Being referred to as a bookworm always made Beth shy and caved in. She always felt at a loss in the presence of people, save for her family, and her books were how she let herself free. Not being pained as much, surprised her, but she chose not to confront it until after they watched the sunrise. Maybe she was no longer affected by it. Or was it the moment? She would never know. She doubted anything could take away the joy bubbling in her at the moment. They snuck out of the manor through the backdoor and walked briskly towards the hill.
The moment they reached the foot of the hill, Eric gave a loud victory cry and Beth followed suit. They shouted and soon burst into laughter. "I can't believe we did that. Mother would be horrified if she ever finds out. And she would."
"She would forgive you, you are eighteen now. A woman now." Beth smile grew wider. "Happy birthday little sister." He hugged her.
She returned the hug. "Thank you." Then he ruffled her hair like he always did. She laughed and tried to slap his hand off.
Still smiling, he prompted. "Come on then, you jolly good fellow. The hill is not going to climb itself." He looked her over. "Why didn't you wear the clothes I gave you? It was for this moment."
"Your old clothes? The ones you said I'm to wear on my birthday?" She inquired sagely, hand on her waist. "Only you would send old possessions as a gift." And then realization struck her. "You wanted me to wear them for when we go hill climbing?" He mirrored her expression. "I had no knowing. I'm sorry." He waved it away and motioned her forward. "Well considering I was in a hurry to get dressed, this is quite an outfit." She posed for him.
He chuckled and shook his head. "Come on." They started out on the hill. It was easier than Beth thought, even though it had rained the night before. Eric held her hand all the way to the top, never letting go, not even when she insisted. At a point, she grabbed unto her skirt and held it high to prevent from tripping. On and on they climbed until they got to the top.
Beth plopped herself on the cold grass the moment they reached the peak. Eric ruffled her hair and set himself down beside her. Breathlessly, she asked. "Don't you think it is high time you stopped that? I'm eighteen now.
He laughed softly and made a facial expression, indicating that her words were absurd. "I would still run my hand through your hair even after they turn grey. You will always be my little sisters. You and Gwen. You can never outgrow me."
She laughed. She never said she didn't enjoy it. Then, "Isn't it ironic how the hill sits at the east side, but the manor is called 'Westside Manor'?"
"The Manor sits at the west side of the hill. "He replied matter-of-factly.
That made complete sense. Then she remembered. "Yesterday, mother said father spoke to you on the issue of your marriage. Are you ready to marry?" At twenty-one, he was old enough to be a husband and she knew he would make a fine one, but Beth didn't want him pressured into the institution yet. It would feel like sharing him with another and she wasn't sure she was prepared to lose the little moments they shared, selfish as it sounded.