Page 9 of The Orc's Sweetheart
One cannot help but be charmed by the sight of my hometown. Gray, brown, and cream-colored shops sit staggered against the green backdrop of our highest hill that the island is named after. Vines of vibrant flowers snake across their facades and bring color to the otherwise muted tones of the scene.
“Wow.” Tilly’s voice is a reverent whisper, and she stops dead in her tracks.
I try to brake in time so we don’t collide, but the cart’s momentum is too strong with the weight of all her luggage. One way or another, someone’s getting hurt.
Dropping the handles, I jump forward to cushion Tilly from the collision. My arms wrap around her as the cart’s handles dig into the ground and it skids to a halt behind us, sending a box careening off the front and slamming into me.
I grunt as it hits me, my body pushing into Tilly’s. The sound of something shattering upon impact has Tilly shrinking against me and my grip inadvertently tightens around her.
When the dust settles, I release her and she steps out of my arms. My concern that I might have had for her is trumped by my annoyance at her lack of disregard for me.
“What were you thinking?! Why did you have to stop so suddenly—in the middle of the road? Did you forget someone was behind you, or simply didn’t care?”
Tilly raises her hands in mock surrender. “I’m so sorry. This view!” She sweeps her arm before her. “My feet literally stopped on their own.”
City creatures really are the same everywhere. They only care for themselves. There’s no way she’ll be a good fit for our community where we look out for each other.
I scoff, my question coming out more like a statement. “So the view was more important than my safety? Good to know.”
Shaking her head furiously, Tilly places a hand on my forearm. “Not at all. That’s not what I meant. I’m truly sorry. Can I check you for injuries? It sounded like something fell against you. Oh no!” Tilly looks behind me and I turn around to see what she’s looking at.
She lets go of my arm and falls to her knees next to a box lying on its side, seemingly forgetting my existence once again.
I take a step back, folding my arms across my chest as I watch her open the box. She unfolds the newspaper to reveal a plate broken in half. She lifts two more out, one completely shattered and the other seemingly unscathed. Only then does she remember me.
“Except for one shattered plate that I’ll have to throw away, the others seem okay or at the very least salvageable,” Tilly says with bright relief, her material possessions obviously her only priority.
Shaking my head, I say, “Do I need to take a number if I’m injured? Am I to be seen toafteryour precious plates?”
“No! That’s not— I’m not—” Tilly struggles coming up with an excuse just as Beryl jogs toward us, most likely having heard the commotion from her shop.
“Hi, little brother. You guys okay over here?” Beryl asks, looking between me and Tilly, who is still kneeling on the ground next to a box. Why Beryl insists on calling me “little brother” when she’s only seven minutes older than me, still baffles my mind.
I can appreciate that this doesn’t paint a good picture with me standing here with my arms crossed and looking pissed off, and Tilly all doe-eyed on the ground. But I hope Beryl will understand the situation and see that this was all Tilly’s doing.
“You must be our new nurse. Let me help you up. The gods only know what my brother has done to get you on your knees on your first day.”
“What?” I ask in utter disbelief as Beryl reaches out a hand for Tilly. “I protected her from being crushed by those boxes.”
Beryl ignores me and bends down to dust Tilly’s knees off for her. Another apology appears in Tilly’s eyes but I shake my head at her. Something hardens in her gaze and she looks away from me and focuses her attention on Beryl.
“I’m the new nurse, yes. A clumsy mess of a human. I’m so sorry. This is not the first impression I wanted to make on the town. I had grand ideas, which seem utterly wasted now.”
Beryl straightens and places a hand on Tilly’s shoulder. “Well, new nurse, no one but me saw this. And don’t worry about Bodin, we can pretend he’s not here. He’s the quiet sort, so he won’t be spreading rumors about whatever happened or didn’t happen.” She narrows her eyes at me to emphasize her point. “Let’s get you settled at home, and tomorrow morning you can walk into town like it’s your actual first day and make that first impression you intended.”
“Really?” Tilly asks breathily. “That is an absolutely splendid idea. Can we be best friends?”
Beryl holds out her hand. “Beryl, Starry Hill’s resident hairdresser and new best friend to…”
Tilly places her small hand in Beryl’s. “Tilly, Starry Hill’s newest resident and Beryl’s best friend.”
“Welcome to Starry Hill, Tilly. We are very happy to have you here. Stop by anytime at The Viny Shears. I’d love to play with these silky locks. They’re the most beautiful… Is it mahogany? Chocolate?”
I blurt out, “Chestnut.”Fuck, why did I have to say anything? That was not meant to be audible.
Both females turn their heads in slow motion to look at me, and I quickly busy myself with repacking the cart and pretend my cheeks aren’t burning with embarrassment. The smirk on Beryl’s face tells me that I’ll be teased mercilessly when we’re alone. I’m already thinking up numerous excuses to not see her for the foreseeable future.
“Bodin,” Beryl says sweetly. “Can you manage to get Tilly home safely? And not be a dick about it? Or would that be too difficult for you? I have a client coming in soon, or else I’d offer to help Tilly myself.”
