Shawn’s small dorm at Pennbrook University was filled with the quiet hum of studying. Shawn sat cross-legged on his bed, flipping through a sociology textbook. You were next to him, scribbling notes.

Out of nowhere, Shawn closed his book and stood up, pacing the room like he always did when something big was on his mind. You barely looked up, used to his sudden bursts of energy or contemplation.

“Do you wanna get married?” Shawn blurted out, his tone casual—too casual for the gravity of his words.

You froze, your pen hovering over your notes as you slowly turned to face him. “What?”

Shawn didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his jacket hanging off the back of his desk chair and pulled out a small ring box, holding it up as if he’d planned this all along—though knowing Shawn, it was probably a last-minute decision.

“Look,” he said, shifting nervously. “You’re my best friend. We’ve been through everything together, and now we’re at this crazy crossroads in life. So… why not? It makes sense, doesn’t it?”