I didn’t leave.
I didn’t go out to confront them either.
In that moment, I felt completely drained.
As night fell, voices started coming from outside.
Most of them were talking about Brantli and Bree’s perfect romance.
Through the narrow opening of my tent flap, I watched them set up the celebration decorations and light the campfire.
Someone passing by Tent #4 noticed there was someone inside.
“Hey, you’re new here, right?”
“If you came here to admire Brantli and Bree’s perfect love story, you really didn’t have to put yourself through this.”
“Didn’t the receptionist warn you?”
“You might not get much sleep staying here tonight.”
I didn’t answer.
The man laughed and left one final comment.
“Better keep some tissues ready tonight.”
Then he walked away.
Thinking about everything I had done for all these years, I gave a bitter smile.
Not long after, the celebration began.
Through the narrow opening of my tent, I saw Brantli holding Bree’s hand beside the campfire.
He told everyone every detail of how they met and fell in love.
Hearing it directly from him hurt even more than hearing it from the receptionist.
Then, right in front of everyone, Brantli suddenly dropped to one knee.
He pulled out a ring.
“Bree, I love you.”
“Will you marry me?”
Bree was stunned, too overwhelmed to say anything at first.
But the happiness and excitement on her face were impossible to miss.
Some of the girls swatted their boyfriends on the arm.
“OMG, that’s so romantic! Why can’t you be more like that?”
Amid everyone’s cheers, Bree slowly reached out her right hand.
She let Brantli slide the ring onto her finger.
Then they kissed passionately in front of everyone.
After that, they started handing out pieces of celebration cake.
Eventually, they came to my tent.
“Hey, friend.”
“I guess you’re here to learn how couples stay happy too, right?”
“Have a piece of cake.”
“Hope you and your partner stay happy forever.”
My voice came out hoarse from holding everything inside.
“Okay.”
“Thank you.”
I didn’t open the tent flap.
I only reached my hand out and took the cake from them.
At that moment, I felt like I had nothing left inside me.
Seeing that I still didn’t want to show myself, they looked at each other and smiled.
Then they walked away.
They looked so happy together.