Longstride

Chapter 4: Ruby Jane

   After dinner everyone went to the drawing room. The women there were so flirtatious that I had to leave before I felt sick. I snuck out and went to go look for the library. I wonder how big the library was here. I love libraries, they are so quiet and it gives me time to imagine or read or write in my journal. What if Longstride didn't even have a library? I mean Longstride was so big and beautiful that I would be surprised if they didnt have one.

     All of a sudden I bumped into someone. Guess who? Harvey Smith. Really? Out of all of the people, it had to be the person that probably thought I was the strangest woman ever. He was reading and then looked up and said "Excuse me Ma-" his face turned red. "Ruby" I couldn't read his expression.  He said, "Where are you going, I thought you were supposed to be in the drawing room". I then replied, "First off do not call me by my first name and secondly I was headed to the l......" I mumbled the rest. No matter what I didn't want him to get any idea of how "unladylike" I was. I saw one corner of his mouth twitch as if not to smile then he said "Where?, Ru- Ms. Jane I thought we promised to be friends, don't be afraid of me". I was staring at my feet, gosh I needed new shoes, I only have what like 3 pairs? I went out of my trance by feeling Harvey's glance on me.  I felt compelled to look into those blue eyes but I couldn't. I just couldn't. I already made that mistake. Then I did it. I looked into his eyes. I felt somehow safe. "The Library...".  

    A big smile spread across his face. He immediately covered his mouth, his shoulders started to shake. I sighed, "See? This is why I didn't want to tell you". He cleared his throat and said, "That's not why I'm laughing, I'm laughing because you were afraid to tell me that you were going to the library, its completely fine and I'm actually heading out if there but I'll show you around the library if you don't mind". He offered his elbow, I started to walk. Just because I was his supposed "friend" did not mean I would flirt.