What Happened?

POV: The Girl

My head pounds and I let out a groan as I sit up, gently rubbing my head in a soft motion. I shake the leaves out of my hair and glance around at my surroundings. I have no recollection of where I am. Or even, who I am. My hand comes back sticky with semi-dry blood. What happened? My eyes automatically blink a few times as I adjust to the sudden intake of light. I glance down at my legs to find them bruised and scabbed. My brows crease and my hand goes to gently touch them. It stings. A frown tugs at my lips as I glance around once more. This time, my eyes land on a boy. A tall, broad boy. With a mop top of ash brown hair paired with sharp silver eyes. His left arm is bleeding and his clothes are torn at different angles, showing the little cuts and bruises hidden behind the fabric. His face is bruised and he has a bit of a blood nose. He stares at me, shocked and a bit dazed. His eyes soften a bit and I give him a small smile. I can’t see all of him as he’s sort of hiding behind a large tree.

“Hello,” I say, my voice coming out scratched and croaky. I frown at the sound of my own voice and see the boys face fall as he hears it.

“Are you alright?” He asks, leaning on his sword for support, as well as giving me a lot of space. I shrug, which not surprisingly- hurts. I wince and in a quick motion go to grab my sore shoulder. The boy glances around before hurrying over to me to assist me.

“Who are you?” I ask, as the boy begins rummaging through his bag. He pauses for a moment and his mouth opens to say something- but no words seem to come out. I give him a soft smile, hoping that I’m pretty enough to be able to convince him to talk to me. He lets out a soft chuckle before glancing up at me.

“Huxley,” He says, a smile tugging at his lips.

“Huxley..” The name rolls off my tongue easily and I mutter it a few more times, trying to get it to stick in my brain. Unlike my other memories it seems. “Huxley.. sounds like a villain’s name,” I say, letting out a laugh. He chuckles a little bit- glancing over at the rising sun.

“Sure does,” He begins helping me readdress my wounds and wraps my legs up in bandages. I smile at him.

“You don’t happen to know my name, do you?” He shakes his head.

“I’m afraid not, apologies,” I nod my head.

“I’ll make one up then,” He laughs, getting to his feet.

“Sure thing, let me help you,” His hands slip under my arms, and he hesitates for a moment before hoisting me up to my feet. He’s quick to duck under my arm and grab onto my waist with his right hand, so that I don’t fall. I lean into his side.

“Thank you, Huxley,” I smile, glancing up at me. He gives me a sad sort of smile before sadness fills his eyes and he begins moving us forwards.

He practically carries me for hours and hours, before we eventually reach a town.

“So,” He begins, dragging out the word.

“So?”

“On a very technical term, no one here likes me. Your going to have to book the room at the inn, I’ll pay of course,”

“Sure, easy peasy lemon squeezy,” He cringes.

“Don’t ever say that again,”

“Yeah, sounded better in my head,” He shakes his head letting out a laugh and pulling the hood of his dark cloak over his head.

We enter the inn and he slips me a pouch of money as we approach the counter. The cashier lets out a small gasp and my brows furrow, as I look up at Huxley for reassurance.

“Just go with it,” He mutters.

“Free of charge!!” the cashier says grabbing a key off the wall behind him and passing it to me. “It is truly an honor miss,”

“Er- Thanks..Sir..” The man nods desperately and Huxley glances at the room number before leading me towards the room. Once we enter, he sits me down on the couch and goes over to the kitchen to make me some tea.

“How did he know me?” I ask.

“Your family.”

“What about them?”

“Famous people.”

“My families famous? Wow. Am I famous too?”

“Of sorts,”

“That’s so cool! So.. how do you not know my name?”

“Don’t listen to the news and I’m not a gossiper,” His words are becoming more harsh, so I stop asking questions. I lean back into the couch, trying to warm myself up. Huxley finishes with my tea and places it down on the table before shrugging off his coat.

“Here, you’re cold,” He places it on my body in a kind and caring way.

“Thank you,” The coat is fluffy and comfy, although its 10 sizes too big. I glance up at Huxley’s tall figure as he gently prepares a small snack for me. I watch the way his giant hands tenderly grab food from out of his bag and fuss over where its positioned as I sit on the couch smiling to myself. He glances over at me and places a plate of cookies in front of me.

“There you go. I know they look bad, but they taste alright,” He says, stealing one off the plate. I let out a soft laugh as I pick up the tea and take a long sip. The hot liquid eases down my throat and I can feel it travel down my body into my stomach. It leaves me with a warm feeling and it feels amazing. Best tea I’ve ever had.

I’m sitting at home. A cup of tea in hand. My grandmother muttering something as my mother pretends to drink the fake tea from the plastic cup. We both nod at my younger sister as she raises her little tea cup glass to clink it against mine.

“Wake up, wake up! Please wake up I’m begging you wake up!” Huxley’s terrified voice pulls me out of my trance. I shake my head a few times, letting out a grumble and Huxley lets out a breath. “Don’t scare me like that.” He hisses. I can see he has tears in his eyes. He turns away quickly, hurrying into the bathroom. When he had grabbed me by the shoulders, I saw a word on his arm. Burned into his flesh. A name. Oakley. What a pretty name. The name rolls around my head a few times and I try to see if it fits me. It seems familiar. Huxley emerges from the bathroom after a few minutes and I look up into his silver eyes.

“May I ask who’s Oakley?” I point to his arm, where the name is as clear as day. He grabs onto his arm and gently strokes the name with his thumb.

“Someone I loved..”

“Would it be ok if I used that name? It’s pretty,” He laughs, and gives a small smile.

“Of course you may,” I smile proudly, sticking my hand out.

“Now we can have a formal introduction! My name is Oakley, nice to meet you,”

“Nice to meet you too, I’m Huxley,”