Chapter 7
"And then he kissed me goodnight on the front step!" Jenna finished dramatically, staring at me all gooey eyed. That was the part where I was meant to be really girly and 'aw' with her, but with her date being Dean, I couldn't possibly muster up any cute thoughts of him.
Jenna sighed, cocking her head to the side with a small smile.
"Right, what's up?" she asked. Just as I was about to tell her 'nothing', Carter dropped onto the floor next to us with his sandwich.
"Dean's a dickhead, that's what's up," he explained. Jenna groaned, clipping the back of his head and glaring at him.
"He's not! If you went on a date with him then you'd be in awe of him, too!" she insisted. Carter's look of disbelief mirroring my own. After taking a bite of his food and swallowing, he laughed.
"Even I'm not that gay. I'm more of the sweet and sensitive type," he cooed, giving her a flat look.
"I wish you was gay," Jenna said with a pout, watching Blue run around the field. Carter let out a bark of laughter.
"I wouldn't dare. The population of girls would be too sad, I couldn't do that to them," he drawled, placing his hand on his chest in mock sincerity. Jenna chuckled.
"Too relieved, more like," I cut in and Carter shot me a glare, stuffing the crust of his sandwich in his mouth.
"Why do you want me to be gay, anyway?" he asked through his mouth of food. My nose scrunched up with digust of the sight and Jenna rolled her eyes.
"Because you wouldn't be all bitchy or steal my boyfriend," she listed and I scoffed, raising both of my eyebrows.
"I'm not that bad, am I?" I teased, causing her to clamp her hand over her mouth.
"Not you. Eurgh, you guys know what I mean, most girls are like that," she rambled, trying to recover. Carter watched us, amused before coughing to let us know that he was still there.
"If I was gay, I'd still be able to steal your boyfriend, love. I mean, with these looks, this attitude," he drawled and Jenna smirked, throwing her phone at his chest.
"Get over yourself," she huffed, picking a dorito from a bowl between us and stuffing it in her mouth.
The bowl was meant to be kept from Carter and we'd planned on eating them without him knowing. It was something that Jenna and I had done since we were kids because Carter's stomach was never ending, he ate all day, everyday and always stole some of our food if he ran out.
Carter's eyes fixed on the bowl, his body already leaning forward. Jenna's hand slapped his arm and tusked, pushing the bowl back behind my back.
"Mitts off. What's your problem with Dean, anyway? Jealous?" she asked and Carter's brow furrowed.
"Definitely not, he's a jerk," he retorted, leaning back against the fence posts. I sighed, moving back to rest on my elbows, letting the sun gently caress my face.
"Why are you so set on him being so horrible? He was sweet and kind last night," Jenna defended, crossing her arms over her chest. My expression of disbelief mirrored Carter's but when he opened his mouth, I shot him a warning look.
"Because he was giving me crap, Carter didn't like it. Just," I paused, taking a deep breath. "Be careful around him, okay?"
Jenna looked at me for a moment, studying my face and then sighing. Her blue eyes searched my face before she shook her head.
"Carter, everybody gives Kat crap so it's nothing different." Carter's eyes narrowed into little slits, his mouth set into a neutral line. I tried not to look surprised and managed to keep my face emotionless as Jenna continued. "I'll carry on seeing him and yes, I'll be careful, promise."
I rolled my lip into my mouth, looking down at my jean clad thighs. Carter sighed, shaking his dark blue mop. He didn't look too happy, he had his teeth skimming his lower lip, bringing his piercing into his mouth before quickly letting it go.
"Surely there isn't anyone else that you could date?" Carter pushed and Jenna groaned, falling back onto the grass with her head in her hands.
"Would you get over it, please? My dad is at home, don't start continuing from his speech last night. I can date who I want. Everyone gives Kat shit, it's kind of a routine now, she should be used to it. You're just jealous that I can go on a date and maybe get a boyfriend out of it," she seethed, sitting back up with fire dancing around in her eyes. I was speechless and so was Carter, his eyes wide with surprise.
"I am used to it but it doesn't mean that I enjoy being ridiculed," I hissed, getting to my feet and walking away before I said anything that I'd regret.
