Chapter Four:

Unexpected meeting

A/N: Here's the fourth chapter! A great thank you to Delia Anole, who is an amazing reviewer! I'm really touched you liked my story! Feel free to give me advice! Enjoy!

I began to slowly climb up the stairs that led to my house, trying to find inside me the bravery I needed to just open the door, perfectly knowing that the person my heart longed for wouldn't be there. I stopped for a few seconds in front of the door, my hand resting on the doorknob, wondering if this was a good idea. Taking a deep breath, I entered and waited for Jesse to appear from somewhere.

"Jesse?" I said. Not hearing any kind of answer, I walked toward the living room, where I expected to see him listening to music or watching TV. There wasn't anyone but I spotted a paper left on the table that I took immediately to read it.

It simply said: " The notary called. He wanted you to fill in some papers. I thought I could take care of it while you chill out a little. I know I'm amazing :) I don't know how long it will take, so don't wait for me. Jesse" I smiled at the wonderfulness of that boy, really. I wasn't exactly in a happy mood so bless him for that initiative.

Not knowing what to do, I let out a big loud sigh, making feel something cold just right beside my heart. And I knew what it was. I reached for the chain of my necklace and pulled it out to see the ring it was bearing. I instantly felt my heart ache, like somebody had it in his hand and put all the pressure possible to break it. I walked around, where my feet were leading me, trying to ignore that horrible feeling of emptiness.

I finally found myself in the library, that magical place that I used to spend my days when I was little. I remember that it was my grandfather that showed it to me the first time. It was his own space, the place no one dared to annoy him.

In fact, I think I was the only person he allowed to stay. I was that little girl you know, the kind of quiet and calm "little mouse" as he called me. I found myself dreaming of cray adventures, one day being the princess, the other being the pirate. That room, filled with books contained so much more that words. My grandpa told me that every time you open a book, you enter in another world. With my head full of these sweet childhood memories, I went to sit in the old worn out (yet comfortable) chair of my grandfather. I curled up in it, my hand caressing the old leather of the armrests.

Sitting there made me think of all the times I sat with him, reading a wonderful story. When I was with him, the whole world seemed to disappear as I got absorbed in a new one. This was a good time. I remember all that sadness I felt when my mom announced that he was dead, it was like my world totally collapsed. But then I went into this library and found some comfort, because I still had this bound with him, through all those books.

For quite some time, I can't define how much, I simply stared at the large shelves that bore hundreds of book, feeling like a child in front of a giant. My eyes stopped on a large dusty book, on the far right of a shelf. This looked like an interesting book to read: "Unknown and lost fairy tales". Not believing it could exist didn't mean that I couldn't appreciate losing myself in fairy tales for some hours after all. I took the book in my hands and opened it. I looked towards the window and saw sun shining in a blue sky. Without any hesitation, I grabbed the book, put it in my bag an went out of the library. I left a note to Jesse so he would not worry about me while I was out.

I knew exactly where I could go to be alone, in a quiet and comfortable place: the forest. Oddly, I found a certain attraction to it: it was mysterious and yet I felt safe there. So, I walked quickly towards it, eager to find my own little space of heaven. I then thought living near to the forest was an advantage, forgetting all my complains about it as I was little (the noises of some inhabitants of the forest weren't exactly what could reassure a six years old child).

I finally entered in the forest, a magical view offered to my eyes. The rays of the bright sun were came through the leaves of the gigantic trees, a green light illuminating the whole place.

I walked several minutes, in search for a place where I could settle down to read. And then I saw it: there was a big tree, leaning on a river. I thought it was certainly a comfy place where I could read the adventures I wished I lived. I headed towards it and began to make myself comfortable. I put my jacket on the slanting trunk that seemed to be make a kind of chair and opened the book. It was the story of two lovers: Ciaran and Teagan. I was falling in love with that story of a fairy prince in love with a fairy princess of an enemy kingdom. Teagan died trying to to save Ciaran from an arrow shot by a jealous suitor and her soul mate and the suitor killed one another in desperate attempt of revenge. I was completely absorbed in my reading, traveling in far away lands, secretly dreaming that this wonderful magic world existed and wishing that I would find one day the love that was worth dying for.

