The Bucket List

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Sat Aug 31, 2013 1:44 am

She laughed a little as Chase announced the cheesy moment. He was right, but she still loved it. Not quite as much as how she loved the feeling of his arm around her, but it was close. She smiled as he squeezed her, her eyes flicking up to him for just a moment before returning to the emotional scene on the screen. It was nice, to be held this way. This must be how the 'popular girls' got to feel all the time. No wonder they seemed to enjoy it so much.

"It gets me too," Halimae admitted, watching the movie with a soft smile. "I can't even imagine a love like that. Disney always does a good job with movies and getting a good love story, but sometimes they're just flat. This one, though.. I like it. The humor is there, the hard situations.. But this part is just beautiful. I don't know anybody who would willingly get rid of their one chance at survival just to save the life of the person they love the most."

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Sat Aug 31, 2013 11:27 pm

"I know what you mean. Like, okay, don't laugh, but I cried like a little baby at Princess and the Frog. It was such a simple love story, but it was sad as hell. Especially when Raymond...you know. Yeah. Even apart from that, you had two different worlds collide, and though the two didn't really get along at the begining, the Prince Navine started to realize, 'Dang, I really like this beautiful frog.' Okay, maybe I'm explaining it wrong, but--"

Rapunzel and Eugene met in a kiss and Chase said nothing else, just admiring the moment for what it was: a loving and touching moment. The movie slowly crawled to an end with neither Chase nor Hali saying anything further. Who could come up with a response to her statement anyway? That was everyone's dream, wasn't it? To be loved so much that you were willing to sacrifice your life and well-being to keep them alive. A love like that only exists in movies and TV shows, because in reality, or at least Chase's reality, 'love' consisted of dating someone for so long until you eventually marry because you want to hold the title of wife or husband. At the very second, with Halimae in his arms, he vowed to marry the woman he knew he wouldn't be able to live without.

The credits crept along the screen and Chase yawned way too overexaggerated, stretching his legs outwards until his feet touched the edge of the table.

"Wellllllll. That was fun. I think I almost cried a little bit there, but nahhh. I'm the manliest of men, Hali."

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Sun Sep 01, 2013 12:25 pm

Halimae smiled. She couldn't help it. Most guys their age wouldn't even watch Disney movies unless their girlfriend begged them too. Yet here Chase was, watching one with her and talking about how he teared up over yet another Disney movie. He hadn't even rushed to say he was only watching it because somebody made him, either. It was fascinating how he kept surprising her at every turn, yet so far, none of the surprises made her want to smack him or lock him up somewhere to abandon him. He was just.. sweet.

"I'm pretty sure that a pile of glitter on a bukkake movie set is manlier than you are, Chase," she assured him, giggling. "But that's okay. I like you anyway."

She sat up and moved away from him a bit, rummaging through the movies. Her turn to pick! After this, she figured they could run to the store and grab lunch or something. She hummed a little, flicking through the selection until she found what she wanted.

"Here we go!" she said, getting up without showing him and slipping it into the DVD player. She took care of Tangled and plopped back down next to him as the opening credits for Beastly came on. "Have you ever seen this one?"

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Sun Sep 01, 2013 7:10 pm

Aaaaand she was back. Chase jokingly pushed her right arm at her comment, flipping his now dry hair from his eyes with a smirk.

"I like you too, but come on now, cutie. A pile of glitter all over this hot body?" He bent his head down and pretended to smother something across his bare chest while he put on the porn-starish expression as he did so. He couldn't keep up the act for another second before bursting in a fit of laughter. "I think I have what it takes! I could make millions, Hali. Not as a gay stripper or something, but like, forreal TV." Leaning back in his spot on the couch, he took another Fruit Roll Up out of the box, cracking it open slowly. When she asked if he seen the movie, he shook his head and shrugged simply.

"I mean, even if I was gay, which I am not, I could be a sexy gay porn star! I wanna be called Skittles." Chase held out both of his hands, spreading them apart while Hali took Tangled out of the Dvd.

"Skittles: Chase the Rainbow."

