The Temple of Wind and Ruin

Chapter 7

They took their time to cross the road, carefully assessing the traffic ensuring Stace had enough time to cross with them, before they reached the tree-line. The tree-line didn't seem to be particularly out of the ordinary but as Sam stepped off of the side walk on to the damp earth, twigs crunching underneath his thick motorbike boots, the wind seemed to pick up - the air colder, becoming sharper... biting even. Furrowing his brows, slightly confused, just a coincidence, Sam decided.

Glancing over to his left at Rue – her face a few shades paler than her natural complexion. He took in her chocolate eyes glinting in the late autumn sun, her cute button nose appearing almost burnt from the cold and the way her hair fell oh - so perfectly. His attention snagging on Rue's auburn hair. Even here, beneath the muted autumn light, her hair shone – a deeper auburn with hints of red and burnt orange peeking through, like embers in the dark. Highlights maybe? He wondered. His heart gave a twist. She'd looked gorgeous in her Halloween costume. Had it been the leather, or just her? He shook off the thought, his nerves raw at being this close to her again.

His thoughts fluttered back to her Halloween post. Sam still wasn't sure what exactly her costume was other than hot – perhaps a cat woman? - but never the less he stood by his statement god did she look good in leather!  Anxiety fluttered in his stomach as he thought back to when he had drunkenly commented on her post. Fuck, how could he be so risqué when they hadn't spoken properly in months. But it did seem to spark a conversation so he guessed that was a good thing.

He had spent so long trying to think of ways to a initiate a conversation between the two of them and if it hadn't been for Josh pressing send he probably wouldn't be here, standing next to her, taking her in, in all her glory, her curves and the sexy cut out sweater that showed off her cleavage. She had really come into her own these last 6 months. Gone was the girl he used play tag with at recess and in her place stood a woman. A fully grown woman, embarking on her on fool's journey head first. He couldn't help but smile at her courage to pave her own way. It wasn't a secret that her Dad wanted her to join the Police and make it to sergeant like him. But that had never been Rue's ambition. Rue was meant to be writer it might not have been in her blood but it was in her bones.

EXPLAIN WHY HE HELD BACK FROM THEIR CONNECTION WHEN HE AS YOUNGER:

Rue looked up at him through her long black lashes, hesitation and fear in her eyes, her breath shaking and unsure. Shit this must really be freaking her out, he realised.

Sam's mind drifted back to when they were 15 waiting in line to give a presentation in front of the class. Rue had been so unsure of herself so anxious, he had taken his hand in hers. Hiding their joined hands from their classmates, he had squeezed reassuringly, earning a coy half-smile off of Rue. Josh had seen them and she had quickly let go of his had violently blush hiding behind her long hair, both silently agreeing not to bring it up again.  He remembered the days where he would do whatever he could to earn that smile.

Rue had somehow always had this innate ability to bring life into a room even when her anxiety was high. Her blooming presence had always made him feel seen... feel whole. God how he had missed that! Being with her, beside her now as the very air around her felt as though it glowed sent a ripple of relief, like an old longing finally being quenched in her presence. Sam knew a lot had changed since they were kids, and in his heart he knew he would find a way to be okay with it, if she didn't return the feelings he had for her. And he knew she'd let him know in her own way if that was the case. He had always admired that about her – her honesty. But god how he wished otherwise.

The longing gnawed at his chest, the urgency to be close to her throbbed. It took everything thing in him to not act a fool around her. Although he wasn't quite sure he was achieving that goal.