Chapter 8
(21 months left) (September, October, November)
3 months passed by, and they had crossed of a lot of things from the List thus far.
They did number 2: ride in a convertible car, which was absolutely incredible. Jace captured a picture of Lissa in the driver's seat, with the wind wafting through her hair.
After that, they completed number 3: learn the basics of surfing, which, to be honest, was kind of a complex thing to learn, but Lissa still enjoyed the experience. Apparently she was a neophyte, not that she knew what that was, her instructor just told her that, so she couldn't go too deep into the water, but she floated close to the shore, drifting on the board, and Jace captured another magnificent picture. Since Lissa couldn't do an ample amount of things at one time — due to the headaches and the dizziness — Jace insisted they delay completing the List for a while.
•
One week later, and they were at it again.
Jace and Lissa became extremely close in these few weeks, not as in brother-sister close, but close as in where they could might as well have been dating. But, Lissa didn't know exactly how Jace felt. Jace felt the same, but he kept mum, because he was unaware of her feelings towards him. Besides, Lissa didn't want him to think, that he had to date her, all because of her succumbing in a couple of months, and Jace wanted to show Lissa he wants to date her for her bubbly personality, not because she going to kick the bucket soon.
It still felt surreal each time one of them mentioned the word 'death', so they used euphemisms instead.
“If he is only pursuing an interest in me out of pity, it wouldn't have been fair towards me.” Lissa thought to herself, one day.
During the 3 weeks after that, they completed numbers 4–10: go camping for a weekend,
bake a three-tier cake, which was very chaotic — which, in turn, ended up with both their faces covered in flour, and a ghostly photo thereafter —
do live karaoke, which was dreadful, but fun.
Jace can barely do a note. Good thing photography is his passion, and not singing.
Go bungee jumping.
Go windsurfing.
Indoor skydiving.
Trying Mexican food for the first time as well, and the best part was, Lissa got to do all that — every single thing — with Jace right by her side.
A week later, when October started, after number 10, they continued on until number 37. It was a lot to do, but they made it work. Lissa constantly came home late, having to sneak inside the house, while her parents were asleep.
They knew about the List and didn't even bother trying to stop her. Why would they? This was as hard for her as it was for them. At least that was what Lissa thought. To be honest, Michael and Lynn had forgotten their only daughter has an incurable disease. They were silently waiting for her to pass, because their daughter being "scandalous" on the streets of Los Angeles, was knocking their reputation to a pulp. That's why they were constantly away from home. Lissa hardly saw them since they heard the news.
The only reason they showed up to the hospital that day, was because a stranger had told them their daughter had fainted, and they needed it to seem as if they were caring parents.
It's like they didn't care that their only daughter was dying. They didn't. When Lissa dies, all that means is more contracts coming in for their business, even if it is just sympathetic ones.
Their lives always revolved around their work trips and the occasional family dinners — when they were at home. Jace even spent the night at her place after they finished number 20, and talk about an awkward dinner. Her parents barely made any effort to engage in any conversation with Jace. They'd answer his questions with one or two sentences, but that's it. And what was quite disturbing for Jace and Lissa, was that when Jace asked who was going to take over their business one day, their faces lit up as they spoke about this new intern, Finneas, that they were training for a couple of years now.
Even if Lissa had never gotten the cancer, her parents still wouldn't have handed over the reigns to her. And that thought was like them digging the dagger deeper into her back.
They did number 21: have a sleepover with Jace, the same night as the concert.
Numbers 22–37 was tough, which was; 22: ride a bike on the beach and 23: get a tattoo. Lissa got a very simple one of an infinity sign on her right wrist
Caged shark diving, 25: try a space simulator, which was so much fun, who knew space was so mesmerising?
Number 26: read the Game Of Thrones series, this one was extremely difficult. Honestly speaking, Lissa's not even entirely sure if she completed it or not,
27: change her hair colour. Now, instead of just strawberry blonde hair, it now had brown highlights as well,
28: let go of a floating lantern, which made her feel like she was in a Tangled scene, all that was needed was for them to sing 'I see the light'.
29: go to a shooting range,
30: hot air balloon ride,
31: paint a portrait,
32: go to an archery range,
33: dance in the rain, which she had to wait until it rained to do,
34: learn to cook at least one dish, Lissa can now officially say that she can make a perfect spaghetti sauce with lamb chops,
35: donate blood,
36: have a lazy day in bed,
37: go paint-balling,
but they still finished all of it by the end of November, and got very cute pictures together as well.
•
(20 months left) (December)
December 18th, the day they complete number 38.
Lissa had always wanted to do this and since it was December, what better time like the present? No pun intended. The mall was filled to the max with Christmas decorations, and toys for the kids, but the actual reason they were here for was because Lissa had always wanted to take a whirl on those children trains they put up every year, she never exactly knew why though.
