About the Story:
For a chapter list and to read about the characters, click HERE.
POV: Erin Rose
A week had passed since the night of the engagement and the drama was already starting. I was standing in an open doorway watching my best friend Karissa excitedly running up the front walk waving a newspaper above her head.
“Look at this! Look!” she was saying before eagerly thrusting it into my hands.
We were both wearing team shirts for Jaron’s big game later in the afternoon. Meanwhile, we were going to paint each other’s faces. I couldn’t wait to see Jaron on the field. Karissa and I would have special seats. It was so exciting.
“What is it?” I asked, turning it over to see it properly.
She had the sixth page open, and there was our engagement announcement. I don’t know who wrote it, but it sounded a lot like Jaron’s mother had penned it.
It said, “In the quiet heart of Old Stone, where cobblestone streets meet the whisper of autumn leaves, a love story has been unfolding.
Erin Briar Rose, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tobin Lindor, grew up with a heart full of dreams and a mind set on making a difference. Her path led her to Stoneshields University, where fate introduced her to Jaron James Green, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Green of the Stoneshields — a kind and steadfast soul with the strength of a champion and the gentleness of a friend.
Through seasons of laughter, challenges, and triumphs, their bond grew unshakable. Erin now serves alongside Senator Donita Holt, shaping the future with her voice, while Jaron, a proud graduate in kinesiology, charges across the field as a professional football player for the Fortress Rock Cheetahs.
This autumn, beneath the golden canopy of Pavilion Park in Fortress Rock, they will pledge their hearts to one another — a promise as enduring as the stones of their hometowns and as bright as the leaves that dance in the wind.
And so, their next chapter begins…”
I fought the urge to slap my forehead. There, in black and white, was my middle name, Briar. It was a name my daddy had bestowed upon me as a joke because our last name was Rose. He wanted to give me Briar as a first name, but Mama had put her foot down hard on that one. Mama was not the romantic type. She was logical and kind of prickly.
“I can’t believe they used my middle name like that. I have a bone to pick with my mother-in-law-to-be.”
Karissa’s eyes grew large. “Why? I’m the one who wrote this and sent it in. I thought you’d be happy.”
“You wrote this? It’s so sappy… I’m not trying to hurt your feelings, I just can’t… I thought the announcement would just be normal. You know, Mr. and Mrs. Tobin Lindor announce the engagement of their daughter, Erin Rose, etc. etc. This is like a bad joke.”
Tears welled up in her eyes, and I wanted to apologize, but I was so embarrassed. What would Donita and her colleagues think? It felt like my career was going down the toilet before it even began in earnest.
Karissa picked up her purse and choked out, “I’m going home. You know, I was just trying to do something nice for you both. And your engagement was so magical and enchanting. It reminded me of a fairy tale.”
Touching her arm, hoping she wouldn’t leave, I said, “Karissa, I’m so sorry for being a jerk. I was just… shocked is all.”
Karissa turned with her arms crossed. “I worked hard on that you know.”
“I know, I’m sorry,” I said then sighed..
“I wanted it to sound sweet, not so political like the rest of your life is. I mean this is your love life after all. It’s not a business agreement.”
“You’re right,” I replied, feeling worse about how I’d treated her. “I take it all back. Do you forgive me?”
Karissa looked skeptical for a moment and then, said in a chipper voice “Okay. Now let’s get ready for that game! I plan on painting your face in the team colors!”
“Oh, wait till you see how I paint yours!” I said with a laugh.
It didn’t take me long to get into my team shirt. I twirled in front of the mirror and admired the way my jeans hugged my hips. Normally, I dressed to the hilt, trying to leave that old country girl behind so I could make it in the big city and the world of politics. But whenever Jaron had a game, I enjoyed getting back into jeans again.
Karissa was chattering non-stop, which was usual for her and comforting for me.
“…So, her jeans were so tight, she had to lie flat on her bed and use pliers to pull the zipper up.”
“No!” I exclaimed with a giggle. “Who knew?”
