On The Hill

Chapter 14: home is where the heart is

//Author's note: the video above is for you to listen to in the background as you read, I've seen other book writers do this and thought it would be cool to try out myself. If you wish to read without, that is completely fine, I understand it can be hard to read with music on for some people. Anyway I hope enjoy this chapter. <3
The song: what once was by her's \\

The road was long, every time was the same, the
scenery never changed, you knew you were getting close to the sea when you could see the sand build up by the sides of the roads.

Arya was so glad she could come back, the weather was cooler, with a breeze of wind. The sun was at its peak, the fields were passing by as they did once before.

"We're here" her mum called, turned her head back to see Arya and storm in the back.

They passed through the town, the shops were all the same just with new coats of paint and signs rebranded. It always kept its quaint feel though.

They drove along the road, leading to the caravan site. Arya hadn't thought about anything else for the last few weeks, hoping time would go faster. All she wanted was to be there, things were easier there.

Driving into the site, she looked for any spare spaces. She saw bikes lay stranded by the side, others were shouting and calling out with joy.

"It's there, that's our spot" her mum pointed to a spot hidden away in the corner, with a lot of privacy from the others.

Soon, they began to set out everything and sort out their things for the holiday, putting clothes and food away. Arya helped her dad put up the awning.

"Can I take the dog for a walk please?" Arya looked over to the small bridge which was close to their caravan this time. She wanted to see the woods again and the beach...

"Not right now, we are still setting up Arya, you can wait" she turned back to see her dad still carrying things in. Walking over, she helped unpack the last of their things.

—

She lent back closing her eyes, her mind trying to recreate his face, every strand of hair that fell perfectly over his face, finding it hard to remember the way he brushed it back with his soft hands.

She could remember his eyes, how pretty they were when she looked into them, even just thinking about it she could feel herself getting lost in them.

Arya opened her eyes to see storm in front her, his face tilted, beaming up at her.

"Ok now we are done, you want to go out and get some food?" Arya looked at her mum and nodded, truth be told she didn't want to see the town, or go out for food, she just wanted to see him...

—

They reached the town, it seemed fairly quiet. Most shops were closed.

"Where should we eat?" Arya's dad looked around, the sun shone down at the perfect point, creating a beautiful golden sky.

She noticed something familiar, a small man-made shack, she remembered it from the last year. The food was amazing and the people who worked there were so friendly. It felt like only yesterday when she was last their.

"We should eat at that place again, the place we ate at last time we were here" Arya's parents looked over to see it too.

Before too much time they had ordered their food and had found a table to sit at. There was only one other couple sitting at the furthest table.

"We'll have two chips and a burger please" Arya asked, her mum and dad sat at a table with the dog.

"Sure thing... wait do I recognise you?" The man behind the counter asked, inspecting her face.

"Uhh I-I" Arya stuttered, her cheeks beginning to blush, she smiled.

"A... Arya isn't it?" He questioned with a smile, at this point other guys behind the desk turned to see her.

She recognised some of them from her last visit, she was surprised that they had remembered her and smiled noticeably.

"I'm glad to see you back, especially to order our food, it's an honour" he spoke, plating up the food.

"Oh... the honour is all mine, your food is amazing" Arya commented, her cheeks still a rosie pink.

"Seems as you are a good customer of ours we'll give you a 50% discount" he called out joyfully, nudging a couple of the other guys.

—

The evening came to a close after a great meal and a walk by the promenade, the sun was still out in the summer months.

They made a slow walk down the infamous coastal street. Boats were being hooked up for the night and shops closed.

Walking by one shop, Arya wanted to stop and look inside. A small corner store, with a large window display. The very same shop she got the necklace from.

It hadn't changed much, only the shop was closed, the note on the door read that they were returning in spring. Arya was happy to know it was still there, knowing not too much had changed.

With that their returned back to the site for some well needed refreshments and a sit down. It wasn't long though, Arya wasn't ready to settle down for the evening.

Arya took storm for a walk into the woods for the first time of the holiday. He ran ahead smelling the ground, chasing the sounds. Over the bridge, down the long sand dusted path, they soon came to the edge of the forest. Leading off the track they ventured into the woods.

Arya took in the fresh air and the silence. She came across a valley of sand that sloped down. In the middle sat a tree, which hung a swing from it. Consisting of a rope attached to an old plank of wood. Looked pretty sturdy, the rope reached for miles, the branch it was tied to was far above the rest of the trees. It seemed like a fairly knew addition, she'd never seen it in the woods before.

Finally reaching the top of the hill, she could see everything, she had forgotten how good the view was from up there. Seeing the trees stop and meet the sand running to the waters edge.

It was this moment where she remembered meeting him, up in the same place where she stood now.

"I wonder where you are now..."