Lennon hadn’t been herself after going to the police station, but I expected as much. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy for her to talk about it, especially in front of her mother. I was so proud of her though, she faced her fears and I knew Bradley was going to go away for the rest of his life for hurting Lennon. I wasn’t sure how I knew, I just did. Or maybe I just didn’t want to think that he would walk, because then what was the point?
Whenever we were together it was like she was millions of miles away and I just wanted to bring her back down to earth. I wished she would talk to me about whatever was going on in that pretty little head of hers. I hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before, because it was all I could think about. In my sleeplessness I came up with a plan. I wanted to give her a day where she didn’t have to worry about anything. I hoped one day she would be able to live life that way. That was the goal.
I had Lennon and I’s day all planned out. It was going to be a surprise. First I was going to take her somewhere away for a picnic, where we could feed the ducks and then we’d go to a movie theatre and see a movie she’d been talking about non stop. I hoped it would count as our first date. I had my fingers crossed that everything would go according to plan.
I went down to the kitchen and pulled out the bread, leftover chicken, lettuce and mayonaise. I had never been a good cook but I thought I’d be able to at least pull off sandwiches. Once they looked presentable I wrapped them in plastic wrap. Mom had just made a batch of her famous chocolate chip cookies so I pulled them out and put the tin on the counter. In the garage was an old basket that Mom used to pack picnics in. It was exactly what I was looking for. For once I was actually glad she was a pack rat.
I tried to think of other things I could pack. Oh drinks. I remembered and put two cans of ice tea in the basket. My phone vibrated on the table. It was Lennon.
Hey, what time are you picking me up?
I smiled. She remembered our plans. I checked the time, it was almost ten.
I’ll pick you up in a half hour :)
I pressed send and watched it go from delivered to read. The picnic was packed, all I had to do was get dressed. My Mom came into the kitchen, yawning.
“You were up early.” She pointed out, starting to make a pot of coffee.
“Yeah, I’m taking Lennon out.” I muttered, as she noticed the picnic basket.
“I haven’t seen that in a while. A picnic will be fun, very romantic.” Mom winked. I just rolled my eyes at her. “You never know.”
“I don’t expect anything to happen.” I told her and earned a pat on the back.
“I know, you’re a good guy Rowan.”
I yawned and glanced over at the coffee. “Can I have some of that?” I asked, watching the coffee drip down into the pot. I’d only ever drank it once, when I pulled an all nighter to study for an exam. I hated the taste of it but drank it anyway to stay awake.
“I thought you didn’t like coffee.” She gave me a funny look, like she thought I’d been replaced by an alien who liked coffee.
“I’m just tired, I didn’t sleep very well.” I told her and she sighed.
“Everything’s going to be fine with Lennon.” She walked over to me and gave me a smile. “He’s not going to get away with it.”
“How do you know?” I asked, looking down sheepishly. I was having trouble believing that it would just all work out. How could it?
“I don’t… but I have to have faith that a guy like that won’t get away with it, that he will get what he deserves. I have to have faith in our justice system. If I didn’t then I would have lost my mind a long time ago.” She explained and I nodded, I wanted to have that kind of faith but it was hard to think that way so see a light at the end of the tunnel. Lennon had been through so much and Bradley deserved to be behind bars, I just couldn’t find a scenario in my head where that was going to happen.
“Yeah, I’ll try.” I muttered. The coffee maker beeped, telling us the pot was finished brewing.
“Go on, have a cup.” My Mom gave in. I took a cup from the cupboard and poured the coffee in.
“Can I have some?” Lachlan came up behind us, still in his pajamas asking for some coffee.
“No.” My Mom answered immediately.
“What? Why? Why does Rowan get to have some?” He whined. I laughed, I wasn’t even allowed to think about coffee when I was fifteen. I could only imagine what Lachlan would be like if he drank coffee. He’d probably be like a squirrel on steroids, especially since he had ADHD.
“When you’re seventeen we’ll talk.” My Mom told him sternly. “Get some breakfast.” She told him and turned to me. “Have fun with Lennon.” She walked up the stairs, probably to go watch TV in her bedroom.
“Are you going on a date?” Lachlan teased me.
“No it’s not a date.” I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. “It’s not.”
“Oh, it’s a date.” He laughed, going about his business.
“It’s not.” I said again, noticing the time. I only had ten minutes to get ready. “Shit.” I swore under my breath and ran up the stairs.
I got dressed quickly, putting on a nice button up shirt and a pair of jeans. I looked back at the clock, I had five minutes to get to Lennon’s. I didn’t want to be late. Lachlan was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, holding out the picnic basket.
“Thanks.” I took it and dug my keys out of the bowl.
“It’s a date.” He said again. I just rolled my eyes and closed the door behind me.
I drove into Lennon’s driveway two minutes late. Sweat was beading on my forehead. I turned off the car and walked up to her front door. I didn’t even get a chance to knock before she opened it. She looked beautiful. Her hair was curled and all I wanted to do was run my hand through it. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a long knit turtleneck sweater.
“Sorry, I saw you pull in.” She smiled. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.” I told her, wrapping my hand around hers. She frowned at me.
“I hate surprises.”
“Well you’ll like this one, I promise.” I told her, swinging our hands back and forth.
“Okay, maybe I will.” She shrugged.
“How are you doing?” I asked her, searching her eyes but her expression was unreadable.