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Sun Sep 01, 2013 7:17 pm

"Oh, I agree," Halimae cooed with a grin, tossing Tangled back in the bin. She walked over and leaned down to him, softly kissing his cheek and stealing his Roll Up while he was distracted. "Oh so sexy, Skittles."

She giggled and pulled back, hopping onto the couch next to him and munching on one end of her stolen sugary goods while she smirked at him. The movie was starting, showing the total asshole who was about to get the surprise of his life.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Wed Sep 04, 2013 10:43 am

Wait, what just happened? What the hell just happened? What just happened!

Chase sat stark still with his mouth open looking like a little kid who stumbled upon a world made purely of candy. His lips were green and blue from the Blue Raspberry Apple Fruit Roll Up that stolen from him by Hali. The kiss stilled him so bad that he thought he had randomly become paralyzed from the neck down. Unfortunately, Chase knew he was blushing before the blood even rushed to his cheeks, nose, and directly under his eyes. He was so pale that Hali would be able to tell the color shift from a mile away, not much less than she could sitting right next to him. His mouth started to mouth but words didn't come out; just strange, awkward stuttering of some kind.

"I...wh...Uhmm...Wait...Uh...Yyy....Yee..."

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Wed Sep 04, 2013 6:31 pm

Halimae decided to ignore Chase's senseless stuttering for a few minutes, instead enjoying her prize. It was even sweeter knowing that she had stolen it. She smiled a bit and continued to munch, then rolled up the last little bit into a gushy ball and popped it into his flapping mouth as he continued to struggle with speaking to her.

"Hush," she said simply, cuddling up to his side and watching the movie.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Sat Sep 07, 2013 12:07 pm

His mouth was wide open for the Fruit Roll Up, even though he wasn't expecting it. Her command to hush snapped him back to reality. Eyes focusing on the TV screen, he did as he was told, chewing down on the snack and peering at the TV. Halimae had one surprised for him after the other and one after the other one. The warmth of her body tickled his forearm, and Chase mangetically held her to him again, glad that she told him not to say anything. What was he to say anyway! He didn't want to gush over about how happy he was to be holding someone he barely knew. In a strange since of the situation, he didn't need to know Hali in order to be drawn closer to her. He had just agreed to England with her, for Christ's sakes! Something about her drew his life into hers, and he would find out what it is even if it killed him.

Halfway into the movie, Chase upturning his nose, making a face, sucking in a breath, and even gasping in surprise, he felt the urge to use the bathroom. It was hell to do so, but he tenderly touched the top of Hali's hair to stir her from the movie.

"Hey. Gotta use it, princess,"he said while giving her a pained smile.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Sat Sep 07, 2013 12:13 pm

"I'm a princess now?" Halimae asked with a laugh.

She sat up and scooted away from him a few inches so that he'd be free to get up and go use the bathroom. Giving him a smile, she leaned forward and grabbed the remote, pausing the movie before setting the remote down beside her on the couch.

"I'll wait for you," she offered, picking a chip from the bag and munching on the crunchy goodness as she waited for him to take his own bathroom run.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Mon Sep 09, 2013 1:03 pm

It took all of his decency not to sprint to the bathroom when he got up from the couch. He had to use it ever since half-way through Tangled! The conversation of England and moving kept him there, because there was no way he was going to leave right in the middle of Hali's breakdown, if one could call it that. However, now that they were just munching away on calories, Chase finally found the opportune time to go, and it was all he could do not to pee on the way there! Slamming the door accidentally, he fumbled with his zipper, doing a little tip-toeing dance and whispering "Holditholditholdiiiiiiiit". As soon as all of his goods were accounted for, he finally relieved himself, letting out the biggest, longest sigh of relief ever.

It took him about 7 more minutes before he finished, flushing the toilet only for a small, red pill to catch his eye. The only reason it caught his eye was that he distinctly remembered power cleaning the bathroom after his parents left, and there wasn't anything on the floor in sight for the past 2 days until then. Chase bent down and grabbed the pill. It wasn't a large one, but it was one he had never seen before in his life, he was sure. He didn't take any pills and neither did his Mom or Bobby. His dad had to take vitamins, but he knew what those looked like.

