Rosé's Bucket List

Two unaccomplished tasks

The flowers outside the garden is blooming. The hues that surround the place as spring enters sent a tingling sensation to Chaeyoung. She was in a middle of a break after the first semester ended, and there was nothing fun to do. Not that she was looking for something to do. She initially just plan on staying at home or maybe go for a walk from time to time, Chaeyoung wanted to take the break as an opportunity to get rest from the tiring semester. 

As her eyes roam around her room lazily, she caught a glimpse of a box in the shade of lapis blue. It was under her table, and above it are a pile of textbooks from her high school years. Chaeyoung stood up from her bed, and walked towards her desk, crouching down as she remove the pile of books. The box is covered with dust and there are dents at the corner. Her high school days rushed back at her as she pick up the box that contains her high school memories. Chaeyoung went back to her bed, sitting with her legs crossed, placing the box down carefully.

Inside the box, there are class pictures, letters from her friends, a couple of notebooks and other random things. She took out a yellow notebook, which she forgotten what she had written on it. Scanning through the pages, Chaeyoung smiled as she saw the doodles her seat mate used to draw when she’s bored. She flipped and flipped, until a folded paper fell down the bed. Curious as to what it was, Chaeyoung picked it up and opened the piece of paper. 

“Bucket List.” She read out loud, her eyes going down the list she had written. As far as chaeyoung remembers, she had written it during her freshmen days in high school.

1. Do volunteer works

2. Compose a song

3. Go to Disney land in Japan

4. Catch a fish

5. Score an A in Science Test

6. Get asked out by _____

7. Get married to _____

A feeling of happiness, sadness, and a mix of disappointment and regret filled Chaeyoung as she read the last two on her bucket list that was left uncrossed. 

Chaeyoung placed down the paper, breathing out a long sigh as she reminisce the past. 

September is the month wherein most of the people in town is shopping, simply because there are a lot of sale going on and people surely wouldn’t want to miss it.

“What do you think?” A lady in her mid 50s asked as she placed the dress in front of her and showed it to her niece. 

“I think this is stupid.” _____ mumbled under her breath, observing the dress and imagining her aunt wearing it. The bright yellow hue and feather like texture of the dress just didn’t seem to fit together.

“What?” Her aunt, thankfully wasn’t able to hear what she had said. Her wrinkles showing as her eyebrows meet.

_____ faked a smile, one thing she’s very good at when she’s with her relatives. “I said, It’s nice.”

The older one smiled with satisfactory then proceeded to the counter to pay for it.

“You look like a duck.” _____ looked at the back of her aunt, shaking her head as she felt that it’s a waste of money.

A snicker from a girl, who was checking clothes beside her, caught her attention. ____ looked beside her and assumed that the girl heard everything she said. 

Chaeyoung turned around and took a look at _____, offering a smile, more of a grin. ______ just stared at her for a couple of seconds and left, feeling flustered and a little bit irritated that the girl heard her. 

Chaeyoung’s eyes followed the girl, who stood by the counter next to her aunt. Judging from the looks of it, chaeyoung assumed that the girl is either around her age or maybe a bit younger. Although she wondered why she had never seen her in this neighbourhood. She lived a small neighbourhood, which is why she knows almost everybody’s faces. Maybe they’re just visiting.

School isn’t something Chaeyoung hates nor love. She would always describe it as ‘okay’, and would just follow the same routine everyday like a robot programmed to do so. 

A sigh escaped her lips as she looked outside the window of her classroom. The view wasn’t that great, but it was the only thing she could look at instead of the whiteboard in front of her. Although the first class hasn’t even started yet, the day is surprisingly too boring for Chaeyoung. But it was the complete opposite for her other friend, Jisoo, who seem too excited and jolly. Jisoo is always happy to begin with, but today, it’s just too much. Chaeyoung didn’t pay much attention, thinking it was just the coffee that triggered the excitement.

The creak of the door broke the noisy atmosphere of the classroom, making chaeyoung divert her gaze from the window, to the front part of the classroom. 

Students exchanged whispers as they notice a new girl standing beside the teacher. Chaeyoung widened her eyes as she remembered the girl, long black hair with burgundy at the tip and eyes that she first noticed when she saw her, it was the girl from the shop. 

