On The Hill

Chapter 24: She was cut off 

Her stomach couldn't stop turning, rolling over itself, making Arya get the urge to be sick every time. She tried to calm it down by breathing, her heavy sighs loud, as she pulled herself up and over hills.

Storm followed close by her, feeling her nausea. She couldn't see her own face but knew it was probably white from fear and anxiety. She prepared for the conversation, what she would say and how to tell him without hurting his feelings... it wasn't going to be as easy as it sounded, not after everything they had been through.

Arya stopped, taking a breath. Storm turned to see his owner standing, her head hanging low. The strong emotions flowed through her body making her legs tremble and shiver like they always did and her eyes blurred, glistening over with a coat of water.

Storm nuzzled by her legs, sitting by her feet. She smiled, forgetting these feelings for a few moments to appreciate her tender care an animal could give a human. She stroked his head, curving across his ears and down his neck, the soft fur weaved though her fingers, creating a smooth, luxurious feel.

"Why did I let it get this far?" She whispered, holding Storms face, gentle to not hurt the dog.

"I never wanted to hurt him and now I'm afraid I'll loose the only good thing I've had in a long time" Arya's voice picked up. Storm just looked at her, with a tilted face, his tongue loose out of his open mouth as if smiling to the girl.

A little whimper came from the dog as he lunged out to lick her face. She smiled back, wiping away the last drop of slobber from her cheek. she looked up from Storm, to the trees which stood stiller than statues, the sky was slightly overcast and was painted in greys and whites unlike its usual baby-blue.

—

Robin lent against the tree, flipping the necklace pendant in his hands. Every time he looked at it it reminded him of her, seeing it sit perfectly on her neck. Arya wore it so well, but he also liked to have it, so when she wasn't around, Robin had something to remember her by, to remind him of all the memories too, the ones he wished to never forget.

He waited to see her again, to see her face and to hold her close. He felt whole when she was around. Robin had never felt like it before, never to want a person so much, craving for their smile and their presence. He felt serious about Arya and wanted it to become something more, something more permanent.

He could see the sun was partially covered by clouds. The day was warm, with a cool breeze that turned cold when the sun disappeared, he felt it on the back of his arms when facing away from the wind.

"Ays" Robin caught eye of storm followed by Arya, who looked tired.

"Hey..." Robin pulled her close into a hug, she held him, smelling his beautiful scent of colonel. She pulled away gently.

"I-I need..." Arya began, her voice started to break instantly.

"I thought maybe today we could go down into Cromer, mum said she would drop us off and I think the guys might come. If you want them too" he smiled, Arya tried to but in, she wasn't quick enough.

"It's supposed to be a good day today and Cromer is lovely this time of year, have you been before?" Robin looked at Arya not seeing her distress, too busy picturing the perfect day with her.

"I- yes I have been before but I-" she started again.

"Well that's good, we can get food too and go on the beach as well, so would you like to come?" Robin looked at Arya. His eyes were eager, keeping his gentle smile across his toned face.

"Look Robin I'd love to come, but I need to tell you something and it may change things when you know..." she trailed off, trying to word it quickly in her head.

Robin walked up to her, like he'd been snapped out of his trance. "Ays, what's wrong?" He noticed her frail face now and came up to her.

"Robin, I need to tell you something I should have told you when we first met..." Arya stumbled on her words, feeling Robins hands tighten around her sides.

He listened with care, waiting to hear what Arya wanted to tell him.

"I-" cut off by her phone buzzing in her pocket, Arya took it out quickly seeing who it was. Hoping to ignore it, she was surprised to see her dad phoning her. If her heart hadn't sank enough talking to Robin, it definitely hit rock bottom now.

"I should get this" Arya looked at Robin who nodded, brushing his hand across her torso as she walked away.

"Hey dad, what's up?" She spoke holding the phone to her ear, hoping to hang up quickly.

"I'm I'm the forest, I'm with Robin" she answered, glancing at Robin who watched her carefully.

"Why, you said I could come out today, we didn't have anything planned?" She questioned, her nerves started to come back again.

Her and her dad spoke back and forth before he told her that someone was waited for her, back at the caravan.

"I- I'll be there in a minute" she answered before putting the phone down. She stared out at the on going trees, she couldn't look at the boy in front of her.

Storm sat by Robins legs as Arya turned around to see him, their eyes met. Arya could see the innocence in his eyes, she'd never seem them like that before, it made her realise how blinded he was. Was that because she hadn't told him everything he needed to know? or maybe it was a reflection of her face, showing her own signs of worry and concern.

"What did he say?" He walked back up to her, looking down at her face, up close his eyes were more tight and tense.

"My dad said I need to go back, I- I've got to go" she hurried, looking to her feet for Storm.

"Wait I'll come with you?" He asked reaching out for her arm, holding gently but enough to stop her still.

"No- I it's private I think, I'll speak to you later" Arya called storm, pulling her arm from his hold. He let her go, wanting desperately to follow her but respecting her too much to go against her wishes.

he noticed a red lead on the floor, Storms no doubt, he picked it up. He now recalled Arya dropping it when pulling away from him. She was already gone by the time he'd picked it up off the floor, she had rushed off so quickly. Robin considered calling her but the phone call had seemed too urgent to give her a lead.

But he couldn't help but think that he was left with more questions than answers...