"Hmmm..." was all he said about it, slipping it into his pocket and making his way back to the living room. Sunlight spilled through the windows in his kitchen, signifying that it was around 9 o'clock in the morning now. He wondered for a brief second what they were going to do when the movie was over. Would she go home? The question turned into dust when he climbed back onto the couch, pulling her close to him naturally.

"Ever think you have ghosts in your house?"

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Mon Sep 09, 2013 5:34 pm

Halimae giggled quietly when she heard the door slam. He must have really had to go. She shook her head a little and leaned back against the couch by herself, her legs curled up in front of her. So much junk food.. She couldn't even stomach anymore. Instead, she pushed it all aside and watched the movie. The guy was in love with the girl. It was so obvious, but the girl didn't see it, no matter how hard the guy tried to impress her. Halimae rolled her eyes. If she had a guy trying that hard, she wouldn't be so dense.

"Ghosts?" she repeated as Chase came back and she found herself cuddled up against his side again. "Hmm, no, not really. I mean, once I had this mirror that fell over for no reason and broke on my floor, but I'm pretty sure it was just a freak accident. Why? Is your house haunted?" she asked, smiling at him, clearly excited about the idea.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Mon Sep 09, 2013 10:27 pm

"Dude, I'd flip out if a mirror broke on me without any warning. If you watch all the Final Destination movies, you'd be spooked too," he commented, flipping up his feet on the coffee table in front of him. He ran a hand through his hair and tilted his head at the movie.

"Yeah, I think we have ghosts and I think it's a drug addict. I found this," he said, digging the pill out of his pocket and twisting it around in his finger,"in the bathroom. It's weird cuz I remember super cleaning it when my parents and brother left. I mean, this thing is like Matrix size. I don't take any pills so, I think theres a ghosts doing the most in my house." The pill twisted in his finger some more until Chase got bored with the motion and set it beside a stray bag of Doritos.

"Anyway, what are you going to do after this? Leave me to clip my toenails in boredom? Not that I do that sorta thing but, you know..."

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Mon Sep 09, 2013 10:41 pm

Halimae felt as though her heart stopped when Chase pulled the pill out of his pocket to show her. She stared at it in shock, barely catching pieces of what he was saying. Super cleaning.. Oh, god, he must know it was hers, why else bring it up?.. don't take any pills.. He was going to find out everything and decide not to come with her.. Anyway..

"Um, I don't know.." she stuttered, trying to recover as she gave him a quick smile. "I'll probably go home and try and think of epic ways to quit my job in the next three days. I'm sure you want the rest of the day to yourself anyway since I woke you up so late, right?" she asked, forcing a bit of a laugh as she recalled his half-awake face in the doorway.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Thu Sep 19, 2013 6:03 pm

"Oh, I know the perfect way! Why don't you just get mad at everyone for some weird reason, and just start throwing stuff everywhere. That way they'll make you get out quicker and won't ask all kinds of weird questions or anything. Granted, they might call the cops, but whatever! You're going to England! The cops are hotter there anyway. Er... or so I here. Not my personal opinion!" Chase flicked the tiny red pill around in his fingers, studying it for a second then shrugging. He tossed it in the empty bag of Doritos. Whatever. It wasn't anything to freak out about. He flipped a strand of his hair from his face and yawned.

"Nahhh, I'm good. I'll be up for a while anyway. I was going to take a swim at the public pool by Jorner Heights, you know where I'm talking about? It's the sub division that's right before you get to the second turn off of Fairveiw Lane. It's super dead on Tuesdays because of school, so I like to go. It's like having it all to myself. So, I'm glad you woke me up. The earlier I get there, the better." As a pure after thought, Chase gave her an apprehensive look.

"Youuuu... wanna come? I'm not asking for a ride or anything, I mean, I'm cool with walking."

