Why Don't We? // Jack Avery fanfiction

Late Texts

Jack and I decide to play one more carnival game before heading back toward the car. Surprisingly, Jack wins a prize. He decided to get a medium sized, fluffy teddy bear. Proudly, he hands it to me, and we make our way back to the little hidden path behind the secret beach. "Wait, Em. there's one thing we have to do before we leave" I look over to Jack. "Oh, and what is that?" I say, looking over at Jack. "Follow me." He says, jogging down the pier that I noticed when we first got here. Once we reach the end of the pier, Jack takes off his shirt. I'm extremely confused. "Jack??" I ask confused "Why are you taking off your clothes?" Before I finish my sentence, Jack is jumping off the end of the pier into the water. "Woooooooo" he calls, as he falls through the air. Making a big splash at the bottom. When his head pops up from under water, he calls out to me. "Come on Em!" He says. I contemplate saying no, and waiting by the beach for him to come up out of the water, but I've had such an amazing night, and something inside of me just feels so free. I pull my shirt over my head, and pull down my jean shorts, leaving me in my bra and underwear. I stand on the edge of the pier looking down. It's really high up. "Jump!" Jack calls. I take a few steps back to get a running start, and I jump off the pier, feeling myself fall through the air. I hit the water with a splash. It's surprisingly cold on my body. As I come up for air, I can see that Jack has swam up beside me. "It's so cold, let's get out of here." He says. We both swim toward the sand, until it's shallow enough for us to stand. We walk through the shallow water, onto the sand, and up to Jack's backpack. He pulls out a large beach towel with red and white stripes. "I only have one." He says. "You can have it though." He looks me in the eyes, and very slowly wraps the red and white towel around my shoulders. I take a step closer to him, and he takes a step closer to me. Before I know it, he is leaning in, and so am I. His soft lips are on mine. The kiss is so gentle, I want to savour it forever. He touches my face with his hand, and pulls me in for a hug. I can barely contain the happiness I'm feeling. We huddle in together so that I can wrap the towel around both of us.

After grabbing our clothes, and collecting all of our belongings, we make our way back to the car. "I'll take you home" he says, smiling. He turns on the radio, and some sort of calm, lo-fi indie music is playing. As much as I would have loved to talk to Jack the whole way home, I find myself falling asleep right there, in the front seat of his car.

I wake up to a hand shaking me very lightly. "Hey Emily. We are here. It's time to go home." I slowly open my eyes, and see my house at the end of my driveway. I groggily rub my eyes a few times before reaching into the back of the car to get my backpack. I thank Jack for such an amazing day.

"Thank you so much Jack. Today was so unbelievably amazing. You make me feel like I can really just be myself for once in my life. Today was perfect. I really hope we can do this again." I say, with my hand on the door handle, ready to leave. "I really hope we can do it again too." I smile, and push the door open, hopping out of the car. "Thanks again Jack." I say, pushing the car door shut, and walking up to my house. I wave goodbye to Jack, who is backing out of my driveway. He waves back at me, and drives off.

As I get into my house, both of my parents are sitting together in the living room reading newspapers. My mother takes her glasses off, so she can see me properly. "Now what on earth have you been up to, Emily? You're soaking wet." She laughs. I'm so glad that my parents are the relaxed type. If I was Rachael, coming home late, and soaked, I would be in BIG trouble. I decide not to lie to my parents, because sooner or later I will be telling them about Jack anyway. "A boy took me on a date." I smile "We had a really amazing time mom, he's so respectful, and kind, and I really like him." My mom stands up, and claps her hands together. She almost looks more excited than I am "My Emily? My Emily was on a date! Did you hear that Peyton?" My dad looks at me, and jokingly says "Alright, who do I have to kill?" He and I laugh together. "Nobody dad." I say. "He's an older brother to three sisters that he loves dearly, and he has a single mother. So, he really knows how to treat women. He's a good guy dad." My dad pats me on the back. "Well great. I'm excited to meet him, Emmy." He slumps back down on his chair, with a big thud and continues to read his newspaper. "You'll have to tell me all about this date tomorrow morning!" My mom says as I run up the stairs, two at a time. "I will!" I call down the stairs.

When I get upstairs, I look at myself in the mirror, and realize how disgusting I look. There's a piece of  leaf in my hair, which is extremely messy, and my face is slightly sun burned. Somehow, Jack didn't seem to mind at all. I pull the leaf out of my hair, and take the teddy bear Jack won for me out of my backpack and place it on my bed.

After getting ready to sleep, I get into bed and check my phone. I have 3 texts. The first one is from Jack.

Jack: I'm glad you came today. I hope you had a good time, because I had an amazing time.
Me: It was perfect, thanks Jack.

The second text is from Corbyn

Corbyn: Emily!! You're coming to hang out with Daniel and I tomorrow!! Jonah has a meeting with our producer, and Zach is going with Jack to visit Jack's family. SO, you're coming over to keep up entertained.

I laugh out loud at how forward Corbyn is.

Me: I have plans with my friend Rachael though!

The third text is from Daniel.

Daniel: Say yes to Corbyn! You're coming oveeerrrrrrr!! :))))))
Me: Well, it looks like I have no option then huh

By the time I'm finished texting Daniel, I've already received texts back from Jack and Corbyn.

Corbyn: Bring her! The more the merrier!! But don't worry, you will always be our favorite <3

I laugh again at Corbyn's text. He just has a way with words.

Me: Ha. Okay. I'm going to sleep. Text me the deets tomorrow.

Finally, I check what Jack sent.

Jack: I'm super tired, so I'm going to go to sleep. Goodnight Emily :)
Me: goodnight Jack. Thanks again :))

I call Rachael. She picks up on the second ring. "Hey girl, how are you holding up?" She asks, sounding sympathetic. "Amazing!" I say. "Listen, I'm so tired, so I'm gonna make this really quick. Come over tomorrow, bright and early. Seriously, come over at like 9. Dress kinda cute.. but not overly cute! Like.. don't look like you're trying to impress but... look impressive. Anyway, I'll tell you everything tomorrow when you get here. I won't tell you now, because if I do you will definitely over think it." I pause, and let her get a word in. "Well, now I'm definitely over thinking it!" She laughs. "I'll be there though. 9am!" We both say bye, and hang up the phone.