The Dragon Girl

Chapter Six

Knock, knock, knock. Sylvia who had been up for hours (bathing, reading, and dressing), was about to get out and eat breakfast.

"Yes?" she asked. Kenneth who was on the other side of the door hesitated.

"Ummm, are you dressed? Because, -well- breakfast is hot and ready," he said. Sylvia opened the door and headed out shoulder to shoulder with Kenneth. He led her to a door off of the lobby.

"This is our personal kitchen," Kenneth explained. As they headed through the door an elderly woman greeted them.

"Hello," Bernadette said. "You probably don't remember me. I am Bernadette, Kenneth's grandmother. The one who started this place."

"Hello," Sylvia said, walking into a beautiful open, bright room. A long cherry wood table took up the room. Sylvia stayed with Kenneth as they sat down. Bernadette, noticed how Sylvia kept sliding closer and closer to Kenneth, until they were inches apart.

"So Sylvia, how long do you plan on staying?" she asked. Sylvia looked up from her eggs and bacon.

"Ummm, I don't know," Sylvia answered looking to Kenneth.

"Okay," Bernadette smiled. Sylvia and Kenneth are a perfect match, she thought.

After a few weeks of staying at the Bartlett Inn and learning everything about Kenneth, Bernadette finally popped the question. One morning while eating hot flapjacks and sausage, the dreaded question came about.

"Well Sylvia, you have been staying here for three weeks now. Are -well- are you in a relationship?" Bernadette inquired.

"Yes." Sylvia said, while slipping her hand into Kenneth's. "It was just someone my dad set me up with. Nothing more."

Kenneth was uncomfortable now that he knew she was with someone else. He tried pulling his hand away, but she gave it a quick squeeze and looked into his eyes. Sylvia's eyes pleaded him not to let go. So, he didn't.

"Oh!" Bernadette said, obviously shocked. Her mouth made a big cartoon circle.

"Like I said Bernadette, nothing more," Sylvia repeated, but instead of looking Bernadette she kept her gaze locked on Kenneth. "If I found myself loving someone else, I would let Trevor down in a heartbeat." the rest of the family exchanged looks between themselves. Kenneth stood up too quickly. His chair fell over and he stomped out of the room. Sylvia gasped and a hush covered the room. Sylvia still shocked, hurried after him. She followed him down a hallway she hasn't been before and up a flight of stairs. He entered the only room upstairs and slammed the door behind him.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in," Kenneth growled. Sylvia slowly made her way in. His back was toward her and he was sitting on a small bed.

"Ummm, are you o-okay? Because you seemed pretty angry back there," she stuttered.

"Of course I was! Why didn't you tell me when we met?" he raged. "I wouldn't have been so into you then,"

"Didn't you hear what said? It was a forced relationship!

My dad set me up with him," she huffed. "And I would dump him for you,"

Kenneth looked up. His face that was redden from anger started to pale.

"Me?" he asked. Sylvia nodded and rubbed his back. "Wow, Sylvia. I didn't know you felt that way about me." Sylvia bit her lip. She was nervous about what she was going to ask next.

"D-do you -umm- feel -ahh- the same way about -uh- me?" she asked. Instead of answering Kenneth pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Why wouldn't I? You're a smart, funny, beautiful girl!" he said into Sylvia's hair. Kenneth pulled away and held her face in his hand. Tears started to form in Sylvia's eyes. "Why are you crying?"

"I have to leave, Kenneth. I wish I could stay longer, but-" she sobbed. Kenneth was taken aback. Why does she have to leave so soon, he thought.

"But what, Sylvia? What could be so important?" Kenneth asked. Sylvia pushed away from him and hugged her legs. She rested her chin on the tops of her knees.

"I have to go back home," she whispered. That hit Kenneth like a brick. He had forgotten that she wasn't from around here.