The Realm of Question

Chapter 12

There he was in all his glory, sitting under the shade of a willow tree, reading. His fingertips skimming the pages gently, eyes concentrating on the words. I wondered what he was reading. Was he like me? In love with the world of fantasy and romance? Or more like Dexter, who found science and history intriguing. His back leaned against the rough bark, legs stretched out, one placed gently over the other. It was lunch time and this was usually where he could be found if he wasn't in the cafeteria talking with his siblings. To my luck, he had decided he wanted to be alone today. Would I really be brave enough to do this, to lay my feelings out on the line with the chance he might just throw them back in my face?

According to the way my legs were moving, I was¼ The wind blew my hair off my shoulder and in front of my face. He lifted his head to look at me. His expression was tight, controlled, and told me little about how he felt about my presence. Leaves crunched beneath my feet. It was the late comings of autumn. I walked forward until I came to sit down by his side crossing my legs on my left side.

"What are you doing here?" he snapped. I winced and withdrew slightly. Did he just want to go back to not speaking again?

"Um I thought you um might want some company." Oh yes, Ana, that was just brilliant. Of course he doesn't want company. That's why he came out here all alone. To be all alone! Jeeze!

"No, I don't want any of your company," he growled, directing his eyes back to his book.

"Oh Okay, I guess I'll see you tomorrow¼" I felt the tears begin to collect in my eyes. I covered my face with my curls. I didn't want his pity, if he was even capable of it. I went to grab my bag which was leaning on the tree next to him when his frosty hand covered mine. I waited for him to move it. Instead his hand traveled up my arm and under my chin. I felt a tear fall down my cheek. I kept my eyes on the ground focusing on a little black rock. His freezing finger wiped the tear away.

"You're making this so much more difficult than it needs to be," he murmured. I looked up in confusion.

"What?" I whispered.

"My job," he said angrily. It was almost a snarl. I got scared and began to back away. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry," he whispered repeatedly. He pulled me to him and held his palm in the crook of my neck, placing my chin onto his shoulder. I let out one choked sob biting my lip.

"Why can't I send you away?" he mumbled into my ear. I broke my promise and let out another sob. He stroked my hair and brought my hand to rest on his thigh.

"You shouldn't have to send me," I hissed bitterly "I should know when I'm not wanted." I went to push off his shoulder and get up but he clutched me tighter.

"But, I do want you, and that's the problem, Ana," he sighed softly, the air blowing into the shell of my ear.

"How is that a problem?" I asked.

"I can't tell you." He dropped his head.

"No!" I yelled, getting to my feet. He looked shocked by my reaction. Normally I am a pretty passive person but this was the end of my patience.