Against the Stars

Chapter 4

Ginny tore out of the Everhart’s house, sobbing. She flung the door open and fled into the streets of Williamsburg. But where was there that she could go? Her family wasn’t expecting her home for a long time. She didn’t know where she could go.

As her mind ran through places, she couldn’t think of one. There was nowhere safe enough. So Ginny pulled her hood to hide her face and tears, and ran.

Ginny stared at the ground and tried to make her way through the crowd. Suddenly, someone collided with her.

Ginny tumbled to the ground, causing several people to complain as she bumped into her. She mumbled what could be counted as an apology.

“Sorry, I’m such a klutz,” Ginny said, looking up at the person she bumped into.

“Don’t feel bad, everyone has their moment,” Ginny looked up and saw a boy about her age. He had thick blonde hair and large blue eyes. “I’m Benjamin Eby.”

“Oh! Your father owns the general store, right?”

Benjamin smiled and said, “Yes, that’s hi,. Who are you? You don’t look familiar.”

“Oh! I’m Virginia Miller, but please call me Ginny.”

“Oh yes, my father told us about you, your family just arrived here from England, correct?”

“Yes, we got here about a week ago.”

“Say, weren’t you the one who had the September 7 birthday?”

“Yes, that’s me. Afraid my birthday hasn’t been all that great though,” Ginny scolded herself. Benjamin probably didn’t care about her awful birthday.

“I’m sorry to hear that. How about I try to change that. Let’s go to my father’s store, and we probably should hurry, before someone plows us over.”

Ginny had completely forgotten about the fact that they were on the ground in the middle of the street. Quickly, she rose from the ground, as people swerved around her. Benjamin made a motion for her to follow him, and she did.

As they walked, Ginny explained what had happened with Abigail, scolding herself as she did so. She tried to stop, but once she started she couldn’t. Benjamin listened, remained silent the whole time. When she finished, he chuckled softly.

“What’s funny?” Ginny asked, confused and a bit offended.

“Nothing. It’s just that it is amazing to me how easy it is to spot an English girl.”

Ginny hit Benjamin lightly and then said, “Like you’ve never been to  England.”

“Actually, I haven’t. I  was born here in Williamsburg.”

Ginny was taken aback by that. If Benjamin was born here, he probably was a patriot. A war with England was just beginning. A war for independence. Patriots were people who believed America should be free. Loyalist were people who did not.

Ginny recovered quickly thought. “It seems I’ve befriended an American gentleman.”

“And I, an English lady,” Benjamin said, doing his best to keep a straight face. He failed

Benjamin’s laugh was loud and full of live. If happiness had a sound, that would be it. Ginny felt her heart flutter inside her chest. She quickly scolded her heart though. She had known Benjamin for not even ten minutes.

“I don’t think I’m much of a lady, at least, not according to my sister, Lottie.”

“How many siblings do you have?”