The Bucket List

"Colten?" I say surprised. I didn't suspect him to work here.

"Oh thank goodness your okay! My aunt has been going crazy wondering about your safety!" He says exasperated.

"Wait," Kate blurts out. "You two know each other?"

"Yeah, we met yesterday. She saved my Aunt and little cousin from a burning car." He smiles at me.

"As in the little boy named Kyle?" She questions.

"Yep!" Now its Coltens turn to be confused. "Hold on, how did you know that?"

"I told her the story." I pitch in.

"Oh! You must be the friend she went looking for!" Kate looks at me now. I can feel my ears flush, slowly rising to my face.

"You went out into danger to come find Tyler and I?" I let out a meek yes, letting my hair make a curtain around my face.

"Okay well what do you girls want to drink?" Colten says changing the topic and getting back into work.

We both end up ordering chocolate milk. Kate gets chicken and pancakes while I get a waffle. Colten brings us our food ten minutes later and sits down with us. Colten sits next to me and explains how his shift is over. We enjoy our food with small talk. I listen as people around us chatter and laugh with others. The clattering of silverware on plates can be heard as people of all ages enjoy themselves.

"Hey Hope?" Colten pulls me out of my daze.

"Hm?"

"My aunt would like to have you over for dinner one night. She still wants to see that you're okay and thank you for saving their lives."

"Yeah! I could come over one night." I push my food away, done with it before continuing, "Let's try planning it during the week maybe?" He smiles and I take that as a yes.

We exchange numbers and Kate and I make our leave after paying, waving to Colten goodbye. Right when we exit I get a text from Samuel. My smile quickly turns to a scowl.

"Wow who just got your panties in a twist?" Kate jokes.

"Samuel." I seethe.

Her eyebrows scrunch together in confusion on why he is texting me. I explain to her how we got paired in the group project. Her face morphs into an 'O' shape in understanding. I open his contact and see his name is still Sam. I quickly replace it, changing it to Samuel.

Samuel: Do you think we could work on this project today around 1?

Samuel has always been very straightforward with his text. No shortening words. He says it makes no sense to him.

Hope: Id have to text Blake will quick to see if he can

His reply is almost instant.

Samuel: Okay, because I am 10 minutes away from your place.

I immediately call Blake, Kate looking at me funny makes me snort. I wave my hand at her, telling her to hold up. The phone rings twice before he picks up.

"Hello?"

"Hey its Hope. Are you free this afternoon around 1?"

It goes silent for a second before I hear the sound of sheets being moved around.

"Yeah, sure I just have to get ready."

I hear more background noises before I speak again. I tell him my address and he agrees to be there in twenty. Kate and I start running to my place, remembering that Sam will be there in less than 5 minutes.

We make it inside my house right when we see Sam come walking into my driveway. Kate and I are panting. We're both not really in shape. The doorbell rings and Kate goes to answer the door while I go get us drinks.

I can hear the voices of Kate and Samuel. During the whole incident two years ago, Sam and Tyler were the only ones to stay close. They both are on the football team so I guess that helps.

I finish pouring Kate and I lemonade and make my way out of the comfort of my kitchen to the living room where they are seated. I hand Kate her drink which she practically inhales while I place mine on the coffee table in front of us. Kate sits in the rocking chair to our left while Samuel occupies the right end of the couch.

Samuel takes off his shoes, placing them near the couch. I'm impressed he remembered that rule my mother made. He runs a hand through his brown hair, looking around the room. Its been about two years since he was last here and not much has changed except more photos of my deceased father on the walls.

I also take this time to observe him since he hasn't noticed me yet. His tight-fitting green shirt accents his hazel eyes. His sweatpants loosely hanging on him. He has about a five day stubble on his face, making his jawline look sharper than it already is. I'll admit. Sam has always been hot and age only helped him look almost Chris Hemsworth worthy. Ha, see what I did there?

The doorbell rings and startles me out of my daze. Samuel's gaze snaps up to mine. We lock eyes for about 10 seconds then the doorbell rings again. I leave and head to the front door suspecting to find Blake but to run into Tyler.

"Hey shorty!" I smile and punch him in the gut. He lets out a grunt and wanders into the living room. He stops when he realizes Samuel is here.

"Sammy! What are you doing here!" The boys do the bro handshake thing before both having a seat back on the sofa.

"Have a project to do and Hope is my partner," He says this while holding my gaze. I break eye contact first.

"Wait then where is your third person? It's for the E.L.A. bucket list right?" The question wasn't directed to anyone but I spoke before Sam had a chance to.

"He's on his way actually."

"Oooo a boy! Who is he?" Right when he questioned who it was, the doorbell rang once again and I watched as Samuel visibly tensed.

