Thank you for the reviews! Here's another long chapter :)
3. Goodbyes and Surprise
The next morning, I woke up from a dreamless sleep. I smiled as I got out of bed and opened my window. Taking a deep breath of the cool spring morning, I looked out at the gardens below. The landscape was strewn with red, yellow and pink, and the sky displayed a clear, cloudless blue.
I stared out the window a little longer and tried to imagine a place more beautiful than this. According to Carolyn, that place existed. I sighed and moved across my small but cozy room to my wardrobe. I opened it up and looked into the mirror that hung inside of the worn mahogany door.
My green eyes stood out from my light skin and stared back at me below my bangs. I found myself wondering once again if I looked more like my mother or my father.
I looked down the mirror where a torn photo was stuck in the corner. I pulled it out and examined it. This picture was the only thing I had left of my family. I don't remember how it got into my pocket, but I had found it when I'd woken up after being healed. I looked about seven in the photo. My sisters and I were sitting in a flower garden, laughing at something and looking over to our left. Someone had their arm around me, my mom I guessed, but the rest of the picture was gone, left somewhere in the rubble of my old house. I kept the photo close, looking at it constantly, hoping maybe I'd notice something new in the picture, something that would give me a clue about my family. I desperately wished to see my mom and dad again. I had forgotten what they looked like.
I slid the picture carefully back into place and began looking through my modest supply of clothes. I pulled out one of my favorite gowns. It was a plain, dark blue with pearl buttons down the front and a skirt that ended at my knees. I slipped on the dress and combed out my mid-length dark brown hair, securing it with a clip. Then, after eating a quick breakfast in the kitchen, and finishing my morning chores, I looked around for Dame Eloise. I found her in the garden watching Franklin watering the flowerbeds. I told her I had made my decision and would be ready to leave as soon as tomorrow, and she went inside to write Carolyn. Then I headed straight for Anna's to tell her the news.
"Good morning!" Anna said cheerily when she opened the door. "Oh, you look cute today! Ready for your date with Nathan?"
"I—What? You already talked to him?" I asked, distracted.
"No, but I was planning to look for him in town today..."
"Anna—" I tried to interrupt, but she was already rambling on about plans for the date.
"You like the food at that new place, what's it called...?"
"Anna—"
"Or what about—?"
"Anna!"
"What?" She blinked, looking at me impatiently.
"I can't go out with Nathan—"
"What! Yes you can Briden. I know he's not perfect, but—"
I gripped her by the shoulders. "Anna. Focus. I can't go out with Nathan, because I'm moving."
"You're what?"
"Dame Eloise's cousin Carolyn has room at her house for me. She lives in Gala, in Bast. I won't have to work anymore. It'll be like being part of a family again."
"Wow, how exciting!" Anna shared my enthusiasm once I told her everything that happened at dinner.
"This is great Briden," Anna stated as we head into town. "And Bast isn't too far away from here. We're practically on the border...I'm sure we'll see each other again."
I hugged her, so thankful that she understood. "You really think it's a good idea?" I pressed. "What if, you know...he's here in town and I'm just moving farther away..."
"I think if you follow your heart, you'll find him."
"I only have around four weeks..."
"Quit worrying Briden. You'll never attract a guy with that attitude. It's all going to work out." Anna did her best to reassure me.
I smiled. "Thanks Anna. You always know what to say."
"Wow...Bast," she mused. "I heard the royal family holds balls every month, and..."
I smiled, as Anna seemed to have forgotten all about the date and began talking about how great this move would be. We walked the rest of the way to town discussing what my new life might be like.
"Hey..." Anna said as we examined a display of travel bags inside a small shop in town. "What about Aaron?"
"Huh?" I answered, distracted by a woven red and gold bag, my two favorite colors. "What about him..." I opened the bag to examine the inside.
"Have you told him yet?"
"About what....Hey, this one comes with a hidden pocket for coins—"
"Briden!" She snapped in front of my face.
"What?" I said, finally looking at her.
"Have you told Aaron you're moving?"
