Free rein

12: Suspicious activities

The next few days pass and Jackson won't leave my side. I guess that makes sense as this is an unfamiliar place for him. He watched my riding lessons and I even tried to get him on a horse a few times. He isn't an animal lover so I guess I am surprised that he has been spending the past few days here at the stables and every time I ask he just says "I just want to get to know my girl better." it's nothing suspicious but we know everything about each other so what is there to know? Pin and I are just like how we were before and I guess Jackson has gotten used to Pin's presence. I've told Jackson about Mia's attitude towards me, he always smirks in a weird way and chuckles. So far our time together is perfect.

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It's Thursday, Jackson finally agreed to ride a horse and he also gave me a piece of paper explaining that he was going to take me out tonight. We are going to watch a movie, which is why I am here in the bathroom getting ready. I haven't been on a date for a long time. This is really exciting for me. We're watching the new Avengers movie Infinity War. Jackson and I love Marvel movies. I'm waiting outside the cinema, it's 8:00 pm and I don't see him anywhere. He said we will meet at around 8 o'clock. I take the note out of my pocket, maybe I got the time and place wrong. The time continues to go past and there is no sign of him anywhere. I sit on a nearby bench and decide to call him. Straight to voice mail. So I decided to text him.

Hey Jack...Just wondering where you are

I check the time, the movie is about to start. I might as well watch it myself. I walk to the entrance of the cinema and to the ticket booth to redeem my ticket. "Hey, Sarah. What are you doing here?" I hear someone say behind me. I turn around expecting it to be Jackson but to my surprise it was Pin. "Pin?" I say shocked. "Oh I'm supposed to be here with a friend but they're running late," I say taking my ticket from the man. "By friend do you mean Jackson?" I avoid eye contact and defensively say "No, he's just busy!" Pin looks at me with a questionable expression and ordered a ticket "I would like to watch the same movie as her." We then walk to the snack corner. We both look at the menu for snacks. "I'll take one large popcorn with two cokes please." Pin says to the lady at the counter. After a short moment, the lady places Pin's order on the counter. Pin gives the money and picks up all the items handing me a coke. "What? This is for me. Thank you I'll pay you back. Uhhh" I say as I look through my bag for my purse. "No need. It's all I can do for a girl who's been stood up by her crappy boyfriend." Pin says, which shocks me. Pin reads my expression then apologises. We walk into the cinema and sit next to each other. We talk to each other and I'm really enjoying my time with Pin. I know this may seem cliche but we both touched hands when reaching for the popcorn. We laugh it off even though both of us are blushing right now. As always the movie finishes and it's time to leave. "I'll walk you home." Pin says. We both start walking to Mia's house.

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I enter the house and check if anyone is home. The house is empty. Mia and her dad must have gone out again. I go straight to my room with tears streaming my face. I can't believe he would treat me like this. I couldn't help but think about why I was stood up. Was it because I was forcing him to do things he wasn't comfortable with? I crawl under my sheets and stuff my face in my pillow. "Why Jackson. Why did you do this to me." I shout into the wet pillow. I can't stop the tears. Why am I crying? It's not like he broke up with me. I'm just in shock. After minutes of crying and being negative, a fine figure pops into my head. I can't help but think about how nice and attractive he was to me. Pin was so smooth today. He really changed the mood. I now can't stop replaying the cheesy romantic moments that seem like they came from a rom-com. Pin was all my brain could focus on. As my mood lifted, I slowly drift off to my happy place.

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The next day arrives and Jackson is standing outside the door. "Jackson? what are you doing here?" I say shocked to see his face considering he left me alone at the cinema. "Look Sarah I'm sorry I couldn't come last night. Something came up and I forgot to call you." I shrug and walk past him. I'm not mad, just disappointed. I hear his footsteps following me. "Look I'm sorry and I wanted to make it up to you." I turn around and look at him. "How about I take you to a cafe right now. I know you don't eat breakfast." He says with a sparkle in his eye. I can't resist that look and he knows that. "Well, I guess I am a bit hungry," I say as I watch Jackson catch up to me with a large smile on his face. He sighs in relief and hugs me. "I'm so happy right now." I stand in shock not expecting a hug but eventually smile and hug him back. God I missed being hugged my his tall figure, its so comforting. "I miss this" He says. I look up at him. "What?" "I miss being myself. I hate being that bad guy." He says looking down at me. "Hmmm" I hum. He smiles at me and ruffles my hair. "Only you see the real me" I smile "I know" he lets go and we continue to walk down the street. Mia walks past and looks at me then looks Jackson up and down, like shes checking him out. Thats just disgusting.