce asked me, reaching out and curling a piece of loose hair behind my ear.

"I suppose I'm not really going to get a choice in the matter."

"Not really."

I reached over and put the rose back in the vase. "I hope you didn't spend too much money on me."

He reached into his pocket, producing a slim box.

I felt my heart pick up in my chest.

Was he going to propose to me?

I wasn't ready to be engaged. I'm only 17, I still had to finish high school and I had so many decisions yet to make. And I knew that I wanted Bryce Harrison in my future, but to be engaged so early was too terrifying for me to even begin to comprehend.

Oh my God he was going to propose to me.

And then Bryce opened up the box.

Inside was a ring, but it didn't look to be an engagement ring.

"Sophie Allen," Bryce said, his eyes boring into mine. "I promise to love you forever and always."

It's a promise ring.

"And I know that these past few months have sent us to hell and back, but when you look at this ring, I hope it reminds you of my promise to never stop loving you."

I reached up and wiped the tear off of my cheek, the moment a little too overwhelming for me to handle.

"Now would be a good time to say something," Bryce said, quietly.

That's when I saw the fear on his face.

I couldn't help but break out into a smile. "I love you."

A relieved smile spread across his face. "Thank God."

I couldn't help but laugh, holding out my left hand as he slid the ring onto it.

"How'd you know my ring size?"

"Your mom."

Of course.

"And no, that's not a tasteless joke," he added. "I really did ask your mom."

I chuckled, pressing my forehead against his. "I love you."

"I love you too."

I glanced down at the promise ring that now sat on my finger. It was in the shape of an infinity sign, encrusted with diamonds.

"You spent too much on me."

"I want this to symbolize my undying love for you," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"You're hopeless."

He laughed, tilting my head up and lightly pressing his lips against mine. "It's true," he said, his voice ringing with sincerity. "Everything I said was true. I will always love you."

"Bryce-" I started, afraid of where this conversation was headed.

"Just let me say this? Please?"

I slowly nodded.

"Even if I'm not around to physically tell you anymore, just remember that okay?" he asked, quietly.

"You're not going to die on me Bryce Harrison."

"I sure hope not," he said, with a half-smile. "But I just needed to say that. Out loud."

I took his hand in mine, my ring pressing against his fingers. "You promised me. This promise isn't only to never stop loving me, but that one day you'll come through and actually marry me too. You do know that, right?"

A full-blown smile spread across Bryce's face. "I'm aware."

"Good. Then I'm going to hold you to that. Which means you can't die."

"Yes ma'am."

I reached over, taking another sip of my champagne before glancing back down at the ring that now sat upon my finger.

A commitment, not only in words but in the physical form of a promise ring now too.

I glanced back up at Bryce.

"Having second thoughts?" he teased.

"I just realized something."

He raised his eyebrows at me.

"We're going to need to get you one too."

~*~

"It's so adorable," Kylie gushed.

"I know," I gushed, bringing the ring up so I could admire it for myself.

"I bet he had his mom help him."

"Do you think?"

"There's no way he picked that out himself," Kylie dismissed. "Or maybe his sister?"

"I don't know," I admitted. "We didn't really talk about who helped him pick out the ring."

Steven came into the room, his eyebrows rising at us. "Ring?" He stared at me. "You got engaged to Harrison?"

"Promise ring," I corrected.

He made a retching sound. "You two make me sick."

"Don't be jealous," Kylie dismissed. "It's highly unattractive."

"So that means that you find me attractive."

"Not remotely kid. Did you finish setting up the Art room?"

Steven nodded, taking a seat in one of the chairs.

I exchanged glances with Kylie. Not even a single smart remark.

"Okay," Kylie said, knitting her eyebrows together. "Well that's good then."

Steven didn't comment any further, glancing down at his phone in silence.

"Maybe you hurt his feelings," I whispered.

"I tell him that on a daily basis," Kylie whispered back.

"Why are you two whispering about me while I'm sitting right here?" Steven whispered, glancing up at us. "Just because I'm texting that doesn't mean that I can't hear you."

"Well why are you acting all weird?" I asked him.

"I'm not."

"You didn't say anything sarcastic," Kylie pointed out. "We know you Anderson."

"Maybe I just didn't have anything to say."

We both scoffed at that.

"You know what? Why don't you both fuck off? Because it's neither one of your business."

"Well damn," Kylie huffed. "That's we get for caring."

I just rolled my eyes. "Cool it. We were just trying to help Steven, but if you'd rather brood in silence, that's your business."

He nodded, his gaze dropping back down to his phone.

I raised my eyebrows at Kylie.

Not my business she mouthed, before hopping up on one of the side tables.

