"Maybe He Is Real"
​By: Victoria Richardson '21

Trevor opened up his eyes to see snowfall outside of his window and listened to the kids next door having a snowball fight. Turning over, he looked at his clock. It read “5:00pm” 12/24/25” and Trevor’s heart began to beat quickly. He knew today was the day everything in his life would change forever. Today was the day nothing could stop him. Today was the day Trevor got exactly what he wanted. Today was the day he was going to propose with a special ring to the love of his life, his special friend. Getting up, he began to think about how he would do this. He didn’t want to be corny nor bland. He practiced by holding a sock and imagining it to be the box. 
“I know we have known each other for a while and you’re gonna work with me at the store, which is great! Like I’m excited to go to work with you and be with you and...” he said and shook his head. “Too long and off topic.” 
Just before he was going to practice again his phone rang. It was his special friend. 
“Hello!” He said with a little flutter in his heart 
“Hey! Don’t forget fireworks start today at 6:00 in the park.” 
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” 
“Are you sure your up for it? You had a shift from 12:00 am until 11:00 am.” 
“I can handle it!” He said and struggled to not yawn 
“I’ll bring us some hot chocolate and brownies to wake you up.” The voice said and then a beeping noise came from the phone. “Or maybe not if I burn them! I have to go! Bye!” Then the phone hung up. “Wow! I love brownies!” Trevor thought feeling warmed in his heart that a special someone remembered he loved brownies. “5:07” the clock read and Trevor began to put on his Sunday best. As soon as he checked himself out in the mirror, he grabbed his stuff and ran out the door. 
Down the block Trevor went with a pep in his step and a smile on his face and heart. People saying hi to him and asked him, “ Wow Trevor! Why are you so happy!” Trevor could only smile and said “Today is the day where my life changes for the better.” “5:22” the clock read as 
he entered the jewelry store. He looked around the glass case for ages and ages for one he thought he could afford. Finally he saw the one. The ring he knew his special friend would love! He asked the lady at the desk to see if she could pull it out for him. When she gave it to him, he fell in love with it. The ring was smooth with a heart engraved in it. It was the last one in the store so he pulled out his money because he wanted to pay for it immediately. The lady told him the price and when she did, his heart dropped. He couldn’t afford it. He begged and pleaded to see if she could drop the price just a bit, but the cashier just shook her head no. She ripped the ring out of his hands and put it back in the glass case. Trevor begged and begged, even getting down on his own two knees. The lady still shook her head no and asked him to leave the store before she called security. He got up, put his head down, and solemnly walked out of the store. 
Trevor walked out of the store in defeat and sat down on a bench. “5:46” his watch read. 14 minutes until he sees the love of his life before sunset.” He took off his hat and felt the growing feeling of wanting to cry. As soon as he put his head in his hands, he felt the tears fall down his face. He couldn’t afford the ring. He began to lightly sob and thought to himself, 
“If I don’t get this ring today, I don’t know what I am going to do. What if someone proposes before I do? What if I get rejected because I don't have it?” Just as he began to wipe the tears from his eyes, he felt a gloved hand rough up his hair. Trevor looked up only to be almost blinded by a light and in that light was the silhouette of a rather large man. The man stretched out his other hand and put something in Trevor’s hand. “For you.” The man said in a rather low and hollow voice. “Look inside and see if you like it. I know this is important, especially since it’s for your soulmate. The person who will be with you through your journey in this lovely life.” “Who is he?” Trevor thought as he looked to see what was in his hand. It was a small box with a vibrant red ribbon on top, and he opened it as quickly as possible. He couldn’t believe it. It was the loveliest ring he had ever seen! It was even better than the one at the store. It was silver with little rhinestones going around the perimeter of it. When he kept examining it, he realized the name of the love of his life was engraved on the inside. This was so much more than he could afford. 
“Sir I can’t take this!” he said looking up, but it was too late. The man was nowhere to be found “Wait! Sir where are you?” He shouted as he got up and looked around. His phone began to ring. It was his special friend 
“Hello.” He said sounding winded 
“Hey! Just making sure you were ok.” The voice said 
“Yeah I’m fine?” Trevor questioned a bit 
“Well you better get here fast! The fireworks start in like 5 minutes.” 
“Shoot! I’ll be there as soon as I can!” 
Trevor hung up the phone and began to run. He ran like a mad man. and kept going until he reached the park. He saw exactly where his special friend and walked up. He looked at his watch “5:59” it read. “I just made it” Trevor thought and wipes the sweat from his brow. He taped his special friend on the shoulder and a tear fell from his eye. This was it. The big moment. The 
Just before the fireworks started, Trevor got down on one knee. The fireworks began to go off in these bright and beautiful colors. With the sound of joy from the children around them, Trevor began to cry tears of every emotion, joy, fear, excitement... He knew today was the day everything in his life would change forever. Today was the day nothing could stop him. Today was the day Trevor got exactly what he wanted. Today was the day he proposed with a special ring to the love of his life, his special friend. He opened up a small box with a ring inside and said “Will you be my soulmate and be with me through the journey of life? Will you marry me?”