By the time we got back to the house, the sun already retired and dusk has settled in. Ms. Yan went to sleep first, it was just me and Cassidy on the couch with candles lit up. I then asked what Cassidy's bucket list for this zombie apocalypse is:
"What's your bucket list for this zombie apocalypse, Cassidy?"
She paused for a moment, her finger twirling the long blonde locks that had fallen onto her face. Then, she began to list out her desires in a monotone that was at odds with her restless personality. "Well, first things first, survive, I guess," she began, her sapphire eyes distant, "Then maybe try and find other survivors, set up a safe haven, get to know my fellow survivors... and then maybe, just maybe, find a cure or some semblance of normalcy."
Her bucket list was as practical as her personality. A fighter to her core, Cassidy was someone who was more focused on surviving than anything else.
Once she finished, she turned her gaze towards me, her eyes filled with curiosity. "What about you? What's your bucket list, Chang?"
I found myself smiling slightly, "My bucket list in a zombie apocalypse: Stay alive, build a harem, don't trust the government, and kick zombie ass, also kick human ass if they violate the NAP."
Her eyes widened at my response, her mouth curving into a surprised grin. "Build a harem?" she asked, her brows furrowed in disbelief, "You're not serious, are you?"
I shrugged nonchalantly, my grin mirroring hers. "Who knows? It's an apocalypse, anything can happen."
Her laughter filled the room, bouncing off the walls and echoing into the silent night. It was a comforting sound, one that managed to mask the harsh reality we were living in, even if just for a moment.
The room fell into silence once more, broken only by the soft crackling of the candle flames and the occasional far-off sound of the unending, restless world outside. I found myself staring into the orange flames, lost in the swirl of thoughts. A soft chuckle from Cassidy brought me back from my musings.
She was leaning back against the armrest of the couch, her legs drawn up beneath her, the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows over her face. Her sapphire eyes were sparkling with an odd mix of amusement and curiosity as she turned towards me.
"Wait a minute, is that sweet Ms. Yan part of this 'harem' of yours then?" She asked, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.
I could feel a grin spreading across my face as I met her teasing gaze. "Not yet," I replied, the lightness in my tone belying the complexity of the emotions within me.
Cassidy's eyebrows shot up in surprise, a bout of laughter bursting from her lips at my audacious claim. "Not yet?" she echoed, her eyes twinkling with mirth, "You're really something, aren't you, Chang?"
"I know eh?" I let out a small chuckle.
Cassidy shifted her weight on the worn-out couch, tucking a loose strand of her golden hair behind her ear. The warm glow from the candlelight accentuated the soft contours of her face, turning her sapphire eyes into glittering pools.
"Tell me, Chang," she began, her tone playful yet touched with a curious seriousness. "Have you done anything to earn Ms. Yan's affection? Aside from your supposed charming personality, of course."
I let out a chuckle at her jest, a nostalgic smile forming on my lips as I remembered my encounters with Ms. Yan. "Well, I did save her life. Twice, in fact."
Cassidy's eyes widened, a spark of interest igniting in her gaze. "Really? You played the knight in shining armor? That's... actually pretty impressive."
She fell silent for a moment, her gaze dropping to the flickering candle between us, lost in thought. Then, her lips curved into a mischievous grin, and her gaze darted back to meet mine.
"You know, I've always found that concept rather appealing," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, yet every word was clear in the quiet room. "The whole knight and damsel scenario... I mean, it's overdone and cliché, but there's something undeniably romantic about it."
A pause. She shifted closer to me on the couch, her eyes gleaming with a daring glow under the candlelight. "Tell you what, Chang. If you ever save my life, I'll gladly join this little 'harem' of yours."
Her words hung in the air between us, wrapping the room in an electrifying silence. Her sapphire eyes were locked onto mine, the playful glint in them matching the smirk that was slowly spreading across her face.
"All right, you said it." My words echoed in the quiet room, as I extended my hand towards her, my pinky finger outstretched. It was a simple, almost childlike gesture, reminiscent of old friendships and promises made under the warm glow of sunsets.
For a moment, Cassidy simply stared at my outstretched hand, an amused smile playing on her lips. Her gaze then flitted to mine, the twinkling playfulness in her sapphire eyes replaced by a hint of surprise. It was clear she hadn't expected me to take her up on her offer so readily.
Yet, without missing a beat, she hooked her pinky finger around mine, her grip firm yet gentle. The candlelight flickered across her face, illuminating the freckles that adorned her cheeks and the curve of her smile.
"Pinky swear," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her words echoed softly in the room, filling the silence with an air of solemnity that seemed to redefine our bond.
"Bet?" I said with a raised eyebrow.
"Bet." she offered a wide smile.
Q: What kind of things would you bet with your friends?