I'm On My Way

Chapter 22

*sings 22 by Taylor Swift*

*apologises*

Taking a deep breath, Rhydian dug his hands deeper into his pockets, trying to get rid of his nerves before he approached Maddy's door. After realising that he had to knock on the door, he reluctantly took one hand and let it hover over the newly painted wood.

He didn't know why he was nervous; he loved Maddy, and he knew he'd stick with her whatever, so he felt a slight hate at the thought that he was reluctant to meet her. It was just a want to impress, he decided, and with that he knocked on the door.

Moments later there was an excited shuffle, and the door swung open, revealing a beaming Maddy. She stood with one arm still holding the door, so she stood at an angle, her head tilted to one side as she smiled at him. Her clothes weren't extravagant, but her hair fell in light waves over her shoulders, ruffled by the light breeze.

A smile nudged at the corner of his mouth as he raised his eyebrows.

"Eager?"

Maddy rolled her eyes, grinning as she stepped out of the door. She hooked her arm through his.

"I'm a Wolfblood, remember?" She replied, smiling. "I have amazing hearing." She continued, waving her arms around to accentuate her point, sighing slightly. Shaking it off, she smiled again.

"Plus, I may have been waiting..." Maddy added, looking away, acting innocent. Rhydian shook his head and laughed, and looked up to see her look back and join him.

"Why did you sigh?"

"What?"

"When you said about hearing, you didn't seem THAT happy." Rhydian asked. She smiled timidly.

"It's nothing. Just, being a Wolfblood, where you're continuously told how great you are, can get a little boring." She explained, blinking up at him. He smiled back, reaching for her hand and intertwining his fingers with hers.

"I know the feeling. Being generalised, being praised because of your species, not your character."

"Yeah..." Maddy nodded, and then looked up at him, eyes wide. "Wait, did I just hear you speak WISDOM!?" She taunted incredulously. Stepping away from him, she studied him, eyes narrowed.

"Who are you, and where's Rhydian?"

"Stop it!" Rhydian shoved her playfully, laughing all the while. "I" he continued in a royal tone. "Am officially insulted."

Maddy burst out in a fit of giggles, eyes crinkling as the laughter shook her body.

"Rhydian?" Maddy looked around at their surroundings once she had recovered. The sky was clear above Stoneybridge, a cocktail of pinks and oranges as the sun began to set. A few people walked here in there, but the streets were mainly deserted. Snakes of light crept between curtains. She was in a familiar part of town, yet she still wasn't sure of one thing.

"Where are we actually GOING? Cos I need food!"

"Er" Rhydian flushed slightly, scratching the back of his neck.

"I was thinking, Bernie's, then a walk? On the moors?" He answered gingerly.

Maddy nodded eagerly, eyes glistening as she flashed him an encouraging smile.

"That sounds great." A rush lit her face as she cast her eyes round at the now deserted street.

"Race ya!" She called over her shoulder as she began to race down the street. Her hair flew behind her, and their footsteps echoed steadily on the cobbles as Rhydian joined the chase. Maddy kept glancing over her shoulder, a smile burning on her face as Rhydian struggled to catch up.