The Bucket List From Above (ON HOLD)

Chapter one

The only good thing about school is the peaceful 15 minute walk I get before my arrival. A morning walk which allows me to take in the familiar surroundings, developing my expertise in daydreaming.

Ever since my dad and I moved to Santa Monica, two years ago, I had walked down this same sidewalk, crossed the same street and rounded the same corner almost every day. It's a nice way to spend your morning.

I wouldn't say no to a car, though.

-

After approximately 15 minutes I reached my destination, Lakewood High. I made my way through the long hallway filled with students before reaching my locker where my best friend, Chelsea Foster, was currently standing.

She squealed when she saw me and pulled me into a bone crushing hug, ''I missed you!''

I pulled back, at least did my best to, and was interrupted before I could express my longing for her too. ''You better not disappear like that out of the blue ever again,'' I opened my locker, ''Make sure you forward this to your dad.''

Lucky for me, the bell rang which signaled that my English class would begin in five minutes and at times like these, I'm happy they exist. 

No offense, Chels.

''I will take my time to apologize to you during lunch,'' she noted my sarcasm with a fake laugh, ''No worries though, I'll explain everything later.'' I gave her a quick hug before she turned around and disappeared among the crowds. I closed my locker and grabbed what I needed for class and began my stroll to the second floor. 

Mrs. Watson, my English teacher, is a woman with discipline and has zero tolerance with students arriving late.

Or should I say ''late''.

Her definition of late is if you enter the classroom after her. Which is, in my eyes and probably anyone else's, pretty fucking stupid. No mercy if you arrive three minutes before class starts and she's already there. Being the teacher, she sees herself as the queen of the class. I wouldn't mind if she did, as long as she took Julie Andrews' quote from The Princess Diaries 2: ''A queen is never late, everyone else is simply early'' by heart.

Thanks to Mrs. Watson, I've realized there are pros and cons for missing two weeks of school. Even before I put my food inside the classroom I knew that she had prepared some sort of devilish, extra work, for me to do. 

She's that predictable. 

If she was strict about being in time in class; imagine what she's like towards those students who don't show up at all. In which case - I dreaded my afternoon already. I could picture myself sprawled out on my floor trying to work on whatever she chose specifically for me to do.

Students began filling the classroom as time went by and when it was about two minutes left, Mrs. Watson arrived with her bag in one hand and coffee mug in the other.

''Good morning, class.'' Although I was awkwardly looking down to avoid her stare, I could feel her eyes scan the room. Before I could comprehend what was happening, the class had gona quiet. The only sound that was heard was her heels clicking annoyingly each step she took as she made her was towards, you guessed it, me. ''Ms. Coleman,'' she greeted, ''I expect you to be done by tomorrow. No exceptions.''

Talk about being her target of the daty. A few students started whispering pathetic comments as I began to look through the big pile of work which was now on top of my desk. 

She was about to begin with her oh-so wonderful lecturing, the door swung open which made everyone's head snap to their right - including mine.

''Hm, Mr. Pierce,'' she said, ''how nice of you to finally join us.'' He rolled his eyes and glanced around the room to find a seat. ''Ms. Coleman, raise your hand so Mr. Pierce can take a seat next to you. Your common interest about arriving late will do you both good.''