I didn't noticed the pair of eyes that were studiously examining me.

I was dozing at the foot of tree my hood hiding most of my face, just in case someone dared to venture in this forest. My forest. It was my role to scare them so that they wouldn't discover.

I suddenly heard the sound of leaves creaking under someone's feet. I listened carefully and heard the voice of a girl humming a tune. I smiled knowing who it was. The girl from the other day; She was certainly not scared of me! She seems to be sweet and I decided to take a look at her. I hid behind a tree and squatted.

She was sitting on a tree, reading. It seemed that what I had in front of my eyes was a painting from a great artist, like Michel Angelo. All the trees were of a great high so it was quite dark but there was a ray of sun that was exactly illuminating the girl sitting on my favorite tree. No one ever sit on my tree but me! Oh well! She was so lovely reading there, her chestnut hair, the sun giving it a gold gleam, her pink lips mouthing from time to time what she was reading; she was certainly enjoying this story. She looked calm and peaceful, and observing her seemed to stop the time. I must had been there for a while because my knees began to hurt so I had to stand up and I leant against the tree. She probably felt the move and turned her head to my direction and saw me. Oops.

I blushed, though my hood hid it, awkward of my actions. Not knowing what to do or to say, I turned to leave. "What was I thinking?" I asked myself. I couldn't do that, I couldn't let her discover who I was... But a part of me wanted to know her. Leaving alone in the forest was not really fun and a friend would be a welcome gift.

I heard her shout "Wait!" and I immediately stopped. Even if I tried to reason with myself I couldn't, my desire to speak to her was too strong. I listened to the sound her steps made as she walked toward me.

"Err... Who are you?" she asked shyly. I took a breath and turned to face her. She was stunning from closer, I already had studied her doll face when I carried her back to her house but she was even more, dare I say, beautiful. I had never thought of a girl like that. Sure I had met cute, pretty, nice girls but she had that grace, that charm, she was not perfect but that was making her non-conventionally beautiful.

"Cillian. And you?" I said, embarrassed.

"Eden." she simply told me. There was a silence that I broke quickly, not standing it more.

"I'm sorry if I scared you. It's just that it's unusual to see people in that forest. I was just being curious" I justified, nervous. She looked at me and smiled.

"It's okay, I understand. Are you coming here often?"

"Actually, I live here." She raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Oh really?" she said. I guess she wanted to ask why but restrained herself from doing that.

"I've been here for a long time. I don't really appreciate the company of certain people."

"I'm sorry if disturbed you. I didn't know you lived here. I wanted some calm and it was the only place I thought of but I won't come anymore..." she played with her hands nervously and turned to leave. I grabbed her arm to stop her and said " No please! I didn't mean it like that! You're really friendly, it' just that some people were not as nice as you are. I'm sorry, I'm not used to talk to a lady, it's been such a long time..." she looked at me with what I guess was sympathy.

"Don't worry. I know people a lot less friendly as you!" she told me with a laugh. I realized my hand had remained on her arm for more time than it should and I quickly removed my hand.

"Well, I think it's time for me to go, it's becoming dark. I'll get my book and go."

" Okay." I clumsily followed her to the tree (why do I always feel clumsy around her? That's not fair!) and helped her putting the book in her bag.

"That's a big book you have here!"

"Yes, it is! It's very interesting! It's a story about a fairy tale book. I think it's my new favorite book." she said happily.

She made a move to take the bag in her hands but I prevented her from doing so.

"I'll carry it for you." I said, smiling. I think my mouth was the only thing she could see from my face because she returned the smile, thanking me. I walked her to the edge of the forest.

" Well, Ciaran, it was a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for carrying my bag!".

"My pleasure. I was glad to meet you too." I handed her the bag and smiled. "Bye Eden"

"Bye" she whispered. "Wait", she said louder. I turned. "Will you be there tomorrow? It'd be cool if we could talk."

"Sure. I'll be waiting for you" I answered.

"Great." she walked away dynamically and maybe happily?

I sure was merry. I sighed, it was good to speak to someone who cared.

I began heading home, in the light of the sunset, alone again. Alone, but happy.