It was already 10 am, Theodore angrily bites his bottom lip, my eyes lingered for a bit on his bleeding lip. In a swift move he cleaned it with his thumb, his bony hands both threw my head in a loop. Was he always this attractive?
"Harriet. Why?" the same hand that cleaned his blood resting on my shoulder, firmly keeping me within his reach. Ahead from within the mansion, Claude walked in our direction, softly, as if, his feet did not hold any weight. Claude spoke a quiet "Hello, Milady" on my left ear as he passed by me. Theodore glanced at my face, examining my mood "Why him?", he crossed his arms assuming a tough posture, letting go of my shoulder. I nervously stepped to Claude's side.
I giggled awkwardly as I looked up to Theo's eyes. Those devilishly beautiful hazel eyes "Claude, lived here for his entire life. Both me…" I touched my chest with my finger "And you a pure exemplar of a city boy! Have no idea, where we are going!" my finger pointing at him.
Theodore shook his head, clearly annoyed at the mere sight of Claude "Harry y-". Claude interrupted Theodore before he could say anything that would ruin the mood "I'm hurt, that's why you invited me, Mi-Harriet? Am I, an underpaid tourist guide?" His funny remarks never bore me, even when they are not funny at all. I just spout the sentence I knew would disgust Theodore "Besides, I really like your company". Having a friend like this, must be nice not likin-
Theo's rolls his eyes as he annoyedly speaks. "You two, are so alike. Hey, Claudia. Do not even think about it! She's like my own sister, do you understand?" his oh, so manly and brotherly love made me sick. Was he that dense?
Unbothered, Claude stared at his eyes, he appeared to be short standing next to the mountain that was Theodore Miller, however, he did not show a sign of backing down, he only got closer to that giraffe of a men. "Theodora? Was it? Are you her father? This is a really funny one."
I walked away from their petty fight, one an overly confident idiot who does not realize my feelings and the other an angelical clown that has too much pride. Do not be swayed, Harriet, you must remember, all men are the same.
"Where are we going?" I scream from afar, hoping someone would notice and let go of their toxic masculinity, before blood was shed before my eyes.
Claude rushes to my side screaming "Where do you want to go exactly?"
Theodore does not bat an eye, walking slowly in our direction "We are going to your old home." His condescending smile displeased me deeply. I never asked for pity.
"Uhm" I turned my head to a Claude with a frown, his hand on his chin and a very strange look on his eyes. "Are you sure about this? I don't think you will like it…" His green eyes looking like two giant orbs as he stared at me.
Theodore dug his nails on his palms, his anger issues could not act up right now. But, even if they did, I would not let him hurt my dear maid. "Of course, she is sure, you asshole." He turned around taking his phone out of his pocket, a clear "I'm superior to you" move as he tried to navigate the narrow path with google maps.
"How about you leave this matter to me and go worry about your own problems. Humpf, what did Lilian see in you?" I was aware that this was partially my fault as I insisted on Theo's relationship status, just early this morning.
Still, was not all my life like this? All about Lilian, even when it was about me, it was not actually about me. My smart, kind and golden-haired beauty of a sister. She is simply lovely. How could I not love and want to protect her?
So, I knew I could pretend all I want, I would never be the main character of this movie we call life. I am that one side character with a sob story to tell. As I have always read, the main character has that aura around her, that draws anyone to her surroundings. Clearly, I do not have a speck of that social magic. But today I decided to be my own main character. I will make my story be whatever I want it to be.
I accelerated my step following nothing more than my gut to choose to turn to the right where two streets crossed. Claude did not say anything.
Theodore appeared to be lost in that situation. Meanwhile Claude laughed out loud, muttering something along the lines of "Human GPS".
"You guys just do not understand my greatness" said a clueless Theo, mistakenly thinking Claude was laughing at him, as he insisted on listening to google.
The place we arrived after a few wrong turns and a very nice lady that helped us, was something far from my memories, the fields I once knew replaced with modern houses that did not fit that rustic place, empty vacation houses for rich people. So, this is what has become of my memories.
Claude stood still and spoke quietly "I told you, it isn't exactly what you wished to see.". Was my home now just one of those houses that lined up along this street, lifeless and boring.
Theodore closed the gap that I kept for the entire walk, as he picked my hands and looked to the dirt on the floor. My entire body responded. Butterflies are not enough to describe this feeling. "Isn't it so interesting Harry? How was it sold just like that? Didn't they need your signature?" Oh, right I am just his lab rat, a case for him to fix. I abruptly brushed of his hand.
"Claude, do you know anything about this?". Pretending to be casual about this whole situation, I walked away from Theodore's reach; he did not seem pleased about that. One day, he will have to understand. I am no longer a child.
The ginger boy seemed bothered by the question "I don't know for sure, but the old man that bought it always brags about the discount he got. Everyone knows why, but nobody dares to say anything." His head pointing to a convenience store, isolated, just before miles and miles of wheat fields. Did I really want to know this? "Can we just go there and talk with him?" my body felt weak and I did not feel like going in. But my mouth automatically moved.
I heard a rock being thrown and Theodore started walking on the store's direction "I am going in; I don't know about you guys." He smiled, confidently walking in.