A Dying Girl's List

Chapter 28

Jace schlepped Lissa to her bed, then he undressed her and slipped an oversized t-shirt over her fragile body. He anticipated that she wouldn't mind that he undressed her. He couldn't let her sleep in that dress. It was hard enough carrying her upstairs with it on, he couldn't imagine how intolerable it would've been to sleep in it.

He stood alongside her bed, then flicked off the bed lamp. Just before he exited the room, he remembered the Polaroids he still had in his pocket – plus the one the principal took – and planted them in the front of Lissa's backpack. He discarded the bag on the floor then left her house. He locked the front door with the spare key he had. A precaution by Lissa, if something were to happen and she couldn't make it downstairs to unlock the door, or if she fell asleep and needed someone to lock the door for her.

•

When Lissa woke the next morning, she was shocked to find that she was no longer in the prom dress of last night, but rather in a comfortable oversized t-shirt.

Thanks for not letting me sleep in the prom dress.

She texted Jace, figuring he was the only one who would do that.

No problem, hope you slept well. He texted back almost instantly.

Yeah, I did... Are you still coming today?

She asked him, today being the day they were going to complete the second last goal on the List.

Yeah, I'm outside, and I forgot the spare key on the kitchen counter at home. Open for me?

Lissa chuckled, and swung her feet off the side of her bed, resulting in her toe knocking against the backpack. She hissed at the impact and hobbled down the stairs to the front door.

“And now?” Jace asked her when she hobbled beside him towards the living room.

“I freakin' stubbed my toe on the backpack upstairs.” Jace smiled.

“Don't smile.” she reprimanded, “The Polaroid was in there. It hurt,” she whined, throwing herself on the sofa.

Jace cleared his throat, his smile still apparent on his face, “You were always such a klutz. Hurting yourself with inanimate objects,” he stated, full-on grinning right now.

Lissa noticed a slight formation of a dimple, something she never noticed before...till now, “As far as I can remember, this is the first time I've hurt myself,” Jace raised his eyebrows, directing a pointed look towards her, “In front of you.” she added, suddenly remembering all the times she was a klutz in the past.

“I knew it,” Jace stated, also seating himself on the couch beside her, planting a kiss on the corner of her lips. Lissa froze,

“I still love you. Klutz and all,” he whispered. Lissa internally shivered. His hot breath fanned her face, causing her face to burn up with desire.

Jace's gaze lingered on her lips, finally flicking to her eyes. Her bright blue eyes (in his perception), shone with desire for him. He wanted to kiss her, so badly but remembered she didn't like kissing with her morning breath — not that he thought she had morning breath.

“You probably don't want to kiss because of morning breath, right?” he asked air-quoting morning breath, slowly pulling away from her face.