Charades

Chapter 11

Ronan and I were walking through the forest. It was a bright, sunny day, but the tall trees that towered over us kept us shaded from the sun. Ronan and I were quiet as we walked together and we went deeper and deeper into the forest, trying to reach the river Ronan always fished at.

"Almost there," Ronan said.

I smiled and nodded, grateful Ronan allowed me to tag along with him. After spending a month job hunting, I was glad that finally, I could make some sort of income. Even if it was only thanks to Ronan.

Soon, I could hear the sound of water rushing downward. Bushes were in our way and Ronan spread them apart, and motioned for me to go through. I smiled and stepped through the path he created, and my eyes widened as in front of me, was a river. It was long and thin, with rocks sticking out. Water roared as it slid down the river and towards the start of a waterfall.

"This is it," Ronan said.

Ronan was at my side now. He towered over me slightly, his broad build making him double my size. I glanced at him, growing nervous for how our fishing trip would go.

Ronan slid his backpack off and he gave me one of the fishing rods he had. I took it and he took his own, and he motioned for me to come with him near the river. I joined him and shivered, and he glanced at me.

"Sorry, I should have warned you about how cold it is by the river," Ronan said. "The current creates a lot of wind."

"It's fine," I said. "I'll bring my cloak next time."

Ronan gave me a sad look and I smiled, trying to show I was okay. Knowing Ronan, he was troubled my how cold I was.

"Okay, let me do the disgusting part and add the bait to the hooks," Ronan said.

Ronan pulled out his can of bait and he began to hook it the hook of the fishing pole. I watched him. He was kneeled on the ground, his eyebrows furrowed and his jaw clenched as he set everything up and something in my heart twisted at the sight of him. With every day we spent together, Ronan was someone I grew to really care about.

"Okay, done," Ronan said.

He stood up and smiled, and he handed one of the fishing poles to me. I smiled shyly, grateful for his help.

"Thank you," I said. "This is my first time fishing, but it shouldn't be too hard, right?"

"Nope," Ronan said. "Now all we have to do is plant our hook into the water and reel a fish in. We only reel when we feel something tugging at the rod."

"Sounds good."

Ronan then showed me the motions to fishing. We both pulled back our fishing pole and launched them forward, and the hook dived into the river. Amazed, my eyes flew wide as I stood there next to Ronan, awaiting my first catch.

For a moment, we did nothing but stand next to each other. Nothing happened. All we could hear was the sounds of nature; the bird chirping, the rush of the river, and as usual, I enjoyed the silence. With Ronan at my side, I felt at peace.

"It's going to take a while," Ronan said. "It's very uneventful. I usually prefer my job as a roofer."

"That's fine," I said. "I don't mind waiting here with you."

Ronan's eyes widened a bit at my words, but then he concealed his expression.

He then smiled, his eyes gentle on mine and I smiled back. We then went back to fishing in silence and as we waited, a question bubbled up in my mind. I glanced at Ronan, wondering if I should asked it. I wondered if it was appropriate. And too curious, it blurted out of me.