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Thu Sep 19, 2013 6:34 pm

"I know that English guys are hot with the accent and all, Chase, but sheesh. Try to contain yourself. Prince William is already married," she teased, poking him in the side once he had disposed of the 'mystery' pill. Thank goodness he didn't think more into that than a ghost. Or at least, if he did, he was keeping it to himself. She nicked a Dorito from the bag and nodded as he described the pool. It was one she actually knew of, though she had never been. Her mother was not a fan of swimming, since it was related to drowning.

"Come with you? Uh.." she said, trailing off as she thought about it. She did own a suit, despite never going. It was one that she had bought herself and stashed away just in case. But to get it involved going home, sneaking in and grabbing it, and sneaking out without being seen or heard. Hm. "Yeah, sure. I'd love to. And I don't mind giving you a ride, you leech."

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Mon Sep 23, 2013 1:25 pm

"I literally just told you that was not the reason I asked! Christ, women are complicated," he joked, making sure to get well out of the way lest she try to smack him or anything. He already suffered a poke to his side. He doubted he'd be able to take anymore. He spared no time with hopping up from the couch, swearing when his would started to swim. He mumbled something about getting up too fast, sliding her a sheepish grin.

"Don't judge me,"he winked, bounding away from the couch and up the stairs two at a time to his room. The elation that she agreed to go with him finally burst at the seams when he hit his room, his heart gradually picking up a notch or two.

"YES!" he exclaimed, vaulting his entire body on his bed. Chase felt like he was laying on a cloud creeping slowly across a vivid, brilliant blue sky. There were little words to describe how happy he was, and that notion scared him. What was this feeling and why did Hali of all people bring it out of him. The answer was a giant, sheepish grin drawn across his face at the sound of her name in his head. Halimae. What kind of name was that? Wasting no more time with being giddy, Chase vaulted himself up, grabbing a simple pair of swimming trucks. He already didn't have a shirt on, and once he tuckered a towel beneath his arm, he made his way down the stares and back to Halimae. There was little he could do to hide the excitement in his expression.

"I hope you can swim. Like, more than doggy paddle."

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:21 am

Halimae shook her head with a smile as he winked at her. He was so adorable. She got up and packed up everything back in her tote, tossing in the movies and snacks. Chances were she'd just go home afterward and keep munching while watching things, so there was no point in making sure everything was super neat in there. She was only halfway done when she heard a faint yell from upstairs. Pausing, she glanced at the stairs and waited. Nothing. Huh. Perhaps she had imagined it. She shrugged and continued cleaning, snapping the plastic lid back in place as Chase came back into view.

"Pfft. I can swim circles around you," she assured him, scooping up the tote and taking it outside. She put it in her back seat, then unlocked the passenger side door for him. "Alright. We'll go to my house and I'll sneak in and grab my suit, then we can go. You'll just have to stay in here in case my mother catches the scent of glitter off you."

She giggled a bit, buckling her seatbelt and waiting for him to do the same. Once he was all situated, she started up her Jeep and backed out of his driveway, then headed for his house. It was a short drive, and she saw from the vehicles in her driveway that her father was not home.. but her mother was. Damn it. She had been hoping for an impromptu grocery run or something. Oh well, she couldn't have everything. She parked across the road and a bit back so that her Jeep would be harder to spot.

"Alright, I'll be right back!"

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Wed Jan 22, 2014 12:43 am

“Shut up, Hali. Glitter doesn’t even have a smell, and if it does, I bet it’d smell manly as hell on me, so suck it.” Chase ended his comeback by sticking his tongue at her while she reversed out of his driveway. The rain stopped sometime during their movie hours, but the sky was still kind of murky, like someone scribbled a gray Crayon across it vigorously. It would make no difference in the swimming anyway because it was an indoor pool. The only way you could get in was if you stayed in the sub-division and owned a swimming pass which was easily 15 bucks. Though neither of them stayed there, Chase’s parents had access just about anything he or Bobby wanted. He sniffed, guessing that having parent’s like his wasn’t really as much of a drag he made it out to be.

