On The Hill

Chapter 23: Ill tell him tomorrow

The sun was starting to surrender, gradually lowering to sea level. Arya helped pack up as they made their way back from the beach.

The forest met with the main trail to the sites. Arya walked at the back, treading firmly through the thickening sand. Her flip flops slipped over it like ice, as she tried to keep hold of her belongings and a few towels under her arm.

"Here, let me take those" Dylan came up to her, taking some of the things to relieve her. She thanked him walking together now.

Robin was helping carry the dingy with Nico and Ethan up front , with their mum moaning at their poor efforts, following them closely behind.

"I'm glad you came today" Dylan began, he spoke in such a chill tone, like he was the big brother to everyone, it was just in his nature.

"I'm happy you could put up with me" Arya laughed  a little, looking onwards at the boys.

"He really likes you, you know" Dylan stared at Robin from behind before looking at Arya. They were quite far behind, out of ear shot.

"I'm sure you know that and I just know he can sometimes be a little awkward and stubborn" Dylan said, Arya agreeing with an eye roll and smile, knowing this for herself.

"Yeh I know, he's only ever been kind and considerate to me unlike-" Arya stopped herself before she could say too much.

Dylan looked at her, noticing her body tense up a little. He knew she'd cut herself off and waited for a response, seeing what she'd say next.

Arya sighed, more at herself than anyone else, she should have told him about Matt, she knew that and now Dylan -his older brother- was going to find out before him. She cringed in her mind hoping it wouldn't happen like that, if only shed told him when they first met.

"Arya... is there something you want to say?" He asked trying to look in her eyes but she would not give him the eye contact.

"...look" she paused arching her head down," I haven't told Robin something... something I should have told him when we first met. Now I know I should have, because I don't know how I'm supposed to tell him now" Arya explained as best she could without saying too much.

Dylan peered back to the front, taking a deep breath, he thought for a moment as the silence filled them both.

Arya said nothing, leaving it with Dylan. "You have a boyfriend, back home don't you?" He uttered, almost like he'd taking the words from Arya's mind and thrown them back at her.

She stared at him in shock, giving him the answer he was looking for. She nodded ashamed, looking away. "How did you know?".

"Well, I knew something wasn't right, you seemed a little out of the conversation a few times and every time your phone went off, you always had a look of horror on your face" Dylan sort of smiled, taking light of the situation, not seeming too bothered about it.

Arya just felt more ashamed now, knowing should couldn't hide it as well as she first thought. "Oh and plus a saw someone text you and from the way he spoke it sounded like he was more than a friend I'll say that much" he smirked a little.

"What?!" She exclaimed, not enough for anyone else to hear though ,"I'm sorry, I feel like I've lied to Robin for all this time and now when he finds out he's going to know I kept it for this long" she had a sinking feeling in her stomach that wouldn't shake, feeling as though it was about to drag her back into the sea.

"Arya listen to me... I love my brother don't get me wrong and I wouldn't let anyone hurt him but the day I met you all you've done is make him happy and you have been so kind to all of us and I understand that your in a situation and it's not as easy as it may seem" He looked at her, understandingly.

Arya nodded, swallowing nervously. "Whatever happens, you will always be a part of this family and if Robin can't accept that then he's not good enough for you." Dylan sighed, looking at Arya who watched Robin from afar.

"I just don't want to upset him, he's the best thing I've had in a long time and I don't want to loose him... not like this". She stopped for a moment controlling her breathing, "can I ask you something Dylan? Please don't tell him, not yet. I'll tell him, that's the least I owe him".

"Sure, you know if you ever need any of us, we'll be here" he reminded her, making their way closer into the forest.

"Thank you, it means a lot. Ok, I don't want to ruin today so I'll tell him tomorrow, when we are in private"....

—

His room was still as he sat on his bed. He could hear the faint voice of Dylan or maybe Nico, he couldn't tell, taking to his mother in the other room.

Robin sat on his bed, watching the fields from outside. He held something in his hand, twiddling it back and forth.

People were beginning to settle down, the day was drawing close to an end. He reflected back on the day with her. Robin smiled remembering her face beaming up at him. Her distinctive glasses that were almost too big for her, sitting on her golden hair.

"Hey, Rob I'm going bed" Dylan leaned in his room by the door.

"Ok I'll see you in the morning, if I'm not out before then" Robin smiled, looking back out the window.

Dylan sighed, watching his brother on the bed. Taking one last look he left the room. He knew tomorrow wasn't going to be a day to look forward to.