Chaeyoung felt her face heat up as she made eye contact with the girl. Cupping her face, she thought, What is happening? Stop blushing!

The teacher asked her to introduced herself, her look showed that she wasn’t interested in whatever is happening. “Hi. I’m _____.” A very short, plain introduction but left great impression to Chaeyoung. She didn’t know why but there’s just something in that girl that captures her whole being.  

Jisoo waved her hand and smiled widely, making the new student grin as well. The teacher took notice of this and asked if _____ knew jisoo, to which _____ answered with a simple yes. 

The teacher assigned her to take a seat at the right of Jisoo. 

Jisoo squealed after seeing _____ again. They talked over the phone a week ago, ____ informing her friend that she’ll be transferring to her school.

“Do the reunion later, miss Jisoo.” The teacher said, making the two avert their gaze in front.

Chaeyoung couldn’t help but wonder why Jisoo hadn’t tell her about her friend. _____ was seated a seat apart from her, jisoo in between the two of them. 

Break finally came and Jisoo locked her arms with _____, as well as dragging Chaeyoung to the cafeteria. Jisoo kept on talking on their way, while _____ would just laugh and comment here and there.

They were already seated when Jisoo realised that she haven’t introduced ______ to chaeyoung yet. 

“I almost forgot! _____, this is chaeyoung, a good friend of mine. Chaeyoung, this is ______, my childhood friend.” ______ smiled, waving her hand as she says hi, while chaeyoung smiled awkwardly, not sure wether ______ didn’t remember her or was just pretending. 

“Is there something wrong or?” _____ felt conscious that Chaeyoung kept on glancing at her. She had noticed it earlier but just kept quiet.

Chaeyoung turned beet red, having been caught glancing at her. “Huh? Nothing.” 

Now that _____ had a good look at Chaeyoung, she finds the girl familiar. “Have I seen you somewhere?”

Chaeyoung wondered if she should tell _____. “Umm… At the store? Last Saturday?”

A snap of fingers was heard as _____ recalled what happened last Saturday. “You were the one who heard wha—-“ She didn’t continue anymore and just laughed it off. “What a small world.” _____ finished off directing a smile to Chaeyoung.

“It’s just a small neighbourhood.” Jisoo corrected before asking what had happened. 

______ and Chaeyoung grew closer since Jisoo would often hang out with her boyfriend, leaving the two alone. At first it was awkward, but as time goes by they became comfortable with each other, to the point that they’re sleeping over at each other’s house. 

“Guys! Do you want to come with us? We’re going to go to the nearby park and rent bicycles.” Jisoo jumped excitedly since she and her boyfriend haven’t gone on a date for how many days already due to being busy with school works.

“No thanks. We’re just going to feel left out.” Chaeyoung turned down immediately, knowing that the two will act all sweet and all there’s left for her to do is imagine her and ______ being like that. As they grow comfortable with each other, Chaeyoung can’t deny that her feelings for _____ started to grow as well. She had a hard time stopping it, but to no avail, it was no use since every time she sees her friend, her heart would just keep on beating like there’s no tomorrow. 

“Oh come on! You guys always reject my offer.” 

“Ok, we’ll come. It’s a double date.” _____ laughed, linking her arms with Chaeyoung, who became stiff all of a sudden. She knew that _____ said it just for fun, but she couldn’t help but smile inwardly at the idea of having a double date.

They stood in front of the bicycle rental, trying to look for the perfect bicycle. Jisoo and her boyfriend already picked one, the one for couples. 

Chaeyoung felt a nudge on her side, making her look at the girl beside her. “Do you know to ride a bicycle?” _____ asked. 

“Mmm… Why?” 

“Good then, let’s get that one and I’ll ride at the back.” _____ pointed at a touring bike.

Chaeyoung stared at her. “You don’t know how to ride a bicycle yet you agreed to come?” She asked, more of like a statement. 

_____ shrugged, “Well, you can so there’s no problem.” 

Chaeyoung could only shake her head, acting like she doesn’t want to do it even though she secretly likes it.

The wiggly way of Chaeyoung’s manoeuvre made _____ doubt the biker’s skills, making her encircle her arms around Chaeyoung’s waist for safety. “Yah. Do you really know how to ride a bi