Chapter 3, Part 1: Surreptitious Plan

Sunday

(8:57 AM) Jason: Hey, you up already? I've got something to tell you.

(9:43 AM) Me: I just got up, what are you gonna tell?

(9:44 AM) Jason: I've heard something about Caulfield, her mother is dead.

(9:44 AM) Me: What? Really?

(9:45 AM) Jason: She died last Friday night from falling their stairs.

(9:46 AM) Me: Jeez, that's awful.

(9:47 AM) Jason: Do you mind going to the funeral with me?

(9:47 AM) Me: And she already has her funeral?

(9:48 AM) Me: Sure, no problem.

(9:48 AM) Me: What time are we going?

(9:49 AM) Jason: 11 AM.

(9:49 AM) Me: WHAT? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I JUST GOT UP! PSYCHO.

     And he didn't reply after that, I better get ready. I swear I'm gonna beat his ass off later.

     How unfortunate, Mrs. Caulfield is already dead. I wonder how she spent her last days. I never thought that - that would be my last time seeing her. She's been a great friend to our family. And somehow, it kinda bothers me going there. But I had the courage to go since Jason's with me.

     "Mom, do you know where my black dress is?" I asked while looking inside my walk-in closet.

     "Oh come on, Alissandra. Don't ask me like I'm the one who wears it," she said while she's on her phone.

     And yeah, she calls me by my full name when she's pissed.

     "Nevermind, found it,"

     Well, this dress is not as nice as it seems but it fits me very well.

     I had changed already and I had to wear sandals since I'm not really good at heels even though I have plenty of them. And I don't wanna get embarrassed in front of many people either. I was about to open the door and -

     "Where do you think you're - what in the world are you wearing, Alissa?" mom stared at me like she's amazed and somehow confused by my outfit.

     "What? Is it that bad, mom?" I asked while showing my whole outfit.

     "No, you look gorgeous, honey. And where are you going?" she asked while fixing my dress.

     "I'm attending Mrs. Caulfield's funeral."

     "Mrs. Caulfield? Jessica's mom? What?! What happened?" she sounds surprised.

     "She just died from falling their stairs last Friday night."

     "Oh, poor Caulfields. May Stacey rest in peace," she said while she clasped her hands.

     "Yes mom, I can't believe it too. It is kind of soon," I said while fixing my hair.

     "Well, you better go. She's been a good person to us. And I can't come since I have so many things to do in the office. Send my condolences to their family."

     "Okay mom, I'm leaving. Bye!" I said then went out.

     I just got out of our house and I already saw him leaning on the lamp post. He's wearing a suit and nice skinny pants. He stared at me as I approach him, 'til I got in front of him and he is still staring at me awkwardly.

     "Hey," I said.

     "Oh - yeah. Hey...you look good today."

     "Was I ugly yesterday? And don't you dare say that to me! I actually rushed myself since you asked me so urgent!" I said while pinching his cheeks.

     "Haha, you look pretty, not gonna lie," he said and went to his car and opened the door for me.

     "Why thank you, sir," I said sarcastically and went inside.

     Jason's car is pretty nice, you could see in every corner that it is old but it is absolutely neat and clean. Jason is just driving while I am busy with my phone. And for one moment, I looked around and realized we're not even going through the right way to Jessica's house. I just didn't mind it at all, maybe Jason has something to do before going to the funeral. Like maybe buying flowers and stuff. I didn't have the urge to ask him so I just kept quiet.

     'Til we reached the mall.

     "Where are we? I thought we were going to the funeral?" He's kinda being sketchy though and I am absolutely clueless.

     "We're going there later, the ceremony starts at 1:30 PM."

     Wait, WHAT?!

     "WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK WERE YOU THINKING MCKENLEY? I LITERALLY RUSHED MYSELF SINCE YOU ASKED SO URGENT THEN NOW YOU'RE TELLING ME-"

     He cut me off by covering my lips with his two fingers, "Just shut up, I have something for you. "

     Yes, that's how big his fingers are.

