"I think I love you."

"You don't really mean that."
"I do."
"You aren't thinking right, Felix."
"No, I am. You're the only thing I've been thinking about since we met. Your little obsessions and quirks, your weird knowledge of almost everything, your perfect looks... I'm so hopelessly in love in you, and I'm not even sure if I'm okay with that."

Shadow let him escape her grip, her heterochromatic eyes lit up with alarm. But, a few seconds later... She smiled.

"I think I love you too."
"Really?"
"Of course, but... I don't want to lose my only friend..."
"We can be more than friends, if you want..."
"Promise?"

Felix hooked his pinky finger with Shadow's and pulled her into another hug.

"I promise."

After about a half-hour of awkward small talk and hugging, Shadow decided to lighten the dull atmosphere.

"So, are we, like... An item now?"
"If you want."
"I do, I think I'd love to fall hopelessly in love with you."

Felix got up to go home.

"That's almost half of our checklist done already."
"Yep, numbers 3, 4, 6, and 10."
"I can't wait to complete it with you."

Felix waved goodbye. Shadow repeated the motion.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

The sunset was a dusty lavender color, with multiple shades of blue from the darkening sky. Shadow was sitting in her tree snuggling a plushie with flower crown made out of tiny blue flowers held together by leaf stems. Felix gazed at her dreamily.

"What's got you so happy, Kittyboy?"
"You."
"Bold."
"Love changes people."
"So you love me?"
"Yes."
"Heh, I love you too."

Felix tugged at the strings of his new hoodie from Shadow.

"So, you wanna score off another mark on our list?"
"What are you planning?"
"Well, my friend's an alcoholic (even though he's underage), I could probably get us something."
"Great, meet you below this tree at 9."
"You got it."

Felix went down to the basement and got some bottle of unlabled liquors and hid them up in his room. He changed into a casual red plaid cardigan and a black shirt and jeans.

Sure enough, Shadow was waiting right where she said she was, under the tree at 9 P.M. She was wearing a dark blue sweater decorated with glow-in-the-dark stars and pastel blue pants. She waved at him holding up two rose flower crowns, which she had crafted earlier for them. He approached and she put the crown of white roses on his head, and the crown of black roses on her own.

"So, are you ready?"
"Yep!"

Shadow took one of the bottles and immediately started downing it. Unfortunately, she started choking and Felix had to help his neighbor/girlfriend.

"You okay there, Starcat?"
"Yeah. What is that?"

Felix sniffed the bottle, recognizing the familiar scent.

"Vodka, I think."
"Tastes like nail polish remover."
"Wait, what!? How have you tasted nail polish remover!?"
"You don't wanna know."

Silence. Then laughter. Felix gave Shadow a fruit cider, which she preferred to the alcohol. He drank a sweet honey whiskey. It felt warm and burned his chest, but he enjoyed it. Shadow flopped forward and hugged his leg.

"Hey Kittyboy?"
"Yes?"
"I think you... Are drunk."
"Really?"
"Yep, the stars told told me!"

Felix sighed. After two bottles of cider, a whiskey, and half a bottle of vodka...

Shadow was definitely drunk.

So Felix had to uphold his end of the promise and get drunk too.

/////

Felix couldn't remember most of the night, but he did, he'd never forget.

Bottles were scattered all around them, mostly empty. Felix was sitting cross-legged with Shadow in his lap giggling softly.

"Felix."
"Shadow."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"Don't leave me."
"I won't, nothing can keep us apart."
"How do you know?"
"The stars told me."
"Silly boy, stars can't talk."

"Will you remember me?"
"Always and forever."
"How though?"
"As my first love?"
"No, I was thinking more like this."

Shadow reached up and pushed Felix's face down to hers. Their lips collided in a rush of love and passion. Felix went numb as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer.

It was messy. Very messy. But neither of them cared as they shared a loving embrace. They would deal with their inexperience and aching hangovers in the morning. Shadow pulled away and looked into his eyes for a few seconds before giggling.

"Starcat. That's what I'll always be to you."

Then darkness.

Felix couldn't recall how he'd passed out.

Or how much he'd drank.

Or when Shadow left.

Or when the police came.

Bucket list:

1. First kiss
2. Get drunk
3. Dance in the rain
4. Adopt a pet
5. Raise a sapling
6. Fall in love
7. Get married/propose
8. First heartbreak
9. Visit the stars
10. Change someone's life