Because Of The Bucket List

Chapter 9

J A C E

"Goodnight, Arielle." I smile and leave her.

"Goodnight, Jace." I hear he whisper back to me, as I close the sliding door.

I go to the bathroom. My reflection in the mirror spooks me. It doesn't even look like me. My cold, hard eyes are softer. My scolding face is replaced with a small smile. This girl is affecting me. I swore I'd never let that happen again. I can't be hurt once more. I just feel different with her. I feel better, not so alone in the world. But, past times have shown me it could or couldn't be real. I know Arielle has a lot of problems, I can't fix them. I have to keep my front up or I might get hurt, again.

I head back downstairs. A small scream makes me jump and I run to the patio to check on Arielle. She's lying in the small lawn chair I left her in, asleep.

She screams again and squirms around in the chair. I gently pick her up and carry her back inside. I try to find her room. I come to a room with a chalkboard sign on the door.

'DO NOT COME IN'

I read the sign and laugh to myself. That sounds like Arielle. I open the door to find a very organized room. Blue, black, and white, but not dark. Very light colors that make you feel comfy. The whole room screams Arielle. I gently place her on the bed and cover her up. I scan the wall covered in pictures above her desk. Her and a woman, I assume is her mother. Gorgeous pictures of her in Times Square. A few of her and a girl I've never seen before. A folded pink piece paper, tacked to the wall, catches my eye. I take it down a look at it. It's a list of lots of random things to do. It must be her bucket list.

I hear Arielle shuffle around and I quickly tack the paper back to wall and leave. A bucket list huh?

A R I E L L E

I wake up to birds chirping at my window.

Not.

"Ryan, I swear! Give it back now! My life is none of your concern!" I hear Layla yelling form downstairs. I'm in bed? How the hell did I get here? Whatever. I get dressed and brush my teeth.

On my way downstairs, I see a familiar pink piece of paper above my desk. I take it off the wall and read it.

A+N=Best Friends Forever... and ever

1. Stay awake for 24 hours straight.

2. Prank call friends.

3. Get matching tattoos.

4. Go camping together.

5. Play hide and seek in the mall.

6. Sing at the top of our lungs.

7. Go to Disney world (Florida).

8. Silly string fight.

9. Adopt a puppy.

10. Go to prom...with a boy.

11. See an R- rated movie.

12. Fall in love.

13. Kiss the boy you love...in the rain.

14. Get a present from your boyfriend.

15. Have sex with someone who loves you.

HAVE TO COMPLETE BEFORE GRADUATION! NO MATTER WHAT! Promise!

I cry as I read the list and think back to the day we made it.

"Come on, Nat. Were never gonna be able to finish all these before we graduate." I tell Natalie as we finish our list.

"We have. Were best friends and as best friends we have to do these no matter what." She giggles.

"Were never gonna be able to save enough money to do this stuff." I huff at her.

"A, come on, we will. Look at the jar. We already have like $400 in there. Babysitting really pays off. We can do it." She tells me, pointing to the mason jar full of money. We've been saving for three years. We mostly babysit the neighbor's kids. Horrible kids, let me tell you.

"Okay, well the sex part? I'm not ready to have sex. We're only fifteen." I sigh.

"I know, silly. That's why we wait until were older. But before graduation." She laughs. She always had a bubbly personality.

"But that's not that long. I won't be ready by then."

"Will you hush? We will! We have to get this list done." She scolds. She isn't the one to break promises.

I snap out of it when I hear a knock on my door.

"Come in." I say, trying to wipe my tears.

"I-I just wanted to see if you were hungry?" I hear Jace ask. I frantically wipe the tears from my eyes.

"Uhm...yeah. I'll be down in a second." I tell him.

"Are you okay?" He asks closing the door.

"Yeah, just allergies." I lie.

"Arielle, you and I both know that isn't true."

"I know."

"I'm not going to pressure you in to telling me. Just know I'm here if you need to talk." He comforts and leaves.

I look down at the paper still in my hands. We were supposed to do most of these things together. How can I do that when she's gone? She's...dead.

HAVE TO COMPLETE BEFORE GRADUATION! NO MATTER WHAT! Promise!

I read back over the words she wrote at the bottom. No matter what. Maybe this is what I need to do to overcome my pain and heartbreak for her. Maybe this is what she needs me to do. I have to this for her. For my best friend. My sister.

I fold the paper back and stick in my pants pocket. I go downstairs. I have to have someone to do these things with.

I look at Layla laughing with Seth. I don't think she would help me if I told her the whole story and what happened to Natalie.

I look at Camryn and Caiden. I don't feel close to them. Spilling my whole life story would be weird with them.

I look at Ryan. He's not a serious person. I don't think he would care. I think he just likes me. Jace told me not to get close to him.

Jace.

He knows I go to a therapist. Well, he's seen me there. He keeps telling me if I need someone, he's there.