I Don't Love You Too

Chapter 4 - Hand On Heart

I let thoughts of the kiss and of the whispered words run through my dazed brain as I sat on my bed, clutching my phone in one hand and my school copy of Romeo and Juliet in the other. I couldn't believe after all this - and Merida's confession, she ran away. I'd tried ringing Merida several times today and she hadn't picked up, so I figured it was time for drastic measures.

"Dad?" I knocked on my father's study door and entered caustiously. "Is it OK if I go round, round to Jack's this evening for a bit? I promised him I'd help him, er, with his English homework..."

"Yes - you can go and see this girl," my dad said without even needing to look at me.

"Bu - how did you - I mean, girl? What girl?"

"Is it Astrid again?"

"No - someone else..."

He turned round and ruffled my hair, grinning. "Good. Astrid wasn't right for you son. I didn't like her. Too overpowering." I nodded as I stood there with my hands in my pockets. "Is it Merida by any chance?" I blushed as red as a tomato as he gave me 'the look'.

"Er - well, as a matter of fact -"

"I knew it! You two haven't been apart since birth! Me and Fergus were having bets on who'd be the one to go for the other first; you go get her son! Fergus owes me ten pounds!"

I rolled my eyes and left his study, yelling a "Thanks Dad!" as I left. I jumped on my bike and rode the short distance across town to Merida's house. I stood there apprehensively before knocking. I closed my eyes and tapped three times on the door, heart pumping madly. Merida's mother, Elinor, answered the door.

"Hiccup! What a lovely surprise!" She pulled me into a tight hug. "I haven't seen you in a long time! How's your father?"

"Fine, just fine," I smiled. "Um - is it possible if I could, talk, to - to Merida for a bit? I said I'd help her, English homework, the teacher said -"

Elinor smiled knowingly at me before pointing upstairs. "She's upstairs. Not in the best of moods. Something to do with Drama, but if you're doing English that should be fine."

"Thanks Mrs Dunbroch," I said as my heart lept. I took the stairs two at a time but stopped at her door. I knew this was crazy but I had to do this. Apologise for whatever I'd done wrong. Tell her what I really felt. I knocked twice, very softly. I heard a mumbled "Go away," from inside her room. I hung my head.

"Merida," I whispered, "it's me."

"Go away," she said, very, very firmly.

"I don't care if I have to stay here all evening," I murmured through the crack, "you're going to hear what I have to say."

"You'll be waiting a long time then," Merida replied.

I didn't care. I swung open the door to see Merida sitting cross-legged on her bed with a box of tissues by her side and an open copy of Romeo and Juliet in her hand. I looked at her despairingly.

"Please Merida," I implored as I looked into her eyes, "just listen to me. Just this once. Then you don't have to speak to me ever again. I promise."

She looked up at me and very suddenly, slammed the copy of Romeo and Juliet shut and threw it onto her desk. I started as she turned and advanced towards me.

"I told you," she whispered angrily but at the same time she was breaking down inside, "it meant nothing. It was just a play written by some poet who didn't know what real love felt like."