Changing Prudence (EDITING - ON HOLD)

Chapter 18

Rue spent the ten minute walk trying to make sure Beck didn’t get too close to her. He made a few attempts at holding her hand or putting his arm around her waist. She was having none of it. Beck stopped in front of what looked like an old library conversion, not far from the forest. It had a homely vibe that was inviting to Rue. ‘Is this the foundation?’ She was a little breathless, even though the walk had been a simple one.

‘Yeah, but I didn’t bring you here just so you could stare at it.’ He took Rue’s hand in his, and this time she didn’t try to escape his touch. She was too awe struck to bother. He dragged her up the front steps to the large doors, which somehow Rue identified as dark mahogany wood doors. Around the frame and the handles were intricate golden designs. As they got closer she saw they looked like different symbols arranged in spirals, some of which she vaguely recognised from her Granddad’s research. Beck knocked on the door. She had time to make out the symbols for flames, water and birds before the door swung open.

‘Beck,’ the woman’s voice sounded delighted, ‘we haven’t seen you here for a while. And I see you brought us a new friend.’

‘I know it was all those exams and then I went home for the summer, but yeah, This is Rue.’ He put his hand in front of his face, as if shielding what he was about to say from the woman at the door. ‘She’s our new Great. And I mean new.’

I can still hear you, you know.’

‘Of course you can, I didn’t mean for you not to.’ Beck childishly stuck his tongue out at Rue. ‘Oh, almost forgetting, Rue this is Keilyn.’ Beck walked into the large building pulling Rue in behind him.

She struggled to loosen his grip but ended up twisting her whole body around in order to not seem rude. ‘Nice to meet you Keilyn.’

She laughed a warm, laugh as she waved off Rue’s awkwardness. She knew how rude that would seem to anybody, but Beck had been coming here for so long, it became the normal for him to just walk right on in. Keilyn was actually debating on whether to give him a key to the place, save someone the bother of opening the door for him.

He walked straight into the library, he knew this was one of the first places to look. He was correct. Down the second isle a lanky guy was leaning against a shelf with his nose buried in a book. It was a lot like the one Rue had took out of the other library the previous day, but larger. Beck reached up to muss up his hair. The guy looked up with slit eyes, then he saw Beck. ‘Beck man, long time no see. Though I see you finally picked up a girl. She must be special if you haven’t got rid of her yet.’ He winked over at Rue, who looked hurtfully at Beck. ‘Kidding love.’ Rue relieved her gaze from Beck. ‘Scott.’ He held out his hand.

Rue wasn’t so sure about this, he didn’t seem like a particularly nice person. Though it was probably just banter. She shook his hand nevertheless. ‘Rue.’

‘Thought you were goin’ to leave me hangin’ there sweetheart.’

‘Is that just a guy thing, to call any girl, ‘sweetheart’ or ‘love’ it is rather annoying.’ Instantly her tone turned sour, she always hated those stupid pet names guys seemed to give girls.