The Life List (The List Trilogy) by Chrissy Anderson Read Free Book Online Page B

parents.
    Once we got the logistics worked out, we booked the flight and flew ourselves to Los Angeles. It took seven busses (because none of us had ever been on a bus before or knew how to read a bus schedule) to get to Bob Barker’s hood.
    “This is totally awesome you guys! I can’t believe we’re in Studio City waiting in line to get into The Price is Right !”
    “Not awesome at all, Chrissy. That motel we stayed in last night was totally bogus. I swear I heard gun shots. And tell me again why we’re all wearing your brother’s Santa Clara University sweatshirts?”
    Nic, Kelly, and I roll our eyes and shake our heads at Courtney’s lack of familiarity with one of the most rudimentary tactics of how to get picked as a contestant on The Price is Right . Tediously, I answer her.
    “Duh, Court, everyone knows Bob Barker likes to pick people wearing college gear. If you’d put down your text books and pick up a remote control every once in a while, you’d know that.”
    After giving bogus answers to a few basic questions by someone wearing a massive headset, we put our fake name-tags on our fake sweatshirts and take our seats.
    “Any of you brainiacs thought about what would happen if one of our names gets called?”
    “Right, like that’s ever gonna happen, Court.” But then I look at Kelly and mouth the words, “I hope not.”  She mouths back a very concerned, “Shit.”
    “Look you guys, it’s starting!”
    “MILFRED SMITH, COME ON DOWN!” “THOMAS DANIELS, COME ON DOWN!
    “BETSY CLARK, COME ON DOWN! YOU’RE THE NEXT
    CONTESTANT ON THE PRICE IS RIGHT !”
    “Holy fucking shit, he just said my name!”
    “ Seriously, Nicole, you picked the name Betsy? That’s a really stupid name!” “God Chrissy, who the hell cares what name she used! Run down there
    Nicole! Go! Go! Go!”
    “BETSY CLARK, COME ON DOWN!”
    “Are you crazy, Kelly? I can’t go. MY MOM WATCHES THIS SHOW! What if I win the showcase showdown or something? What happens if I win a friggin’ camper? I’m outta here.”
    Just like that, Nicole runs out of a set of double doors marked EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY and sets off the alarm. The rest of us are immediately asked to leave. As we make our exit, we’re hit hard with thunderous boos and hisses of crazy Price Is Right fanatics. Who knew lovers of such wonderful things like Bob Barker, Plinko, and Triple Play could be so mean.
     
    *****
     
    A piece of break hits me in the face and I’m brought back from the past.
    “Hey, blondie, you gonna join in this conversation or what?”
    “Yeah Chrissy, what’s going on with you? Normally we can’t get you to shut up!”
    “Yo, Barbie! Tell us what you’re thinking.”
    Now the three of them start to throw bread at me.
    “Sorry about that.  I’ve got a lot of work stuff on my mind.”
    Kelly strokes my hair and gives me one of her famous backhanded compliments. “Look at you, little Miss responsible! Who woulda thought our little mess of a girl would end up so together.”
    As if on cue, Nicole interjects with one of her famous sarcastic sex comments. “Work shmirk! Kurt gets home tonight. Someone’s thinkin’ about getting lucky!”
    Responsible and lucky my ass. The cluster fuck queen is back in business like it’s 1987 all over again.

 
     
    After I promise to love you forever
    What happens to us if I fail?
    I fear that my heart is a wavering thing and
    I’m scared that your heart is frail
    Do I give up and just let go
    Or remain, I don’t know
    (About Me, Keri Noble)

 
     
    Existing
     
     
    January, 1998
     
     
    It’s a somewhat normal Wednesday morning except our separate alarms go off two hours apart. I’m already exercised, showered, and dressed by the time Kurt strolls into the kitchen. He should be curious by this because I’m never awake earlier than he is. Yesterday and today I got up at the crack of dawn to run up and down the trail. The funny thing about that is that I’m not a runner! Despite my