If the Sun Has Faded Away (UNDER REWRITING)

Chapter 19: Hold Onto Me

The fresh wind whipped against my face, its chill amplified by the fact that we were practically flying through the alleys at breakneck speed. My heart pounded in my chest as I tightened my grip on John's shoulders, squeezing my eyes shut. I was too afraid to keep them open, too afraid of what I might see if I did.

Just a few minutes earlier, I had foolishly agreed to John's request to let him ride my bicycle on our way back to Menlove. I had no idea I was surrendering my life into the hands of an insane bike driver.

"For God's sake, John! Slow down!" I screamed, panic rising in my voice.

My pulse was wild, my heartbeat dropping and rising with every nerve-wracking turn he took. I lost count of how many times I felt my stomach flip as the bike swerved dangerously close to disaster.

John nearly slammed us into a tree as he took a sharp bend from Vale Road to Menlove Avenue, the speed almost blinding. Clinging to his shoulders didn't help much—I was still terrified of falling off with each reckless turn he made. Instinctively, I slid my hands around his waist, holding on for dear life.

Distracted, John turned slightly, his brow furrowing in surprise. "Lucy..." he started, as if he was about to say something else, but I cut him off.

"John, watch out!" I shrieked, as the bike veered dangerously toward an oak tree.

John snapped his attention back to the path, one hand still gripping the handlebars while the other rested casually on his thigh.

"Feeling comfortable, Miss Thomas?" he teased, chuckling at my terror.

To be honest, there was nothing comfortable about this ride. Sharing a tiny bicycle seat with him was awkward enough, even though John had made a genuine effort to give me space.

"Yes... I'm comfortable," I lied through clenched teeth.

"Feeling safer?" he asked again, with a grin in his voice.

I stayed silent, too embarrassed to admit how tightly I was holding onto him. If he looked back, he'd see me blushing furiously. My cheeks burned as I quickly released his waist, self-conscious of how close I'd been to him.

But John turned and locked eyes with me, his gaze softening. "Don't be scared to hold onto me, Lucy. If it makes you feel safer..."

The sincerity in his voice made me smile, despite the embarrassment. I couldn't bring myself to meet his hazel eyes anymore. I was sure my cheeks had turned scarlet by now.

He gently took my right hand and placed it back on his waist. "Hold onto me, Lucy," he said softly, almost in a whisper.

"Thanks, John," I smiled shyly, tightening my grip around his waist once more.

With a happy smile, John focused on the road again. "And please, wipe away that shyness, missus!" he teased with a laugh.

Before I could even think of a reply that wouldn't betray how fast my heart was racing, John suddenly shouted, "Hey! Watch where you're going, you careless fool!" His voice was aimed at a teenager walking directly in our path, oblivious to the speeding bicycle heading toward him.

"John, please!" I protested, horrified by his rudeness. "Don't blame him! Be careful!"

"I'm just trying to get you home, Lucy," John shot back, unfazed. "Didn't you say you needed to be back before it got too late?"

His legs pumped furiously as he pushed harder on the pedals.

"That doesn't mean you should ride like a madman!" I retorted, my voice dry with exasperation.