For the Love of Robin Hood

Chapter 4 - Robin

“What about now?”

I glared at William and relaxed under his grip, finding fighting pointless. “This is why I like the trees.”  He laughed and I bit back a smile, giving in after a few heartbeats.  His laugh faded with my smile as we both realized how close we were, his face just inches away from mine.  I could just see him leaning in to kiss me, and me kissing him back.

Wait, where did that come from?

His gaze flickered to my lips and back up to my eyes, telling me he had the same thought.  My heart was pounding against my ribcage, every part of me willing him to close the gap.  I couldn’t move, could barely breathe; all I could do was keep my gaze locked with his, staring into his beautiful green eyes.  Everything was right in that moment, everything was perfect.

A bird chirped not that far away and we both started, the moment gone.  He scrambled off of me and I sat up, my face going red.  I smoothed down my hair and couldn’t even look at him as I said, “Um, nice fight.”

I was acting like the grass was doing back flips or something.  What’s wrong with me?

“You too,” he said hoarsely as I stood up.  I need to get away, to think that over, to just…go somewhere—anywhere—else.

“I—I’ll just be at the river,” I muttered, walking away quickly without looking at him.

I didn’t stop until I got to the water, sitting down on a rock and trying to breathe.  My heart was still pounding, my brain unable to process anything.  Why did I want to kiss him?

I was feeling too jittery to sit, so I paced along the beach, chewing the inside of my cheek.  Why did all of that just happen?  Why was my entire body willing him to close the gap?  Why did I want it so badly?

I need someone to snap me out of this, to tell me I’m just going crazy.  But no one else can know…who wouldn’t tell?

Fate?

No, she can’t keep secrets very well.

Charlie?

I think I’ll go with her.

I stood and realized I didn’t have my sword, making a mental note to go back and get it after Charlie tells me I’m just going crazy.  I mean, I have to be.

Right?

I pushed the stray hair behind my ear, going in the direction of where Charlie and Alex were staying.  It wasn’t too far from the river, so I was there within ten minutes.  I was also running.  This is really freaking me out.  I knocked and waited impatiently for one of them to come to the door, Alex finally opening it after what felt like years.

“Is Charlie here?” I asked before he could say anything.

“Uh, yeah,” he said. “Why?”

“I just really need to talk to her,” I said. “It’s important.”

He gave me one last look before disappearing inside, Charlie coming out a minute later.

“Hey,” she said, and I grabbed her by the wrist, starting to drag her away within heartbeats.  There is no way I’m letting Alex hear everything I’m about to say.

“I need to talk to you,” I said over my shoulder.

She didn’t say anything as I pulled her to an empty clearing, far enough away from the small house.  I let go of her arm when we were in the middle and sat down in the grass, my brain starting to question this decision.

“What is it?” she asked between breaths.  I hadn’t realized how fast I was going until now.

“Please tell me I’m just crazy,” I said.