The Bucket List [#Wattys2018]

Chapter Thirty Seven: Got A First Class Seat Up On Ozzy's Train

"If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try."-Seth Godin
••••••••
I honestly can't believe that Chris took the chance to get me to go somewhere with him.

Since I'm absolutely terrified to be alone with another guy, that wasn't Liam, considering he was like my brother, I invited him over to talk about it.

"Amanda, you can't live in fear for the rest of your life." Liam advised.

"He'll hurt me. He'll only do the same thing." My voice starts to shake.

Liam takes my hand.

"Chris would not do that. I know that what happened to you and how it's affecting you is terrible and extremely painful to deal with, but you can't let it ruin your life."

I just stare blankly at him.

I just don't know what to even say or think.

"Plus, I know Chris. He is really a good guy Amanda. I wouldn't put you in any situation if I didn't think you'd be safe."

Liam lets go of my hand and clasps his together, slouching forward and resting his chin on his hands.

He's staring at a picture of Amy and I that I put on the mantle.

"Liam, you're right. I'll go."

He snaps out of the daze he was in and smiles.

"Good. You'll have fun."

Liam stands up and heads for the door.

"And Amanda,"

He stops in the doorway frame.

"Chris really likes you."

And then he leaves, closing the door behind him. And I feel my mouth tug a slight bit at the last sentence he said.
•••••••
"Amanda! I didn't know if you'd make it or not!" Chris exclaims. I try to hide my smile. "I said yes, didn't I?" I reply.

Chris smiles and takes ahold of my baggage. "You really don't have to do that..." I remark.

"But I want to."

He really is a gentleman.

As I follow Chris to our plane, I'm confused on why he keeps going when all the untaken seats are in the back.

Chris seems to notice me stopping and turns around. "You coming Amanda?"

I raise an eyebrow in confusion but follow him anyway.

"You got us first class tickets?!" I exclaim. Chris nods proudly, his cheeks reddening from smiling so big.

"Have you ever flown first class Amanda?" I shake my head. "Surprisingly, no. I have the money for it, but I never really thought about it." I admit.

"I know it may seem a little surprising that I managed to pay for all this considering that you saw me working a pretzel stand in the mall. But my great grandmother passed away and in her will, I inherited a large sum of money."
Chris doesn't look away as he says this, but he swallows a lump in his throat.

"I'm so sorry."

Chris casts his eyes downward, and the right corner of his mouth tugs.

A few seconds of silence seem to thicken between us, so I break it.

"I know what it's like to lose someone. I lost my father at a young age, then I lost my mom, and just recently, I lost my best friend."

Chris lays a hand on my arm, which causes panic to rise in my chest and I jerk back. The hairs on my arm rise up and my breathing escalates.

"Amanda? Are you okay?" Chris's voice sends alarming signals to my ears.

I click back to reality.

"Yes, sorry, I'm fine." My words jumble together.

"I'm going to use the restroom." I jump up from my seat and take a beeline to the small bathroom towards the front of the aisles.

My heart pounds against my ribs, making it feel like they will collapse on top of my lungs at any second.

Once I shut the door behind me, I reach into my purse and pull out my phone, dialing Liam's number on impulse.

"Ama-"

"Liam,I don't know why I thought I could do this, but I really can't, and I don't know what to do. I'm really scared and-"

My words get cut off by Liam.

"Amanda, slow down. Take a deep breath, what happened?"

"We were talking, and he touched my arm. And I panicked, and I ran to the bathroom and called you." I speak more slowly now. Careful to not jumble my words together again.

"Amanda. Everything is okay. He won't hurt you. Okay? Take deep breaths. In, and out. In, and out."

I follow his directions until my heart starts to beat normally again and the hairs on my arms lower.

"Thank you." I whisper.

"You're welcome."

After putting my phone back in my purse I stumble out of the restroom and make my way towards Chris.

I had sixteen hours to get used to him before we landed.

I had to do this.

I had to get comfortable with him.

I had to feel safe in my new layer of skin.

I just had to.

"Are you okay?" Chris asks as I sit down next to him.

I smile and nod. Maybe I should tell him?

"Amanda, does this have anything to do with the night I came to your apartment?"

I freeze.

Slowly I let my guard down.

"Yes it does."

So the chapter title is actually lyrics from one of my favorite songs, '5150' by Dierks Bentley. Which is a great song, and you should definitely go check it out.

Anyways, who else loves Chris and Amanda!!! I do!!!!

But do you want them together?

And isn't Liam and Amanda's friendship just darling? Best friend goals right there.

Love you all! Don't forget to vote and comment!

~love, Padfoot621