“Me. I knew.” Karissa was giggling as well. “You look great!”
“You do, too. I like your shoes!”
Karissa began folding the clothes I’d discarded, laying them on the bed, piece by piece. It wasn’t like her to be so quiet, so I watched her for a minute.
“What’s going on?”
She must have been deep in thought because she stuttered a little. “Huh?”
“You got quiet all of a sudden, and I wondered if something was wrong.”
She shrugged and smiled. But I knew it was a put-on.
“Spill it,” I ordered.
Her chest heaved with a sigh, but finally she spoke.
“Do you remember when we first became friends? You were so different then. You spoke with that country accent, had funny sayings all the time, and told me hilarious stories about your Mammaw.”
“Yes, I shudder when I think about how naïve and undignified I was back then. Every day, I thank Donita in my head for the ‘rain in Spain’ lessons. Why do you mention it?”
She shrugged again and sat on the bed. “You weren’t undignified… you were charming. And you were, well… you were yourself. I know embarrassment made you want to reinvent yourself. But do you ever just miss being the way you were?”
Karissa sounded like my mama, which was not a good thing. But I was glad she could talk to me about this instead of keeping it to herself.
“Does it bother you that much? I wasn’t just embarrassed. I thought you and all our friends were ashamed of me in a way. Jaron constantly compliments me on how I’ve changed. On how far I’ve come. It makes him happy that I’m more presentable now.”
“See,” she said, “that’s just it. That’s what bothers me. You never caused me embarrassment or shame. And I’m appalled you think that. Okay, I know I teased you sometimes, but that’s all it was. Teasing.” She came up for air and took a deep breath before continuing. “As for Jaron… You know I like him. I always have, but I wonder why it mattered to him that you be ‘more presentable.’ I love you for you. Doesn’t he?”
This conversation was getting my dander up. My eyes narrowed a little, and my face turned crimson. “Of-of course he does! He’s never actually told me I had to change, but I figured it could only help if I bettered myself. You know, now that he’s a professional football player, he’s always hounded by the paparazzi. All the interviews and commercials… it’s a lot to take. I needed to change in order to be the kind of wife he can appear with and not worry that I will put my foot in my mouth every time I open it.”
Karissa took my hand and squeezed it, and I plopped down next to her on the bed.
“That’s a lot of pressure for the both of you. I never thought about it that way. Honestly, I only want you to be proud of who you are and to be yourself.”
“I’m portraying myself exactly how I want,” I tried to assure her.
But I could tell in her face she didn’t feel convinced.
And that, my friends, is a touch of booomcha.
Special thanks to Bee (Poses by Bee) for editing this story. But also for taking all the pics for me. My laptop is getting old and doesn’t like The Sims very much, so Bee will be taking the photos from now on.
Thank you so much for reading, liking, lurking, and commenting! You are important!
Credits:
Pose Packs: Bee (Poses by Bee)
Photos: Bee (Poses by Bee)
World: The Stoneshields by Quailhogs
Lots: The brownstone is a lot in Fortress Rock
Mods/Custom Content: Please click here to see a full list of Mods & CC that I use in every chapter: Mods/CC.
If you can’t find something, please send me a WCIF (Where Can I Find?) in the comments. I will try my best.
Graphics/Photos: Copyright © 2026 | KL Hawke & Bee | All Rights Reserved.
Newspaper Generator: Newspaper Clipping Generator
Featured Image: by Kymber, Chatgpt, and Canva
↬ The Sims games © EA, created by Maxis. ↫
↬ Copyright © 2026 | KL Hawke & booomcha.com | All Rights Reserved. ↫
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This site and its author are not affiliated with EA or any of their games.
4 comments
A good read Kymber. Oh the drama between good friends. In truth, the announcement did sound like it was written by a parent. Happy Saturday Kymber. Allan
Wonderful storytelling, Kymber. You drew me into the story with that great advertisement of the engagement…fabulous plot.
Interesting read.
Thank you, Vijay!