38. Decisions

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Danny asked, for the umpteenth time.

After our phone call, I had decided to go to the graduation. I didn't see any harm in going to it and it was a sweet request from Liam and Julie had mentioned something like this, a long time ago, graduating together like in high school. Whilst it won't be together, I could still visit it. Only a visit. It won't be so awful.

Whilst I thought it wasn't going to be the worst thing in the world, Danny felt the opposite.

Ever since he picked me up from my house, every so often he was asking if I was sure about this, to the point I had lost count.

I turned towards Danny, who just had a concerned expression on his face.

"Yes, Danny. I'll be fine. It's just a graduation, I've had one of my own already," I told him.

Unfortunately, this just made him frown more. I'm so sure he was going to develop some early wrinkles, either because of me or Sara.

"You know that's not what I was asking, but fine. If you're sure, then let's go," he said.

We managed to find some really cheap flight tickets, since neither Danny or I wanted to drive all the way. It would've been way too long of a journey. The flight was only an hour and a bit long. Besides, we were only here for a day.

Everything seemed to be timed well enough, that Danny and I reached by the time the actual graduation ceremony was over and it was the reception that was left, with most people just taking pictures during this time.

I could see all the graduates, dressed in their gowns with wide grins on their faces. It immediately made me smile, remembering my own ceremony.

Danny and I walked towards the grassy lawn of the venue, where we saw most of the graduates talking and talking pictures, hoping that Liam and Julie were somewhere amongst the crowd.

Liam had no clue that I was coming. I thought it would be fun to surprise him as well. Although, in hindsight this may have been a mistake, since he'd have no clue Danny and I were here. If they left, this would've been a bit pointless.

Finally, sifting through all the people, I finally saw him.

I halted in my steps, with Danny stopping as well, probably noticing my frozen posture.

Liam was stood not too far from me, dressed in a grey suit, conversing with Julie and her Mum. He had his arm around Julie's waist, he looked...happy.

I felt a hand intertwined with mine, giving it a small squeeze. I looked up to see Danny smiling at me and I just smiled back. I know he was worried but I was fine.

As began to walked towards them, I noticed Liam's posture change. He began to look around, his eyes drifting to the crowded, looking and seeking.

Then suddenly, his eyes landed on me and a wide grin came across his face.

He began to take big strides in my direction and as soon as I stepped towards him, without warning, Liam just engulfed me into a big hug, his arms wrapping around my waist.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, a little worried I'd fall.

"I knew you'd come," Liam mumbled into my hair.

Just as I was about to reply, I felt my feet leave the ground, as I hoisted up. Liam began to spin me around and I just laughed.

"Put me down, you idiot. I'm going to fall," I said, in between my laughter. I'm not even sure it sounded like words.

"I wouldn't let you," Liam chuckled, before he finally set me down and pulled away from me, huge grins plastered on both our faces.

Before either one of us could say another word, I could see Julie move towards us, a wide smile on her face.

"Rena! You're here," she said, enthusiastically.

I smiled at her and pulled her into a hug. "Congratulations, you little genius. I'm so proud of you," I said, as I hugged her tight and she let out a giggle at my words.

When we pulled away from each other, the smile remained on her face. "I'm so happy you're here, Rena. This is such wonderful surprise. Thank you," she said.

"You're welcome," I told her, before I glanced at Liam and he gave me a nod.

"Congratulations, Julie." Danny said, now standing beside me. I nearly laughed when she gave him a hug as well and the look on his face was just pure shock.

I then hugged Julie's Mum, who just looked so proud of her daughter.

"I'm so happy you're here," Julie beamed at me.

Honestly, I didn't think that it would be that great of a surprise for her, but I guess it really was unexpected.

Just I was about to say something, another girl's voice interrupted us. "Hey, Julie. Come on, we need pictures," she said, before pulling Julie away, as she muttered an apology to us.

We just laughed at the sight, whilst Julie's Mum followed her.

"Thank you for coming," Liam said and I smiled at him. "I had a feeling you'd come, but appreciate the surprise nonetheless. I'm so glad you're here."

***

For a while, we all stayed at the venue. Taking some pictures with Julie, even grabbed some ice cream too.

We stood in the garden area, talking and eating ice cream, when suddenly Liam asked if he could talk to me privately for a moment.

I nodded, both of us excusing ourselves from the group. I didn't miss Danny's annoyed look at being left alone, but I smiled apologetically, hoping he would be left along for too long.

