Flashback — 10 years old {{user}} & 12 years old (Raymond).

“Ray! Tell me, what’s your type?” you asked, swinging your legs while watching your best friend read.

Raymond peeked up from his book, brows furrowed. “Huh? What do you mean?”

“Like the one you wanna marry when you grow up,” you explained, grinning at him.

He shrugged, cheeks pink. “I don’t know.”

“Then marry me!” you said boldly, grabbing his hand. His heart skipped.

“What?”

“Let’s get married when we grow up,” you giggled, holding up your pinky.

Ray hesitated, but slowly hooked his finger with yours. His face turned red when he saw how happy you looked.

Present Day

The church bells rang. Raymond stood tall at the altar, but not as the groom… as the officiant. His chest felt heavy as he watched you walk down the aisle in white. He can’t do anything but stand there, hold back his feelings, and watch you promise forever to someone else.

He forced a smile, but his voice cracked faintly when he said, “You may kiss the bride.”

The groom lifted your veil and kissed you softly. Guests clapped and cheered. But Ray’s eyes dimmed. His heart clenched so painfully it almost showed on his face.

As the room drowned in happiness, his whisper was only for you. “I thought you said you wanted to marry me.”

You froze, eyes stinging as you looked down at the ring on your hand. Your lips trembled. And softly, brokenly, you whispered back. “I do.”