Jake's eyes scanned over the crumpled piece of paper over and over again, Audrey bit her lip waiting for his reaction. It's not like she cared about what he thought of the list, she was actually hoping he would think it's ridiculous and leave her alone. Jake scanned over the list one last time before he put the paper down on the table, the corner of his lips curled up into an amused smile before he spoke: "I could help you with the Scottish accent one."

Audrey's eyebrows furrowed, she wasn't expecting that. In fact, she was expecting him to frown or maybe something better, like running away.

"How?" She asked, willing herself to give Jake a chance. After all, she did want to complete the list. And if someone was going to help her with even one of the tasks she was going to take it, but that didn't mean she was going to tell the whole world about this.

"My grandad, he's Scottish. He can help," Jake said.

"Really?"

"Yeah I just need to talk to him, I'm sure he'll be willing to help," Jake said.

"I'd like that," Audrey replied.

"I'm glad," Jake smiled back, "We can talk to him after school if you're free," He said.

"Yeah, where do you want to meet?" Audrey asked.

"The Park's north gate, he lives in the northern neighbourhood,"

"Is 4 alright?"

"Four's fine."

"Oh before I forget, I actually got something arranged for you," Hannah said, looking up from her salad.

"Really?" Audrey asked she sounded surprised. Which was justified, since Hannah had been completely against the idea of the list.

"Yeah, I got the kiss arranged for you," Hannah said, nodding.

"But isn't that Jake?" Audrey said, pointing at Jake, the boy's cheeks turning slightly pink at Audrey's words.

"No, you dumb piece of shit, the girl kiss," Hannah said, her eyebrows raising up. Silently mocking Audrey.

"Ooh, can I go see as well," Erik said, wriggling his eyebrows. Throwing a glare at Erik from beside him, Zahra hit his arm, "How dare you even suggest trying to satisfy your adolescent male fantasies by watching two females share a beautiful moment with each other," she said.

Erik grimaced at the sting of Zahra's words and the impact of her hit, raising his hands slightly in the air. "Though she be but little, she is fierce," he said.

Ignoring Zahra and Erik; Hannah fished out her phone from her pocket, she then pulled a picture and showed it to Audrey. "This is her," She said "Her name is Taz Malik and she's gonna meet you at the Podium tonight at 7."

Audrey plucked the phone from Hannah's hands and started at the picture of the girl in front of her. In the picture Taz was in the People's Park, the rainbow spray-painted gazebo in the background was easily one of the most recognizable things in town. She had long dark-brown hair that was tied up into two boxer braids, falling in front of her shoulder. Her smile looked like it could light up any room, her teeth white as pearls. Her eyes though, Audrey thought, were her best features, they were a light grey colour, as light as the grey clouds on a snowy day. They contrasted with her tan skin and dark hair, made them shine out more than the rest of her face.

"She's pretty," Audrey commented, a light blush creeping up her face at the thought of kissing a girl.

"Hey," Audrey said as Erik snatched the phone away from her, to see this girl himself. "Damn she hot, and got big breasts as well" He commented.

"Do not objectify women," Zahra said, with another hit on the arm for Erik.

"Jeez women," he mumbled, rubbing his arm. "Does she swing both ways? Or just the other way?" He asked, directing his gaze towards Hannah.

"Just the other way," She replied.

"How do you know so many gay people, like that dude from Lakeside, I mean most of the time gay people are funny. But this guy, the only straight he was, was straight up annoying," Mason said.

"I have my ways, plus I'm part of the community," She shrugged.

"Oh yeah, the one where you're in love pans," Eriks laughed, "Which ones were your favourite again? The non-stick ones, wasn't it?" Mason laughed as well, standing up and putting his hand out for high-five which Erik gladly returned still snickering along with Mason.

"Piss off," Hannah grumbled, talking her phone back from Erik.

"You guys are weird," Jake said

"No shit sherlock."

———

Sitting on the bench at the north gate of the People's Park, Audrey felt completely at ease but nervous at the same time. She didn't know what to expect from Jake's grandad, but she was hoping he would be a nice man, unlike Mr Evans. Although Jake agreed to meet at the North Gate at 4, Audrey decided to come early, needing to get out of her house.

A cool breeze passed by, lifting some of Audrey's hair, then gently letting it go. The bright summer sun warmed her skin. She looked at the park in front of her, its beauty almost the same as the forest behind her school. Rough grey stone paths started from the silver archway of the north gate, the path starting as one, but then slowly branching out to many different pathways. Every piece of land that wasn't the pathway was covered with fresh green grass, small dew drops visible from distance. Different species of trees scattered around the grass fields with tiny packs of mushrooms growing at their roots. Wildflowers growing in different places, their mixed scent lingering in the air. The small hill in the centre of the park visible all the way from the north gate, the rainbow painted gazebo standing on the hill with pride. Audrey smiled at the view in front of her, the park alone bringing back so many memories.

The silhouette of a boy brought her back from the memories of her playing on the park swing when she was just a little girl.