We walked slowly on a path, before stopping by a tree and leaning against it.

"Are you okay?" I asked Liam.

I was confused why he'd want to talk to me separately right now, but also, he looked a little fidgety. That was one of his giveaways that something was up.

"Yeah, I just wanted to thank you," he replied.

"For what?" I asked, my face scrunching up a little.

"Just, for coming here, the surprise of it all," Liam said.

"I took a flight, Liam. It's not that big of a deal," I told him.

He shook his head, a strand of his brown hair coming over his forehead.

"It is. And thank you," he said.

"It's not. But if it makes you feel better, you're welcome," I smiled.

He let out a chuckle at my words, but I could still see the way he looked a little on edge. Liam was fidgety and I wondered what had him this way.

Leaning against the tree next to us, Liam looked out to the view of the cathedral. I raised a brow at him, before doing the same, leaning against the tree too, my arm brushing his.

"What's up, Liam? You're being kind of weird. Well, more than usual," I just as to ask him now, refusing to wait for him to tell me...if he was even going to tell me.

"Do you ever feel a little...scared, before making a decision?" Liam asked.

That's a weird and random question.

"Sometimes. I feel anxiety, depending on the decision. If it is a big one, then I tend to overthink. I'll think about everything that would come after I make the decision. If it's more positive, then I'll happy take the next step, but if I think about more bad stuff, then I'll step back and think if I really need to take the decision," I explained.

My ability to overthink something works well or it just get too much, but I still always do it.

"That makes sense," Liam replied, nodding his head.

"Are you about to make a big decision?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yes. I'm just nervous about making it."

I smiled at him. "Well then, think about it," I told him. "Stand in front of me."

Liam pushed himself off the tree and stood in front of me, his tall figure blocking my view of everything else.

"Breathe, Liam. Take a deep breath," I told him.

He followed my words, taking a deep breath.

"Okay, now close your eyes and think about whatever it is you need to decide. Try to imagine everything that will come after you make the decision. Is it good? Is it worth following through?" I questioned him.

When I saw a faint smile come across his face, I could tell what his answer would be.

Liam opened his eyes, looking at me with a smile. "You make it sound so simple and easy. I was stressing and now, I just know. Thank you."

"It's just how my brain overthinks, but you're welcome. Glad I could help," I smiled, although still a little confused, since he hadn't actually told me what this was all about and I didn't want to pry much.

This just reminded me of the pep-talks I used to give him. There was even an instance where he once called me before his first exam. He was freaking out, whilst I laughed. But I did my best to motivate him.

Without warning, I was then pulled into a tight hug. My hands immediately went to his back, trying to steady myself from the surprise hug.

"Thank you, for everything," Liam mumbled into my hair.

I chuckled, patting his back. "It's alright," I replied.

After we broke apart, we headed back to the others. I could the way Liam began to fiddle with this suit jacket and I placed my hand on his arm.

"It's okay, Liam. You've got this," I smiled, reassuringly.

"You really think so?" He asked, turning his head towards me.

"Of course," I said and he nodded.

I really wondered what had got him so worked up, but just assumed it was something major and left it at that. If he wanted to tell me, he would've. But since he kept the details, I didn't want to push him. Maybe he'd tell me later.

***

"What took you guys so long?" Julie asked, as we approach the group.

Liam looked at me with a smile, before turning towards Julie. "Just catching up a little."

I could feel Danny's burning gaze at the side of my head. I slowly turned to him, to see his unhappy face. I tried to be cute and smiled innocently as I could, but he just narrowed his eyes and slowly shook his head. I'm definitely going to be hearing this.

"We should head back to the airport now," Danny said, loud enough for the rest of the group to hear us.

"Already. Please, at least have dinner with us?" Julie asked.

I gave her a polite smiled. "Sorry, Julie. We have to catch a flight back. Danny has to get back to studying and school, and I have to get back home as well," I told her.

Julie frowned a little, but then moved towards me and wrapped me up in a tight hug. "Thank you so much for coming. It meant a lot," she said and I laughed and hugged her back.

"I'm happy to be here," I told her, before we broke the hug.

I was just about to say goodbye to Julie's Mum, when Liam cleared his throat, causing all of us to look at him.

"What is it?" Julie asked, in confusion, when he just stood there a little awkwardly.

"Before Rena and Danny leave, I kind of need a moment," he said.

Liam stepped forward and then placed his hands on Julie's shoulders, turning her to face him directly.

