Your Interest At Heart

Chapter 6: The Orchard

Bianca Schuyler and Samuel Seabury are at an orchard despite the wishes of Bianca's father.

"I'm going to write a letter to your father." Samuel decided.

"Why?" I glanced at him.

"He won't let me even be friends with you if I'm a loyalist so I'm going to show him that I'm not." He explained.

"Samuel." I turned serious. "Stay safe."

"I promise, I will." He told me. "What's your biggest fear?"

"Probably spiders." I said after a moments hesitation.

"Spiders?" He chuckled, then reached behind the bench. His hand came back with a wad of spider webs. I leapt off the bench.

"Nonononono." I examined the webs from a distance, seeing dead bugs embedded in it. "How can you hold spider webs?"

"There aren't any spiders in it!" He claimed, wiping the webs off his hand. I was still hesitant to sit down beside him again. "There's nothing on my hand."

"Okay." I said slowly, then sat lightly on the bench again, conscious on the spider webs on the back of the bench. "What's yours?"

"What?" His eyes snapped back towards me.

"What's your biggest fear?" I asked promptly.

"I think death." He said slowly.

"You're going to fight in a war." I reminded him, a sad edge to my voice.

"That's how I'm facing it!" He puffed out his chest. Even through the coat he was little.

"But you're not gonna die." I told him firmly.

"I'm not gonna die." Samuel agreed. (I would give him a nickname or something, but I absolutely HATE Sam or Sammy. No offense if that's your name)

"Where's your family from?" I asked.

"We're all from England. I grew up in London." He told me. "And yours?"

(I know for a FACT that's not true but idc)

"We've lived here my entire life." I informed him.

"Have you gone on a trip or anything, at least?" He swiped his hand through his hair.

"No." I shook my head. "My father was at war when we were growing up."

"And your mother?" Samuel asked.

"She doesn't like traveling." I shrugged.

"My parents loved it." Samuel smiled, studying the trees.

"They don't anymore?" I asked.

"My mum's dead." He told me grimly.

"I'm sorry." I patted his shoulder. He stiffened at the contact.

"I've made my peace." His smile returned. "I live on my own, but my sister and brothers live with my father in London."

"How come you don't live in London with them?" I asked.

"You don't want me here?" He laughed.

"No, no!" I exclaimed. "I'd prefer you here!"

"I know." He said smugly, flicking my chin gently. I grinned. "They wanted me to come here and preach for the king."

"That didn't go too well." I commented.

"No, it didn't." He replied. "To be honest, Caleb would've done better."