Oh, how the months have passed so swiftly without my notice as I had been occupied caring for my new dearest, dare I say only friend, Edward. Ever since that afternoon when I had set out to find him, Edward and I had created a bond of some kind, a mutual understanding of each other. From Tuesday evenings to sleepless Thursday nights, we would laugh, cry, stuff our faces with the food I had stolen from the pantry and contemplate our past decisions. No doubt Edward was hiding behind that glamorous smile of his, for I noticed this when I first met him: his eyes showed no sign of such happiness and his face was as sombre as a husband who had lost his wife.
I could not comprehend what he must have to go through within his village, as Edward informed me that they thought of him less than human for his albino hair and skin; they chanted names that hurt him most without feeling not at least smithereens of sympathy! When he had told me so, I was so very glad that I could help him in time as I could not bear to think of what would become of him. As for my father, he had not the simplest clue of my spontaneous activities, thanks to the help of Millie and Grace covering my tracks.
"Miss Andrade, are you alright?" A soothing voice asked me, snapping me out of my imaginative state. 'Twas Edward, looking into my blank eyes as I did his blue ones.
"I thought I had told you to call me Elaine, Edward." Replied I, smiling as he began to profusely apologise.
"I-I'm sorry, Elaine! Please excuse my lack of recollection!" He exclaimed, hitting his temple with the palm of his hand. "Ah! Edward!" I pulled his hands from his face. "Edward, there is no need to punish yourself for a silly, forgetful erratum! Everyone makes mistakes such as these, and we learn from them, not hurt ourselves." Taking his hands within my own, rubbing my thumb over his knuckle, exactly how my mother would when I was blue. "It pains me so to witness you experience such pain." Gazing into his eyes once more, I noticed his face become ever so red, resembling a ripe and shining tomato ready to be picked. Before I could speak again, he tackled me into the tightest embrace I have ever been met with, I too returning the favour. About to separate from him, I saw little water droplets drip from his eyes "Oh Edward, dry your tears! Look, the day is withering away, we shall do something before I must depart!" Encouraged I, wanting to leave Edward with a smile, not something to ponder endlessly about.
As I tried to remove my frock and underlayers like a bird caught within the wire, Edward seemed to be in the middle of a crossquobble, desperately trying to figure out the cause for such troubles. "It is quite humid today, don't you think? A dip in the pond should do the trick!" On our way to the hills, I and Edward noticed a tranquil stream passing through the forest, its waters flowing and glistening beneath the sun's light. "I-I am not so sure, Elaine, what if you come down with an illness? I won't be able to see you." He replied, worry and concern lacing his tone. I could not help but blush, for he held solicitude that he would see me not If I had fallen ill. Finally removing my garters and stockings, I was left in my chemise; I did not care if this were improper, I simply did not wish to get my daily wear drenched or else my father would surely notice my outings.
"Do not fret, Edward. The weather has cleared miraculously for us both, I suggest we enjoy it."
"I suppose so, only this once. I do not want to be responsible for any sort of sickness though." He warned me as he began to remove his shoes and roll up his pants, as well as the sleeves attached to his dress-shirt. Before I could proclaim my thankfulness, he had sped off down the hill with alacrity. None the less, I was surprised, yet content that he had cheered up. "Wait for me, Edward!" Yelled I, running down the hill after him.
Arriving by the stream, I tried to find Edward, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Edward?" I called, not knowing where he could have gone to. "Edward!?" Bellowed I, hearing nothing but the song of birds and the hum of cicadas far and wide, and as I thought bubbled in my head, I dread for it to be real: I was lost within this gargantuan forest.
"I am here, Elaine!"
Unexpectedly, Edward emerged from a lone bush behind I, nearly causing me to leap ten feet into the air due to the vivacious fright. "Good heavens, Edward!" Yelled I, still in shock. He only smiled and apologised in a playful tone, to which I smiled at none the less. Scampering past him, I ran full steam ahead towards the flowing waters of the stream and tested the temperature with my bare feet; albeit still being quite chilly, I did not wish to end the fun just yet. Scooping some water within my hands, I launched it over to Edward, who had yet to enter the waters. Once realising he had been splashed, Edward retaliated by running into the stream and flicking it over to me. A few droplets of the cool water landed upon my face, some even flying into my eyes. Rubbing my irritated eyes, I stepped back to commence my next attack; although my next move was not as adventitious, my right foot planted itself upon a mossy rock rendering me to slip and stumble into the water.