Once they got to her house and Halimae picked her face off of her lap once seeing her mom’s car, Chase was left in the passenger seat with nothing to do but wait and think. He watched her go inside, wondering if her mom was one of those types to sit in a lounge, swiveling chair and spin towards the door, turning on the light and asking in a cold voice, “And just where have you been?” Halimae made it clear that her mom annoyed her, but she didn’t seem sheltered or overly angry about things. She did seem very pestering about where she was, though. Chase would have told his mom to chillax a long time ago.

Whelp, she won’t need to worry about that once she’s in England, he thought, lounging backwards in the car seat. When they were in England. It hit him again, square in the chest. He would be leaving the continental US with a girl he had just met. Hali barely told him about herself and her life, and the only thing Chase could accurately conclude was that she did not like her mom down her throat. Somehow, taking her away from that left a bad taste in his mouth. What if she was pestering Halimae for a reason? What if leaving for England turns out to be the worst thing that could have ever happened to her?

These thoughts knocked violently against his temple. He drummed his fingers on his knee impatiently awaiting her return. They had to talk.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Wed Jan 22, 2014 1:04 am

Halimae went around the backside of her house. She wasn't going to take chances with her mother today and risk not being able to go back out to Chase again. The back door slid, opening up into the spacious kitchen. Her mother, as expected, was not there. Hali crept inside and carefully shut the door, then listened closely. Nothing. Hm. She tiptoed to the edge of the kitchen and paused. Still nothing. Feeling a bit more confident - and hoping her mother was downstairs doing laundry - she bolted up the stairs and into her bedroom. Safe! She smiled and went over to her dresser, rummaging around for the bathing suit she had hidden there. Instead of risking changing at the pool, she simply put it on under her clothes and tucked a rolled up towel under her arm.

Figuring that was all she'd need, she turned and headed back out into the hallway.. only to hear her mother coming up the stairs. She quickly ducked back into her bedroom and locked the door. Crap. This wasn't going to be good. She looked around, finally darting into her closet just to be safe in case her mother looked under the door. Fortunately, her paranoia was unfounded. The older woman passed by the door without incident, and a few minutes later, went back by. Doing laundry indeed, it seemed. Halimae let out a breath and shook her head at herself. She was becoming more worrisome than her mother.

She crept out, going out the front door and running back to the Jeep with a smile.

"Okay, you ready?" she asked, once she was back in and buckled.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Wed Jan 22, 2014 2:29 pm

The words were out of his mouth before he could reconsider opening his mouth in the first place.

“I don’t think you should go to England,” he blurted. An awkward second crept back and not a sound was heard other than the engine and Chase forcing a swallow.

“I mean, England’s super cool. Well, I wouldn’t know, really, I’ve never been. But you know, TV and stuff. But seriously, Hali. You could move out of state or something, but to a whole ‘nother country? Look, hear me out for a second. Your mom really seems like she cares a whole lot about you. So much it’s kinda creepy actually. But imagine how she’ll be if you just leave! You’ll give her a heartattack or something! I know you and her get along sometimes, right? I mean she’s your moms. Yall gotta be cool sometimes… I’m just saying. You don’t wanna talk to her first?”

He sent her a pained smile and hoped to heaven he didn’t upset her with all he said. If he did, he’d just said he said it because he cared. That wasn’t a lie. He did care. So, with his hands stilled on his legs, he titled his head towards her.

“Don’t punch me, please. I need this face.”

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Wed Jan 22, 2014 3:09 pm

Halimae was silent as she listened to Chase. He just didn't get it. It wasn't his fault - he didn't know the entire situation, or why Hali was really leaving. He had no idea that her list was because she was dying. She would never tell him that, so how could she expect him to understand? He had never even met her mother, only witnessed the overbearing phone calls. The magnitude of her mother's overprotective behavior was lost on him. She doubted he would believe her if she told him that her mother would probably meet them at the pool with an ambulance and a hearse if she had any idea what her daughter was on her way to go do at this very moment.

