The Villager

23

THE VILLAGER
ʚɞ Ruth ʚɞ

Unlocking my front door, I kick it open with Tilley's suitcases in my hands. My home was no longer my home any longer, it belonged to me and my sister now. Thank goodness that I had two bedrooms in this cottage home and I could thank Princess Serena for that.

Placing her suitcases on the ground in her new room, I breathe out and stretch out my limbs. Timothy moves through the room, carrying a sleeping Tilley in his arms and he is careful not to wake the young girl.

I open the covers for her, and he lays her down gently across the bed. I kissed her forehead, smiling down at my younger sister whom wished to stay with me. She did not wish to move away, she wished to stay where she belonged and that was in Lockwood.

"She's had a long day..." Timothy whispers, his hand hovers the small of my back as he leads me out of the room, and closes her door.

We were alone. I was alone with the man whom has helped me so much today. By helping me move Tilley in with me, to talking my parents into letting her even stay with me.

I was terrified of the man before me, terrified of the feelings that came along with him. That he made me feel.

There is a space between us but all he has to do is step forward and he is right there. So close. Yet so far.

Perhaps he is giving me space as I have wished for before. But why do I wish for him to gather close and hold me?

"W-Would you like some tea?" I offer and I inwardly cringe at my stutter.

He holds my stare, nodding his head. "Thank you."

Leaving him in his spot in the living room, I escape into the kitchen and heat up a pot of tea. I watch the wood burn by the fire beneath the pot to drown out my thoughts racing with Timothy. He is right behind me. Standing all alone.

Once the tea is hot and ready, I pour him and I a fine cup. I place the cups on the counter, watching as he walks slowly across the living room to the kitchen I am in. He stands across from me, and we both reach for our cups, taking a sip.

"Thank you." I look down at my hands surrounding my cup because I cannot look into his eyes or I'll sink to the floor in a puddle. "That was kind of you to do this for Tilley."

"I've said before I will do anything for her..." He mumbles. His voice is so deep and so low when he is talking, being sure not to wake my sister. "And you. I also did it for you."

My heart flutters, my chest is heavy with such emotions and I'm sure I'll faint with this feeling if he does not stop.

"What did they say to you? When you went to fetch Tilley's things."

He looks down at his cup now, shaking his head. "Nothing much. Your father was weary about letting Tilley go, but I assured both of them."

For some reason I have a feeling he was not sharing the whole truth, but I could not push. Not when he has helped so much today.

"I shall spend forever repaying you for this. Whatever you need, I shall give to you." My face grows hot by my words when I realize what I just spit out. I was just trying to be friendly, but my words formed into something else.

His eyes flicker up to mine, away from the cup and we fall into silence as my mind recalls my words and I'm sure he is doing the same.

He slowly moves, my heart races once again and I try ignoring the fact that he is growing close. Perhaps he grew hot in the place he was in? No. He was growing near me.