A Locked Up Heart.

Chapter Twenty Five - Please Just Hold Me.

As I run through the courtyard I trip falling into a mud puddle. Tears come into my eyes but I refuse to show weakness.

I hardly can make sense of what just happened, it felt like a bad dream. But I know it happened. The bouquet of red roses in my arms is a grim reminder. I stare at them. Wait, there is a note in them.

'To my fair Ophelia,

Meet me in the Library after you get this. I'll be waiting.

~ Richard.'

I needed to talk to somebody. To make sense of this. I get up off the ground.

I walk to the library building, I'm not sure about this maybe I should just talk to Andrea...

But I could tell she wouldn't be much of a help, she was the kind of person who would just tell him off.

All I wanted was a calming presence and somebody to hug me. Someone like... Richard.

I plodded into the library covered in mud toting my sad squashed roses. My hair was half out of it's braid and my eyes were wet with un-shed tears. Its no wonder Richard reacted the way he did.

Richard was sitting at a table doing some studying when he looked up at me. He looked startled, then worried.

"Keyland what happened?!" He said standing abruptly from his chair. I took one look at the people around us and shook my head.

"Not here." I whispered. His eyes widened in understanding and he stuffed his books into his backpack.

He grabbed my hand and lead me to a very quiet spot in the library behind some bookshelves where there was a few beanbag chairs.

"Keyland Darling, what happened?" He says worriedly.

"If I tell you, you have to promise you won't do anything stupid." I said tentatively.

"Why! What happened!?" He asks.

"Promise." I state firmly.

"Fine, scouts honor." He sings with a goofy smirk on his face.

"Its Sherlock." I whisper. His silly mood disappears. 

"What did he do to you?" He fumed. His eyes turning to stone.

"Nothing." I reply sadly. That was the problem...

"Then why are you crying?" Richard asks. Hie eyes scanning my face.

"I'm not crying." I deny as a rogue tear travels down my cheek. He wipes it away with a tender look on his face.

"Keyland, its okay to cry. I won't judge you. Just tell me what happened." He pleaded. I take a deep breath.

"He made a bet....with his brother...that he could get me to fall in love with him." I sniffle. Richard clenches his fists till his knuckles go white.

"I'll kill him." He says through clenched teeth. He starts to walk out of our little corner, but I stop him with a hand on his chest.

"Richard you promised! I just need somebody to hold me please. Please... stay." I begged. Looking into his chocolate colored eyes.

He looks shocked, realizing what I had asked him. He drops his backpack on the ground and sits in one of the beanbag chairs. I sit next to him and he wraps his strong arms around me. I melt into him.

"You know I've never been a boy scout..." He said softly as he ran his fingers through my hair.

I laughed softly. A feeling of contentment settling over me.

"You aren't really the type." I smiled.

"Go to sleep." Richard smiled. I closed my eyes. As I drifted off, I heard him say.

"Trust in me Keyland, and I will never let anyone hurt you ever again."