Chapter 14: Nuggets, Dogs, and Uninvited Jealousy May 8, 2025 I didnt tell Jake where I was going today.
There was no need.
Most of the items on my bucket list had been fueled by his reckless spontaneity, his too-fast car, and that smirk he wore like armor.
But this morning, staring at the crumpled sheet of paper where I had scribbled down every reckless thing I thought might save me, it hit me hard and fast I hadnt done a single thing by myself.
I needed to change that.
After pulling on an oversized hoodie and grabbing my keys, I headed toward the nearest fast-food place with a single mission in mind: cross something off alone.
If I couldnt even survive eating fifty nuggets solo, what was I even doing? Inside the restaurant, the cashier blinked twice when I placed my order.
Sixty nuggets? she repeated, tapping her nails against the screen like maybe it would change the absurdity of my request.
I nodded firmly.
Sixty.
Six-zero.
Her brows arched but she punched it in without comment, sliding me a receipt as if daring me to back down.
Fifteen minutes later, I emerged victorious, a massive paper bag cradled in my arms like a newborn, along with a small soda I hadnt ordered but accepted anyway out of pure habit.
The park wasnt empty it buzzed with late afternoon life: dogs darting between benches, kids throwing frisbees, couples tangled together in the grass like no one else existed.
I found a bench shaded by a wide oak tree and settled down, spreading out my ridiculous feast like some queen of questionable decisions.
The first few nuggets went down easy, sweet and sour sauce coating my fingers as I munched mechanically.
By nugget eleven, I leaned back against the bench, idly watching a young couple sway to the sound of music only they could hear, their laughter rising and falling like soft waves.
There was something almost painful about it that pure, effortless kind of happiness.
It made me ache in ways I hadnt prepared for.
I snapped a photo of the sprawling empire of nuggets around me and sent it off to Jake with a quick message.
Me:Bucket list item #6 in progress.
Solo mission.
Be proud.
No reply yet.
I hadnt expected one.
I slipped my phone into my pocket and cracked open another sauce, the tangy smell mixing with the fresh air.
I was mid-bite when a sudden blur of golden fur launched itself onto the bench, knocking over the neatly arranged cartons.

What theHEY! A dog pure chaos wrapped in fluff nosed into my bag, tail wagging like hed discovered the holy grail.
A breathless guy in a flannel shirt came jogging over, his curls bouncing with every step.
Oh my God, I am so sorry.
Echo, seriously? Come on, man.
I stared at the dog, then up at him.
Hes very… committed.
Yeah, to crime, he muttered, crouching to hook his fingers into the dogs collar.
I swear hes usually better than this.
I glanced at my massacred nuggets.
Three.
He owes me three.
He winced.
Ill go buy you a whole new set.
Seriously.
I shook my head, laughing despite myself.
Its okay.
I still have, like, fifty-seven left.
He grinned, pushing a hand through his curls.
You might be the most impressive person Ive met all week.
I shrugged, dipping another nugget.
You need to meet more people.
He chuckled, glancing back at Echo, who had the audacity to look smug.
Im Harry, by the way.
That little criminal is Echo.
Lily, I said, offering a hand before thinking about it.
His palm was warm, firm.
No awkward hesitation.

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Harry nodded toward the bench.
Mind if we stay for a minute? I promise he wont steal anything else.
I hesitated.
But the way he asked casual, easy made it feel like less of a risk.
Sure.
We sat side by side, Echo curling obediently at my feet, tail thumping lazily against the grass.
We talked about music, favorite movies, weird childhood fears.
About what it meant to feel out of place even when you were exactly where you were supposed to be.
He made me laugh, a real laugh, and for a while, it was easy to forget how carefully I usually measured every moment.
It wasnt until Harry asked if I wanted to hang out again him, me, Echo, no nugget theft that I felt the subtle shift in the air.
That prickle on the back of my neck.
I turned.
Jake.
Standing a few yards away, hoodie up, hands shoved into his pockets.
His gaze wasnt casual.
It was laser-focused on Harry, assessing him like a threat he wasnt sure whether to punch or ignore.
Harry noticed immediately.
He straightened, polite but cautious.
Hey, sorry.
I didnt realize you were waiting for someone.
I opened my mouth, ready to wave it off, but Jakes stare pinned me where I sat.
Its not I started, but Harry was already holding out his phone.
Here, he said with a quick smile.
In case you want to hang out.
No pressure.
I took it, punched in my number, and handed it back.
My fingers brushed his briefly.

Jake didnt move, didnt speak.
He didnt need to.
His silence was heavy enough.
Harry offered a nod, whistled softly for Echo, and they disappeared back down the path without another word.
Jake sat down next to me on the bench, his eyes still locked on the empty trail like Harry might reappear just to piss him off.
You okay? I asked after a minute.
Hes sketchy.
I raised an eyebrow.
He has a golden retriever.
Jake scowled.
And a flirty smile.
I cracked open another nugget container and pushed it toward him.
Want to help me finish these? He hesitated for half a second before taking one, muttering under his breath about bad influences.
You didnt tell me you were doing this today, he said between bites.
You didnt ask.
Jake tilted his head, studying me.
Trying to prove something? I shrugged.
Trying to prove I can be enough for myself.
He chewed thoughtfully, then nodded once.
You did good.
I smiled, small but real, and focused on the dwindling mountain of nuggets instead of the jealousy still simmering under Jakes skin.
He wouldnt say it.
He couldnt.
And I wouldnt ask him to.
Not yet.
Fifty-four to go, I said, popping another nugget into my mouth.
And I didnt look at him when he said nothing at all.