Hearing things like that were like a stab in the gut. I got that Jenna was annoyed and I didn't really care who she dated as long as they didn't hurt her, but she had never said anything like that. It had been two weeks and she was already fed up with me, ready to ditch me just because something stupid had happened.
I walked over to the other field, where Eli was sitting with Scrabble. Scrabble had been dropped off two days before, just as Eli and I had arrived back from going into the village. I'd helped Eli sponge him down and get him settled in with Tempest and he'd gotten along pretty well with her.
"You alright?" Eli snapped me out of my admiring gaze by walking over and leaning on the fence beside me, studying my face with a concerned expression.
"I'm fine," I dismissed and Eli chuckled.
"You're not but I'll go with it. I need to get used to the surroundings and Scrabble's getting a little restless, fancy going on hack later?" he asked. I looked at him properly then, his calm and trusting eyes and small smile.
"Sure, we can go now if you like,"I replied with a shrug and he nodded with a grin.
"Meet me back here in a couple minutes, then." I nodded, turning on my heels to go and tack Harley. He was following me into the stall to begin with, nuzzling the backs of my knees. I smiled, reaching back and grabbing his halter, bringing his face level with mine.
His deep chocolate eyes looked back at me, trusting as I took the bridle from the peg and slipped it over his head, putting the bit into his mouth. He threw his head back, moving away when I reached for the saddle rug. He was always a pain in the backside when you tried to saddle him, he liked being ridden bareback, but it wasn't any good for the woods.
"Stop it, come on," I said wih a grin, slipping the rug onto his back and holding him still. His hoof hit the floor with a bang in reluctance when I leaned down to tighten the girth. Reaching into my pocket, I offered him a polo was a reward. He took it from my palm eagerly, his soft lips tickling my skin.
Harley followed me out until I grabbed the saddle and putting my foot into the stirrup. After swinging up onto his back, I sighed. Harley was fidgeting beneath me, eager to go and his sides were moving slightly with his gentle breaths. I smiled, patting his neck before taking his reins into my hands.
"Kat!" Harley urged backwards, distress running its course through his body. I leaned forward and soothed his neck, running my fingers along the area under his mane, calming him a little.
I looked up to see Carter standing by the fence, watching Harley with a nervous expression. Clucking my tongue, I nudged Harley forwards and he plodded over to the fence, snorting.
"I'm just going out for a bit, feel free to grab some food or whatever from the kitchen," I said. Jenna and Carter pretty much lived at my house during weekends, anyway.
"She didn't mean it, you know," he told me, his voice soft and his eyes sad. I sighed, shaking my head.
"I know, it's fine, Carter." He blew out through his lips, running his hand through his hair. Harley's stiffness was slowly easing away as Carter held his palms out, showing the horse he meant no harm.
"It's not okay, though. It was unnecessary," he pushed but I smiled.
"I've been friends with her far too long to take something like that seriously. I don't need sheltering, you can't change what people think," I paused, looking over at Jenna in the other field. "This is my home, I shouldn't have to listen to it here if I listen to it everywhere else. I'm going for a ride, I'll be back later." Carter sighed, nodding with a smile.
"Alright. Have fun and I'll see you on Thursday," he paused, seeing my panicked expression. "You don't have to come if you don't want to, I know it'll probably be hard for you," he reasoned but I shook my head, silencing him.
"I'm coming, don't worry." He grinned, saying another goodbye before turning away and walking back towards Jenna.
For Carter's birthday, due to it being his 17th, he had organised a house party whilst his parents were away. They were coming back on the Saturday so Thursday was the perfect day. At first, it had been a bit of a rough patch but I figured that if I was going to get over it, going to the party would be a good step forwards. I couldn't hide from parties forever.
Eli was already on Scrabble, waiting for me by his field with a small smile. I broke Harley into a trot, getting to Eli faster.
"Did you stop for a shower on the way?" he teased when we reached him. I reached down to sniff under my armpit and shrugged.
"No, do I smell that much?" I asked and he chuckled, pulling Scrabble back to let me lead the way.