Kate jumped out of the chair and went to get the door. I plopped down between Tyler and Samuel as I waited for Blake to enter.

"He's here!" She announces as Blake rounds the corner. I watch as Tyler quickly whips his head to Sam. A shocked expression covers his face as he glances back at Blake who develops a smirk.

"Hey Tyler and Samuel," He looks me in the eye before smiling. "Hope."

I feel an arm go over my shoulders and I stiffen as I get pulled into Samuel's side. His warmth hitting me immediately. I slowly relax into him, releasing a sigh. I meet Katelyn's eyes. Her eyebrows rose as she looks between Sam and I before grabbing her bag.

"Okay well you guys good luck on your project. Tyler and I got to meet with Madison to complete ours now." Tyler stands and slaps Blake on the back with a little more force than necessary as he exits. Kate waves to me and mouths 'Good Luck' and I am definitely going to need it.

Blake takes a seat in the rocking chair Kate once occupied and places his bag on the ground, digging though it. Samuel does the same. I go to stand but Sam keeps me down. I feel his breath on my ear and I freeze.

"You can use some of my supplies." He whispers into my ear as he passes me a note book. I mutter out a thank you and grab the pencil he extended to me. Blake coughs, making my attention shoot to him.

He has an easy-going smile. His denim jacket is tossed on the armrest of the chair. His curly hair is messily on his head, looking like he just woke up. His blue polo shirt is tucked into his jeans. He takes notice that our shoes are off and places his by his feet.

Blake then gets up and kneels in front of the coffee table. He puts his note book down and looks back up at us. His eyes zeroing in on Samuels' arm which is still securely draped over my shoulders.

