College, what a blast!

Ryme stepped away from him and Nalo’s hand fell to his side. His face showed no emotion, but her emotions were spread across her own face, as they always had been.

The fear that he may strike her, the anger that had boiled over the edge, and the sadness, Nalo looked closely. He could not understand the sadness.

“Miss?” Roan’s voice came form the stable door. Ryme turned to it, after wiping the tears from her eyes.

“Yes Roan?” She asked using the superior tone.

“Miss, timothy is waiting inside for Monsieur Nalo, and the Captain McLeay wishes to speak with you.” He told her tentatively.

“Alright, Monsieur, just walk through those doors. Roan, take me to the captain’s guard.” Ryme said walking to Roan. She didn’t glance back, and neither did Nalo, as they headed in their respective directions.

“What did the Captain need Roan?” Ryme asked as they walked toward the barracks.

“He didn’t, I just figured you didn’t want to be around that jerk anymore. He made you cry Ryme, nobody does that to you.” Roan looked at her a little sheepishly.

“Thanks Roan, you’re my best friend, you know that right?” Ryme grinned at him as he led her toward the small grove of trees that grew on the property.

“Yes, I’ve come to learn it.” Roan smiled at her and helped her over a large root.

The trees in the grove were old and large; it was more like a small forest than a grove. Ryme’s arms couldn’t fit around any given tree. The moss covered the ground like a soft blanket, and this time of year the leaves were just beginning to change colors.

“Tell me something Roan.” Ryme looked to the older boy.

“What do you want to know?” Roan grinned at his friend, he always seemed to have a grin on his face, almost anything made him smile and it was hard to get him to stop.

“Am I pretty?” Ryme blushed, a bright red color at her own question.

“Well let me think on this.” They both came to a stop and Roan started walking around her slowly. “You have the prettiest hair I’ve ever seen, deep and chocolate colored, and when it catches the sunlight just right it shines. And you’re eyes are the deepest most lovely swirling pools of green. Yeah, Ryme you’re pretty.” His grin seemed to get even bigger.

“Don’t tell me that just because your my friend or my servant.” Ryme was consious of herself, she was embarrased by her own question and his undoubtably joking answer.

“Not as a servant?” Roan asked her looking her in the eyes.

“Or as a friend.” Ryme said, her jaw set and her lips quivering.

Roan looked into her eyes and took two steps toward her, stepping over a large protruding root, he reached out and grabbed both side of her face and brought his lips down to hers.