"Well, not trying to be rude but you have a herd of flies following you about," he said seriously and I had to look back at him to see his grin, not knowing if he was joking or not.
"I do believe that the word is 'swarm'. And I don't know why they're following me now, it's only been a week since my last shower. Last time I had about a month of freedom before they came for me," I said with a shrug and he chuckled, pushing Scrabble up next to Harley.
"It normally takes me a month and a bit, I've got you beat," he mocked. I grinned, clucking at Harley for him to move up the slope, through the mass of trees.
For the first part of the hack, Eli and I couldn't speak because I had to lead him up the path and through the woods. As per usual, the light was dim, making the bushes seem like night lights against the dark areas behind the trees. The only sounds to be heard were those of our horse's hooves and small animals rustling around in the woodland.
When we reached the flat land, where the cross country course started, Eli urged forwards, walking Scrabble in front of Harley and I. Harley, who would normally buck around if anybody did that, stayed reasonably calm, just taking a step back.
"Time for a race?" he asked, cocking his head to the side and gesturing towards the start of the course. I laughed, raising my eyebrows in surprise.
"You'll loose," I warned but he only grinned, showing me straight teeth.
"Wanna put your money where your mouth is?" he asked, lining Scrabble up. I smiled, bringing an eager Harley up next to him.
"I don't have any money but I'll bet you some pony nuts?" I offered, which caused another chuckle to erupt from his chest.
"Alright then, a bag of pony nuts," he decided. I grabbed the reins, giving him a sideways look.
"I'm so confident that I'd bet you two bags of pony nuts," I mocked and he smirked, sitting up in the saddle and raising his eyebrows.
"I only have one bag but I'll add a cup of coffee to the mix?" his voice was smooth and soft as he held his hand out for a shake. I couldn't bring myself to put my hand in his so I just gave a deciding nod. Eli didn't comment but looked hurt when he turned back to looking down the hill at the course.
It was pretty long, not as long as ones in competitions but definitely long enough for a good race and some decent exercise for Harley.
"Right, on your marks," Eli started. I leaned forwards, clenching the reins. Harley must've sensed the need for competition as he blew out through his nostrils and pawed the ground.
"Get set," I added. Eli looked at me with a sly grin.
"Go!" he yelled, immediately setting off the marker on an all too eager Scrabble. Harley wasn't far behind, shooting off, hooves hammering.
The first part of the course was downhill, no jumps, but very slippery. Harley and I had completed the course so many times that we had mastered the balance you needed to get down. Scrabble was having clear troubles but Eli was doing a good job of pulling on the reins to keep him upright.
Harley's neck pushed forward, accelerating as soon as we hit the flat land. The first jump wasn't too far up, so we needed to pick up speed but go slow enough to make it over. The feeling of Harley's sides heaving and the wind creeping through my hair was exhilerating.
We closed in on the jump but Scrabble got there first, making it over and stumbling afterwards but collecting himself quickly. Harley took off from the ground, spending those few previous moments in the air, flying, before hitting the ground with a thump. Harley, being a horse with stamina, wasn't loosing his breath too quickly.
Scrabble was up ahead, taking the next slop and a sharp right to continue the course. I grinned, standing up on Harley's back and pushing him onwards. He responded by shooting his neck out, taking the ground in quick strides, the pressure from his hooves leaving marks.
His leg muscles were pumping when he took the next jump and levelled Scrabble's speed. I looked to my left, seeing Eli in a standing position over his neck. He was riding like a jockey, his back streamlined and his hair blowing against his face. Instead of galloping the next part, I sat back down and pressed on Harley's neck, making him flick his head back and shoot forwards, more air attacking my face.
The course turned into something like a maze when we reached the next downhill slop, which was where we overtook Eli and the next double jump in our stride. Harley's thumping heart-rate against my leg, matching my own and his breaths were coming in pants. I grinned, rubbing his mane and whispering my comforts to him.
The final jump was the water, followed by a stretch of flat to the finishing line. Harley flicked his head and pushed, his neck shooting forward in preparation and his legs reaching out, swallowing more of the ground. Looking down at the water, I held my breath, hoping that Harley would make it, rather than drop me in the drink. The small moment that he remained in the air felt like hours, his body stretched out into a beautiful arc and his mane flicking me in the face.
