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I was about to text Lila to prod her when she beat me to it,sending a hotel address and a taunting emoji.
"I'll leave the door open.Dare to come?"
"Girl,I'm not scared of you.I'll show up with Jake!Wanna meet your boyfriend,see who's got such bad taste?"
"Oh,right,a hotel date?Probably not serious,huh?And you're bragging to me?"
I feared she wouldn't keep Jake there long enough to make things ugly,so I kept provoking.
She took the bait,furious.
Her chat showed"typing"for ages but nothing was sent.
Feeling confident,I texted Ethan.
"Can you come help me out?"
"It's my birthday.I wanna propose to Jake.Can you get the gaming crew to set up the venue and witness our moment of happiness?"
Ethan replied after awhile."You sure?Decided?Not gonna date him for a little longer?"
"Maybe Jake's not..."He quickly deleted it,replacing it with,"Okay."
I exhaled.
I'd worried his kindness would ruin my plan.
"Don't tell everyone yet—I don't want the surprise to be spoiled."
"And please don't invite Lila.I really don't like her."
Ethan,confused but sympathetic,agreed.
He tagged a few in the group chat."Help me out tonight."
The group replied with a string of"sure"s.
He sent me a screenshot,confirming it was all set.
Time ticked by.
The closer to the closing in my trap,the more patient I grew.
Ethan asked several times for a when;I didn't reply.
Until Lila sent me a photo of a man's bare back,taunting,"Look familiar?"
"We're waiting for you!"
"You'll have an unforgettable birthday!"
With the gaming crew,bringing pre-bought proposal decorations including balloons and confetti and such,we headed to the hotel.
Lila,to enrage me,went all out.
In the hallway,her loud moans echoed.
The group exchanged looks,they mouthed,"No way."
In the face of gossip,everyone forgot why we were here in the first place.
They crept toward the sound with curiosity."Lila's got a boyfriend?Who's want her?"
"Let's not go.Awkward if we're caught."
"It's fine,just a peek to see who,then we leave."
They crowded the door,peering through the crack.
"This guy's voice sounds familiar."
"I've heard it before I think."
"You're right,me too."
Jostling,they accidentally pushed the door open.
The two in the room froze,yanking the blanket over themselves.
The group,embarrassed,started to back out.
No way I'd let that happen.
I screamed,rushing in,crying as I tore off the blanket."Jake,how's it you?"
"Don't hide—I know your voice!"
