The Bucket List [#Wattys2018]

Chapter Seventeen: You're Gonna Miss Me By My Walk

"Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tip toe if you must, but take the step."
••••••••
"Why did you call in a code?" Amy asks me. I can't believe it took her this long to ask. With everything going on. It probably was hard for her to do so.

I gulp nervously.

"When I went out for my run, I saw Paul, he was wearing a suit, his hair was slicked back, he was carrying a briefcase and a coffee cup....and then he saw me...we made eye contact."

I'm basically mumbling under my breath but somehow Amy understands me.

Before she can ask another question or say anything, I continue. "He texted me, asking if we can meet up."

I look up from the ground to see Amy's mouth hanging wide open. Her eyes full of shock.

"And what did you say!?" She questions.

"I haven't answered him yet." I reply.

"Well what are you going to say?"

I shrug my shoulders, "I don't really know at this point. I mean, some part of me knows that it's a bad idea, and the other part, still loves him and wants to become best friends again, maybe see if he'll give me a second chance. Or just at least catch up with him and see how he's doing."

Amy looks taken aback, but regains her poker face.

That's the thing about Amy, she never wanted me to see how she felt about something, because she didn't want to influence my decision.

"Well, whatever you feel is right Amanda. Do what makes you happy."

And with that, she hops off of the hotel bed and gives me a hug.

I love my best friend.

"Before we go to see the walk of fame, I have a surprise for you." Amy says, as she pulls away from our hug.

I smile.
••••••••
Amy has brought me to a high school's track. And of course it's a Saturday so I don't know how we're going to get in when the gate is locked.

Oh wait.

This is Amy we're talking about.

"Give me a boost up and I'll unlock the gate from the other side." Amy implores.

I've always been the one to give Amy the boost. She's the tinier build. I was more muscular due to my obsession with working out and running.

Plus Amy was known for going head first into dangerous situations. Like trespassing, breaking and entering, the usual.

Amy unlocks the gate from the other side once I lift her over.

I can't wait to run.

Running has always been my passion, other than writing. Just something about racing the wind. It makes me feel alive.

I start to run on the track.

My feet are pounding against the coal colored rubber asphalt.

I pound my worries and stress into the ground.

No more Paul.

No meeting.

No Phillip.

No cute guy at the masquerade.

No mom.

Mom.

Memories of my mom come flooding back.

"Go Amanda!" Mom cheers me along with Amy and her boyfriend Steve. And my other friend Paul who cheers too. I run harder and push myself further. I pass the person in the lane next to me. And the next, and I'm in the lead. Finally I pass over the finish line and my ears are flushed with the sound of Amy's screams. "SHE GOT FIRST!! SHE GOT FIRST!!!" I smile and let Amy pull me into a hug. I giggle because she's gonna have sweat all over her now. After Amy releases her grip on me, mom walks over and twirls my ponytail. "That's my girl." I smile up at her. "I love you mom." "I love you too." She replied. And I saw the love in her eyes.

Mom. I miss mom.

She died of cancer when I was in my early twenties.

Why did the world have to be so cruel?

I look over as I pass by the bleachers on my third lap.

Amy had brought a notebook with her and was writing in it. She wrote poetry, I hardly read any of it though, but it was amazing.

Now the difference between me and Amy with writing, is that while I want to put my work out in the world, she doesn't. It's her private work. And only a few of those poems out of probably many, have I seen. I think Liam has seen a few.

She's like Emily Dickinson, she didn't want her poetry to be published either.

Amy stands up and I stop running. "What'd you write?" I question her, wondering if she'll let me see it.

She hands it over with a beautiful smile on her face.

"The wind kisses my suntanned skin,
And blows my hair to one side, whispering it's secrets
into my exposed ears.
The sun,
It's bright and beautiful,
Shining so radiant.
Almost like it's smiling,
I can't help but smile back.
The sky's so blue,
Like it's a reflection of the beautiful ocean.
Clouds drift in and out,
Floating effortlessly across the sky.
I wonder what'd it'd be like,
To fly up in the sky with them."

"Amy...that's beautiful." I say, as I hand her back her notebook. "Thank you!" Amy smiles brightly. Brighter than the sun.

"Don't you ever wonder what'd it'd be like to fly?" Amy questions. She has this light in her eyes and she spreads her arms out, smiling. I look up at the sky, watching a flock of birds. "Yeah."
•••••••
I don't know how I felt about the walk of fame. It seemed really cool at first.

But....

Why get excited over all of these famous people? They're just human too. They're like you and me. Made out of the same skin and bones.

I understand that they're more successful in life.

But why do people feel the need to touch them? To see them?

Why are they in love with them?

And not in love with the idea of life instead?