“I’m okay.” She forced a smile on her face. I knew she wasn’t okay. I didn’t expect her to be because I wasn’t okay. I just wanted her to feel like she could tell me the truth.
“You don’t have to lie to me Lennon.” I stepped closer to her. “You don’t have to be okay. I want you to be but you don’t have to be.” She looked down at our hands, pursing her lips.
“So I’m not, but I’m trying to be. What’s so wrong with that?” She mumbled. I sighed. I guess there wasn’t anything wrong with that.
“Nothing, I guess… Just don’t feel like you have to tell me what I want to hear or that you’re burdening me by telling me what’s going on in that pretty head of yours because I promise you never will. I care about you Lennon.” I explained to her and her face softened.
“Okay… I’m sorry.” She apologized but I shook my head.
“Don’t apologize.” I muttered, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She caught my hand and wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me into a hug. I sighed and put my arms around her, laying my chin down on her head. I love you, it was on the tip of my tongue, but I held it in. I cleared my throat. “Let’s get going.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She agreed and took the lead to my jeep. “So you’re not going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Nope.” I laughed.
--
I rounded the corner and drove into the parking lot of a big park. It was almost empty, just a mom pushing her daughter on a swing a mile away. It was just how I wanted it. Memories of Lachlan and I running around the field filled my head.
“A park?” Lennon asked, undoing her seat belt.
“Yeah.” I hopped out of the car and went around to her side to get the door, but she was already out. She was pulling at the sleeves of long sleeve shirt, looking around. I went to my truck and got out the picnic basket along with a blanket. When she saw it a big smile came onto her face.
“Really? A picnic? That’s so cheesy Rowan.” She laughed.
“Yeah but it’ll be fun.” I blushed, hoping I didn’t chose the wrong thing.
“Yeah, you’re right.” She nodded. This time she took my hand and we walked hand in hand into the centre of a field by a small duck pond. I tried to lay out the blanket but it kept blowing in the wind. “Here, let me help.” She grabbed two corners and laid it down perfectly on the grass.
“Thanks.” I weighed it down with the basket. My stomach growled and Lennon laughed.
“I guess it’s time to eat then.” She rolled her eyes. I guess all it took was getting away for her to open back up to me.
“I guess it is.” I smiled, revealing what was inside.
We ate in silence, taking in the sounds around us. Ducks were quacking, birds were chirping and the little girl on the swing was laughing. I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. The sunlight enhanced all of her features, her hair was glistening, her eyes were sparkling and her smile was radiant. My eyes drifted down to her lips as her tongue grazed them light.
She looked up at me and I quickly averted my eyes to the pond.
“Rowan… Why did you chose this park?” She asked, breaking the silence.
“Um, my Dad used to take Lachlan and I here when we were little. I always had good memories here so I thought I’d share them with you.” I told her honestly.
“Oh, well I’m honored.” She reached over and placed her hand over mine, squeezing it tightly. She leaned in and pecked my lips, so quick I didn’t even get the chance to react.
“Can I ask you something?” I gulped, a little nervous to put her on the spot.
“Uh, yeah.” She stuttered. I hated making her uncomfortable, but I had to know.
“What are we? I’d like to be able to call you my girlfriend, I just- I don’t know. Is that too soon?” I rushed out and a look of relief washed over her face.
“Honestly, I don’t know if I’m ready Rowan, but I want that. I want to be your girlfriend.” She told me and I smiled, liking the sound of that. “I just, I need to take things slowly.”
“I know and I would never rush you into anything.” I assured her and came up with a suggestion. “Why don’t we call this our first date and see where it goes from there?”
She bit her lip. “I kind of already thought this was a date.”
“Oh.” I was sure I was beat red. “Okay, then it’s a date.” I covered quickly. I could only imagine the grief Lachlan would give me later, he was right, it was a date.
I brushed my thumb across her cheek and leaned in slowly to make sure it was okay. My lips touched hers and I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. It was like a longing in me subsided, we were kissing, a real kiss. I could feel the passion in my bones as she ran her fingers through my hair. There it was again on the tip of my tongue, I love you. Although I knew she wasn’t ready to hear it.
I felt a drop of rain on my head and I pulled away, looking up at the sky. It had changed from cloudy to grey and dreary. Suddenly it just started pouring. Lennon and I both jumped up. I grabbed the picnic basket and she grabbed the blanket, running to my jeep for cover. I panicked scrambling to find my keys in my pocket. Finally I found them and unlocked the car.
We were soaked from head to toe, panting from running. I looked at Lennon and she looked at me and we both burst into laughter.
“That was the most fun I’ve had in awhile.” She said, a big smile on her face.
“Me too.” I agreed. “I might have a change of clothes in the back, do you want something?”
“No I’m okay.” She was still laughing, shaking herself off. Her eyes were on me, looking like she was thinking of something big. “You’re something else, you know that?”
“Is that bad?” I asked.
“No, it’s good. Really good.” Lennon breathed out. “Ask me again.”
“What?” I was confused.
“Ask me. I think I’m ready.” She said and it finally clicked.
“Lennon, will you be my girlfriend?” I asked, patiently waiting for her to say yes and then it did.
“Yes.”
Hi guys! Happy Valentines Day! Hope you like this chapter!
What did you think? What are your valentines day plans? Are you single or in a relationship? Your thoughts on Rowan and Lennon?
Keep an eye out for a new part, it won't be an update but it will be important so you don't want to miss it. You get to voice your opinions!