Vulnerable (Book One) Complete!

chapter seven

Jensen

I was spending my only night off on a date with Harry and I was not happy about it. He'd texted me earlier telling me to wear something casual. I stood in my room, hands on my hips, staring down at the two outfits I had picked out.

"Are we leaving soon?" Reese popped her head in my room, looking at me funny before walking in, "What are you doing?"

"Trying to figure out what to wear today." I bit my lip, looking back and forth between the outfits.

"And what is so special about today?" She asked. I didn't tell her I was going on a date. I didn't tell my father either. I didn't want either of them to get their hopes up over a date that wasn't going to go well anyways.

"Nothing." I answered quickly before looking at her, "But which do you like better?"

Reese looked down at my two outfits. The first was my typical t-shirt and legging combo. The second was a pair of high waisted ripped shorts with an old cropped Guns and Roses shirt with a red and black flannel. I was planning on wearing my combat boots with either outfit.

"I'd say the one with the flannel but again, what is this for?" She sat on my bed, still confused about the situation. I snatched the outfit from my sheets, throwing it on and walking to my bathroom.

"I just wanted to look nice today. Is that such a crime?" I decided on leaving my hair natural before throwing on a black baseball cap and putting on mascara.

"You're acting really weird but I know you won't tell me what's going on either way so I'll drop it." Reese announced from my room. "But are you ready? We need to be there in five."

"Ready as I'll ever be." I walked back into my room, gathering my things for the day and walking out the door.

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The clock read 6:50PM. I tapped my fingertips along the counter, biting the inside of my cheek. Why was I nervous? It's not like I liked Harry. This wasn't even my choice, he won his game and I had to follow along with his rules. Right?

"So you're not telling me what you're doing tonight but you're turning on your location just in case?" Reese had been pestering me all day about where I was going and what I was doing. I nodded, keeping my mouth shut.

"Help Dad out as best you can and text me if you guys need anything." I got up from the bar stool, walking back to the kitchen. "Bye Dad! I'll see you in the morning!" He yelled a goodbye to me before I walked out the back door.

The sun was starting to set, the temperature dropping at least twenty degrees in its absence. I sighed, sitting at the picnic table. My phone read 6:58PM. Anytime now.

I noticed a black Range Rover pull into view as I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I quickly got up, opening the door and climbing in. I buckled myself in, not saying a word.

"Well hello to you too sunshine." Harry chuckled, causing me to turn to him. He was wearing another open blouse, this one white with a pair of jeans. His hair was pushed back, sunglasses covering his eyes. To top it all off, that stupid grin was plastered on his face.

"Let's just get this over with?" I sighed, closing my eyes, moving my fingers to pinch the bridge of my nose. "And where are we going?"

"That's for me to know and for you to find out love." He told me, driving off. He turned on the radio, humming to the overplayed tunes. I actually didn't mind it, his humming was somewhat calming.

I watched the city fly past my window as we headed out of it. I turned to look at Harry, narrowing my eyes at him.

"If you're driving me out of the city to kill me, you really chose the wrong girl." I held my cast up to him. He shook his head at my accusation, smiling.

"I didn't leave the city to kill you, Jensen. What kind of dates have you been on?" I rolled my eyes at him, sinking back into my seat. Not long after we pulled off the road onto a gravel one. He was definitely going to murder me, no doubt about it now.

After a little bit more driving, we stopped in the middle of an open field of grass. Harry unbuckled before reaching back between the two front seats and pulling out a blanket and a picnic basket.

"A moonlight picnic?" I asked, a little surprised. This was actually a pretty thoughtful date. No, Jensen this was just another stupid boy and this date meant nothing....right?

Harry nodded, smiling as he got out of the car. I followed as he opened the trunk, setting the blanket up and the picnic basket in the middle. He climbed in, motioning for me to do the same. He opened the picnic basket, revealing chocolate covered strawberries, a few sandwiches, and a bottle of sparkling grape juice. I almost laughed at the juice before remembering I was on pain killers and I was guess that was why he brought it.

"I wasn't sure what you liked so I packed a few different sandwiches. One's turkey, ones ham, and the other is peanut butter and jelly." He held out the sandwiches to me and I took the turkey and cheese. He took the PB&J for himself before placing the picnic basket in the back seat. He sat cross legged, looking up at the sky as he ate his sandwich.

"When I get stressed out, I come out here to just look at the stars and get my mind off of things." I looked out at the sky, noticing just how many stars there were. "You don't get to see these in the city, not with all the bright lights." I watched Harry as he watched the stars, his mind wandering off. His face was lit up by the moon. He looked beautiful. I quickly shook that thought from my head.

"It's beautiful." I said honestly, my focus back to the sky as I leaned back on my elbows, Harry following suit. "I haven't left the city in such a long time. It's amazing the things you miss."

"How long have you been in LA?" He asked me. I could feel his eyes on me. I bit the inside on my cheek, unsure if I should answer.

"We moved here when I was seven. Been here ever since." I turned to look at him, noticing that annoying smirk on his face. "What?"

"You know, your dad was right. You put on this front but underneath it all, you've got a soft core." I shook my head at his smile.

"There's a reason I am the way I am and no I'm not going to tell you it. This was part of the deal. You guess my favorite drink and I go on a date with you. That doesn't mean you need to know about my personal life." I sighed, taking a bite of my sandwich.

"I'm going to crack that hard shell of yours Jensen, one way or another." He stated, making me laugh.

"Yeah, good luck with that Harry." I rolled my eyes.

The rest of the night was filled with Harry and I pointing out the constellations, arguing about a few of them. We ate sandwiches and strawberries and drank our sparkling juice. He didn't ask me anymore personal questions which I was thankful for. When midnight rolled around, we decided to head back.

Harry sang along to the radio the whole way back and I'd be lying if I said it was anything but beautiful. I didn't say anything about it though. I didn't need him thinking I liked him, even as a friend. I was only doing this because he'd won at the game we played.

"Thanks for going out with me, Jensen." Harry said as we pulled up to my apartment.

"Yeah, well, you won the game so." I shrugged, noticing the hint of sadness flash across his green eyes before covering it up with a smile.

"I meant what I said tonight." He was referring to cracking my outer shell. I knew he wasn't capable of it. I made it that way for a reason.

"Goodnight Harry." I said, getting out of the car, "I actually had a decent time and don't make a big deal out of me saying that or I will ban you from the bar." He didn't say a word, just giving me that same old smirk.

"Goodnight Jensen." And with that he drove away.

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Hmmmmmm good things coming from here!