Ruth.

IT WAS the next morning after successfully getting my first job.

I had woken up later than yesterday today, and currently I was on my way to the library.

The air was bitter, as it got further into fall. More leaves had fallen off the trees, creating huge piles of bright colours on the floor.

I was happier today, for no particular reason, I just felt happier.

Maybe it was because I got a better sleep last night, or I finally have a job at somewhere I was content with or it was the fact a new person was in town.

hm.

i could possibly get a new friend.

The thought of someone new possibly moving into this town was a rather unbelievable thought, as no one really knows or wants to visit this place.

It wasn't talked about in the news, it didn't own any famous monuments tourists wanted to visit. It was just ordinary.

I arrive at the library and waltz in.

"Hello Mr.McRae! How are you today?" I greet him as I take my coat off.

He slowly looks up, "It's my favourite person! I'm good Ruth, how are you?" He puts his book down and walks towards me, wrapping his thin arms around me in a warm hug.

I smile, "Shush, I'm not your favourite person." I deny, shaking my head.

"Oh yes you are dear. Except from you and my wife I don't like anyone else in this ratchet town." He frowns, looking up at me with his light, blue eyes.

I forced myself to refrain from complimenting his eyes because that would be way too much for his ego.

At the mention of Mrs. McRae, my mood brightens up.

Mr. McRae and Mrs. McRae have been married for about 51 years. According to Mr.McRae, they fell in love instantly--which is honestly quite believable as they are always so lovey dovey when there together. She comes to the library to give Mr.McRae his lunch most days. She has got to be the kindest person I have ever met. She is careless and always makes sure everyone around her is happy and healthy before even putting a second thought in herself.

One time, I remember I was ill, and she had came over to my house with her famous chicken noodle soup, and stayed with me whilst my parents were out.

My parents were gone for two days.

She stayed with me for two days until she knew I was capable to take care of myself again.

I widen my eyes, "Mr.McRae! You can't say that, someone could hear you and actually might get offended." I scold him, making eye contact with a woman who was looking at him offendedly.

He turns around to see where I'm looking, "Don't look at me like that Doris, you only come in my library to get away from your children." He rolls his eyes and looks back at me.

Doris scoffs loudly and races out of the building with an angered expression,

I couldn't help but let out a little giggle.

"Mr.McRae! You might have just lost your favourite customer." I scold jokingly.

He rolls his eyes, but can't help a little grin peak, "Oh no. What shall I do?" He says with feign disappointment.

A huge laugh bellows from the back of my throat.

"Anyway, why are you hear so early again?" He asks me with a puzzled look on his face.

My smile fades and I frown, "You gave me a job here Mr.McRae." I point out.

He stops for a moment and then suddenly his face brightens in recognition, "Of course dear! It completely slipped my mind." 

I furrow my eyebrows in worry, "Is everything okay though?" I mutter in an anxious tone.

He waves me off immediately, "Everything is fine dear! Now go finish that aisle that you didn't finish yesterday." He strolls back behind his desk and sits down in his cheap wooden chair.

"Okay." I draw out.

I go to aisle three, where I continue my colour coordinated books that I didn't get to finish.

"Have you heard anything about that new person in town today?!" I shout to Mr.McRae curiously.

"Actually yes dear. Apparently he's moved into that old house where that young boy and his family use to live in."

My heart stops and my actions slow.

he's moved into elijah's house?

"Ruth? You okay?" Mr.McRae's voice snaps me back into reality after I realise that I haven't replied to him yet.

I clear my throat, "Yes!" I try and cover up my sadness but my voice cracks a little bit.

"Are you sure dear?" He questions me again, with a more concerned tone.

"Yes. I'm fine." I reply more confidently this time.

"I know that house was important to you Ruth, so I'm sorry. It was that boy that you use to hang out with all the time house, wasn't it?" Mr.McRae says with sympathy.

"Yeah but It's fine. I've moved on. He's in the past." I utter quickly, wanting to move past this conversation.

"Whatever you say." He replied with a knowing tone.

I choose to ignore it though.

But as I thought about it more, it slowly sunk in.

it would be like he was finally gone. like all our memories in that house just erased.

and i couldn't tell if i was okay with that yet.

i wasn't ready to let go just yet.

I missed Elijah; I missed his laugh, his voice, his stupid grumbles and moans about people, I missed his presence.

Though, one thing that did baffle me was that when we were bestfriends, he promised that when he was 18, he would move here again.

He said he would come back for me, like he knew he was going to leave.

But now he can't because someone else has moved into his old house and so his promise would technically be broken.

And that made me really sad.

He would be 18 now.

I still remember his birthday.

18th of September.

wait.

hold on.

A new boy has moved into town, in his old house, he's my age. . .

I gasp loudly.

He's back.

I think Elijah's back.

....

*edited-14.07.22*

A/N:

oh my god, she's finally got it all figured out.

what will happen next? ;)

i'm so excited for this book omg.

before we get confused I just want to say that Elijah was always older than Ruth, they always will be the same age at some point, until Elijah's bday.

i love you all

-b.