The Countdown

Chapter 1- Neverland

"26 hours, 47 minutes and 33-32-31 seconds." I said as I tucked my bangs behind my ear only for them to fall back in front of my face. I sighed.

"What if I don't even like the guy?" I brushed up against Tucker's shoulder as Tucker pushed my bangs out of my face.

"Come on Grace, a good looking girl like you is only bound to find a good looking guy like me." Tucker smiled a Tucker smile, a full smile that spread from ear to ear. I let myself laugh for once.

"You always know how to cheer me up!" I laughed again and this time Tucker joined in. The woods filled with our laughter. We were hiding out in our secret hide out. We call it Neverland. Tucker and I built Neverland years ago and have used as a secret base ever since. Neverland is built up in the old oak trees and the bottom of Neverland camouflages with the trees so people don't see it as they pass by. Neverland's pretty big for a tree house. We have a mini fridge, lovesak, bookshelf, radio and a hammock. It's painted like Neverland with a pirate ship and the second star to the right and peter pan and the lost boys. It's really cool.

"We probably should go back Grace. Your parents are probably worried sick and everyone at the party is probably feeling really awkward without the guest of honor there." He stood up and placed book he was reading on top of the mini fridge.

"I don't want to go back. I feel safe up here with you. Plus why meet a brand new guy when I already have the only guy I'll ever want already hiding with me." I pulled Tucker's arm down towards me and he fall back into the lovesak next to me. I leaned over and kissed his check and laid on his shoulder. He ruffled my hair and kissed my forehead.

"Grace, if we were soalmates, our Countdowns would have hit zero years ago, but for all we know you've got a guy who's a much better looking me which is pretty much impossible. He could be out there waiting for you to stumble into his arms and fall deeply in love." I looked into Tucker's bright ocean blue eyes and he smiled back at me.

"I know, but I don't want someone else, I love you." I sighed and I felt the hot salty tears start working their way down my checks. Tucker put his arms around me and started running his fingers through my brown wavy hair.

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"Sweetheart!" I felt the transfer from one set of arms to another.

"She's really upset. I tried to explain, but it hurt her too much. She really doesn't want to do this."

"Yes, we know, but she has no choose. None of us do. But it all works out for the best."

"Yeah," Sigh. "can I kiss her one last time?"

"I don't see why not. Thank you Tucker for being her best friend all these years. She's going to miss you." Tucker kissed me on my head and leaned in and whispered, "I love you too Gracie. I know you can't hear me, but I really really wish that my countdown had hit zero when I met you." He ran his fingers through my hair one last time and walked out the door which was followed by the door shutting and movement of my body from the entry way.

My dad opened my bedroom door and laid me on my bed. I rolled over and opened my eyes to see my clock. 12:09  How long was I asleep?

"Hey Sweetie. How are you feeling?" I sat up and looked around. Nothing looked different. My dresser drawers were still open, clothes spewing from them. The picture of Tucker kissing my check at my 11th birthday party was still on my nightstand, the glass cracked down the middle. My cell phone was still laying on the ground, screen split and battery laying close by, from when I threw it across the room at my door, hoping that it would change the fact that Tucker wasn't my soalmate. Mom and Dad were sitting on my bed.

"I-I'm n-n-not r-really s-s-sure." I admitted. The last couple of hours are blank and I was to meet my soalmate in 20 hours, 9 minutes and 48 seconds. 

"You need to sleep. You have a really important day tomorrow and you don't want to be tired." My dad said as he kissed my forehead. Mom followed dad and they walked out, hand in hand, and shut out the light for the night. I slid out of my bed and over to my phone. I popped the battery back into place and the screen lit up. I slid open my phone and hit the text messages icon. I clicked Tucker's name and started typing.

Hey...

Hey Sleeping Beauty ;p

Did you awaking me with a kiss Prince Charming?

Maybe...

Tucker...

Fine! What if I did? What then?

Then, you should come over so I can return the favor

You need to get to sleep Gracie... It's almost 1 in the MORNING!

Then why are you still up? 

I can't sleep 

I'm sorry, I doubt I could if I tried

You slept for 6 hours! It wouldn't surprise me if you couldn't get to sleep for another decade

:) You always know how to make me smile 

That's me! Your bestest friend in the whole wide world!

Remember how we first met?

Yeah! How could I forget! 

Will you tell me the story?

Once upon a time about 9 years ago a little girl no more then 8 and her family took a trip to a lake. The little girl was mesmerized by all the pretty  rocks on the edge of the lake. The little girl didn't know how to swim, so she sat by the edge and played with pretty stones and the sand. About an hour passed before she thought she saw a dolphin. The little girl didn't know that no dolphins lived in the lake. So she got closer to the edge to look at the "dolphin". The edge was too slippery and the little girl slipped into the water below. The edge was only a few feet up. Luckily, a little boy who had just turned nine, saw the little girl slip and started to run towards the water. He jumped in a saved the little girl from drowning. And they become best friends forever. The End!

Wow! BEST STORY EVER!!!!

Now try to get some rest... Okay?

Okay.

Promise?

I promise

I turned my phone off and looked at the clock. 2:15  

I set my phone on my night stand and tucked myself into the covers. Shuting my eyes, I felt a single salty tear roll down my face and fall onto my pillow. I wonder how much longer until Tucker's Countdown hit zero? I rolled onto my side and went to sleep dreaming of my imaginary life with the guy I wished I could be with.