Bane Of Time (Completed)

First date?

   William told me to not come over yesterday, and today I'll be able to know why. I'm on my way to the big castle to meet him and spend the day with him. 

   "Hey, so are you going to tell me what's on your mind?" I just arrived and he immediately opened the door as if he was waiting for me.

   "You'll see." He gave me one of his cute grins and showed me a scarf, I'm sure he meant to use it as a blindfold, "Oh come on, it will be fun!" I scoffed and turned around to give him access to tie it in the back. I took small steady steps until we stopped in front of what I assume is our destination. "We're here, be prepared."

   He took of the blindfold, the strong sunlight, coming from the big windowed walls, blinded me at first but then I was mesmerized by the view in front me. "You have this in here and didn't think of showing it to me before?"

   "I made it myself when I knew that I couldn't get out of this damned stone building, it helped me stay sane when I used to come up here every day to think or just work on some new ideas." I walked around the small pond in the middle of the room, and between the different time of trees and plants, The flowers were a dancing rainbow, as if light and music had found a new way to blossom together, the smell of roses, geraniums, impatiens, petunias, and gazanias filled the air; and I took a deep breath, breathing it in.  

   "I even have another small surprise too," He took my hand and walked me toward a small bookcase placed in the back of the greenhouse, "I thought we could have a small reading time together in here." he scratched the back of his neck, like he always does when he's nervous; it's funny how in a short amount of time I can already know what every small action he does means.

   I smiled at him and walked to choose my book, I held an old and heavy book, the leather felt soft and delicate as I ran my fingers over the faded blue bindings. I fingered the gold lettering carefully before I opened the cover, paper rustled as I thumbed through the book to find what I was looking for. Words appeared and disappeared as my eyes flitted across the pages, quickly picking out anything of importance from the jumble of sentences that littered the world I had become immersed in; but it was another one of those political books that leaders used to read when leading a country.

   I ended up choosing one of my favorite classics, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, I always liked the way this book was written and the development of every character; the way Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy slowly fell in love, there wasn't a precise moment but it was there, felt by the way they acted around each other and read through their thoughts. Reading was like an escape from reality for me. When I pick up a book and start reading, I get so sucked into it that I forget any of my surroundings. My imagination takes over and I'm free to fantasize about whatever I want without worrying that people will judge me. It's like I can create a little world in my mind and imagine what the characters would look like and how they act. It's crazy how much something as casual as reading can leave such an impact on someone.

   "Can you tell me a bit about the outside world? How is life out there? I never wanted to ask Bridgette but I always had the curiosity to know." I didn't notice how much time has passed but I can tell it was already in the early afternoon, we've been reading in silence, the only voice in the room was our breathing close to each other and the sound of water. 

   "Well it has definitely changed a lot since you used to go out and you know mingle between people," I had no idea from where to begin. "Rich people no longer live in big castles like this one but in mansions, girls can wear whatever they want and not these puffy gowns anymore." 

   "Well I can clearly see that by the way you are wearing this skirt and sweater." 

   "Oh really? Then I think you don't need me to tell you about anything else, smarty pants."

   "No! Please continue, I won't interrupt. Tell me do you learn about my era during homeschool, and do you enjoy the big balls?"

   "Umm, we now have schools and colleges where everyone goes and learns together about the most boring things, and yes we had to memorize everything about your era during our history lessons; why the hell did you do these dumb stuff!" I composed myself again, he wasn't the one to blame for everything I had to memorize at school. "We don't have balls anymore, and waltzing isn't the only form of dance, we have ballet, hip hop, jazz, and many more." He had me explain every single details of types of dances, songs, and any idea I accidentally say during our conversation.  

   We sat down, side by side in silence, our back on one of the trees' trunk, watching the sunset; the color of the sky slowly changing from blue, to purple, to orange. The orange gold stretches far and wide, the color of fire hearths and tangerines. It is but the reflection of the dawn, the promise of the rising sun that comes after the velvety night has had its say and the land has rested once more. The sun slowly falling and getting closer to the horizon, behind it the sun finally turning into a black veil decorated with a million of shining stars.

   "It's finally time for me to go back home." I said while pushing myself off the ground.

   "You're coming back tomorrow right?" he asked me, and waiting for me to answer him, as if there was only one right answer so I just nodded.

   On our way down, we sat on the railings and slid down instead of taking the stairs. When I reached the end, I forgot to slow to softly stop and ended up hitting into him. "Easy princess, already falling for me."

   I scoffed, wiping the imaginary dirt off my skirt, "As if."

   "Yeah, keep saying that to yourself!"

   "How annoying." I muttered while walking out of the door, back to my mother's cottage.

   "Hey! I heard that!"

   "You were supposed to!" I shouted back and skipped down the stone path, smiling to myself.