She didn't want to do it in front of all the people, and ruin the time for the children so Jace pulled a few strings, and got them into the mall after hours. First favour he was owed.
“How did you get them to agree?” she asked Jace while they were waiting for the security guard to unlatch the doors.
“I told the manager I would take the pictures of Santa and the kids this year. Free of charge.” it wasn't necessarily a fib, it just wasn't the full story.
He was going to take the pictures — he always had taken the pictures. Every year. It's just that this year, he had to use a favour to get in after-hours. A few years back, during the same time, Jace was roaming around the mall, with his camera hanging around his neck — he had just gotten out of school for the day, and decided to hang out at the mall till he was ready to go home — the photographer at the time was late due his session, and the kids were waiting in line, and since Jace was there, and he had nothing better to do, he offered to take their pictures with Santa. The manager felt like he owed him, so he granted him a favour, which Jace hasn't used, till now.
“Jace. You really didn't have to do that.”
“But I did, I'll do anything for you Lissa.”
Lissa's face turned beet-red. It's outlandish that she felt all these...feelings whenever Jace said something heart-warmingly adorable, when she never even had her first kiss yet. All of this was so mind-boggling.
“Maybe I should do that, instead of taking a picture with Santa?” she said as they headed towards the Christmas-coloured train.
“Do what?”
“Take pictures of the kids, that'll be way better and it'll make me feel nice, seeing their adorable faces.” she gushed.
“It makes me feel nice seeing your adorable face.”
“Thanks.” she attempted at concealing her face with her hair. Her face turning crimson at his words.
“So can we go on the train now?” she asked when they arrived. It was actually bigger than what Lissa had thought it was going to be.
“Not we, you.” Jace stated.
“What do you mean, not we?” she questioned.
“I'll stand here and take your photo, it's a better angle from here anyway.” he answered, almost instantly, positioning the camera in his hands. Photographer's instinct.
“But please, I want to do this with you, then we can take a selfie in the train. I'm no photographer, but I'm pretty sure, that's an even better angle.” Lissa pressed.
“You do have this way of persuading people.” Jace said, grinning and shaking his head.
“It's one of my many hidden talents.” she answered with a grin, stepping onto the train.
“And what are your other hidden talents?”
“I don't know. They're all hidden.” she joked and he laughed.
“Fine, let's go.” he caved, hopped onto the train, and sat beside her.
After the train started, they took the picture and Lissa face displayed an enormous smile, that was one of the best feelings she had ever felt. Freedom. It felt like she was a kid again. Stress-free, without a care in the world.
•
Jace and Lissa were just mindlessly walking through the mall, which turned out to be a huge disappointment, obviously, since all the stores were closed, but she started feeling slightly lightheaded, so Jace suggested they sit down for a bit. The headaches have not reduced in the last month as the doctor had hoped that it would...
They took a seat on the chairs at the food court. Jace had a far-off look on his face, like he wanted to say something, but couldn't get it out.
“What's up?” Lissa asked, when she noticed his distant expression.
“Huh? Oh, no it's nothing.” he denied, but she pressed further.
“Jace. We've known each other for almost three-” she held up three fingers, “-months now. I think I know when you're lying, come on. Tell me.”
He sighed,
“Lissa, you do know how unbelievable you are right...?” she nodded “Well, since we spent all this time together, well I started liking you. A lot.” he expressed, finally glad to have gotten that off his chest.
“Jace, I like you too.” Lissa said with a smile. Lissa thought he meant just as friends. Doesn't he?
“Really?” Jace's heart soared...
“Yeah, Jace you're a great friend.” ...and plummeted back down with a hard thud against his ribcage.
“No Lissa, you're not getting me. I meant, I like you, as in more than a friend.” he explained.
Lissa was star-struck. She didn't know what to say, well she expected it, but not so soon. It's only been three months. Her heart, really wanted to say yes, but the logical part within her, knew it wasn't practical. She's leaving, and he'll stay and...it just won't work.
“Say something Lissa.” Jace pleaded with a scared look in his eyes.
“I'm sorry...” he shattered. The sing of a hammer smashing through a window blared in his ears. Yet it was something she had to do it. Lissa figured she wasn't good for him, she realised that he'll end up broken, and she won't let go peacefully — knowing he's uneasy.
“This won't work Jace, it won't work, it's not logical, not practical, it won't make sense.” she said turning her back, sitting sideways on her chair,
he stood up from his chair and walked around the table, towering above her, practically forcing her to lift her head to look at him.
“It doesn't have to make sense, Lissa. Just...let things happen.” Jace was heavily attracted, deeply infatuated, to Lissa. And her rejection pained him, immensely.
“I'm sorry, Jace, I really am.” Lissa stood up from the chair and flew out the mall.
She left Jace dumfounded. Left him staring at her back as she ran out the mall, his feet rooted to the ground, a small tear slipped from his eye...
To hell with "men don't cry".