• Previously Featured on Wattpad • Sophie is tired of living in the safe zone. When her parents go away for the week, she decides to push herself to try new things. From outdoor camping, breaking car windows and experimental activities, Sophia emba...
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Monday
After a solid day of grounding, Mum and Dad eventually gave in and decided to unground me. Theo grumbled for a bit when he realised he wouldn't get the same exempt from our punishment. Apparently cleaning the house and being hungover is enough punishment for letting Theo go through with his party plans. I could easily argue my point of not being able to do anything, but I was happy to take it on the shoulder. I'd rather be ungrounded than being right and grounded.
One problem basically solved meant I had to deal with the other one; telling Theo about Leighton and I. My mind has gone through a million possible scenarios, all ending in Leighton getting his face smashed in. I suppose I should have more faith in Leighton holding his own ground, but I'd hate to see my brother beat up over this.
Leighton and I haven't agreed to labels yet, and I like this mysterious free vibe we have. At the end of the day, I like the way he kisses my neck and holds my hand, and that's good enough for me.
Theo and I are sitting in the lounge room. He's sunken into the couch glaring at his video game. You'd think they'd take this away from him but apparently banning people from coming to the house was enough punishment. I supposed they didn't want the task of amusing Theo for the rest of summer break. He really needs Leighton to work on this level so the punishment is working.
Maybe I could use this as my opportunity to invite Leighton over? I can't spend weeks waiting for his punishment to end to tell him. That'll kill me.
"You know, I could invite Leighton over," I suggest.
"Why would you do that?" he asks.
"Because you took most of the party blame. I know I didn't organise it, but I didn't stop you either," I say.
"Don't you want to see your friend, Anna?" he asks.
"Nah, that can wait."
"Thank you." He smiles.
Theo grabs his phone from his pocket and quickly texts Leighton to come over. Thankfully, Leighton lives close by, so it's only a matter of fifteenish minutes until Leighton walks through the front door to greet us.
They do their bro-hug before Leighton flops onto the couch. I look at Leighton and bite my lip. I'm so nervous, it feels like I'm going to be sick. I can't be sick, I just mopped the damn floors.
Leighton takes my hand and looks at Theo. He instantly notices his fingers entwined with mine. Instead of saying anything, Leighton waits for Theo to comment.
"What's happening?" asks Theo.
"We have something to tell you," I explain.
"I want permission to date your sister."
Theo's face immediately goes bright red with rage. I don't think your face goes red with excitement, does it?
"Please Theo, it would make us so happy," I say, almost begging him to believe me.
My words seem to calm the glowing look of rage painted on his face. He goes through a few rounds of inaudible grumbles and then finally, he huffs tiredly.
"You better be a good friend to me and a good boyfriend to her. If you break her heart, I'll have to kick your butt," he explains. "And I don't want to kick my best friend's butt."
"I don't want my car window smashed either." Leighton laughs.
Theo looks at me confused but I look away, pretending to be interested in something else. I'll never admit what I did to Johnny's car. It's the key to getting away with a crime.
"I give you my blessing or whatever. Now, can we just play the game?" he asks.
"Sure." Leighton grins happily.
Theo happily passes the gaming controller to Leighton and begins to explain the level and mission he's one. I don't understand anything and the dark screen is hard to see. I don't bother asking questions about the game, I just leave them to it.
I grab the list out of my pocket and scribble 'do something nice for Theo' along the bottom of the page. Even though I invited Leighton to the house, I want to do something nicer for letting us date. It's not easy to see your best friend with your sister, and I know that if things go belly up, he could be in jeopardy of losing his best friend. I'd hate for that to happen but I'm amazed at the trust and respect Theo has for me.
We always seem to have our differences but he's been there for me today. He didn't throw me under the bus when asked about the party – even though he grumbled a little bit.
Once I'm finished with my list, I fold the paper back up and shove it into my pocket.
I lean against Leighton's side and watch the screen. He wraps his arm around my body and then I rest my head against his leg.
"You know, we should have another party," says Theo.
"No way," I shout.
"Come on, it'll be fun," he teases.
"This time, they'll actually bury our bodies outside." I laugh.
"Maybe." Chuckles Theo.
Rolling onto my back, I look up at Leighton's handsome face and smile. He's intensely looking at the screen but briefly looks down to smile at me. I see a glimpse of adoration swirling through his eyes.
He goes back to playing until they get to a safe zone. Leighton is supposed to be scouting the area, but he leans down and presses his lips against mine. It's only a slipt second but Theo throws a cushion at the pair of us.
"Gross. Do that somewhere else."
"Okay." Leighton pauses the game.
"Wait, ew, no." Theo closes one eye and keeps playing the game.
His lips press against mine once more before Leighton has to run into another battle against what looks like aliens. I wiggle around on the couch and I hear the crunch of the list in my pocket
I was skeptical about writing a list of things to do, seemed like a waste of time in the beginning. But now that I've taken a stab at it, I've realised that I would never have gotten this close to Leighton and I wouldn't be this happy right now. So it shows me that even the stuff we think is dumb is worth a chance – unless it's Theo dumb like throwing a party – don't do that.
Sure, there are some things I shouldn't have done, like smashing that window. But I have a new outlook on life and I'm excited to test it out. Life should be a series of not looking back, no matter what. Always look forward to the future and the adventure ahead.
What's on your list?
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