Bucket List of Things to do Before Starting Uni

- Write a journal chronologizing my entire High School life starting from first year. Be as detailed as possible and try to include as many events as possible. [Status: Complete]

- Pass the driving test and get my driver's license. [Status: Complete]

- Get a job. Make some money. I'm deep in debt from tuition after all [Status: Complete]

- Take a trip down memory lane. Look through all the old photos I took, journals I've written, books I used to read, youtubers I once watched, and assignments and homework I've done for school. [Status: Complete]

- Watch a couple 'things to do before starting university' or '10 mistakes to NOT make in university' type video [Status: Complete]

- Turn 18 and become an adult. Eat healthier and grow taller in the meantime as well. [Status: Complete]

- Go on a multi week long vacation with my family, one last time [Status: Complete]

- Play the old games I once grinded in the past. Maybe even bring a few friends along to relive the memories. [Status: Complete]

- Hang out with friends as much as I can this summer - enjoy whatever remaining time I have left with them [Status: Complete]

- Finally gain the courage to ask out my crush [Status: Pending]

My hand stopped at the doorknob, eyes reading the paper attached to my room door for what seemed like the millionth time. Over the summer break, I've successfully managed to one by one check each item off the list.

All except one.

Finally gain the courage to ask out my crush [Status: Pending]

The words on the paper stared back at me like they had done for all of summer now. Each time I left my room to go outside and do whatever, those words greeted me as I left, haunting my mind throughout the day, always at the back of my mind. The closer the summer came to ending, the more those words stood out. The closer Uni came to starting, the more hopeless my endeavor felt.

Today was the last Sunday of the summer holidays - my last chance to check that final item off the list.

I had woken up early. Earlier than I ever had during the summer. I took a long hot shower, cleaning myself like there was no tomorrow. I brushed my teeth, using the new fast whitening toothpastes I bought after seeing countless ads about it. 9/10 dentists approve, I just hope she does as well.

In front of my mirror, I tried my best to comb and tame my messy black hair. I'd say I did a good job. Maybe.

In terms of clothing, I used my trusted old friend known as the internet to help me with that. I had a fashion sense as potent as a wet rag. Unfortunately, the last time I went shopping for any sort of attire was ages ago. None of the clothing recommended in 'Hottest, Trending New Fashion That Will Leave Her in Awe' was currently present in my wardrobe. So instead, I went with my trusty black shirt and shorts combo adding in a black sweater as well because fall was fast approaching and I live in Canada. It gets cold here surprisingly fast.

All that was left for me to do was drive to the predetermined location and let the wind lead from there.

Thankfully, all my friends were thoughtful enough to arrive an hour later than the determined time, courtesy of me asking. This presented the perfect window of opportunity for me to gather my wits and ask her out.

A scenario played out in my head.

"They're sure taking a long time, eh?"

My tone would be light and casual here, trying to strike up some sort of conversation with her.

"Could they have gotten the time wrong?" she'd answer. Perhaps her response wouldn't be like that word for word, but I'd imagine it'd be quite similar.

"Maybe. Hey, while we wait, why don't we go on ahead and explore the park a bit ourselves."

She'd hopefully accept, and we'd be underway.

During our short one on one escapade, I'd do my best to try and impress her. Make witty jokes or maybe act all cool and ride those scary roller coasters. Either way, we'd hopefully have lots of fun together.

Then, once a friend I communicated with beforehand sends a text announcing their impending arrival, I'd move onto the final step. Arguably the hardest step but also the most crucial.

"Hey," I'd start out, maybe sounding a bit nervous. "I had a lot of fun hanging out with you while we waited for the others."

She'd reply with a confirmation of some sort. Hopefully.

If she doesn't, then the whole plan is doomed.

"I was wondering if you'd like to hang out like this again," I'd offer, going straight for the kill. "Just you and me."

I left my room, descended the stairs and left my house. My mom was off at work - company issues of some sort. While my plan sounded good in my mind - amazing even. There's a common saying: no plan survives first contact. There was an unshakable feeling in me that something was about to go down.

And not the good kind.

Getting in my old, beat down Toyota Corolla, I started the car. It wasn't the prettiest thing. Definitely not a car you want to be bringing home girls in, being as old and ugly as it was. But it did its job, and that's all that matters.

The park was a good 30 minute drive away. To pass the time, I played a couple of motivating songs. Stuff that would get my blood pumping.

Left turn. Merge. Ramp. Merge. And I'm on the highway.

I went over a couple more scenarios in my head. Witty jokes and comments formed in my head as if I was taking a shower - I did always come up with the best arguments, comebacks and jokes in there.

Merge. Ramp. Right turn. And I'm off the highway.

"Turn right," my GPS ordered.

My destination was getting close. My palms were sweaty, knees weak, arms heavy. Truthfully, I felt like turning back already. I was nervous to say the least - both on the inside and on the surface. Heart racing, I thought, 'Don't choke now. Think happy thoughts and everything will be alright. Nothing bad will happen. At all.'

Stop at red light. Green. Take a deep breath. Go. Almost arrived.

"What the fuck!?" I suddenly yelled out in surprise. A truck had just appeared out of nowhere, on course to T-Bone my car into smithereens.

It was as if the truck appeared through divine intervention, the intersection I crossed empty just moments prior. Evasive maneuvers proved futile. Its speed was too fast and its course was already set.

"No! No! NO!" I yelled out in frustration, moments before impact. "Not like this. Not when I'm so close!"

BANG!

Impact. The truck collided. My car stood no chance. The sound of clanging metal reverberated through my ear as I was thrown against my seatbelt like a ragdoll.

'So this is the end, huh?'

The car, unable to hold out any longer, collapsed, pinning and crushing me.

'It's okay. I'll live. Just - Just hold on until the ambulance comes.'

I heard screaming. I heard calls for help.

'Everything will be alright.'

My vision became blurry, my mind filled with pain, thoughts becoming muddled.

'...'

"Hey! There's someone in the car! He's breathing still! Come on, come and help me!"

Hurried running.

"Hey man! Can you hear me? It's okay! We'll get you out of there, and everything will be okay!"

'Everything will be okay? But there's a lot of blood. And I feel cold. Oh so cold.'

"Just hang in there pal! You're so young, you - you got lots of time left in your life. Lots of things to accomplish."

The person choked back a sob. "You'll - you'll be alright."

Movement. Pulling.

'They're right though. I still got… I still got my whole plan to execute…'

Distant sirens. Muffles yelling. Panic.

'Why is the world… getting so… dark…?'

Nothing.

"Gah!" I screamed as I awoke in a white bed. "I… I lived?"

I looked around me. The room was plain and small, not much in it and nothing odd about it. Well, nothing odd except the fact that there was a distinct lack of, well, anything. No ventilator, no heart monitor, no pain, no nurses, nothing. Not that I was complaining, but something didn't seem right. Not after what just happened.

"Was it a dream?"

The door opened. In entered a familiar brown hair, gold-ish eyed girl wearing a red sweater and shorts. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Anni-"

I cut myself off. This wasn't her. As similar as the two looked and as much as I wanted her to be, it wasn't. I've always joked about how she looked like a character from Genshin Impact, but this was just absurd. This whole situation was madness spelt with a capital M.

"Hi there, strange yet respectable traveler!" a cheerful looking girl greeted me. "My name is Amber, your new agent. I look forward to working with you!"

AN: Thank you to all those who favorited, followed and reviewed.

Guest - It truly is a fanfic written by the least horny genshin impact player.

Neo Infinity - Thanks for your review. Would you be worried if I say I don't have plans for the story or plans to finish an arc before a break. Yes? Then pretend I never said that.