Final Year Proposal

Today was Cole's girlfriend's birthday. And he had gotten her a gift he knew she would appreciate and love. She was in her final year which meant that it was just two months before she was done with her degree and they would be finally able to plan their future together.

He got down from his delivery bike and walked straight to her dormitory with the gift package placed in one hand.

He knew she was going to be around because she said so, he called her in the morning. But the blaring and boozing music made his brows crease in confusion.

Were they throwing another party he was unaware of? He thought as he approached her dorm.

Cheers and yells filled the room and could be heard from outside. His hands shook as he knocked on the door. There was no answer. Making up his mind, he pushed the door open and stared inside.

"Leslie!" He snapped and her gaze geared up to him in pure shock.

There she was, laughing comfortably with a guy he knew was known as the popular guy on campus. His eyes trailed to the place the guy was holding her and anger rumbled through his veins.

He marched in and went straight to meet them.

Leslie’s smile fell as she took in his angry face.

"Cole?" She practically shrieked in surprise.“What are you doing here? How do you get here?” She asked.

"Get your hands off my girlfriend!" He growled at Seth who was watching him with amusement glinting in his eyes.

"Leslie, my love. Who is this?" He asked her, tightening his hold on her waist.

Cole was very angry as he saw that Leslie was not trying to pull herself away from him so he went forward and tried to remove Seth's hand but the voice of Leslie's best friend, Dora, stopped him.

"See who is here." She tsked and walked over to them with an obvious glass of wine in her hands. The kids in the school are all known to be second generation wealthy.

Expensive things to celebrate her birthday were used to decorate everywhere, even the drinks cost more than his monthly salary.

He gulped hard as he glared at her. She has never for one approved of their relationship, she has always been against it, telling him how much of a pauper he was. He never liked her.

"What is this pauper doing at a party that is meant for rich kids like us? Leslie darling, I thought you told me that you were going to keep him away from you today? What happened? He can't be without you."

Dora mocked him as she eyed him hard from his overused shirt to the worn out trousers he knew he had lost the argument.

"Leslie, who is this?" Seth asked again.

"Wait, do not tell me he is your boyfriend, Leslie. This wretched boy! Oh, please! You could have done better." One of the people hissed from the crowd.

Everyone began to murmur and Cole did not know what to do or say. Leslie was his girlfriend and he was allowed to be there, right?

But he turned to Leslie because he wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth.

Leslie looked at Cole in the eye, her lips pursing and her chest heaving, she replied, "He is nothing to me. He was just used to pass the time since he seemed to be a plaything"

What! Cole’s heart broke at what she said How could she deny their relationship publicly when she promised him that she would love him forever!

"Ohh!" Laughter filled the entire place and Cole felt like the ground should open up and swallow him.

"Leslie!" He choked out and she took her gaze away from him.

Tears glistened in his eyes but he did not cry. He had done so much for her, liking helping with paying her fees and taking her trash out.

He has done what every man in love would do for the lady they love so much.

He felt immense pain in his heart as he stood before the rich kids whom he already got to understand how quickly they downplay poor kids, how they bully them and mock them like it was their fault that they were poor.

He stretched out the present and said, "I got you a present, Les." He said, calling by her nickname. She stared at his hands for a while and collected it, she went around the house and dumped it in the trash can.

"Can't you see, Cole? Are you blind or deaf? Even if you are deaf, can't you see what is happening?" She asked him.

Seth broke out laughing. "Really? Leslie, you could have done better, you know. This guy is even below my driver by far." He said, his eyes hinting with mockery. Before his face turned to that of disgust. "You told me you already broke up with him, I guess he is so attracted to you that he did not get the memo." He said, pushing up and standing before Cole.

"Anyway, let me formally introduce myself to you. I am Seth Rhodes. I..." He pointed to the entire place. "I am the one who paid for everything that was used to celebrate her birthday." He added.

He paid for everything in the apartment he got for her. Leslie especially came from a well to do family but he knew Seth was money himself.

His father was rumored to have sponsored the school with a mouthwatering sum of money.

"You know I could get you rich in a second. All you just have to do is go down on your knees and say that Seth Rhodes is the richest guy and most handsome guy on campus and boom! You are rich." He said, spreading his hands out with laughter bubbling out of him.

Everyone chuckled but Cole stood his ground. He turned to Leslie and blinked at her.

"Seth, don't let this moron ruin your surprise for Leslie. C'mon get on with it." Dora said and that seemed to bring back Seth's attention. He smiled softly, dipping his hands into his pockets as he stalked Leslie in the place she stood.

Everyone watched with gawking eyes and Leslie watched him with scrutinizing eyes as to what he wanted to do.

She sent a glance at her best friend who gave her a mischievous smile and shrugged like it was nothing.

Slowly, Seth went down on his knees and brought a ring case. Leslie palmed her lips as the thought of what he was about to do surprised her.

"Leslie Falcone, will you make me the happiest man and marry me?" He asked, his eyes looking at hers.