A Whole New Me

by J C Carter

  Once Ricky moved out there, I helped him choose an apartment in an area we both liked and even picked out most of the furniture. I also decided that when the time was right I would start looking for a job there. And luckily I was able to attend in person interviews with the places I applied to thanks to my rich and famous boyfriend. Though I made him agree to let me pay him back for all the plain tickets.

  I now have an internship at a not too big publishing company that I'm so excited for. The pay isn't great, but I'm contributing to our finances as much as possible.

  I guess the one other big change is the celebrity that comes with Ricky playing professional football. I was used to it on a smaller scale when he was still playing for the university. Now, everyone knows his face and everyone follows his games, because he's good, and he knows it. I can't tell you how proud I am.

  But, it's been an adjustment going to games in giant stadiums, attending fancy dinners, seeing my picture and name in the news. It's worth it though, because I know he's worked so hard to get here.

  And more than that, he supports me 100%. So I feel like today isn't just for me, but for us. Because I'm not sure I would have survived these last few years without his cheering me on.

  The ceremony is due to start in about two hours and Bronte and I are walking over together. They're holding it in the stadium and it's not too far from our apartment. She and I moved in together at the start of junior year, and it's been great. She's been my rock through everything and I thank whatever higher power exists for bumping into her that day.

  I make my way out into the living room and glance around, feeling some mixed emotions as I do. The place is nearly empty with just some stacked boxes scattered around. Our rooms look much the same. Tonight will be our last night here.

  I'm heading off to New York with Ricky, and Bronte is moving into Aaron's place. Aaron stayed in town after he graduated, he's getting his Master's in education. And Bronte has a job at an art studio downtown.

  We decided it would be good to get going to the stadium, so I text Ricky to let him know we're on our way. We stayed here last night after he got in from New York, but he left a little while ago to pick up my mom and sister from their hotel. They've been here for a few days helping me pack up and get everything in order for the move. After the ceremony the four of us are going out to celebrate.

  The place is already packed when we get there. Students and their families are everywhere, chatting and taking pictures. I told mom and Ricky we could do all that later, right now I just want to find my seat and try to relax. I'm so nervous about having to walk out on stage. I'm convinced I'm going to fall.

  Eventually it's time to get started. There are a bunch of speeches, the school marching band plays, and then they start calling names. This is the part that will literally take hours. There are thousands of undergraduates here today and they'll be calling every single name. And I'm somewhere in the middle. Ricky joked this morning that it was a good thing I didn't have his last name, then I'd be waiting even longer.

  I remember how long it took for his name to be called when he graduated, and I teased him about it, so I guess I deserved that.

  When my name is finally called, it feels like I'm in a daze. And if you ask me later what I felt during the whole experience, I'll probably have no clue what to say. Although I swear I can hear Ricky cheering when I turn my tassel. That makes me smile.

  * * *

  Four hours, that's how long it takes to get through all the names. Add in all the speeches, before and after and it's been almost six hours since the start of the ceremony. At this point I'm so ready to grab some dinner with my family.

  I find my mom, Ally, and Ricky standing at the edge of the field and I make my way over to them. Ricky grabs me up in a hug, swinging me around like a crazy person.

  "Put me down you lunatic, people are staring," I say, laughing and smacking at his back.

  "I'm so proud of you baby. You freaking did it and I can't wait to get you out to New York with me." He's wearing that adorable crooked smile that I love and my heart melts a little just looking at him.

  "I'm so proud of you Tessa," my mom says, pulling me in for a regular hug. "You really did it honey, the first to graduate from college."

  "And it'll be my turn next," Ally says, jumping into the conversation. She's in her sophomore year of college at a university pretty close to home. She's still living at home, but there's a pretty serious boyfriend in the picture, and I have a feeling she's going to be moving in with him very soon.

  * * *

  We made dinner reservations a week ago at a popular spot in town and the four of us are now seated around the table enjoying some good food. The conversation is great as always. That's one thing that never fails to make me smile, is the great relationship that Ricky has with my mom and sister. That was so important to me once we officially got together and he did not disappoint.

  My mom adores him and they talk fairly often. In fact, those two have been thick as thieves lately, and right now they're sharing quite the loaded look between them.

  "Alright, that's it. What's going on between the two of you? What are you hiding," I ask, narrowing my eyes and fixing Ricky with a glare.

  "What do you mean babe," he asks, trying to deflect my question. But I'm not having it.

  "Oh no you don't, loser," I say using my old nickname for him. It's the one I tend to use when I'm getting annoyed.

  "Tell me what's going on," I say, borderline demanding. And then my mom starts laughing, and I'm seriously concerned about her at that moment.

  When she turns to Ricky and says, "Well, she just wouldn't be our Tessa if she didn't force your hand a little bit."

  I'm more than a little confused right now, glancing at Ricky and seeing that he's got a slightly amused, slightly exasperated look on his face. While Ally looks just as confused as I do. I’m not surprised that she’s not in on whatever this is. She can’t keep a secret to save her life. Though she did manage to keep Ricky a secret from mom for quite awhile when we first started dating.

  “You’re right Celia. She just wouldn’t be Tessa without forcing me to do things her way,” he says with a wink, making me blush. And then he stands up from his chair at our four person table and comes around to stand in front of me.

  In my head I’m freaking the heck out, because I think maybe I know what he’s about to do. Though I refuse to get my hopes up. Before I can even question what exactly he is doing, he gets down on one knee and honestly the world goes a little fuzzy.

  Maybe it’s just me, but often times when big things happen in my life the memories end up a little hazy. Not because they aren’t important, but because everything usually boils down to one specific moment within that bigger event. Like when I went up on that stage to get my degree, all I really remember is shaking the Dean’s hand.

  And in this moment I know that the one specific thing I’ll remember is Ricky asking me that one specific question.

  “Tessa. My beautiful Diner Girl, (at this I absolutely roll my eyes) the girl who blew into my life and demanded exactly what she wanted. The girl who always has to have the last word, the one who keeps me on my toes, and always pushes me to be better. The girl I love more than anything or anyone else in the world. Will you please marry me,” he finishes in an almost whisper as if he’s afraid of what I’ll say.

  But he doesn’t need to be afraid, because this time I’m all in. We’ve been together for almost four years now, he knows me. He knows who I am, all my flaws and strengths. This man has seen me break down in tears as has been right beside me when I put myself back together. He’s been there for some of my best moments and many of my worsts.

  He’s my best friend. And though it took us awhile to figure out who we wanted to be together, we’re standing on solid ground now, and our future looks so bright.

  So, it’s with a full heart and happy tears in my eyes that I say, “Yes Ricky “Loser” Wilson, of course I’ll marry you.”

&n
bsp; And in that moment, in his eyes I can see it all. All of the things we want to do and be. The life that we both can’t wait to start living.

  The End

  About the Author

  My name is J.C.. I’m a 27 year old wife, mommy, book lover, and librarian. I have a deep love for books and an unhealthy obsession with iced tea. I can quote almost any Disney movie, Belle is my favorite Disney princess, and I live for Harry Potter. I enjoy reading New Adult Romance above anything else. I have one beautiful baby boy named Jace and 5 cats and 1 dog who are basically my world (along with hubby of course)! And when I’m not reading I enjoy writing, puzzling, trivia, and long walks with the hubs, baby boy, and dog!

  https://twitter.com/authorJC_Carter