Silver Springs * Young Hook

eight

This is part 1 because the chapter was too long and probably still is

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Friday was upon the students and staff of Merlin Academy. Many thanked whatever beings there were for this day as they got ready to hang out and stay up all night if wanted, for there was nothing awaiting them the next day. No class, no homework.

James waits anxiously, leaning against a pillar near the entrance. His eyes dart about, searching the sea of students for a glimpse of one face. He adjusts his shirt nervously, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to look presentable. He checks the time again, despite him being 10 minutes early and it still wasn't time for the time they agreed to meet. He checks the basket with the food he had raided from the school's fridge. He made sure he had the blanket they would need to sit on.

Seven Seas, he was a nervous wreck!

On top of that he avoided his friends as much as possible today. He couldn't exactly tell him he had a get together (date?) with Idalin, they would surely show up too to watch and later laugh at how foolish Idalin is for believing any of this was real. He didn't want that.

For once, he wants this to be something. The tutoring was Uliana's idea, the flirting was Hades'. This... date maybe... was just for him. Him and Idalin.

So occupied with his thoughts, he missed when Idalin finally arrived, come out of the entrance of the school. So when James spots her, a wide smile spreads across his face. He pushes off the pillar and strides towards her, his usual swagger back in full force as if his anxiousness wasn't taking over his body a moment ago. "Hey, love! Lookin' as beautiful as always. Ready for our little celebration?" He didn't want to say date. He didn't want to get his hopes up and then get crushed.

Idalin smiles at him and nods. She asks with curiosity, "Where are we going?"

James grins, the excitement in his voice palpable. "Patience. All in good time. Come on, let's get going."

He falls into step beside Idalin, leading her down the road and away from the school. His gaze occasionally flickering to her, checking her every reaction. Idalin was eager to know where they were going. When she looked at him, she smiles. Then she notices the basket and her smile widens.

"What's in the basket? Are we having a picnic?" She asks eager to know the answer. James only laughs.

"For a tutor, you are so impatient. You'll just have to wait to find out." James says. He found the pout Idalin made, adorable. He leads them down the side street. They were other students around, making their own way to spend their first hours of the weekend in town. James' hand lightly brushes Idalin's own hand. He glances over at her, a grin on his face "Nearly there, love."

He guide them a bit farther out til they made it to the harbor. He grabbed Idalin's hand to help her. "Watch your step."

"Tell me, you're not taking me to an abandoned place to kill me right?" Idalin jokes as James helps her walk down the hill of the beach. He rolls his eyes.

"You've caught me! That is what I am doing, love. I'm afraid your tutoring sessions are over."

"Well in that case go ahead." Idalin jokes. "If I have to sit down and explain for the umpteenth time why we can't have dragons at the school as pets, I'm going to turn someone into a toad."

"I would pay to see that." James grins and leans down down to the beach, not to close to where the  water meets land. After a few more steps, he stops Idalin. "Alright, love... Close your eyes for a moment."

Idalin gives him a funny look but complies and covers her eyes, even turning around for good measure. James starts his preparations and in just under 3 minutes, he's laid out the blanket we're they will sit on and unload contains of unknown foods. Once he made sure it was perfect, he takes a breath and turns Idalin around gently.

"Open your eyes." He tells her softly. Idalin uncovers her face and open her eyes.

"A picnic, my lady." James gives a little bow that Idalin giggles lightly at. The picnic was paired the most beautiful sight of sun is just beginning to set over the ocean, casting the sky in hues of pink and orange. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore fills the air, providing a beautiful backdrop.

Idalin gasp at how beautiful it was, making James grins at the reaction.

He leads her over to the picnic blanket with a his hand still on the small of her back as he gently guides her to sit. He takes a seat beside her, looking out at the ocean. "Do you like it?" He's uncharacteristically nervous, hoping she'd approve of his little surprise.

"It's beautiful."

James relaxes at the response, his nervousness giving way to his usual confidence. He smiles back at her. "Good. I'm glad you like it."

He reaches into the basket beside him and procures container after container. "I raided the fridges of the school's kitchen. Shall we take a look at what we'll be having?"

Idalin nods and grab one of the colored containers from his hand, opening it to reveal desserts.

James' eyes widen at the sight of the desserts in the tupper. He grins, eyeing the treats excitedly. "Ah, now that's the way to handle food. Desserts. Can't have a proper picnic without something sweet." He picks up a cupcake, examining it before taking a bite. Idalin laughs at his antics and grab one of the cookies, taking a bite"

James grins, watching her laugh. He pops the rest of the cupcake in his mouth, licking his lips as he chews. "Good, innit?" He stretches out on the blanket, propping himself up on his elbow.

"I would say we should've looked at the other contains before digging into the desserts first, but I'm not complaining."

James grins, his eyes sparkling with mirth. He reaches for a cookie this time and takes a large bite. "Are you kidding? Dessert first is the only way to do it. Live life on the edge, I always say." He finishes the cookie and wipes the crumbs off his shirt.

To be continued...

I feel cheesy writing this.