The Bucket List (Rewriting)

Item Number Nine: Fall in Love With Sound

The Bucket List 

Item Number Nine: Fall in Love with Sound

The next morning I woke up with a killer headache. The sun was nearly rising and I couldn't fall back asleep. Not wanting to get up, I stayed in bed thinking. I turned over to my left side, and mentally summarized the events from yesterday.

Chase's behavior had not only caused me to question my blossoming feelings for him, but also wonder whether he reciprocated them too. It was absolutely childish to think that a guy like Chase could ever want a girl like me, but yet, his body language around seemed to beg to differ. But then I doubt he had a thing for plain brunettes.

Ugh, I was absolutely losing it!

Tired of hosting a mental combat, I got out of my bed and decided to distract myself with food. I yawned and stretched, noticing the alarm clock flashed a 7:49 am. I got up and marched towards my drawer, pulling out a white long-sleeve, sweats, and slippers. I didn't even bother to do my hair or wash my face.

I walked into the kitchen, pouring some orange juice and serving myself some toaster strudel. Soon enough, I spotted my vibrating phone on the kitchen island.

It's her. I'm willing to bet my life on it.

Buzz.

If I could just eat my food in peace...

Buzz. Buzz.

As frustrated as I was, I made up my mind to check my phone.

Mom: There's food in the fridge. Don't eat tonight's desert. Love you.

Mom: Text me when you're up.

Mom: Be back by 6 pm btw.

555-555-0473 (unknown number): Hey.

I lifted a brow.

Me: Hi, who is this?

Almost immediately, the phone vibrated violently in my fist.

Unknown: Who do you think?

I wrinkled my forehead.

Me: What?

Unknown: It's Chase.

I felt my stomach turn as a smile crept on my face.

Me: Oh hey. How'd you get my number?

For the longest four minutes of my life, I was playing the game of check-the-phone until I got a response.

Chase: Jayden. Anyway, let's do something today.

I smiled as I reread the text, making sure I had read it right.

Me: I'll have to take a raincheck. Not feeling good.

Him: Are you okay?

Me: Yeah, thanks for asking.

Chase: Can I come over?

I smiled, blushing.

Me: My parents aren't home...

Chase: Are you trying to discourage me or intrigue me?

I could already picture him smirking. I could bet my life on it.

Me: You tell me.

I immediately blushed as I sent it. Once I had thought about it, like really thought about it, it sounded rather suggestive.

He never replied, however. I couldn't decide whether I was relieved (I probably wouldn't be able to handle his response), or disappointed.

You scared him away idiot.

I clicked the screen lock button and lowered my phone on the table. I made my way to the sink and washed my plate, dragging my feet in the process. From the side of the toaster, I could see my reflection, and frankly, it was petrifying. My clothes were baggier than usual, my face a blueish pale color, and my eyes looked tired and puffy. I turned every angle imagined, and I still looked... strange.

Snapping me out of my thoughts, I heard the doorbell ring, startling me. I opened it monotonously, expecting to see my mom or someone I wouldn't be surprised to see.

There, leaning against the wall, looking photoshoot-ready, stood a very gorgeous brunette — the very same one that made me feel like a lovesick little girl.

"I think you the latter." He smirks.

And there's his signature smirk on cue.

"What are you doing here Chase?" I tried to sound a lot less nervous.

"I just wanted to spend time with my favorite girl." He smirked.

Is he trying to kill me?

"My parents are going to kill me if they find me alone in my house with a boy." I warn, dazed by his eyes.

"Take a risk." He said softly in a voice that made me melt, "For me?"

My heart cannot handle this any longer. It just can't.

"Come in." I said breathlessly.

He chuckled at my obvious response. I could tell he knew how nervous he made me and that he found that amusing.

He stepped in and looked around, his gaze stopping at a framed picture of me in a dress. My mom had insisted to put it up, despite my veto's, in my defense.

"You were even pretty back then." He said, watching me turn from pink to burning red.

"T-th..." I began but couldn't remember what I was trying to say.

He stepped a bit closer to me and raised his brow in amusement. "Do I make you nervous, Miss Martinez?"

I swallowed.

Yes, you make me feel incredibly nervous.

"N-no." I state. He chuckles and I smile, not because I found it funny that he was amused by my embarrassment, but because I loved it when he laughed.