Everyone turned.
Scarlett was already stepping forward.
Her face was flushed with determination. Her heartbeat thumped in her chest like a drum, her hands clutching the small white flower Bella had plucked for her.
Zion blinked, confused, sitting on the log with a blanket over his lap. "Scar...?"
Scarlett inhaled sharply and pushed her hair behind her ears, and then, before anyone could blink, she dropped to one knee.
On the soft grass, under the glowing string lights, right in front of Zion.
"WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING, SCAR?!" Jason shrieked so loudly that even the birds sleeping in nearby trees flapped awake.
Dominique choked on his drink. Jay froze mid-bite of a roasted marshmallow. Jace held his breath. Casper whispered, "Oh my god, she is proposing to Zion."
But Scarlett did not look at any of them.
Her eyes were fixed only on Zion, the calm, gentle giant who had taken care of her nausea, her candies, her pillows, her storms.
Zion stared at her with wide, stunned eyes, his hands dropping limply on his knees, his chest rising and falling as if he had forgotten how to breathe.
The entire campsite went utterly silent except for the soft, magical music Bella had chosen for them.
Bella whispered to herself, "It is happening... it is really happening..." her eyes shining like fireworks.
And Scarlett finally spoke.
"Zion," she said in a trembling but brave voice, "I know this looks crazy... but so is my heart when it cos to you."
She held out the white flower, her knees pressed gently to the cool grass under the warm spread of fairy lights. "I have been denying you," she whispered, her eyes shimring with a vulnerable expression. "But my heart is moved by you. I never felt anything like this for anyone. I used to think love was not for ... but you proved wrong. You make feel safe. You make feel understood. And I love how you support ."
She extended the flower with both hands, almost shy, almost afraid.
Zion stared at her as if the world had dropped out from under his feet. His eyes widened and turned glassy, his breath catching in his throat. He did not blink. He did not move. It was like watching a mountain crumble for the first ti, silent and overwhelming.
And then Zion sank down onto the grass in front of her.
Everyone gasped.
He did not kneel to propose. He knelt because he could not stand tall while the woman he loved bowed before him.
He cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing the corners of her eyes. "Scarlett," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "You never have to kneel for . You are my Scar, my powerful, stubborn Scar. Do not kneel for anyone in this world."
Scarlett let out a tiny, shaky laugh, tears forming at the edge of her lashes.
"Then..." she whispered, lifting the single white flower again, "will you at least accept this... and accept ?"
Zion’s lips curved in the softest, happiest smile she had ever seen on him. "Yes," he breathed in a deep, tender voice. "A thousand tis yes."
Scarlett let out a delighted squeal and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him so tight he nearly toppled over. Then, before anyone could react, she kissed him.
Full, emotional, breath-stealing.
Zion froze for half a second, then kissed her back with all the quiet passion he had been holding inside for so long. His hand slid behind her waist, pulling her closer as if afraid she might disappear.
The entire campsite exploded.
"OOOOOHOOOOOO!"
Jace almost dropped his cup.
Jason slapped Dominique’s back so hard he choked.
Dominique looked shocked but not surprised by this outco.
Bella, who had recorded the whole thing, clutched her phone to her chest, beaming. "Scar... she actually did it..." she whispered, her eyes shining like she was witnessing a dream co true.
Leo drank his wine calmly, pretending not to care, but the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips betrayed him. Zion was like a brother to him. Seeing that mountain of a man finally get the girl he had been silently devoted to felt good.
Leo’s gaze settled briefly on Bella, who was hugging her phone and practically glowing. Under the soft lights, her smile was the prettiest thing in the entire campsite.
He took another sip, not bothered by the noise or chaos.
If Bella was happy, then tonight was perfect.
••••••••••
The night was warm with laughter, the fire crackling softly as Scarlett and Zion still clung to each other, flushed and smiling. Everyone buzzed with excitent until Dominique suddenly threw his hands toward the sky.
"Only and Jason are single now!" he wailed loud enough for the birds in the forest to complain.
Jason clutched his heart. "It is true! We are the last two legends standing! The single kings!"
"We are single too!"
Casper, Jay, and Jace shouted together like a sad choir.
But Dominique and Jason did not even look at them. Instead, they turned to each other and began dramatically sobbing into imaginary handkerchiefs, acting like pitiful, heartbroken single dogs.
Scarlett burst out laughing. "If you behave like this, which girl will marry you two? Honestly, I suggest both of you marry yourselves!"
"Ew."
"Disgusting."
They both grimaced, recoiling instantly as if soone had thrown cold water on them.
Jason tossed his hair. "Excuse you, I am straight. I like pretty girls with... you know..." he whispered dramatically, waving his hands like he was sculpting air.
" too!" Dominique agreed quickly, puffing his chest. "I am also straight. Super straight."
"We’re straight,for sure." Jason shrugged, a little too quickly. "Hell, Dom’s already hung up on so woman he won’t even na. Straight guy stuff, you know?"
Dominique’s soul left his body for a mont. "What, Jason!" he hissed, his face turning beet red. "You exposed my secret?"
Everyone perked up instantly.
"Miss Mystery?" Bella gasped, bouncing on her seat like a curious kitten.
"Yes, yes!" Jason said, leaning forward like he was delivering breaking news. "Half a year ago, Dom’s car got stuck on a lonely forest road during a storm. He was scared—"
"I WAS NOT SCARED!" Dominique shrieked.
"And then a mysterious woman stopped and gave him a lift!" Jason continued proudly, ignoring him completely. "He said she was wearing a mask, so he never saw her face."
Dominique’s cheeks grew even redder, and he lowered his gaze, his voice going soft and dreamy. "She had very pretty blue eyes... and a tattoo of a red snake on her wrist... a very beautiful snake..."
Everyone went silent for a mont.
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