When We Meet Again

Chapter 4 - Memories

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" Robert shouted, before quickly turning around to search his surroundings.

He searched through each room, opening up doors, closets, or anything a small child could fit into. He opened up a closet in a bedroom, peeked in, and then shouted, "Found you!"

John stepped out and pouted. "Aw man! You always find me first!"

Robert laughed, before responding. "Well you always hide in the worst spots."

John shook his head, and the two went to search the remaining areas. They found 6 more boys, one of them was John's older brother, David, while the others were fellow boys of Albany society.

All of them were attending a Christmas party hosted by the Lewis's, and were playing hide and seek. Because they were a rather rambunctious group of boys, they were only allowed to horse around upstairs where they wouldn't bother anyone.

"Now John counts and the rest of us hide!" David spoke.

"If I must..." John complained, before turning and leaning his head against the wall, covering his eyes, and counting.

The rest of the boys scurried away to their hiding spots.

Robert, feeling adventurous, decided to hide where many of them were secretly too scared to check: The attic. He made his way up the long staircase, and eventually reached it. He quietly closed the door behind him, before turning around. Once he did, he jolted, and nearly screamed.

Standing in the moonlight pouring in through the small, circular window at the front of the room was a girl reading a book. She had on a linen nightgown that draped over her, making her look ghastly. Her long, dark hair was flowing down her back. She looked around his age, perhaps a year or so younger. His startled presence jolted her out of her book-induced trance, and she tensed up.

"Dammit, you scared the hell out of me!" He sighed, "I thought you were a ghost!"

Once he said this, she dropped her book and quickly ran behind a couple suitcases stacked in the corner of the room.

"Hey, you don't need to run away." He assured.

There was a pause, and then she responded in a hurried tone.

"You really shouldn't be looking at me while I am only in my nightgown." She spoke from behind the suitcases.

He froze, and then became embarrassed. "Well I'm sorry about popping in on you unnoticed, but I wasn't expecting to find anyone up here in the first place."

There was a sigh from behind the suitcases, and then she popped her head out. "I guess I can forgive you for that."

"Would you come out from behind the suitcases, and then maybe we could make a formal introduction." Robert spoke.

Reluctantly, she made her way out from her hiding place and walked up to him. He noticed that She was about the same height as him, and she had deep blue eyes, which he thought were very pretty.

He stuck out his hand, inviting her to shake it. She took it, and gave a gentle handshake.

"My name is Robert Taylor, nice to meet you." He said.

"Diana Lewis." She quietly responded.

"So you're John and David's sister!" Robert replied.

"Unfortunately, yes" she replied sarcastically.

Robert chuckled, and Diana gave a smile.

"Well how old are you?" He asked, "I'm 14, and you don't seem that much younger than me."