     He whispered in my ear "Something you may like," then he chuckled and gave me literal goosebumps.

     He went out of the car to open the door for me.

     "Thanks," I said.

     "But first, can you wear blindfolds on?" He asked

     "Oh for God's sake, I don't like this Jason!" I said while he's already putting it on me.

     "Please don't do anything weird," I said with a pleading tone.

     "Oh come on, Liss. At the mall? Really? In front of many people? Psh, you never know," he said.

     And everything started to feel weird.

     "Where are you taking me?"

     "Okay, there's some stairs be careful," he said while guiding my steps.

     "Ugh! I hate you already!" I swear I'm gonna bury this man alive if he would do something weird to me. I'm also kind of embarrassed because I can hear the people around talking about us.

     "What are they doing?"

     "Oh my God, Becky! I think someone's gonna propose!"

     "Is she being kidnapped?"

     "What's gonna happen?"

     "Awww, look at them Richard, they're so sweet!"    

     And then I heard something.

     "Guys they're coming!"

     "Jason's here! Set it up!"

     "All right, Liss. Stay here for me," he said

     "I'm not going anywhere, especially when I can't see anything," I said sarcastically.

     I just stood there for a moment and heard Jason said "Okay Liss, turn around."

     I turned around and some random guy took my blindfolds off. And I saw - Jason. He is kneeling on one knee holding a bouquet of flowers and a bag of chocolates. And the people behind him are holding a banner that says "Will you be my girlfriend?"

     "Alissandra Cadence, you've been so special to me. And I've tried my best to be there for you, and I always loved you, even though you treat me only as your best friend, I've endured it all. And I want to cross that line, to be yours, and to be mine, my one and only. Will you be my girlfriend?" he said.

     I just stood there, frozen in shock. And the people around us began clapping. I don't know what to do, I am also completely embarrassed about what is happening. I suddenly approached him, hugged him, and ran away.

     "What the hell just happened?"

     "Awww, was he rejected?"

     "Poor cutie, he's actually good looking though."

Jason McKenley

     "Alissandra Cadence, you've been so special to me. And I've tried my best to be there for you, and I always love you, even though you treat me only as your best friend, I've endured it all. And I want to cross that line, to be yours, and to be mine, my one and only. Will you be my

girlfriend?" I said. I've never been this nervous in my entire life.

     And I saw her approaching me, and then...hugged me? Wait - she ran away. I dropped the bouquet and bag of chocolates then ran to her.

     "Awww, was he rejected?"

     Please, no. Don't do this to me...

     "Liss, wait!" I kept chasing her and got into the underground parking lot of the mall. And I finally grabbed her hand.

     "What's the matter, Liss?"

Slap!

     "What're you thinking Jason?! Yes, I love you too! Okay? But how can you come up with this? You had the literal audacity to do that today? When we are actually attending a funeral? Are you out of your mind, Jason? Are you that desperate? You just embarrassed the both of us! I've already told you yesterday and even last night that I can't! We can't!"

she said while crying.

     "I'm sorry, I just had to do it. Because I love you. And the fact that only you and I knows about the funeral. That doesn't even make sense," I said then hugged her.

     She removed my hands from her shoulder. "I hate you, Jason, I really do," she said then turned back and started walking away.

     "I am really sorry," I said.

     She looked back at me for a second and said "Sorry? No. Just forget about this, forget about today, forget that this happened. Or if you want, you could just forget about me, that makes things easier," and she continued walking away.

     I ran to her and grabbed her hand.

     "We're attending the ceremony together, right? Let's get back in the car," I said

     "No, Jason. I'd rather walk or take a taxi than get in a car with you right now," she said and removed my hand then completely walked away.

     I don't know what's wrong with her. Is it that bad that I did it today? I can't even figure out how did I go wrong. Was it really bad timing? I don't know... Maybe she's right, maybe I'm already out of my mind...