"So what do you guys think about helping a retirement home?" Blake speaks out which cues the start of the project.

~~~~~~~~~~

"I am not buying you Oreos!" I say for the last time. He chuckles and still puts it in the buggy. You might be wondering why I am at the store with Sam collecting groceries. Well, it all can be blamed on what happened after the project finished.

I release a groan. Its been about two hours now and the boys keep picking at each other. I write the last copy of the Bucket list before falling back onto the couch, enjoying a break from writing. Samuel's handwriting isn't the best and I just saw how Blake writes which isn't any better.

About 10 minutes into the assignment, Samuel removed his arm and headed to my kitchen to grab a water bottle. During this time, I moved to sit on the ground, resting my back on the couch. This is also the time when the boys started bickering and no. Not in a nice way.

"That shirt is way to tight on you." Blake comments. My eyes instantly zero in on Samuel's shirt, noticing that Blake is indeed correct about it being tight. It shows his well defined six pack or wait it might be-.

"Your just jealous you don't have an eight pack," Samuels accent slips out on the word jealous as he relaxes into the sofa. Samuel is originally from Luxembourg and moved here at the age of 10 in 5th grade, that's when we met. His accent has died out before we stopped talking but with some words it is faintly there.

"Great and you have a weird accent too," Blake rolls his eyes. Samuels face hardens as he sits up. I place my hand on his arm, stopping him.

"Boys! Take a chill pill and stop getting down each others throats!" I shout at them. They both quiet down for a second before Sam speaks again.

"Maybe it's time for you to go." He refers to Blake.

"Ha! This isn't even your house correct?" He looks over at me for conformation. But as I go to answer, Samuel speaks again.

"Her mother is about to be home and I have no idea how she will react about having you over," He's not lying. My mother does not like boys over at my place. The only two she accepts is Tyler and Sam but I have no idea how she would react with Samuel being back in the house.

"Then you better leave too!" Blake stands up, glaring at Sam with a dark look which makes me stiffen. It seems that it has no effect on Sam as he challenges Blake with a smirk of his own.

"Maybe it is a good idea if you leave Blake," I cut the boys off from there staring contest.

"Seriously? Your choosing this asshole over me?"

"Language," Samuel spits which makes my lip twitch up in a smile.

"What? The bad boy afraid of a fucking curse word huh?" I cringe at the word and Samuels glare becomes menacing. Blake's eyes widen as he steps back realizing his mistake. Sam slowly stands up as he spoke.

"You will never say another fowl word in front of her again if you want to remain out of the hospital. Am I clear?" Blake nods his head in understanding and then the sound of keys being jiggled in the door handle can be heard.

My mom's voice is soon followed as she yells announcing her presents. She comes around the wall and sees Blake and Tyler standing, facing each other. My mother drops her keys and her eyes met mine in curiosity.

"Hello Mrs. Dale," Blake says addressing my mom. She stutters before speaking.

"Well hello. Sorry, I was not aware you had company. What's your name boy?" She looks at Blake expectantly.

"Blake Corter ma'am and I'm sorry for being in your way, I was just leaving." He puts on his shoes and tosses his bag over his shoulder.

"Bye Hope, see you at school tomorrow." Then he's gone. My mother looks back at me before smiling at Sam.

"Well hello Sammy! It's been way to long." She hugs Samuel and he looks completely uncomfortable because he just patted her back. My mom is the one who originally gave Samuel his nickname and it stuck.

"Hello Heather," He replies.

"How have you been?" She interrogates him. His eye flicker to mine before responding.

"Pretty well. Could be doing better."

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Both Sam and I whip our heads up to my mom.

"No mom he must be busy"

"I don't know if my mother would agree."

We both speak at the same time while my mother smiles. She shakes her head while picking up her keys.

"I'll call Jessica will quick to see if its alright with her. Give me a minute." She turns away and I cross my arms over my chest.

I turn back to the sofa and plop down onto it, turning the channel to Spongebob. Sam sighs and sits next to me a good cushion away and pulls out his phone. After a few minutes, my mom comes and says he can stay but we need to go out and collect groceries which leads us here at the nearest supermarket.

"We barley got any supplies for the pizza!" I glance at our cart to see it mostly consisting of junk food and dough for the pizza. Sam walks by me as I push the cart and runs a hand through his hair, making it stick up. I had an urge to fix it but shook the thought away.

"Cheddar or Parmesan cheese?" Sam turns around with two bags of cheese, waiting for my answer. I point a Parmesan and he nods as he puts the cheddar back.

"We still need pizza sauce and OH!" I slam into the cart to see Sam blocking its path.

"What now?"

"Get in"

"Come again?" He groans and comes around to the handle to steer.

"Get in. I'll drive you around like a Lyft."

"Oh how unfortunate. I ordered Uber." He laughs as I lead the way with him following.

I managed to collect all the ingredients for the pizza and spin on the balls of my feet when I spot it. Cookie dough ice cream. I snatch it out of the freezer and place it in the cart while Samuel gives me a funny look to which I turn my head and get in line to pay. I go to put my card in the machine to already see Sam's card.

I roll my eyes at his gentleman antics and load the buggy up with our supplies. When he is done, we flag down a taxi and load the groceries in the back.

"Where to kids?" I tell the man my address and he starts. Sam whips out his phone and starts texting feverishly. A minute later, I get a text from Sam. I look at him with confusion before I go to speak. He shakes his head, cutting me off. I open the text he sent and read.

Samuel: He has a gun.

My face pales. I follow Sam's gaze but can't see it. Must mean the gun is located under the drivers seat. I quickly type a reply back.

Hope: Are u sure?

Samuel: Positive.

Hope: Is he going to hurt us?

Samuel: Not while I am in the car.

I face Sam. His face is blank but I can see is eyes rake over the car. His brain calculating every escape option while I sit and wait. He spots a metal rod on the floor. I watch as he keeps his head forward but his eyes watching his feet. He moves the rod in grabbing reach and puts it at his side, away from the mans prying eyes.

We come to a stop and the old man turns to face us. His teeth are yellow and reeks of alcohol. His beard half shaven and a balding head. I watch as he reaches under him and that's when Sam swings. I suspected him to hit the man but he had other ideas.

"Get down!" Sam yells. I follow his orders, bracing my head.

Sam swung the metal pole at the back window, making it shatter into millions of pieces. This caught the attention of the cop pulled over on the side of the road giving tickets. The man with the gun lunged at Sam making his head connect with the glass window. The window cracked as the man held Sam by the throat.

My brain went into action. I grabbed the now abandoned pole from the ground and hit the man upside the head. He turned to me and grabbed my arm from hitting him again. I screamed as he shoved me into the seat. He pinned me down then grabbed my throat. I saw the cop behind the car calling for backup.

Sam punched the guy straight in the jaw, making him lose his grip on me. I inhaled a large breathe and was grabbed from behind. I screamed to only be silenced by the cop I saw earlier.

Sam managed to pin the guy down to the backseat and another cop was assisting him. An EMT led me to his vehicle where he looked for injury. After he gave me a bottle of water and a blanket, Sam sat down next to me with a far away look. I touched his arm, and he slowly made eye contact with me. I let a gasp leave my lips as I look at Sam's cut lip which is currently bleeding.

I grab the tissues from beside me and place one against his lip without any thought. I heard him take a sharp breath, probably from the pain. I dab at his lip for a bit before he grabs one of my wrist, stopping me from helping him.

"Are you hurt?" He whispers out. I shake my head as no and he lets a smirk grow on his face.

"Looks like I save a damsel in distress." I roll my eyes and he lets out a chuckle.