Hide and Seek (not continuing)

Chapter 5 - Ryan

*edited*

[Harry.]

“Ryan.” I said to the woman with the short dark blonde hair. I felt Camille's eyes on me as I told Denise the first name that came to my mind. There was no way I would let anyone else but Camille find out who I was. I knew the lady did not recognize me, but she must have heard my name somewhere. Unfortunately, I was today’s most popular topic. I didn’t know why though. I really didn’t know what made me more special than the other boys.

“Ryan what?” she inquired, probably wanting to know my last name. I couldn’t come up with anything besides Gosling, but I think that one is already taken.

“Just Ryan.” I replied with a wink. Both Camille and Denise looked at me, surprised. I couldn’t decide whether it was because of the wink or my answer.

“Well, Cami,” the woman said and smiled at Camille, “you have found yourself a mysterious but very charming boy here.” She looked to me and then back to Camille.

“Ehm, he’s not…” Camille tried, but then decided not to react to it, “oh whatever.” Ok then?

Then I sneezed. Ugh, I hope I didn’t get a cold form running in the rain. “Bless you.” Camille said to me with a smile. “Thanks” I replied and sniffed.

Denise seemed to get the clue. “Oh, you poor babies!”, she exclaimed, “You’re both soaked!” Really, did she just notice that? “Why don’t you both go sit in the salon in the back and I’ll get you some towels, ok?” I saw that Camille nodded so I did the same. Then Denise disappeared to God knows where. 

I didn’t know where ‘the salon in the back’ was so I just kept standing where I was, not really knowing what to do next. “Har.. Eh. Ryan.” Camille started, using my new pseudonym because she probably knew Denise was still around somewhere “the salon’s over here.” She guided me behind the counter through a door to a hallway with three other doors. The one right in front of me was open and I could smell the cakes that were being made in the kitchen. The door on my right was open too, revealing a staircase. Camille was walking to the last one, on the left. She opened the creaking door and I followed her inside. It was a room with a small fireplace, a sofa, two armchairs and a coffee table neatly placed on the pastel carpet. The walls were covered with flower patterns, only broken once by a window in the middle of the wall. If you didn’t notice already from the inside of the shop, this room clearly showed this place was owned by women.

I dropped my bag on the ground, took off my wet coat and sat down on the sofa. I could use some warmth, as I didn’t want to get sick, but the fireplace was fireless. Camille shivered so it was clear that she was cold too. “Let me warm this place up, I don’t want you to get sick on your first day here.” She carefully lit the fire and when it was burning brightly, she turn around, facing me – but not looking at me – and the sofa I was sitting on. I expected she’d come sit next to me, since there was nobody else in the room so there was enough place for both of us, but she didn’t. She neatly put her handbag next to the coffee table and went to sit down on the armchair on the right of the sofa. Strange. Camille stared at the fire, not saying a word. I thought she wanted some answers from me? Yet, she didn't ask anything. I kept looking at her. Her long brown wavy hair was hanging loosely around her face, almost hiding it.

“You know I’m not a vampire, do you?” I started to speak. Her head turned to my direction and she gave me a confused look. I heard her chuckle softly “What are you talking about?”.

“I mean I don’t bite. Why don’t you come sit on the sofa?” Her mouth formed a straight line again and I could clearly see she was thinking about what to do next. I did’t get it. Usually girls were all over me – I hope that didn’t sound too presumptuous – but Camille seemed to keep her distance. I was wondering why.