So, when she asked for time, I didn’t really care. I was still chatting with other girls, keeping my options open, like nothing was serious. I was just pying around, and it wasn’t until ter that I realized how much I had messed up. But back then? I had no clue.

  A couple of days had passed since I proposed to Zara, and everything felt different. We didn’t talk like we used to, the way we’d share silly stories or talk te into the night. Things were starting to get quiet between us. She had told me she needed time, but honestly, I didn’t care that much. It was just another thing. Another girl. Another proposal.

  Then, one evening, my phone buzzed. It was Zara. She told me she had her answer. She would call me tonight.

  I’ll admit, I was pumped. I was like, “This is it, she’s gonna say yes!” I didn’t think much about how I was feeling, though. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was just too careless to know what I wanted or how to get it right.

  I messaged my friends, like I always did when something important happened. It was a group chat, so I knew they would get a kick out of it.

  Group Chat:

  Me: “Yo, Zara said she has her answer, and she’s calling me tonight.”

  Ryder: “Dude, did you even make her feel special? Or did you just throw your proposal out there like a Hail Mary?”

  Derek: “Haha, yeah, man, did you even try?You know, like… not being a mess?”

  Me: “I’m serious, guys, she’s gonna say yes. I feel it.”

  Kade: “Sure, buddy. You got this. Don’t blow it.”

  I sent the messages, but inside, I was a little nervous. Honestly, I wasn’t sure how it would go, but I had to act like I had everything together. I didn’t want to look like a fool.

  Then, a message popped up. It was from Zara again.

  Zara: “Hey, I have something for you. Can you pick it up from my friend? I’ll give you the answer after you get it.”

  I didn’t even think twice. I just said, “Alright, I’ll go get it,” and headed out the door to meet her friend. I had no idea what it was, but I didn’t care. I was just trying to get through this and get my answer.

  When I got to her friend, he handed me a small envelope. “Zara said you’d be here,” he said, and I just nodded, not realizing how important this moment was. I didn’t know that this guy would py a role in shaping everything that was about to happen.

  I didn’t know it then, but this guy was going to teach me some of the biggest lessons of my life. But for now, I was just focused on getting back to my phone.

  I texted Zara:

  Me: “Got it. What’s the deal? What’s your answer?”

  A few moments ter, my phone buzzed with her call.

  “Hey,” Zara’s voice came through. “I’ve got an answer for you. I like you, and yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.”

  I felt like I had won something. I didn’t care what it meant. I didn’t care about the future. It was just like—well, it was just another win. I thought that’s what I wanted, that’s what I deserved.

  But as I hung up, a part of me knew something wasn’t right. I was happy, sure, but there was still that feeling in the back of my mind. I was still the same careless kid who had no idea what love really was.

  And that’s where I was—careless, thinking everything was fine, even though I didn’t understand a thing