The Bucket List [#Wattys2018]

Chapter Thirty Eight: The Third Star

"Only in the darkness can you see the stars."- Martin Luther King Jr.
••••••
Chris's mouth falls open as I tell him what had happened to me the night Amy had died. About.....Paul.

"Oh my gosh Amanda, I am so sorry."

He extends his hand but redraws it just as fast, remembering what had happened last time he had touched me.

"You know I would never hurt you like that right? I would never hurt you at all. I promise."

I nod my head even though I don't know for sure if what he's saying is true.

"Remember the three sister stars?" Chris asked.

I remembered.

"Well, you see that middle sister?" He points at the star in the middle of Orion's belt.

"That is your star. Power. You are in complete power over who you let control your life, and I doubt you will let that jerk take control over you. You are you and he can not change that at all. You are beautiful and you are magnificent and you are powerful."

I stare straight up at the star he gave me.

My star.

I turn my head and smile at Chris.

He smiles back.

And fear seemed to lose the hold it had over me.

•••••••

"How about we.... play Truth or Dare!" I exclaim so loud that people sleeping on the flight started to stir.

Chris holds a finger up to his lips trying to shush me, all the while, trying not to laugh and cause more commotion.

I suppress a giggle starting to form in the back of my throat.

"Well, maybe it's safer that we don't do any dares." Chris whispers, gesturing towards the rows of sleeping passengers.

"No, we should do dares, it will be a lot more fun, and a lot more interesting." I smirk at him and he shakes his head.

I have this whole game planned out.

"I swear Amanda, you better not get us kicked off the plane."

"They can't kick us off. We're in the air."

"I'm sure they have parachutes."

I almost snort out my nose from his comment.

"They wouldn't dare." I muttered.

"Truth or dare? Ms. Clermont." Chris asked.

If it was Amy, she would always pick Dare.

But I don't know what he would make me do.

"Truth."

"Okay, Are you usually late or early to things?"

"Early, always early." I chuckle. Amy was always late, fashionably late.

"Truth or dare?" I ask Chris, while raising one eye suspiciously. "Dare." He sits forward in his seat and grins.

"I dare you to draw a mustache on that woman sleeping behind you." I hand him a sharpie from my purse and he gawks at me. "Really?" I laugh and nod.

Sighing, he uncaps the marker and quickly draws a curled mustache on the woman.

"Oh my gosh, you actually did it."

I start laughing so hard that I know I won't be able to stop.

"Your turn."