As I fell, I had been reminded of the time Norton had tripped me purposely to make a fool of I, and he did succeed as he always shall. Landing on the rough and coarse rocks beneath the water, the wind was knocked out of my lungs, causing me perpetual pain. The water surrounding me was not deep but surrounded half of my face in which gave me access to air. Believing I would soon drown, two hands came and picked me up by my armpits, soon cradling me into the warm chest of someone familiar. "Elaine!" They shouted, making me open my squinted eyes. It was Edward, looking directly at my face with his crystal-blue eyes and snow-white complexion; as he blocked the suns light with his full head of white stainless locks, I took in his features with a closer eye than I ever have before. "Elaine, please be alright!" Edward sobbed, grabbing my hand, and squeezing it tight.
"You look so very handsome; did you know that?"
"You must be delirious. You hit your head!"
"No," I laughed, knowing my body quite well. "my left arm had broken my fall before I could fall tragically upon my head." It 'twas also amusing to see Edward so flushed over my comment. As Edward assisted me in regaining my lost balance, I gazed at the sun setting beyond the hills, making way for the moon to grace the land. "I suppose we must start to make our way back before nightfall." I proposed, to which Edward agreed, showing his limpid smile I so adored.
As we both exited the forest, twilight had fallen upon us, and the sky was darker than before. Although I could not see well in such light, a figure standing in front of the Greyfield back door for servants caught my eye: 'twas Millie, impatiently tapping her foot as to gesture I had been out for too long and she had been waiting. Turning to face Edward, who had a glum face. "Edward," I grabbed his attention as his head was tilted down to face the ground. "I shall be leaving now. do note that if I will fall ill or may not be able to see you, Millie or I will leave a note in that bush over there." I pointed to the said bush near the door. Edward nodded in understanding, still looking ruminatively towards the ground; gently lifting his chin with my hand, I placed a small kiss upon his forehead.
"Thank you and please do stay safe, my dearest Edward." Staring at me in surprise, Edward's pale face had once again coloured itself crimson. Giggling, I slipped my hands out of his and bounced joyfully over to Millie who led me into the manor while lecturing me at the same time. "Young miss, please inform me why you are wet!?" Millie demanded as she whisked me away to my bedroom, carefully avoiding the rest of my family roaming the halls.
"Well, I and Edward thought that it was a nice day to visit the stream!" Replied I, making sure to hide my sore ankle.
"By Jove! Have you given in to insanity? That is quite dangerous unsupervised, young miss!"
"I was supervised, Millie, Edward was looking after me."
"What if something else were to happen and Edward could not help you?" Millie nominated the idea. Although she was correct, I was careless today and could have been more injured than I currently am. "Come now, we must have you changed and in front of a fire immediately."
Entering my room, Millie prepared my nightgown and made me sit upon my bed, soon, she had me remove my chemise. I was hesitant to reveal my ankle as it was now a sickly purple shade and as swollen as a well-fed king. Millie knew exactly what I was doing as she observed me wince when I removed my drawers. "And what is that you are hiding, miss Andrade?" She asked, shooting invisible daggers at me with her eyes.
"U-Uh, nothing of your concern, Millie." I half-heartedly laughed disingenuously, alas it was no use as Millie now stood before me and carefully touched my ankle. "Good heavens, young miss, it has to be sprained!" Millie exclaimed rather loudly as she bounded over to my water basin and filled it with cold water, soon returning and gently putting my foot into the basin. "I don't want you going out tomorrow, neither the rest of this week for a matter of fact." I groaned in utter annoyance, my plans to wonder more of the sylvan forest now have to be postponed and must be held another time I suppose. As Millie stealthy left to retrieve gauze and extra pillows to escalate my ankle, my thoughts led me back to Edward. 'I do hope he hasn't scolded as I have been.' 'Will he miss me?' 'I wonder if he shall write back.' Within the moment of my thoughts, a tenacious thought struck me: I must write Edward a letter informing him of my condition. Luckily, I managed to catch Millie before she was about to make her exit.
"Ah, Millie, I promised Edward I would write to him if anything were to arise. May I please?" Supplicated I, with the most fervent expression I could muster.
"I do suppose it would be unpolite to not update him. As you wish, young miss." She agreed, fetching my fountain pen, paper, and wax seal.
Prepared, I began the letter to dear Edward:
Dear Edward,
Unfortunately, I have not returned from the stream unscathed as my ankle has been sprained. Oh, how I was looking forward to greeting you! Alas, I must rest so my ankle has time to heal, then I shall be better than before, and maybe, just maybe, I will catch you in the chase the next time we meet! Please remember to take care of yourself and do make sure to eat! If anything may go wrong or you simply need more food, please take yourself to the back door near the plant that you found this letter.
Stay safe, I miss you more now that I cannot see you.
Miss Elaine Andrade
Folding the paper and sealing with the red wax, I gave the letter to Millie who shall deliver it to the potted plant for Edward to receive. Tucking me into my linen sheets, Millie bid me goodnight and left my room, blowing out the candle that illuminated the room. Soon enough, my eyes fell slowly like a cherry blossom petal falling from its branch, landing softly onto the ground, and I, into a dreamful sleep.