SANDRA'S POV
"Smile, Sandra." Austin's voice is calm. The small velvet box stays open between us while students continue walking past, some slowing down when they notice what's happening.
A public proposal, the kind girls are supposed to dream about, the kind everyone expects me to say yes to. I stare at the diamond and I want absolutely nothing to do with it.
My mouth goes dry. "Austin......" He smiles wider. "Come on." Around us, people are beginning to notice, a couple nearby stops walking and someone pulls out a phone. Another student whispers something to her friend.
Within seconds, more eyes are on us, waiting, watching, and I feel trapped, not because of the ring or because Austin is standing in front of me, but because I realize I have absolutely nobody I can tell the truth to.
