❝ 𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 ❞ ʲᵃˢᵖᵉʳ ʰᵃˡᵉ ( EN )

☇ 𝟭𝟭

Theodora slammed her locker shut with a sharp motion, exhausted from her day of classes. Her friends had already left, and she was getting ready to head home, hoping she could squeeze in some volleyball practice to unwind. But as she exited the school, she froze, spotting a figure she would recognize anywhere. Jasper, leaning against his car, was waiting for her. His blonde hair shimmered in the fading sunlight, and his golden eyes seemed to pierce through her soul.

Why is he here? A shiver ran down Theodora's spine. Ever since they had drifted apart, he had kept his distance. Even though he seemed to have softened slightly in recent days, she couldn't understand what brought him here, in plain sight.

"What are you doing here?" she asked as she approached, trying to hide the surprise in her voice.

"I came to pick you up," he replied simply, without a smile, but with an amused glint in his eyes.

I came to pick you up. Those words echoed strangely inside her, triggering a wave of emotions she tried to ignore.

"Why?" She crossed her arms, challenging him with her gaze. "Are you planning to kidnap me or something?"

A faint smile tugged at Jasper's lips, and Theodora felt her heart skip a beat. He rarely showed such expressions, and it unsettled her.

Why does a simple smile affect me like this?

"Maybe," he replied playfully, stepping forward to open the car door for her. "Get in."

"Where are you taking me?" she insisted, leaning against the door, determined not to move until she got a clear answer.

Jasper rolled his eyes, feigning exasperation. "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?" He leaned in slightly, his gaze darkening with mystery. "Trust me."

Theodora hesitated for a moment. Imagine, he kills me somewhere, far from everything... she thought ironically, but something in Jasper's demeanor made her relent. Without another word, she climbed into the passenger seat, holding back a sigh.

The drive was silent. The road stretched out before them, lined with tall trees that seemed to go on forever. The setting sun bathed the landscape in a golden hue, and Theodora, despite herself, let the beauty of the scene captivate her. Jasper drove with unsettling ease, his long, slender fingers moving gracefully on the steering wheel. She found herself watching him, wondering who he really was behind that icy facade.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going now?" she finally asked.

Jasper cast a brief glance her way, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Patience, Theodora."

After a long while, they finally reached their destination. A large ranch appeared before them, surrounded by vast fields and rolling hills. Horses grazed peacefully in the pastures, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of hay. Jasper parked and got out, opening her door.

"A ranch?" Theodora asked in surprise as she stepped out of the car. "This is where you're taking me?"

"You sound disappointed," he replied, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you'd like the idea."

She stared at him, incredulous. "Why did you bring me here?"

"To help you improve at volleyball," Jasper said calmly.

"By horseback riding?" She burst out laughing, thinking he must be joking.

"Yes," he confirmed, without a hint of a smile. He approached a large brown horse that was watching them curiously. Jasper gently stroked its neck before turning back to Theodora. "Horseback riding develops balance, coordination, and the ability to distribute your weight evenly, which is crucial for good positioning in volleyball."