Confessions of a Dying Girl

• Chapter 4 •

I was never the type of girl to believe in any of the Love At First Sight bullshit. But I was the type to believe in crushes. As Amber and I were staring at the neighborhood newcomer, I felt a bit of trickling in my nose. ACHOO!

Of course, it had to be the loudest sneeze heard around the world. It even shifted my breathing tube a bit. The new boy holding a box labeled Charlie's Stuff, looked up at my window. I'm pretty sure he spotted Amber and me.

As soon as his eyes darted to us, we went straight to the floor. I have no idea why hiding is an option, but maybe it was his looks.

Amber spoke up, "Do you think we should stop being creeps and introduce ourselves?"

I laughed, "Amber, have I ever told you how funny you are." She shot one of her scolding looks at me as I stood to walk to my stereo.

I pushed the Four album into the slot and the first song to come onto shuffle play was Night Changes. What a bop. Me and Amber plopped on my bed, getting ready to finally start our homework. But then my doorbell rings.

Me and my best friend looked at each other. Amber asked, "Do you think that's-"

"I don't know but let's find out."

I run downstairs and took a glimpse out of the peek-hole of my front door and there he was. My real-life Augustus Waters.

I opened my door to a warm smile. The boy spoke up, "Oh, hi! I don't know if I'm mistaken but I think I saw you in your window. I figured it would be the polite thing to do if I came over and introduced myself to my new neighbors. I'm Charlie Johnson." He stuck his hand out, expecting me to also be the polite one and accept the handshake. I can't believe he's so nice...it's kind of weird.

I think I was stuck in the moment because he asked again...and again, "Your name?"

I immediately snapped out of it and grabbed his hand, accepting the handshake. "Sorry! Um, right. I- I'm Alice Miller. Welcome to the neighborhood, Charlie." I embarrassingly smiled. Ugh, why was I such a mess?

"Alice Miller", he repeated. "Nice to meet you." His smile could seriously light up the universe, it was so ANNOYING!

I hated the fact that he made me feel this way. "So, Alice, I'll see you around sometime?"

"Uh, yea. I'll see you around." He gave me a slight head nod and turned around to once again join his family in unloading the car. Once I closed the door, I was joined by Amber, running downstairs. "Oh... my... GOSH, ALICE! I was listening to the entire thing and I think I know what this calls for."

I looked at Amber with such confusion in my face. What the hell was she talking about? She grabbed my hand, pulling me upstairs. I don't know why she expected me to run as fast as her with a medal spaceship on my back!

She ran to my dresser and snatched a colorful piece of paper labeled, 10 Things To Do Before I Die.