The Villager

17

THE VILLAGER
ʚɞ Ruth ʚɞ

The paperboy stands before me, handing over the daily news and usually I send him away, but instead I give him a few coins and he skips off. I helped myself with hot tea to soothe my aching bones from my slumber last night.

For some reason I could not sleep, my restless legs were just kicking but my mind was tired from the day. Standing in the kitchen, my hands unfold the newspaper, wondering why I was so worried about the gossip today.

I read throughout the gossip, not really interesting until I flip the page and scream when I find names that look all too familiar.

Lord Timothy Hampton & Tiffany Lumpkin call off their engagement.  Why? They are both in different positions in their lives, but wish nothing but the best for each other.

Seems like this was an agreeable quit. Or was it?

No.

I didn't even realize that my glass slipped out of my hand and landed on the floor. I was too soaked up into the real gossip of the ton. How could he?!

It was true. There will be no wedding for the two. Why does my heart love this, but my mind hates this for Miss. Lumpkin? She was so thrilled for this wedding. What changed?

Me.

She found out that Timothy and I had a past and couldn't accept that. I understood, but everyone has a past and neither Timothy nor I have done anything to make her believe that we...

We love each other.

That was a joke.

Perhaps, on my part, yes, I do love him, but his heart is and never will be mine. She was wrong. So wrong about this. see I wish I could find her, scream at her that this was wrong, that they shall be together, but they both agreed to end things.

Oh, when I get my hands on Timothy.

Oh.

Knocking is firm against my door. It is hurried and determined. I knew it was Tilley, I believe she has heard of this news too and ran over here to gossip about this because that is what I wish for right now.

Opening the door quickly, I hold onto the newspaper to show Tilley, but it isn't her. No, it is my worst nightmare come true. In this moment I am standing before Timothy who has bared his existence, holding onto a bouquet of flowers. At my home. To me.

No.

No.

My lips are snarled at him, holding up the newspaper and throwing it at him. "What is this?"

He braces forward, trying to come in but I try to close the door to keep him away from me. "Ruth, I can explain." He slips through the door, his chest heaving as he still keeps ahold of the flowers.

"Explain that you have a mess?" I exclaim. "You shall fix that. You-You have to."

"I cannot. What is done is done."

"Why? Just why?" I pull at the roots of my hair, watching as he slowly steps toward me with cautious feet. "Oh, no." I've come to the realization, no longer manipulating myself into thinking this was nothing, that we were purely friends. No, this whole time he had a plan. A plan for me. Us.

Of course he did. From the moment he saw me at the Courtiers wedding he had planned this.

"No, Timothy," I whisper lightly, blowing out a breath.

"Yes, Ruth." He steps forward, growing close to me. "It was bound to happen."

"It was bound to happen? You- Oh, you!"