Under Different Circumstances

Chapter 25

I stepped out of my house, wearing my leather jacket, boots, and sunglasses and was holding a pair of gloves in my hand.

Jay had parked his bike on the pavement in front of the steps to my house and was leaning against it. He watched me walk towards him with the affectionate expression on his face that melted my heart every time I saw it.

The scene reminded me of the time he'd picked me up for our first date. We had barely known each other back then, but his face had already displayed the first hints of the fondness that was now fully developed in his gentle eyes and smile.

I beamed as I walked up to him and into his embrace.

"Good morning," he grinned, and I wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Hey," I said softly and gave him a peck on the lips, then took a step back to look at his bike. "This is nice!"

It was an all-black motorcycle in a classic retro style that reminded me of a bike from the 1970s that my dad used to own. Jay's bike also resembled the one in the painting in his living room.

"Thank you," Jay said proudly and took off his backpack. "Since you're sitting behind me, it might be best if you wore this."

He handed it to me, and I was surprised by its weight.

I put it on and bounced slightly. "What's in this?"

"Just some water and snacks, I brought a few presents for the kid from the district and some things we're going to need for the surprise activity," he smirked teasingly.

I raised an eyebrow. "When will you tell me what the surprise is?"

"We'll stop at the place on our way back this afternoon. Want me to put your bag into the backpack?" he asked, and I handed him my small crossbody bag and turned around so he could pack it away.

When he was done, he picked up one of the motorcycle helmets sitting on the seat next to him. "This one's slightly smaller. I think it should fit," he commented and slid it onto my head and closed the buckle for me.

As he did so, I studied his face with a mixture of serene and warm contentment and childlike excitement in my chest. Jay broke the peaceful moment and pulled me out of my thoughts when he knocked on my helmet.

"All safe. Wouldn't want anything to happen to that beautiful head of yours," he quipped.

I rolled my eyes with a grin and pulled my gloves on.

"You're well prepared," he acknowledged with a smile as he fastened the buckle of his own helmet.

"Yeah, the last time I rode a bike with my brother, my hands nearly froze off. Don't want to repeat that."

He hinged down the footrests for the passenger, straddled the bike, and folded up the kickstand. "Are you ready?" he asked with a grin.

"I could barely sleep 'cause I was ready last night!" I declared and got on the bike behind him.

He chuckled and unhooked his sunglasses from his jacket and put them on. "Hold on," he told me over his shoulder, and I gripped onto his waist.

We rolled onto the street slowly, and when the road was clear, Jay turned the accelerator throttle and we lunged forwards. I let out a thrilled shriek and quickly wrapped my arms around his waist more tightly. As we flew around the first corner, my heart started hammering with excitement, and my stomach fluttered with the same sensation I knew from roller-coaster rides. Soon, we entered the highway, and Jay weaved through the cars skilfully until we reached the outskirts of the city. There, the road was almost entirely empty, and Jay accelerated to the maximum speed limit. Exhilaration pulsed through my body, and a grin was permanently glued to my face. I felt the wind on my face and slid one of my hands up to Jay's chest and hugged him close to me. He let go of the left handle and laid his hand on top of mine briefly, squeezing it slightly.