A/N: So these next two chapters were originally one chapter, but it was so long that I decided to split it up. Since they go together, I'm posting them at the same time. Woohoo! So since you get two new chapters instead of one, I expect something in return. REVIEWS!!!!! I have chapter 10 all ready (one word: DRAMA!) but will not post it until I get 5 more reviews. They don't have to be about this chapter, or even full of profound meaningful advice! A simple 'good job' or 'i hate this story' will do! :) This story is about halfway through, by the way. I want to know what you think! Cheers!
8. Simple and Platonic
I was sitting on the porch swing, immersed in a book the next morning, when I head the faint creek of the gate and looked up expectantly.
Aaron smiled when he saw me and walked down the stone path to where I sat.
"What are you reading?"
I showed him the cover of Gregor the Giant, before I closed the book and shoved it into my bag. Standing up, I skipped ahead of him and turned around as he followed me back down the path.
"So, where are we going?"
Aaron smiled. "You'll see."
"Ooh mysterious."
"It's just a little place I like to go when I feel like being alone."
Aaron headed south and I followed him down the street, looking around. We were heading away from town. I could see the castle in the distance ahead of us.
"Isn't the castle pretty," I sighed, gazing up at it.
"Yeah, it's gorgeous."
"I'd like to see the inside some day."
"You will."
"I will?" I looked inquisitively at Aaron walking casually beside me.
He shrugged. "You're planning to go to a ball, correct?"
I nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. Are you going?"
He smiled. "I might."
After a ways down the street, we turned off the road and headed down a dirt path. I breathed in the sunny day, feeling like I was back in Draeden as I walked beside Aaron. I smiled, and then remembered something.
"The girls here seem very obsessed with the princes of this kingdom," I said. I looked over to see Aaron's reaction, wondering what he thought about royalty.
He merely shrugged. "Yeah...The princes get a lot of attention around here."
I laughed. "That's an understatement."
Aaron looked at me. "And you? What do you think of the princes?"
I shrugged, thinking Aaron sounded way too serious for the topic of conversation. "I don't know. I haven't met them."
"Right." Aaron nodded solemnly. "Well, for what it's worth, I'm sure they don't enjoy being fawned over."
I laughed again. Right. But I could hear the distaste behind his words. It was no surprise to me that he found 'fawning' displeasing. He was a person who craved solitude, like me; and, like me, he didn't seem to be impressed by royalty in the slightest. I wondered what I would do if I ever found myself in the spotlight...
I decided to change the subject. Aaron didn't seem to like this one. "Hey." I pushed his shoulder playfully to shake his mood. "I'm glad we were able to do this. I haven't seen you near enough since I moved here."
He smiled, and seemed to cheer reasonably after that.
"It's just up ahead," he told me. I gazed ahead and took in my surroundings. It was a beautiful day. The sun shown high in the blue sky, and a breeze blew through the pines. Birds chirped atop the maple trees and butterflies floated across the patches of wildflowers along the path. I could hear a flowing creek up ahead. Aaron stepped off the path and I followed him through a thin line of trees. We emerged on the other side and into an open meadow. As we neared the water the grass got shorter and greener. There was a giant oak tree beside the river. Aaron turned to me. "What do you think?"
I stared at the landscape around us. "Wow this place is beautiful, and so secluded."
"I know. That's why I love it."
We went and sat in the shade below the oak tree. I leaned against the trunk and took out my book. Aaron lay down in the grass and pulled his cap over his face, closing his eyes. I smiled. I loved that we didn't have to talk to enjoy each other's company. I watched the breeze ruffle his hair, then returned to my place in my book.
Once I reached a good stopping place, I put my page marker back in my book and put it away, looking around. I was surprised to find that Aaron was gone—I hadn't heard him move. I looked around and saw him sitting at the river's edge. I stood up and made my way over to him.
He heard me approaching and turned his head. "Enjoying your book?"
I nodded. "I didn't know you were down here."
He laughed. "You never notice anything when you're reading."
I shoved him playfully as I sat next to him. I slipped off my shoes and dipped my toes into the water.
"Thanks for showing me this place," I said. "I was trying to find a bookstore the other day..."
"Oh, there's only one. It's on the other side of town and poorly stocked."
I nodded. "I see."
He looked out across the water. "Now you know why I went to Draeden. People around here aren't much for reading."
"I've noticed that. But I'm liking it here." I smiled to myself.
There was a short silence as we both gazed out at the dark water rippling in the wind.
"Gavin seems nice."
I glanced at Aaron. His blue-eyed gaze made me uncomfortable, or maybe it was the way he said Gavin's name. I didn't want to say anything more. I had always kept Aaron out of my dating life and I planned to keep it that way. I didn't want to tell him my secret, and he wouldn't understand without it. Our relationship had always been simple and platonic, and I liked it that way.
"Why do you always wear that hat?" I said instead. I snatched it off his head. He grabbed for it but I held it out of reach.
He laughed. "Give me that, Bri."
"Um...nope." I stood up and took off across the riverbank. I heard him chasing me. I laughed and ran up the hill, speeding across the meadow. I was a fast runner, but Aaron was faster. He caught up to me and grabbed my arm. I turned around and accidentally tripped him. He fell over and brought me down with him. We fell into the tall grass and then rolled over, laughing as we lay there.
"Here," I panted, and gave him back his hat. We spent the rest of the morning lying side by side, looking up at the clouds. Aaron had brought some sandwiches for lunch. When we were finished eating we sat by the lake and threw pebbles into the water, talking about Shakespeare.
"We should go to the play tomorrow," Aaron suggested as we dried our feet and put our shoes back on. "They're performing As You Like It."
"Um."
That must be Gavin's play. I wondered if Aaron knew Gavin was in it... I had been eager to go to the theatre, and I told Gavin I would go see him—Why not go with Aaron? Carolyn would be there with us, and then Gavin would see how Aaron and I were just friends and maybe the two would feel more comfortable around each other.
"Sure," I said as we crossed the meadow to the path. "Thanks for bringing me here," I added.
"Do you want to come back tomorrow?" Aaron turned to me with a hopeful look on his face.
I looked at him. "Really? You're not too busy?"
He shook his head. "Nope. I felt bad I haven't been more available to you lately. So I cleared my entire weekend."
I smiled. "Okay," I answered, glad he seemed to be making an effort to see me, but at the same time wondering what kept him so busy. I wished he would just tell me, but I had decided to be patient, so I once again ignored the feeling of secrecy I sensed from him and hoped he would tell me soon.
Then I wondered if it was ever obvious that I had a secret... Aaron knew that my family died in a fire when I was a girl, and that I'd been working as a maid ever since, but we never talked about my past that much. So what made me so interested in his? I told myself maybe my trust in him hadn't fully restored since he revealed to me that he lived here. I felt bad for this. He'd given me no reason not to trust him. I tried to shake it off and not worry about it.
Aaron smiled as if nothing was wrong and looked ahead as we strolled along the path. We made plans to meet Sunday afternoon, and once we reached at the gate, he opened it for me. I stepped through and he nodded farewell—simple and platonic.
A/N: Don't forget to press the button!
