The Countdown

Chapter 2- Breakfast

I awoke to the sound of knocking on my white wooden door. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. 

"Come in." I said as I yawned. The door opened slightly then creaked open. On the other side stood three people: my mom, dad and little brother Ashton. Ashton is 14, 3 years younger then me. My mom was wearing a pink floral dress and matching shoes and jewelry. Her amber hair was pulled back into a bun and her face was cover in makeup. Red lipstick, pink blush and eyeshadow, black massacre and dark eyeliner. My dad was wearing a suit. A black jacket, white button up shirt, and black slacks. He was wearing black dress shoes that were brand new. My dad came from a very poor family and in his family you never bought anything new. It was always used. He was also wearing a green tie to match his eyes and his dark brown hair was done very nicely. What surprised me most was what Ashton was wearing.  Ashton was matching my dad. Exactly! Same suit, shirt, hair style, everything! Ashton always liked being unique, never standing in. Always different. So, for him to be matching my dad was a big jump for Ashton.

"Today's the big day!" Mom rushed towards me and pulled me out of bed. I was still in my outfit from yesterday: capris, jean shirt and navy blue socks. 

"Don't remind me." I muttered as she threw open my closet. Ashton stepped forward.

"Umm, this is from me and Annie."  Annie is Ashton's best friend, but we all know that he likes her. They met the first day of middle school and instantly became best friends. She's more like a sister to me because she spends so much time with our family. 

Ashton pushed his arm out and handed me a little box wrapped in purple and blue striped paper and a big coral colored bow on top. I grabbed the box and unwrapped it. Inside the box was a necklace with a silver pendant that had a G on it. I grabbed my little brother and gave him a big hug.

"Thanks Ashton! It's beautiful!" A small smile appeared on his face.

"Yeah, no problem. I'm going to go walk to Annie's and pick her up." He turned around and ran to the door. 

"How much longer?" My dad asked sitting down on the bed. I looked down at my Countdown while my mom put my necklace on.

"10 hours, 1 minutes and 44 seconds." I looked at my clock and sighed: 10:10.

"Well, your mom and I got you this." He walked out of my room and reappeared with a box about a foot and a half long and a foot wide wrapped in a bright blue bow. I opened the box and lifted out a brand new white knee high dress and a pair of purple converse. 

"I love it!" I threw my arms around my dad and kissed my mom on the cheek. 

"We'll let you get ready." And with that my mom and dad both rushed out of my room.

I shut my door and got ready. After I put on my dress, I slipped on a pair of white socks and my new converse. Along with my new necklace, I put on my best friend bracelet from Tucker. He had a matching keychain. I curled my hair and did my makeup and walked into the kitchen. 

The sudden aroma of pancakes hit my nose and my tastebuds instantly started to water. 

"You look gorgeous!" My mom said as she placed a plate a the dinning table. Annie and Ashton were sitting at the table laughing and then looked my way.

"Grace!" Annie yelled and ran to hug me. I hugged her back and smiled. Annie was wearing a bright blue dress and black flats. Her bright blonde hair was pulled into a pony tail and she was wearing bright pink lipstick. 

"Hey Annie! Thanks for the necklace. It's so pretty!" 

"No problem! It is a big day!" She smiled, hugged me again and followed Ashton out the back door.

"Yeah, that's what they all say." I muttered as the doorbell rang. I saw my dad and mom smile.

"Will you get that Grace?" my dad asked but, I was already at the door. I opened the front door and a smile spread across my face. There stood Tucker, suit and all, holding a small gift in his left hand. 

"Tucker!" I screamed and threw my arms around him. 

"Gracie! How are you?" He smiled a Tucker smile.

"Are you kidding me? Now that you're here, great!" He laughed and I joined him. I grabbed his hand and pulled him to the kitchen table. Mom and dad had gone the living room. After we sat down he handed me the gift. 

"I know it's not much, but-" I stopped him with a kiss and I opened the box. Inside sat a beautiful ring. 

"Tucker... I'm speechless." He grabbed the ring a put it on my middle finger on my right hand. I kissed his lips again. He smiled and I smiled back. "It's gorgeous! I love it!"

"It's a promise ring." I scooted closer to Tucker. 

"What promise?" I felt my bangs come untucked from behind my ear and fall in front of my face.

"That no matter who you met tonight, that I will always be your first love. Can you promise me that?" He said as he pushed my bang out of my face. 

I nodded and he kissed my forehead. 

"Tucker?" I laid against him.

"Hmm?" He wrapped his arms around me.

"I love you." 

"I love you too Gracie." 

"Knock-Knock Love Birds. You done in here?" My dad's voice filled the kitchen.

I felt my cheeks go red and I sat up. Tucker did the same. Dad peeked in and then opened the door fully when he saw us both sitting perfectly straight and about a foot away from each other.

"Dad! How long have you been standing there?" I could see that Tucker's lips were stained from my lipstick and that his cheeks were bright red.

"Long enough. Kari! They're done!" My mom rushed in and smiled at the sight of Tucker. 

"Hi Mrs.White, Mr.White." Tucker said, cheeks still red.

"I see you and Grace were, umm, embracing." My dad said chuckling. Mom hit him in the arm and Tucker wiped the red from his lips.

"Josh!" She hit him again and brought over two plates with pancakes on them. 

"Sorry." I mumbled just loud enough for Tucker to hear. 

"Breakfast anyone?" Mom said placing the plates down. 

"Yes please!" Tucker said and started eating. 

Oh how I love Breakfast.