"No, not yet."
She frowned.
"What?" I repeated.
"Well, he's your friend too...and he doesn't know about the spell, so it will be harder to explain to him why you're moving...Aren't you worried about what he might say?"
I shrugged. I was so happy from telling Anna, that I hadn't really thought about Aaron's reaction. It was wrong to assume he would react the same as her. Aaron was quieter and more thoughtful than Anna. He was probably the only person I felt comfortable just sitting in silence with. We both appreciated the calm of nature and would often just sit in the grass and enjoy the breeze. I would miss those moments. And he enjoyed reading almost as much as I did. We traded books with each other all the time. I would miss that too. As I thought about it, I realized I had no idea how Aaron would react. He was so mysterious sometimes...Sometimes we would go for days without seeing each other. I knew he lived with his parents and had a brother named James, but I realized I didn't even know where that was. Did he live in town, or in the country? I made a mental note to get his address so I could write to him once I moved. I looked up and saw Anna watching me expectantly.
"I guess, maybe a little." I said. "I mean, I'll feel bad if I hurt him, but I think this is the best decision for me. Hopefully he sees that." I watched Anna nod, unconvinced. "I think I'm going to get this one," and I grabbed the red and gold bag to purchase.
"When are you leaving?" Anna asked as we left the shop.
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!"
I looked at her.
"Well, I guess sooner is better than later...Hey, let's go to the bookstore."
"You want to go there?" I looked at her suspiciously.
"Well, if you're leaving tomorrow you want to find Aaron and tell him, don't you?"
"Yeah, okay." I began to feel nervous as we turned and headed for the bookstore. I hoped telling Aaron wouldn't make me unhappy about moving. When we entered the store, I found myself hoping he wouldn't be there.
But sure enough, he was. Sitting in our usual corner, we found him immersed in yet another book. I wanted to ask him what he was reading, but Anna spoke first.
"Hey Aaron!" Anna called and skipped over to where he sat, ignoring Mr. Mason's plea for silence. He looked up from his book and smiled when he saw us.
"Good morning ladies," he said in his polite way that was very characteristic of him. We took the seats across from him.
"Briden has some news," Anna announced. She really wasn't wasting any time.
"Really?" Aaron looked at me curiously with raised eyebrows. He closed his book and sat up in his chair.
"I..." I began. "I'm moving," I said, trying to sound as enthusiastic as I'd felt earlier.
"Really." Aaron repeated, his shoulders drooping slightly.
"To Bast," I finished.
"Really?" He said again, his eyes wide with astonishment.
"Would you quit saying that? And, yes. Dame Eloise has a cousin who has room at her house for a guest. I wouldn't have to do maid work. It sounds like a good opportunity, so I've decided to go. I'm leaving tomorrow so I just wanted to say goodbye..." I kept rambling on, afraid of how he was going to take the news. But then he interrupted me.
"Briden. I'm glad you're moving."
I cocked my head to the side, confused.
He shook his head. "I mean, I'm not glad, but I agree that it's a good opportunity, and well...." he glanced at Anna, looking hesitant. "Anna, would you mind if I talked to Briden, alone?"
Anna looked disappointed, but nodded. "Sure, Aaron." Then she turned to me and said, "I'll come over later to help you pack your things," then left the store.
I looked back at Aaron. He looked like he was struggling with something. I couldn't tell if his face was more happy or pensive.
"What's up Aaron?" I asked finally.
His blue eyes looked into mine with intensity for a moment, but then seemed to lose their edge. He looked away. "Well, I-I've been wanting to tell you. Y-you see...the thing is...."
"Yes?" I pressed. I'd never heard him stammer before.
He took a deep breath. "The thing is, I live in Bast."
"I'm sorry. What?" Sure I'd heard wrong.
His gaze returned to mine. "I meant to tell you—"
"Wait, you live there? As in, that's where you live? I thought you lived in Draeden?"
"No, I just come here for the books, and the company..."
"Oh my..." I exhaled in disbelief. "Wow, I—I don't know what to say..."
