Being Olivia West

Understanding

The next morning I wake up early. Turning off my alarm in advance, I decide to go have a long shower. The warm water washes away all the lotion, perfume, and other products that are still on my skin. I get out of the shower, change into black spandex shorts and a tank top and go downstairs.

I see the clock that hangs above the stove and realize that it's only 6:45 now. I still have over an hour before I have to leave. I decide to make myself a plate of eggs for breakfast. While I'm cooking I check all my social media. I'm flipping the eggs when I get a text notification at the top of my screen. It's from Jack! I read the text: Hey :) See you at school! I quickly reply to him: Okay see you later! While I'm texting him back, Cameron walks into the kitchen.

"Good morning Olivia" he says as he sits down at the counter.

"Morning Cam" I smile at him "Would you like some eggs?" I ask. He nods. I separate the eggs onto to plates and hand him one. He grunts, which I take as a "thank you". Once I finish my eggs I go back upstairs to my room and get ready for school.

Looking outside at the cloudy weather I choose what to wear: a PINK sweatshirt, light wash jeans, and my TOMS. I do minimal makeup and put my hair into a bun. In my backpack I put my textbooks, notebooks, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and my wallet. I spend the extra 30 minutes watching "What Not to Wear" on TV. Before I leave I say goodbye to Cameron, then I step outside into the warm-ish breeze.

The school day is normal until lunch. I'm sitting at our usual table with all my friends when Jack walks up to me. Everybody else at the table falls silent.

"Hey Jack!" I smile at him.

"Hi Olivia" he grins back at me "Can I sit down?" He asks coolly. I nod. All my friends have stunned looks on their faces but I just smile. I'm about to say something to Jack when he presses his lips against my ear. I'm taken aback.

"Can I talk to you over there?" He whispers in my ear. I look around at my friends and all their faces are stunned and smirking. He pulls away and looks at me.

"Sure" I nod and stand up. Jack gets up too and I follow him to a quiet corner of the cafeteria.

"So, what's up?" I ask him. He looks nervous.

"Well, um, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to hang out after school today" he grabs his elbow. Yes!!!

"Totally! That would be great!" I smile at him. I see him exhale, a sign of relief. Aw, he was nervous to ask me!

"Cool! How about a walk? I found a really cool place to go!" He asks me.

"Sure! I'd like that" I grin at him.

"Great! See you at 4:30?" He asks.

"Yeah, okay, that would be awesome" I start to walk back to my table but pause to say goodbye.

"Bye Jack! See you later" I wave at him

"See you, Olivia!" He smiles and waves back at me.

When I return to the table I feel all warm inside.

"So, what did he say?" Anna smirks at me. I see the rest of my friends looking at me hopefully.

"Well, he wants to hang out later" I tell them, smiling.

"I thought we were going to go to the mall later" Krystal frowns at me. Oh yeah... I forgot about that.

"Don't worry, Krys, I'll be back from the date in time for our date!" I smile cautiously at her.

"Okay, but only because I love you I won't call you on this one" she pretends to pout and be sad. We all laugh at her.

"You're the best Krystal! Thank you!" I hug her. I'm so lucky to have friends who understand.

After school I come home feeling exhausted.

"I should not have woken up so early today!" I scold myself. I decide to make myself a cup of coffee before my date with Jack. As I'm drinking the warm mug of coffee I shoot a text to my mom, letting her know where I'm going. She replies with a smiley face emoji. I decide to stay in the same clothes, except I let my hair down and change into black combat boots. I'm on Twitter when I hear the doorbell ring. I run the the front door, take a deep breath, and open it. Jack is standing there in gray pants, a black hoodie, and Vans. I see his phone jammed into his pocket.

"Hey Jack!" I smile. He grins.

"Are you ready to go?" He asks me. I nod and close the door behind me.

"So, where are you taking me?" I ask him, my eyes twinkling and a smile on my face. He grins at me.

"You'll see" I pretend to scowl at him, and that just makes him grin wider. We talk while we weave through the quiet streets. He stops when we get to an ugly strip of run down train tracks. All I can do is stare.

"We're here!" He says happily. As if he was reading my mind, he adds,

"Oh, but this isn't it. We have to cross the tracks" I nod. He smiles and takes my hand, pulling me after him as we run across the train tracks. Giggling, I fall into his arms. He pulls me closer to him. On my tiptoes we are almost the same height. Our faces are inches apart. His lips are slightly cracked. As if in a dream, the space closes between us. His lips are soft and warm against mine. The kiss isn't rough, it's gentle and sweet. Jack pulls away first. He smiles at me and I grin at him, my eyes twinkling. With our fingers entwined we set off on the concrete path.

He stops when we get to an open space.

"So, this is it?" I ask him curiously. He laughs.

"Olivia, do you really think I'd want to take you on a walk in a bare concrete wasteland? We have to go through these trees to get there" he smiles at me.

"Okay then, lead the way!" I say and he takes me through the trees. On the other side I struggle to conceal a gasp. There are bushes that almost twinkle, a glistening waterfall and a cute bench perched on a rock.

"It-it's beautiful" I gasp. Jack squeezes my hand.

"I thought you'd like it" he says. We walk over and sit on the small wooden bench. As the sky is getting slowly darker, fireflies illuminate the scene. I put my head on Jack's shoulder and check the time. I have an hour before I meet Krystal at the mall. I smile, relieved. Jack leans his head against mine and we watch the waterfall flow down the rocks. Everything is peaceful and quiet. We chat and laugh as we stroll around the area until I have to go. Jack walks me back across the train tracks and pulls me into his chest. I go on my tiptoes and kiss him, my hands wrapped around his neck. The kissing lasts for a while, until I lose track of time. I pull away and look at him. He is smiling.

"Olivia, will you be my girlfriend?" He asks me softly, almost in a whisper.

"Of course" I say sweetly. Realizing I only have 10 minutes to get to the mall I peck Jack on the cheek and run up the street, smiling.

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Eeeek romance! Please vote💕😘 (the media is the forest where Jack took Olivia)