"So did you love your date though?" Kylie asked me. "Wasn't it the cutest thing?"

"It was," I gushed. "I can't believe you didn't tell me!"

"I wasn't going to ruin the surprise," Kylie defended. "But he rented a private gondola and everything, I was so impressed."

"Why did he tell you?"

"For my opinion of course, I'm your best friend."

"He's my boyfriend," I pointed out. "He knows what I like."

"He was nervous," she defended. "He wanted everything to be perfect."

I couldn't help but smile.

"If you two could stop gushing about Harrison?" Steven asked, glancing up from his phone. "It's honestly sickening."

"Then leave," Kylie suggested.

And Steven did just that, letting the door slam behind him.

"Thanks," I said to Kylie.

"You have to admit that he was pissing you off too."

"Something's wrong with him."

"Something's always wrong with him."

I rolled my eyes, leaving Kylie to go and find Steven.

He was in the Art room, lying on one of the couches as he stared at the ceiling, his phone playing across the speakers.

"I left so I wouldn't have to hear you incessantly talk about your boyfriend," he reminded me.

"I'm not here to talk about Bryce," I declined, letting the door close behind me.

I reached over and turned down the music.

"So you follow me when I'm trying to get away from you, and then you touch my music?"

"What's wrong?" I asked, lying down on the couch opposite of his, staring at the ceiling.

"The fuck are talking about?"

"You have such a dirty mouth," I said, glancing over at him. "We really need to start a Swear Jar or something."

He rolled his eyes.

"If you could cut back on the cursing," I suggested. "And I'm just here to talk, because you're acting really strange, even for you."

"I don't need your therapy, but thanks."

"I'm just trying to be your friend."

"I don't need your friendship."

We lied in silence for a few minutes, Steven's music the only thing filling the void.

"I don't want to play in Florida," Steven admitted.

I glanced over at him in surprise. "The Florida tournament?"

"Yeah."

That's supposed to be a pretty big tournament. Bryce was even going to play on Chemo, which had been a pretty big argument between him and his mom.

But it was a pretty high-profile tournament, with some pretty well-known college scouts.

"Why not?" I questioned.

He didn't answer me for a few minutes.

I was pretty sure he wasn't going to answer me at all.

And when he finally did, it was so low that I almost didn't hear him.

"Because my dad won't be there."

I felt a piece of my heart break for him.

Steven hadn't spoken about his dad since he'd come back to work, since he'd started hanging out with us.

Or, more like we'd forced him to hang out with us.

I was silent as I tried to formulate my thoughts.

I still had two living parents, so sympathizing with Steven wouldn't work. He'd probably just shut me out.

"Your dad loved watching you play," I reminded him.

Steven was silent, but I heard him suck in a deep breath, as though I'd punched him in the gut.

"I don't think he'd want you to give it up just for him," I continued. "It's different if you don't want to play anymore because you've truly lost interest or passion, but if you don't want to play because of him, well I don't know that he'd appreciate that so much."

Steven was silent.

"Watching you play brought him joy," I reminded him. "Even at the end."

And then we both fell into a long lapse of silence.

"It just won't be the same," Steven said, in a small voice.

I wasn't used to Steven being so vulnerable, and it kind of threw me a bit.

"No," I admitted, as I continued to stare at the ceiling. "No it won't."

He took in a ragged breath, as though he wasn't ready for me to confirm his fears.

"But you'll still have us," I pointed out. "I'll be there. And Bryce will be there, though he'll be opposing you. But we'll still have your back."

Steven let out a bit of a listless laugh.

"Is your mom going?"

"If I go," he said, in a bit of a dull voice.

"Then don't think that you won't have people there supporting you," I said, glancing over at him again. "People there to pick you back up."

He was still staring at the ceiling, but I could see the tears bright in his eyes.

He was just a kid. And he'd lost his hero, the guy he'd looked up to the most.

I couldn't imagine the pain it must've taken on him both physically and emotionally.

And then I heard the sound of kids out in the hallway, signaling that it was time to start our actual jobs.

"Why don't you take a few minutes?" I suggested, standing up.

He didn't even bother to answer.

I reached out, squeezing his upper arm, taking him by surprise.

He glanced over at me, his eyes wide.

"And for the record, your crapville Tigers could really give the Highlander Eagles a run for their money in Florida."

Steven's lips twisted into a half-smile. "With me on the mound, I think we're guaranteed a win."

I couldn't help but laugh. "A little cocky there aren't we?"

He sat up, rubbing his eyes for a few moments. "Please, the Highlander Eagles?" He flashed me a bright smile. "I could take them any day."

"So is that a challenge?"

"I guess we'll have to see."