"Well this is a good thing, actually. This means I can give you a ride tomorrow." He attempted a smile, but I was still in shock.
"You don't—I mean, you don't live here." I stated, letting it sink in. For the few months I'd known Aaron, I had assumed he lived nearby, but he wasn't even from this kingdom. I couldn't quite grasp it. "You were right. I really don't know anything about you."
Aaron fixed his blue gaze on mine. "I'm sorry."
I shook my head. "Is your name even Aaron?"
He laughed, but my stare sobered him. "Yes," he stated seriously.
"Is that why you don't talk a lot? Because you're keeping secrets from me?"
"No!" he said, his face shocked by the accusation. "I thought you liked that about me..."
"I did," I admitted, emphasizing the past tense. I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes for a second. I had just found out one of my best friends had been keeping a huge secret from me. I didn't understand it, but I tried to. "Okay...so, why didn't you tell me?"
I saw Aaron in a whole new light as he clasped his hands together nervously, looking the most unsure of himself than I had ever seen him. His dark hair fell in his face as he leaned forward in his chair.
"Well, it is kind of strange that someone would travel for an hour several times a week just to spend some time here, but the truth is, this town is so much calmer than I'm used to, and I really just wanted to get away and go somewhere where nobody knew me."
I studied his sincere expression, deciding whether to believe him or not. "Okay, well, I guess that makes sense. I still don't see why you thought you had to keep it a secret though."
He shrugged. "I just didn't want to make it a big deal."
After a few moments of silence, I nodded and stood. Aaron stood too.
"I believe you. And I forgive you for not telling me." I was about to make him promise no more secrets but then something stopped me. I realized I had a huge secret I wasn't telling him. I couldn't make him be completely honest with me if I wasn't the same with him. For a second I thought of telling him about the spell, but then knew I shouldn't. One person was enough, and I didn't want him to treat me any differently because of it.
"Thank you." Aaron said this with a most relieved look upon his face. "Friends?" He held out a hand to me. I looked at it and smiled.
"Friends," I agreed, and shook his hand, though the exchange seemed very formal to me. "So...I thought about leaving at one o'clock tomorrow..."
He nodded. "I'll come to your house tomorrow with a carriage and take you to Bast."
I nodded. "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then."
He smiled. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye." And as I left the bookstore, I found myself wondering how exactly he was going to get home.
I went home and told Dame Eloise that Aaron would be giving me a ride to Bast. I didn't feel like explaining, so I just told her that he had relatives in Gala and didn't mind taking me. She seemed to buy it and went to write Carolyn about the change of plans.
Anna came by after dinner that night, and when I told her about Aaron's secret she reacted similar to me.
"What?" Anna looked up from where she sat on my rug, sorting through a rather unorganized drawer of mine. Once I explained everything to her however, she didn't seem convinced.
"Maybe you shouldn't go with him tomorrow, Bri. I mean, he doesn't seem like the type, but it makes you wonder...what else could he be keeping from you? What if he's a runaway? Or wanted for murder?"
I laughed. "I think I know Aaron well enough to trust him Anna. And if he was wanted for murder, I'm sure he wouldn't be walking around town in plain sight."
Anna had dropped the subject when she realized I wasn't going to change my mind. I had always been very trusting of others, but I wasn't stupid, and I knew that Aaron deserved my trust.
She helped me packed all of my things, which really wasn't that much. The last thing I did was to carefully tuck the old, torn, yet prized photograph of me and my sisters into a pocket of my travel bag. Anna slept over and we spent the night talking about the new things I was bound to find in Bast. I was surprised we had so much to say about the kingdom we'd never been to.
"And you have to tell me all about the balls," Anna said for the third time as we sat in front of my window, looking out at the stars. "The ones here are so small, and King Darren lives on the other side of the kingdom. It's not really worth the trip. I would love to go to a royal ball in Bast. I heard they are just grand."
I agreed to tell her all about my doings, and she swore to visit me before my birthday, just in case.