Whilst he did that, I took a step back a little bewildered. When I looked at Danny, he had an impassive expression on his face, but to me, it seemed like he knew what was happening.

I was just confused.

But not for long...

I saw the way Liam took a deep breath, closing his eyes momentarily, before opening them to look at Julie. She just seemed like she was waiting on him to speak up.

Then he cleared his throat and finally spoke up.

"Julie, this whole day I've been nothing but proud of you. To be truly honest, I've always been proud. I've been proud that I'm able to hold your hand and call you my girlfriend, nothing makes me more happier," he said and Julie smiled.

My heart began to pound in my chest, to the point I could feel it in my ears. I had a strong feeling I knew where this was going. I knew what Liam's big decision was about. I just knew.

"Sometimes, I think of the first time I saw you. It wasn't that I've never seen a beautiful girl, but something about you just took my breath away. I wasn't able to look at anyone else, but you. It's now six years later and I still feel the same way," he said.

I could feel a hand placed in mine, it's hold tightening. I didn't look up. I didn't look elsewhere. I just continued to focus on the couple in front of me, unable to tear my eyes away.

"Honestly, I never thought I would be the guy that would end up having a high-school sweetheart," Liam chuckled. "But I'm so glad I did and that it's you."

I could faintly see Julie's eyes brimming with tears now, but still smiling through it.

When Liam then took a hold of her hand, I felt this overwhelming feeling come over me. I kept my eye open, refusing to blink, because I knew there were teaks lurking somewhere there, ready to fall.

Then I saw Liam go down on one knee, whilst holding Julie's hand, and all I could do was look.

Liam took out a small, velvet box from his suit jacket pocket. He let go of Julie's hand, as he opened up the box to reveal a beautiful ring.

A green emerald sat in the middle of the silver band, a colour seemingly matching Julie's eyes, with smaller white diamonds on either side of it. I saw her tears beginning to spill and her hands coming up to face in shock.

"I'm in love with you, Julie. I'm so happy to have you in my life and now, I'm hoping you'll stay. Would you do me the honour of being my wife? Juliet Morris, will you marry me?" He finally asked her.

Suddenly, I felt...numb.

I was so convinced that I had grown out of those old feelings, I had moved on. And I did. But just seeing this proposal, I just...I didn't know how to react. I didn't know what to do. There was this ache within my chest, but it shouldn't been there. I didn't want it to be there.

When I heard Julie's response, her approval, I looked at the couple again. The way Liam grinned and took her hand, placing the ring on her finger and then pulling her into a hug. He swept her off her feet, spinning her around, as both their laughter and happiness filled the air.

I felt Danny's grip on my hand tighten and I squeezed back. When I turned towards him, I saw the apologetic look he had on his face, but I just smiled.

Looking up, I blinked away the stinging sensation in my eyes and I smiled. I had to. There was no reason to cry.

"Rena," I heard Liam say my name and I turned towards him, keeping the smiled on my face.

"I'm so happy for you both," I said, stepping towards Julie and giving her a tight hug.

When we parted from each other, I saw this unknown expression on her face, but just smiled at her, placed a hand against her cheek.

I then turned towards Liam, who quickly pulled me into a hug, lifting me from the ground slightly, to match his height.

"Congratulations," I whispered, squeezing my eyes shut whilst I hugged him back.

A second later, we broke apart and I made sure to keep smiling.

I watched as Julie's Mum gave both of them a hug, looking so happy.

"I've been a wreck all day. I had this ring in my pocket and it just kept me on edge," Liam joked.

"I'm surprised you even got the words out," Julie laughed, seemingly amused at Liam's relieved state.

"Me too," he replied.

Everything just made so much sense now, I felt like a complete idiot for not seeing it before. He loved her, it was only time before he proposed, now he had. It made sense.

"I'm sorry, Rena," Liam then looked at me. "I wanted to tell you about it, but then thought I might as well surprise you too. I only told my parents and Lily," he gestured towards Julie's Mum and grinned, whilst holding Julie close to him.

Whilst I continued to smile, I looked at Julie, who held an expression that puzzled me. There was this unknown look on her face that filled me with a weird kind of uncertainty.

"It definitely was a surprise," I told Liam.

He laughed  at my words, pulling Julie closer to his side and hugging her.

Never before had I realised the weight two words could carry. Two words, which formed a question, that could bring people one of the happiest moments of their lives. A great burden lies on those two words, as the weight of the future rests on them. It's a big decision.

However, you can never truly imagine all the outcomes of your decision.

There is always something left out.