From Lonely to Loved

Chapter 7

Jack

Plastering a smile on my face in an attempt to hide my nervousness, I greeted them and walked into their house. The outside of their house looked nice, the path to their door was lined with different flowers. There were pink flowers and purple flowers, blue flowers, and red flowers. And off to the side of the lawn, there was a small rose garden, which held red roses and pink roses. There was a small gap, then there were white roses. I wondered why the white roses were separated from the red and pink roses. I suppose I'll ask later.

And now, walking inside, their house is amazing. It's small, yes, but the walls are covered in family photos and bought artwork. 'You have a lovely house.' I said, trying my best not to appear anxious.

It was Sarah's mum who spoke next. 'Thank you, Jack.' She had a smile on her face that told me she was generally happy. I looked towards Sarah, still nervous. She gave me a look and a smile that calmed me down a bit. It helped. 'Dinner will be ready in half an hour. Sarah, why don't you show Jack around?'

'Okay mum.'

I thanked her for inviting me. 'Thank you for inviting me Mrs. Jenson.'

'The pleasure is all mine, Jack. Honestly.' With that Sarah walked me off on an adventure around her house, showing me all the rooms until finally, we came to her room, where we sat on her bed and started talking.

'We could watch a movie, if you like, Jack? We have half an hour until dinner and then we go to dinner, we could finish the movie afterwards.'

'Sounds good. What should we watch?'

'Well, I really like The Notebook.'

'I've heard of that movie, but I've never seen it.'

'Okay sit right here, I'll put it on.' I watch her as she goes over to her DVD player and puts on the movie. Before long we're sitting on her bed, watching The Notebook. 'Jack?' Sarah whispered my name very quietly.

'Yeah, Sarah?'

'How are you feeling?'

'I'm good Sarah, I feel better now.'

'You weren't good before?' I could hear the concern in her voice.

'Well, I was nervous. But I'm okay now.'

By the time dinner was ready and we were called downstairs Sarah and I was a third through The Notebook. So far it was about a man's and a woman's love. They were desperately in love and it was set in World War Two. The man had just gone off to war.

While we were walking down the stairs, I could smell the food. It smelled amazing. 'Sarah, how is your mum's cooking? It smells amazing,' I whispered.

'She's a really good cook Jack. Every night, she makes awesome meals.' I smiled at that. We got downstairs and washed our hands, then headed for the dining room. They had a large table with a red tablecloth covering it. There were five seats around the table, with cutlery and plates on placemats in front of them. Laying across the length of the table was food; vegetables and chicken parmigiana and chips. Sarah's mother and father were seated on one side of the table, and her brother at the head. We took our seats opposite her parents.

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, threatening to burst out at any moment. Looking to Sarah, she gave me a smile. 'Thank you Mrs Jenson, Mr Jenson.'

'Don't thank me, it was Jayde who cooked,' Sarah's dad said as he put his arm around Sarah's mum.

'Oh it was nothing' Mrs Jenson modestly replied, I think she even blushed a bit. 'Everyone take some food.' I waited until last to get my food because I was only a guest in their house, plus I was nervous as hell. When everyone else had taken food, I took mine; a piece of parmigiana, some hot chips, and some vegetables, however only small portions of each.

Sarah's mum tried to make a conversation with me by asking questions. She'd ask things like 'What is your family like Jack?' Or 'how did you meet Sarah?' I answered her questions, but never in much detail. I couldn't. I was nervous.

After dinner, Sarah and I went back upstairs to finish the movie. I had politely offered to help clean up, but Sarah's mum declined. So, back laying on Sarah's bed, watching The Notebook, pressing through the night, I realized something. 'I have to call my mum. Tell her when I'll be back!'

'Okay Jack,' Sarah said while pausing the movie. I looked through my phone for my mums' number and called her.

'Hi mum.'

'Hi Jack, how's your night going?'

'It's going well thank you. What time do you want me back? Sarah and I are just watching a movie so I just need to know when you want me back.' At eight thirty already, mum may want me back soon.

'Um... Come back when you're ready Jack, but no later than ten thirty okay?'

'Okay mum. Thank you.' I ended the call and smiled at Sarah. She took that as something positive and played the movie, both of us laying on her bed, staring at the TV screen showing the movie.

*************

The movie was over and it was time for me to leave. I didn't want to, but it was almost ten thirty and it was going to take me at least ten minutes to walk home. 'Thank you for inviting me tonight Sarah, Mr Jenson, Mrs Jenson. I had a wonderful night,' I said to Sarah and her parents as I stood at the door, ready to go.

'It was all our pleasure, Jack. And, call me Jayde. No need for formalities now.'

'Okay I will, Jayde.' I walked down the steps, smiling because I had such a wonderful night.

'Jack?' Jayde called from their house.

'Yes Jayde?'

'Are you sure you're fine to get home at this time of night?'

'Yes I'll be fine.'

'Okay then. See you soon.'

'Bye.' And with that, I was off. A great nightover, and a high feeling in my belly. I was happy.\":128?