Riptide // Jack Maynard

Chapter Twenty-One

After what felt like hours the kitchen was finally cleaned and we got ourselves cleaned. I was ready to go home and Jack insisted he would walked me to the train station because he felt bad that he couldn't drive me home as his car was in the garage for repairs.

Being a complete stranger to the area of London which Jack lived in I had no idea which way to head for the station so I followed completely in his guidance, which is why I suddenly became confused when he seemed to have led me into the local park.

"What are we doing here?" I asked.

"It's a short cut to the station." He replied.

I took a look around the park was massive and I couldn't see any signs around directing to a train station. "Really."

"Ok, it's not actually a short-cut, maybe 10 minutes longer, but the walk is a lot nicer."

Jack smiled and reach out his hand for me to take. It may not have been the quickest route to the station, but I was definitely ok with where we were heading right now. I took his hand and let him lead me down the path. At first we didn't talk, I guess we were still taking it in, at least I was anyway. This felt pretty magical.

It was when we reached an ice cream truck on the foot path that Jack spoke up for the first time since we joined hands.

"Fancy an ice cream?" He asked and I nodded without hesitation because let's be honest.. Every girl wants ice cream. "Which one?"

"I'll go for a classic 99 with everything on it." I responded. I was suddenly excitedly to be able to relive the ice cream of my childhood.

"Even sprinkles?"

"Of course." I smiled.

I stood on the side of the queue as Jack ordered us ice creams. I watched as he was handed two 99 Flakes, one covered in everything, as I insisted and another with just strawberry sauce. I took mine and out of his hand and he then used that hand to find my free hand. We carried on walking down the path until we found the nearest bench and decided it wouldn't hurt to hang out for a bit longer. As we sat there, enjoying our ice cream our conversation began to blossom. We had a lot of conversations over text, but this felt so nice. We were sharing about ourselves, our lives and growing up. It was so genuine. 

We must've been sat talking for quite a while, I was getting lost in his eyes, lost in his thoughts. I was enjoying every minute of it and never wanted it to end, unfortunately thought fate was not on my side as in a matter of moments a dog came running over to me, jumping on my legs and handed me a tennis ball. Luckily, I loved dogs so I won't be too harsh on fate for this one. I picked up the ball and threw it for the dog who chased after it instantly and brought it straight back, this time Jack took the ball and threw it. After following the same routines for a while a woman soon came running over.

"Oh thank god, you found my dog!" 

I picked up the ball again handing it to her and she smiled  back at me. "Thank you for looking after him, he really is a mischief, can't stay in one place for a second. I was just saying hi to a friend and then I turn around and he's disappeared." The woman laughed as she clipped the lead back onto the collar and stood back up. "Hold on.. I know you guys, you're..."

Jack and I both giggled to each other and then Jack spoke up first telling her his name. "Jack Maynard."

"And I'm Demi Rose... Do you know of us?" I ask.

"You're on that video platform, aren't you? I see my daughter watching you two, among many others all the time it's just so hard to keep up with names."

"Aw that's cute, what's her name?"

"Her name is Emily. She won't ever believe me when I tell her I met you. In fact, I feel bad to ask, but would you mind saying hello to her on film? She's been going through a rough time at school, I think it'll really help her out."

"We would be happy too." Jack told her and placed his hand on the back of my shoulder.

The woman took her phone out and started recording. I began first saying hello to Emily and Jack repeated after me. With left her a lovely message that her mum was so thankful for, I hoped that it would really make her feel better as she was apparently going through a rough time. Her mum and her dog soon departed from us and Jack and I got back on the move to the station.

When we arrived it was time for the goodbye. We both stopped outside the station and turned to face each other. 

"So..." Jack started.

"So..."

"I had fun."

"Thanks. So did I. Thanks again for the video."

"No problem. So goodbye?"

Jack said and opened his arms pulling me in for a hug and as we pulled away I couldn't help looking him in the eye all doe-eyed hoping there will be something else. But, there wasn't. I said goodbye and began to walk into the station. Maybe I was just assuming things too fast, maybe he had no interest in me in that field and only interest for girls like Sophia willing to give it up. Maybe after a no action night from me, he doesn't want to see me again. At least that's what was going through my mind until..

"Wait!" He shouted and came running over to me as I turned around. "When are you next free?"

"Erm, Friday." I replied "Why?"

"I want to take you out." The words finally managed to escape his mouth and his face began turning red, he seemed really nervous. I was shocked.

"You do?" I asked. I couldn't hide the huge smile on my face or the glow in my eyes. It's only been a week but I feel like I've waited a lifetime for this.

"I think you're amazing, and I've enjoyed you company. I would really love to take you out on a date, but only if you want to."

"I would love to."

Jack's head shot up forming a cute smile on his face. We said our goodbyes again, he promised to text me and took off. I got on the train having to take a few minutes out to register what just happened. Was I really now officially going on a date with Jack Maynard? The answer to that was a big, fat YES. And I had no idea I was going to maintain my excitement until Friday.