ALL THE THINGS I'VE YET TO DO (8): GO TO A CARNIVAL
“How long do you want to live, My?”
I look up at the familiar face and say confidently, “I want to live to be a hundred.”
He laughs and ruffles my hair. “I don’t think you’ll last that long.”
“And why not? I think I can do it,” I playfully stick out my tongue.
He looks out in front of us, watching the other kids at the park run around carelessly. “I don’t think I want to be around for that long.”
“Really?” I ask, laying on my back and gazing at the passing clouds.
My question is answered with a long moment of silence. When I turn to my right, Jonathan is already fading away.
“No!” I find myself screaming, awakening with a start.
I clutch my chest as I attempt to steady my breaths. Still heaving, I reach for the glass of water on my bedside table, but end up knocking it to the ground. Mango jumps up from his spot at my feet and watches me cautiously.
A string of curses leave my mouth as I pick up the glass that is thankfully still intact. Not having the energy to clean up the water, I grab my phone and check the time. After not sleeping at all last night, I decided to take a nap around 3pm. It’s now half past six.
I open the messages app to review the texts from the group chat that I missed while I was asleep. Scrolling to the top of the day’s chat, I see a screenshot of a flyer for a carnival tonight in a neighboring town. It seems that they all agreed to meet at 8.
Rubbing the remaining sleep from my eyes, I dial Ariel’s number.
“Hey you!” she says once the call connects. “How was your nap?”
“It was good,” I lie.
There are some ruffling sounds before she asks, “Are you up for tonight? I know you haven’t been sleeping well lately, so if you want to stay home, you can.”
“When have you ever seen me choose to stay home over hanging out with you? Plus, you know this is on my list, you guys can’t go without me,” I laugh, pausing before asking my next question. “Is he going to be there?”
Ariel sighs, “Maya, it’s been almost two weeks. Stop avoiding him.”
“So that’s a yes then?”
“Maya,” she drags out. “I’m not sure to be honest. I don’t know if the guys invited him.”
I groan in annoyance. “Let me start getting ready, send me a pic of what you’re wearing.”
I can almost hear the smile in her voice as she cheerily says, “You know I will!” and ends the call.
Rolling out of bed, I almost slide on the spilled liquid, letting out a small, “Eep!”
After cleaning the floor, I go give Mango his dinner before hopping into the shower.
It’s been a bit over a week and a half since the situation. He gave up on texting and calling me a few days ago. There’s no doubt that if he shows up tonight, he’ll try to corner me.
As for my mom, she’s been working most days, and when she is off, she’s tucked away in her office. I have no problem with this, even though I told my dad I would try to make peace with her. I stay in the shower for a long time, as if the water can wash away all of my pain and nightmares.
YOU ARE READING
All The Things I've Yet to Do
Teen Fiction"Here," I say, passing the paper to my left. "We need to finish this by the end of summer." I pray that no one asks a certain question as my list continues to circulate. One by one, devilish grins form on the faces of my friends. "I'm in," they begi...