"Hey," He said, standing in front of her, Audrey looked up at him, the sun shining in her eyes made her squint. His forehead was layered with a thin layer of sweat and some of his hair sticking on top of it. His forest green eyes looking even more vibrant with the sun shining in them like the newly growing grass on the park hill.

"Hi," She replied.

"You ready to leave?" He asked.

Audrey looked up at him and thought about it. No, she wasn't ready to leave, at least not yet. Maybe in a few months, she would be but right now she wasn't. She moved to the edge of the bench, creating some space beside her. She patted the open space and looked up at Jake, "Sit," she said.

He looked at her and glanced at his watch, it was getting a little late. His eyebrows drew in a bit but went back to normal as he sat down beside her.

"It's been so long since I've sat here and looked around," she said, tilting her head up, letting the sunshine on her face.

"It has, can't remember the last time I was here either," He replied, looking up at the sky as well.

"It's weird how we've known each other for so long but haven't even talked to each other, a few months before I leave permanently," She said. The words she said sounded so sad, but when Jake looked over at her, a small smile was shining brightly on her face.

"That's not true, I remember we had once been partners for this art project in first grade," He said with a chuckle, looking at her.

"Oh my god," She said, looking at him "The one where we had to draw something we both really liked," She laughed thinking about her young self and a young Jake trying to communicate with each other, without Jake running away thinking she had cooties.

"That's the one, I'm pretty sure I peed my pants at some point talking to you," He smiled.

"Why?" She asked, looking at him "Was 6-year-old me so scary?" she smiled, her teeth showing.

"No it was more like you were really pretty, but mostly because you had cooties," He replied laughing out loud, she looked at him for a second before laughing along with him.

"What even are cooties?" She asked.

"Have no idea," he said as his laughter died down.

"Still feels weird though, doesn't it," She said, the smile fading from her lips.

"It does," He replied softly, his eyes once again darting to his watch. He stood up from the bench and stood in front of her.

Extending his hands he asked: "You ready to leave?"

"Yeah," She replied taking his hand and standing up.

Slowly they walked towards the northern neighbourhood. As they walked the sun started to set, the sky turning into hues of oranges and yellows. Jake stopped in front of a small grey house, the grass out in the front yard was neatly cut in some parts while overgrown in others, some bluebells growing at the edge of the house. The stone path to the house was cracked and unkempt. They reached the door of the house, Jake raised his hand and rang the bell. The jingle of the bell rang in the house, some of the pleasant sound seeping through the crack of the door and into Audrey's ears. The sounds giving her a pleasant feeling.

"I'm comin'," A thickly accented voice came from the inside of the house, as footsteps were heard from the outside. A few seconds later the door opened. A small man stepped out, he had balding grey hair, the same green eyes as Jake except his were duller, his back was slightly bent forward.

"Ah, lad hasn't it been long," He smiled, as he opened his arms. Jake stepped into the old man's arms and gave him a hug.

"It's good to see you too Granda," He smiled back, a hit of his Scottish accent appearing at the presence of his grandpa.

"And who's this beautiful lassie?" He asked as he finally noticed Audrey. "You got a girlfriend or what?" He laughed lightly jabbing Jake's stomach with his elbow.

"Granda," Jake groaned, a blush creeping up his face. "No, Granda she isn't my girlfriend, we're just friends, she's here to learn how to speak in a Scottish accent remember? I called you about it a few hours ago," He said.

"Ooh right, I remember," He said "Name's Arthur," He said extending his hand out to Audrey, she took it and replied: "I'm Audrey," She smiled.

"Alright come on in children, I'm gonna make some tea," He said, turning around and walking into the house.

"Your grandad is kinda cool," Audrey said, patting Jake on the shoulder, walking into the house. Jake shook his head at her and walked in as well closing the door.

Arthur was definitely one of the funniest old men Audrey had ever met, she thought as she sat on the sofa beside Jake, hearing about the stupid things Jake did as a little boy.

"And so he picked up the orange from the table and tried to swallow the entire thing," Arthur said.

"Oh my god, you didn't," Audrey laughed looking at Jake.

"This is so embarrassing," He mumbled into his palms. "It's getting pretty late, I think it's time to go," Jake said standing up from the sofa.

"Aww I was having so much fun," Audrey pouted.

"Don't you have something to do at 7," He said tasing his eyebrows.

"Oh shit, that's right," Audrey said standing up as well. "It was nice meeting you Arthur, but I really have to leave," Audrey said.

"That's quite alright, I'll see you tomorrow," He smiled.

"Of course you will, after all, I really need to learn that accent," She smiled as she waved goodbye at him.

Once they stepped out of the house, Audrey realized that the sun had already set, she could hear the sounds of the crickets and the smell of the grass coated in the air.

"You live in this neighbourhood as well right?" Jake asked.

"Yeah," She replied.

"Want me to drop you off home?" He asked, looking at her with raised eyebrows.

"Only if you want to," She replied back.