Chapter 7

Julia's POV

Julia kept her distance from Will as much as she could, but she always saw him once or twice a day, trying to talk to her, and she knew he would succeed sooner or later. She made frequent trips to visit Fanny, who had become a mother-figure to her and confidante.

"I just don't know what to do anymore," Julia told Fanny. "I can't stay away from him forever."

"You're right," Fanny said, "He'll catch up with you sometime. What are you going to do then?"

"I don't know," Julia sighed. "It's so hard already, and I'm not even talking to him…"

"Talking to who?" piped up a voice from the doorway. It was Will, leaning against the doorframe and looking like his old arrogant self.

"Uh, nobody," Julia said, "I was just leaving." After shooting an apologetic glance at Fanny, she stood up and hurried out the door. She heard Will follow her, she walked faster. Without looking back, she began to run. She ran blindly through the trees, not caring where she ended up, only wanting to get away from him.

All of a sudden he was right in front of her. How could that be? She halted suddenly, stumbling. Will caught her arms and pulled her to her feet.

"I know this forest better then you do. Never underestimate that," he said.

Julia was suddenly very aware of how close together they were and of his grip on her arms.

"Why are you running away from me?" he asked, the hurt and confusion he'd been keeping in so long suddenly appearing on his face.

"I…" she trailed off, unknowing what to say. Eyes downcast, she attempted to pull away from him, but he held fast.

"Please," Will whispered, and she saw her own uncertainty mirrored in his eyes. He let go of her arms and she stepped away. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then closed it and walked away without a second glance in his direction.

Will's POV

He watched her walk away, wondering what was going through her mind at the moment. She had actually run away from him! Did she really hate him? No, he would have seen it in her eyes.

Sitting down on the grass heavily, he pursed his lips and thought of reasons why she didn't want anything to do with him anymore. The first thought that came to his mind was Robin of Locksley. He probably told her something about me! Will thought, narrowing his eyes. I'll slit him from head to toe when I get my hands on him. He got up and stopped. If he accused Robin of that, it would most likely lead to a very loud argument, and everyone would find out…he hated people knowing about his personal problems. No, he'd get Robin back some other way.

Will walked aimlessly through the forest for a while, wondering how he would get back at Robin, and what he could do to make Julia like him again. He decided to sit by his "tripping rope" as he'd dubbed it, and although not many people passed through that way or decided to cross the river, he liked to go there to clear his mind. He was almost there when he heard the sound of someone crying.

Frowning, he walked cautiously towards the sound, making sure he didn't make any unnecessary noises to startle the person. Will placed one hand on a tree to steady himself, standing in the shadows, and looked out onto the scene in front of him.

Julia was sitting beside the river, sobbing into her hands. She looked up and whispered something to the sky that he could not hear; he leaned forwards to catch her words. As soon as he had, he realized that it was not a good idea. But it was too late.

Will felt himself slowly pitching forwards, and grabbed wildly at the tree he had been leaning against, to no avail. He landed with a crash on the hard ground.

Julia looked up, startled. Her watery eyes grew cold and she got to her feet, angrily swiping the tears off her face.

"So you're spying on me now, are you? Tired of following me around and making me hide from you? You sick bastard." Julia walked over to Will, who had just stood up, and slapped him across the face.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" she demanded.

"Julia, I'm so sor-" Will was cut off as she slapped him again.

"Actually, I've changed my mind. I don't want to hear your excuses." Julia turned and strode purposefully away from him. Crestfallen, Will stared after her, rubbing his stinging cheek.

Julia's POV

How DARE he! Julia thought savagely, I'll never talk to him ever again! But her conscience had other plans. I hope I didn't hurt him. She frowned. Where the hell did that come from? I want to kill him right now…

Breaking a branch forcefully from a tree, Julia broke it into several small pieces before tossing it aside. She walked through the village, shooting furious glances at anyone who looked at her. The villagers, not used to seeing her this way, backed down immediately. Julia stalked all the way to her hut and flopped onto her bed. She snatched up her pillow and screamed into it. Oh, he made her so MAD! What was his PROBLEM?

She sat up, seething. He was watching her cry? Why would he do something like that? She knew he could be cruel, but not that cruel…

Later that evening, she was telling Fanny her story.

"I can't believe he did that! I was crying! I don't like people to see me cry," Julia said.

"You and young Mr. Scarlet are a lot more alike then you might think," Fanny said.

"Alike? We couldn't be less alike," Julia retorted.

"Oh, yes you are. You're both private people, and you both don't trust others easily. You both hide your true emotions. You're both stubborn as an ox. You both anger easily. Need I go on?" Fanny said.

Julia finished her tea, trying to think of a way to prove Fanny wrong. Finding none, she got up to leave.

"Well, thanks Fanny," she said, not quite knowing what else to say.

Will's POV

Evening came around, and Will decided to talk to Fanny about Julia again. Nearing her hut, however, he heard heated discussion coming from inside. Drawing closer, he realized that it was Julia's voice. I can't believe she beat me here, too! He thought. He waited outside in the darkness for Julia to leave, hearing vague snatches of the conversation.

"…Can't believe…crying...people..."
"You're a lot…you'd…"

"Alike…less…"

After a few more minutes, he watched Julia walk hurriedly out of the hut in the direction of her own. He sighed and walked in to greet Fanny.