It all ended with a thud, his feet hitting the floor and then powering us forwards for the final stretch. I just had to hope that Eli lost a few moments on the jump because it was clear that Scrabble was a better sprinter and Eli had the experience of a racer.
Passing the finishing line was a close call, Scrabble only just behind us as we fell to a halt. Harley's breaths were deep as I walked him over to the water buckets. He drank eagerly, his gulps going through his back, hitting my legs. I smiled, patting his back and praising him.
"You knew the course," Eli sniffed, bringing Scrabble up beside me. I laughed, pulling Harley back so that Scrabble could have some of the water.
"I'm also gaining a bag of pony nuts and a coffee, but, hey, who's complaining?" I asked, taking in the smell of the woods, the mud and the pollen. Eli chuckled, the sound echoing around us.
"Rub it in, why don't you? I've run out of pony nuts, now," he huffed, walking alongside me. I smiled, looking down at Scrabble's deep eyes.
"If you ask nicely, I'll let you borrow one," I offered and he smirked.
"Are you sure you'll want it back?" I scrunched up my nose, shaking my head.
"On second thoughts, you can keep it." He smiled, patting Scrabble's flank and looking around him at the woods, which was opening up into a large expanse of grass and small, shallow pond. The water was pretty clear, it went through to a canal so it was always clean, running water. But it was also cold so I would only go in when on Harley, I wouldn't dare lead him in on foot.
"Wow," Eli breathed out, taking in the scene of green grass and beautiful blue water. I smiled to myself, priding my grandparents on buying and keeping such a extravagent piece of land.
"I took the job," I said out of the blue and Eli looked over at me with a small smile.
"That's great, should help get you out there again," he offered and I sighed, nodding.
"Hopefully," I trailed off and he cocked his head to the side, almost as if he was trying to look at me from a new angle.
"What's bothering you?" he asked softly. I shook my head, dismissing it.
"Nothing."
"Kat," he drew the word out, walking Scrabble over so that he could look at me.
"It's this Thursday," I started and Eli nodded understandly.
"Carter's house party?" I frowned, looking at him with confusion.
"How did you know?" I asked, curiousity riddled through my voice. He grinned, leaning back in the saddle.
"I've become a social reject, I don't live under a rock," he said with a wink. "Spencer got an invite, I'm his plus one," he explained.
"Is Dean going?" I inquired, my voice a little tense. Eli's brows furrowed and he nodded.
"Jenna's plus one, why? Do you fancy him as well?" he mocked but I felt my breath catch in my throat.
"No, just wondering," I muttered, clutching the reins. Eli sped up, keeping in step with me.
"He's an ass, I know and he's really difficult to be around but you can always avoid him?" he continued and I groaned, running my hand down my face. Harley crooked his neck back to look at me.
"I'll be sure to do that. It's just... I don't overly want to go, anyway. Having him there isn't going to make it any easier," I mumbled. Eli grabbed Harley's reins, pulling him to a halt so that he could look at me properly.
"Has he been causing you more problems than just in class that day?" he questionned, his voice suddenly deadly serious.
"A couple times. I'm used it to, though, don't worry about it or anything," Eli cut me off before I could say anything else.
"If he says anything to you, you tell me, okay?" I gave in with a small nod. "You can stick with me at the party, if you like. Two social rejects together," he said with a grin and I smiled.
"Was that your sly way of asking me to the party?" I asked. He laughed, putting Scrabble into a walk.
"Someone's getting cocky. Was mentioning the party a way of hinting at me to take you?" I chuckled, feeling a blush rise onto my cheeks.
"Call it even?" I asked and he grinned, showing me both dimples and his straight row of teeth.
"Deal."
A/N: Quick note, the whole story will be staying in just one POV, which is Kat's :) Also, some people messaged me to say that Kat should trust Eli quicker, but this I don't think it would be realistic if she suddenly trusted him and let him touch her or whatever, it would ruin the story so give it a while, she will do eventually :)
^^Rant over ;) well, informational rubbish over :P Please vote and comment, let me know what you think :)