The Summer That Changed Everything

Chapter Two - Part Three

He had to strain to see her eyeballs because she squinted at him even further, attempting to come up with an appropriate retort. All at once, she dropped the bravado as she realised exactly where she was. Her wary eyes peered down at the floor.

“Erm, how are we supposed to get down?” She asked. Her head throbbed, and her eyes grew blurry once she realised just how high up they were. Her palms perspired, though both hands remained stuck in a claw-like position on the handles. She blinked in rapid succession to get her eyesight back to normal, though it was of little use.

Noticing her distress, Jared said in a soothing tone. “We just have to lean back and push ourselves down the wall using our feet. It’s perfectly safe, that’s why we have the harnesses on.”

She nodded, but felt anything but calm. Quite the opposite, in fact. The nod quickly turned into shakes of her head.

“I don’t think I can do this,” she whimpered, tightening her death grip on the wall.

“Sure, you can,” Jared said, climbing sideways on the wall, so he was closer to Felicity. She admired how easily he could manoeuvre himself on this terrifying wall. “I’ll do it with you. You’re in the safest hands here. Don’t worry.”

She nodded again, but this time, it was more genuine and a lot less frenetic. Jared placed a gentle, warm hand on her shoulder. With a clammy tentativeness, Felicity pried a hand from the wall and put it on Jared’s and squeezed it. Butterflies zoomed in her stomach, and she thought she would vomit. But one look at Jared and seeing his charming, yet oddly soothing wink, calmed her right down.

With one last deep breath, they made their way down the wall in tandem. Jared’s soothing tones and close body heat made Felicity calm enough to conquer this fear. She couldn’t get the harness off fast enough once her feet had touched the ground. The bemused referee/employee helped Felicity as fast as they could, but it wasn’t fast enough for Felicity’s trembling hands and residual fear. Once free, she launched herself at Jared, wrapping her arms around him in a hug.

“I did it!” She squealed, still clinging to Jared. “We did it!”

“That we did,” he laughed, holding her tight. They pulled away, and he gave her a light punch in the arm. “Proud of you.”

“Now, now, don’t get soppy,” she laughed, rolling her eyes. Though the slight pink tinge in her cheeks gave away the fact that she enjoyed Jared’s declaration.

Jared slung a casual arm over her shoulders as they made their way out of the room. “Let’s get some food, and don’t worry, all bets are off. I’ll pay for the food.”

Felicity blew air out of her lips, causing a trill to resonate around them. “Don’t be daft, I may have had a mini-meltdown back there, but you won the bet fair and square. I’m paying for lunch.”

Jared shrugged; his arm was still around her shoulder, and he pulled her in close. Felicity remained still, but enjoyed the close comfort. “Whatever. If you pay for lunch, I’ll pay for desserts. I know the best cake shop.”

Sighing, Felicity conceded, knowing he wouldn’t back down from that. It was the best she would get, so she had no choice but to agree.

“Deal,” she smiled, more than ready to leave this terrifying place.

***

For lunch, Felicity took Jared to a place he had never been before, though it was a frequent haunt for Felicity and her family. So she knew it was good. The interior proved much fancier than a Wetherspoons, and it would be a lie if Jared had said he didn’t feel at least a little out of his depth. He gawked at the prices on the menu and told Felicity it was okay if she wanted to go elsewhere, but Felicity insisted he order anything he wanted. After all, what was the point in her family having money if she couldn’t treat her friends once in a while?

Deciding it was too early to eat a huge meal, they ordered a few starter plates. This way, they could pick at and try various things. Jared dubbed it boujee tapas, and Felicity laughed at the new thought, knowing she would now always think of that when she came here in the future.

“Tell me that that is not the most gorgeous garlic mushroom you’ve ever had,” Felicity demanded. She handed Jared a fork after she had pierced the food in question.

Felicity took pleasure in watching him eat it (in a totally normal way, of course) and seeing his eyes roll back into his head.

“That is insanely good,” Jared said once he had swallowed the food. “I can see why you come here so often; this food is to die for.”

“Right?” she smiled, and a slight smugness took over her because he liked her choice. Then she spotted a server walking by her with another customer’s food in his hands, and a new thought occurred, whilst her eyes intently followed the food on its journey. “Though I hate it when we come here for proper meals. The food is gorgeous, but oh my goodness, the portion sizes at restaurants like this are so tiny; it’s like they’re for children. Scratch that, even children would still be hungry after this food.”

“See, that is the only reason I am not rich.” Jared nodded, wiping his mouth with a napkin. He had a playful shine to his eyes. “You’re always obliged to dine at restaurants that have portion sizes for ants. Nope, I’m not about that life. Give me a burger and chips any day, and I’ll eat it all and ask for seconds.”

“And I will join you there,” Felicity laughed, and they clinked their Coke glasses together. She wiggled her eyebrows at him. “Though I’m sure if you brought a date here, it would certainly impress them. So, you’re welcome.”

“Nah, I’d never come here with a date,” Jared said. “Sure, they would enjoy the portion sizes, but I’d like a girl who matches me for what I eat. This is why you’re so strange. It would disgust other girls because I can polish off a mountain of chips. Not you.”

Felicity sat up straighter in the chair, widened her eyes and affected her voice. “Maybe I’m not like other girls. “

Jared let out a guffaw, earning some odd looks from the more reserved diners. He crumpled up the napkin and launched it at Felicity’s face, and it landed with a plop on her empty plate. Laughter bubbled inside of Felicity, and she didn’t stop it from coming out.

“Now, I haven’t seen a lot, but I’ve seen enough teen movies to know that’s the oldest line in the book. Complete with the awful American accent,” Jared said, stifling his laughter. He had clocked on to the fact that they were getting some bizarre looks. “Never say that again. Ever.”

“I’m so sorry, I couldn’t resist!” Felicity said. She, too, had her hand covering her mouth, attempting to calm the giggles bubbling in her mouth like expensive champagne. “And your earlier American accent wasn’t any better, mister.”

“It wasn’t as bad as yours and you know it. Now, before you get us kicked out, I suggest you pay the bill, and we leave,” Jared said, straightening his shirt. “I think it’s time for cake, don’t you?”