Chapter 1: Viral Proposals and Meme Fame

We were filming a travel reality show with my best friend when the Hollywood heartthrob dropped to one knee and popped the question before I could even process it. My jaw dropped first—then I saw Mason, heart in his throat, grinning up at Autumn with that look. Not just 'eyes shining with love,' but the kind of goofy, giddy, can't-believe-his-luck look that makes you want to groan and cheer at the same time.

Everything on set just... stopped. It was like someone hit pause on the whole scene, and suddenly we were living inside one of those viral proposals from The Bachelor, minus the rose petals. The air buzzed with that over-the-top, movie-magic feeling you only get when real life tries to one-up Netflix. Mason's voice wobbled a little, but his smile was so contagious the whole crew looked ready to swoon. Cameras jerked into action, but my reflexes were faster.

Right in the thick of all that heartstring-tugging romance, I blurted out, "Wait! We haven't taken any photos yet!" My brain short-circuited. "Don't kneel! Don't say yes yet!" I was half-panicked, half-horrified at myself, but there was no stopping it.

Every head whipped around to stare at me, but I was already dropping to the floor, knees first, phone out, looking like a deranged paparazzo. My butt was in the air, my dignity somewhere back at the hotel, but whatever. Mason froze mid-proposal, ring box suspended, confusion flickering across his million-dollar face. Autumn burst out laughing—half crying, half giggling—while the crew looked like they couldn't decide whether to be mad or grateful I was making their jobs easier.

I dove in, zero hesitation, crouched so low my jeans creaked, snapping photos like my life depended on it. I twisted, lunged, practically rolled across the carpet, hunting for every possible angle. Full-on chaos mode. If anyone judged me, they'd have to get in line.

My knees ached against the plush carpet as I scrambled, elbows windmilling, muttering to myself: "Lighting, angle, emotion—okay, now, look at each other!" I nearly toppled a light stand. My phone camera sounded like a machine gun. The production assistant's glare could've melted steel, but honestly? Zero cares given. Autumn's happiness was the only thing on my mind. Priorities, right?

Next to me, the e-sports legend glanced over at my phone and just... stared. The screen was a mess: the back of Mason's head—dark, blurry, totally blocking the shot—and Autumn, beaming like she'd just won the lottery.

He raised an eyebrow, lips twitching like he was fighting a smile. "You sure you want to keep these?" he asked, voice low, torn between a laugh and a groan. Basically, my photo gallery was a tribute to Mason's hair and Autumn's glow, like my camera decided only she mattered and the rest of the world was just background noise.

I was already a mess, wiping my eyes like a proud mom at graduation. "Why are you just standing there? Help me light my best friend!"

I flailed at Caleb, wild-eyed. "C'mon, hold up your phone flashlight or something! She needs that golden hour glow!" My voice cracked with all the feels, and if I looked like a nutcase, well, at least I'd have the photos to prove it. These were the stories we'd laugh about at every reunion, forever.

The e-sports champ ventured, careful like he was tiptoeing through a minefield: “Um, maybe... try getting a shot of the groom’s face too?”

He sounded so nervous, like he honestly thought I might bite his head off for daring to suggest it. I blinked, then cracked up, realizing I'd gone full tunnel vision on Autumn. Mason's face? Oops. Typical me. I shot Caleb a grateful thumbs up and scrambled around for the money shot.

The internet did what it does best: roasted me alive.

[How is this any different from a war photographer? I need a bestie like this!]

[Who said this best friend is useless? She’s a legend! I’d totally bring her along!]

My phone blew up instantly. Memes of me in my crouched gremlin pose hit Twitter. Somebody even photoshopped me into a war zone, camera in hand, explosions behind me. I laughed so hard I almost dropped my phone. If you can't be the star, at least be the star's hype squad. That's my motto now.