"I can't tell her," she said quietly, putting the Jeep into park and not looking at him once they arrived at their destination. "I'm not going to punch you, but I am also not going to tell her that I plan on leaving, because she would not allow it. If that bothers you, maybe you shouldn't come with me," she suggested, though it pained her to do so. She really wanted Chase with her, but she wasn't going to force him along if he felt like some sort of kidnapper.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Wed Jan 22, 2014 3:42 pm

“Okay. Sweet,” he said in response of not being punched in the face. Still, he rubbed a hand across his jaw strangely. The ride to the pool was a quick one. Hali was either speeding or Chase was thinking so hard that he didn’t even catch time flying passed him. The silence made for bad company, and there were plenty of attempts to say something dorky to make her laugh. But Hail’s face spelled out her mood and he didn’t want to further ruin that.

Ah, hell, I knew I shouldn’t have said all of that. He cursed inwardly until the two of them pulled into a parking space at Jorner Heights. Just as suspected, the pool was absolutely desolate. Chase opened his mouth to say something about the pool but Hali beat him to it.

When she was done, he looked at her incredulously. She might as well had just punched him in the face anyway.

“What? No, no way!” Quickly, he unbuckled his seat belt and turned his full body over to her. “There’s no way I’m gonna let you go there alone. I mean do you know what those men in big black hat thingies can do!? Yeah, neither do I, but I bet it’s bad.” There was a momentary pause before he sighed.

“I just wanted to know if you were really sure. I don’t know your life but I trust you. I mean, you haven’t punched me yet! See? Trust! If you’re going, I’m coming. Can’t get rid of me that easy, sweetcakes,” he cooed.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Wed Jan 22, 2014 5:31 pm

Halimae blinked, caught off-guard by Chase's strong reaction. She watched him unbuckle and turn in seconds to face her. He was completely against her going alone, which confused her a little bit since he only had a joke to supply for explanation.

She decided to let it go, giving him a gentle smile as he spoke of trusting her. How silly, for him to trust her when he knew nothing. Yet she trusted him as well. She'd trust him with her life. Pondering that, she leaned over and gave him a light kiss on the cheek, just as she had done a few hours before on his couch.

"Come on. Let's go swimming," she said, smiling at him again before finally unbuckling and hopping out of the Jeep.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Thu Jan 23, 2014 12:14 am

“Okay, you’re gonna have to give me more of a headsup when you do that, you know? Get me prepared not to look like an idiot. Embarrassin’,” he mumbled. He swung the door open, cheek still feeling the tingle the earlier kiss did on him. The second kiss of the day, whether it was one of those grandma types or not. Chase worked his jaw strangely so as not to show Hali how giddy he actually was. There was something there between him. He would have to be blind not to see it, and whatever it was, going to England was just going to make it stronger than ever. Cliché as it was, Chase nodded his head inwardly. From that minute forward, he would really get to know Halimae.

“Hey what’s your last name? You never told me your last name. Is it something embarrassing like Poopchute? Or Poopchuté, with an accent over the e? Makes it sound kinda French, oui?” The sun pushed through the clouds and broke into a shattering array of lights upon the two of them. The air was humid and Chase could already feel himself tanning. Flipping the towel over his shoulder, he closed his door and led Hali to the gate. Instead of having a key, he punched in 5 random numbers in a dial box just below a security lock. Jorner Heights held some very high security measures. It felt good to know that he could just squeeze right on in.

A click sounded and Chase turned his wicked grin to her.

“And voila. Works like a charm,” he said, extending his hand to let her go through first.

Subject: Re: The Bucket List Thu Jan 23, 2014 12:23 am

"Why thank you, Skittles," Halimae laughed, using her towel to fake an elegant curtsy to him before strolling inside and pausing to wait for him to join her.

"It'd be pretty awesome to be Halimae Poopchute, but I think my mother would have refused to marry my father if that was his family name," she said, grinning at him. "It's Pollardi. Halimae Olivia Pollardi. My friends in elementary school used to call me Hop," she added, shaking her head. She had even dressed as a bunny for Halloween that year, she recalled. Back when things were a little easier and things like going trick-or-treating weren't on the not-ever-happening-again list that her mother kept a mental tally of.

She paused for a moment, then nudged him.

"What sort of warning am I supposed to give you?" she asked kindly, smiling.