In My Life

Chapter 5:

During the day, the train station buzzed with vibrant crowd, a sea of people from all walks of life crammed together, with no regard to personal space.

Olivia sat on a wooden bench inside Lime Street Station, anxiously awaiting John's return from the ticket counter. As the minutes ticked by, her worry grew, and her curiosity about his intentions deepened. It had been twenty minutes since he'd asked her to wait, and as the crowds of passengers flowed past her, she started to get worried.

Just as her mind was racing with thoughts of where he could be, she spotted John approaching, a grin spreading across his face and something clutched in his hands.

"Here ya go, madame," he said, sarcastically bowing to her, a ticket dangling in his grip. Straightening up, he noticed the puzzled look on her face, "Is this alright?"

Olivia tilted her head, looking up at him confusingly but also curious about what plan he had stirring in his mind, "Just where are we going?"

With a playful wiggle of his eyebrows and a silly grin, he replied, "Just you wait, little darlin'. It's a surprise, and I don't want it to be spoiled." He suddenly perked up, his ears catching the final calls for the train they were meant to catch.

John's eyes darted around the station, scanning the platforms, "We better be on our way then. Our trains 'bout to leave without us," he exclaimed, taking Olivia's hand and tightening his grip as they rushed towards the train.

As they approached the platform, John quickly glanced down the line and caught sight of the conductor, "Is this the train to..." he paused, momentarily losing his train of thought as he realized Olivia was right there, listening in on his words.

The stout, balding conductor nodded in their direction, "To London? Yes, it is," he replied, raising an eyebrow as he scrutinized them, "Do you have your tickets?"

Olivia's eyes widened in shock, "London? You're takin' me to London?!" she exclaimed, smacking the back of his shoulder with the back of her hand, her disbelief evident as she shook her head in amazement.

John flashed a childish grin, "Surprise!" he said with a shrug before they climbed the stairs into the carriage, searching for their seats as they navigated down the aisle.

Once they located their seats and settled in, Olivia turned her gaze to John, who was getting comfortable, still processing the unexpected turn of events. "We could've stayed here, ya know."

"We've already done everythin' in Liddypool together. I wanted this to be special and somethin' you'd remember for the rest of your life," John said, lightly touching her chin with his fist before sliding his arm around her shoulders.

All she could do was smile back, feeling her cheeks flush a deep shade of fuchsia. She was taken aback by the sudden shift in John; he was different now but in a way that felt promising. He had gone out of his way to create a memorable moment for her, which was out of the ordinary. 

Olivia remembered he was never this way with the other girls at home. The John she was familiar with was arrogant, selfish, crude, and craved attention. John had never been one to express his feelings or be sentimental with anyone.  What was it about her that was causing John to act so charming?

Throughout the train ride, they spent the entire ride conversing about everything under the sun. John was eager to uncover the side of Olivia she kept hidden from everyone else, hoping that her feelings for him were evolving just as he was. John's gaze remained fixed on her - taking in every smile, every laugh, every flutter of her eyelashes, and every word that escaped her lips. With each passing moment, he realized he was falling harder for her than he anticipated.