Strawberries And Crows

Part 9- Picnic 2/2

" What did I miss? " I ask.

Alice is the first to speak, " Oh, we were just chatting. "

" Was it interesting? " I dig, trying to get Tom to confess something.

" We were talking about Elizabeth. " Moss blurts.

I raise an eyebrow at him but he continues. He runs a hand through his long, black hair, grimacing. " Er- Will I get to meet her... Before the next picnic perhaps? " He sighs, " She sounds very nice... "

" I mean... " I shrug " I can go try to find her right now, but she's probably with Richard. "

" Richard?? " Moss questions.

" Her fiancee. " Alice groans, head in her hands. " It's unfortunate, isn't it, Kalese?"

Now Alice is trying to pry information out of me. " Very much so. " I nod.

" Well! " Tom yells, and I startle, " Are you going to go find her or not? "

I sit up. " Is that what you want? " I ask Moss, " To meet her now? "

Moss nods yes, picking up a cookie off a platter.

" I'll be right back. If I can't find her... I'll still come back. " I say, then I run off to the garden door, waving back to my friends.

I knock politely on the door to Elizabeth's bedroom, then enter when I hear her say
" Come in! " From inside.

She's standing on her balcony, staring out to the River Djules.

" I wasn't sure if find you in here. " I say to the back of her head.

" The river is very beautiful. " she says, not facing me.

I walk up next to her on the balcony, leaning on the railing with my elbows like she is.
" River Djules? " I nod my head, " Yes, it's the prettiest. "

I notice Elizabeth intake a sharp breath, and I turn to face her.

Her cheeks are wet, tears staining them.
" Elizabeth! What's wrong? " I step closer to her, pulling her into a hug.

She shakes in my arms, sobbing quietly. " Hey, hey. It's alright. " I say, wiping her cheek.
" Speak to me. "

" I-i can't deal with being near Richa- " She chokes on his name. " I thought I'd be able to handle it but... I ran away from him. " She cries into my chest.

I suddenly realise how close her face is to my boobs so I push her back a bit, holding her by the shoulders and looking into her eyes.

" Elizabeth Cassidy. " I say in a fancy accent. " You are free to choose whether or whether not you would marry my brother. It's your choice."

She coughs, her eyes meeting mine. " I want to, I really do! This will be so good for our families and... " She looks away from me and continues " If I said no I wouldn't be able to see you any more. "

I remember what my friends were talking about as I slept, and I coughed.
" Well, if you plan on staying. " I step back and fall into her cushioned chair.
" You should definetly come meet my last friend. "

" Last friend? " she asks, " Oh, the one from the party? "

I nod my head. " They're all outside, we have a picnic every couple of days. " I explain, grabbing her hand. " I'd love if you would come. " I smile down at her and she smiles back.

" Okay! "

We approach the tree, and Elizabeth nervously wipes her face before waving.

" Hey Alice, Tom. " She says, " And..? " she reaches a hand out for Moss to shake, " Moss. " He says, shaking it.

" It's terrific to meet you. " She says, then she sits in one of the empty spots on the blanket.

Moss whispers something to Tom, and by reading his lips I can tell he said, "what do you mean, she's exactly her type. "

I blush, and Alice asks Elizabeth a question.

I look sideways at her, watching her face as she talks, her curves in her dress as she moves, talking excitedly.
Watching her laugh at jokes I throw her way, or look up into the tree inquisitively, searching for birds in its winding braches. Picking at the bark with one hand only to crack a nail, tragically.

Watching her, all while trying to ignore how close her hand is to mine.