just because [pin hawthorne] 𝐢

chapter ten

Riding with her arms around Pin's waist and her head leaned on his back, Olivia felt calmer than ever. She was glad to be behind Pin, because she had not stopped blushing since getting on the horse. Pin slowed his horse Elvis down to a trot when they reached the beach. Olvia reluctantly drew back slightly to make sure she wasn't making Pin uncomfortable. When he felt her shifting away, Pin turned his head towards Olivia.

"Everything alright?" He asked.

"Yeah, just thinking," answered Olivia.

"What about?" He replied. You, wanted to answer Olivia.

"About when you taught me to ride," she answered instead. "Before Bright Fields, when it was just you and me," she added. When Olivia had first arrived on the island, she'd known nothing about horses, but as soon as she met Pin, he began telling her all about them. He'd grown up surrounded by them, and it was only a few years after meeting Pin that Olivia got a horse of her own. Pin smiled softly as if recalling the memory. The rest of the ride was spent in silence, Olivia holding on tightly to Pin, wondering if he was purposefully going faster than necessary or if she was just imagining things. As they passed by the stables on their way to Zoe's house, Olivia noticed the girl was next to the paddock with Raven, Marcus, and his horse Monty next to her. Olivia tapped Pin's shoulder to motion towards Zoe. Pin brought his horse around towards them.

"Hi, guys, what's up?" Olivia said as Pin helped her down.

"She's worried about Raven being out in the paddock," Marcus said. Olivia knew this of course. "But he gets agitated when we keep him in," added Marcus.

"What if the thieves come?" Wondered Zoe.

"They won't, they already got what they wanted," answered Pin. "Obviously I'm in league with them, so I'd know," he joked. Zoe chuckled, seemingly unsure if Pin had forgiven her.

"Is there any more news about Firefly?" Olivia asked Marcus.

"Nothing," he answered in disappointment. "The police are fairly sure that the thieves took him off the island."

"Well, I've gotta head back," Pin said. Olivia's shoulders sagged in disappointment but she took off the riding hat Pin had lent her nonetheless. She went to take off his jacket again, but he protested once more.

"I told you to keep it," he laughed.

"Are you sure?" She asked. Pin laughed again.

"Yes, I'm sure, let others do things for you once in a while," he told her. Olivia smiled.

"Thank you," she said earnestly. "For the ride too," she added.

"Of course, see you later," said Pin as he walked away. Olivia turned to find Marcus and Zoe had been watching the exchange with a smirk and raised eyebrow respectively.

"What?" Asked Olivia embarrassed.

"Nothing, I have to get going too," said Marcus, the same smirk on his face. "I hope you sort stuff out with your mum," he addressed Zoe, who thanked him before he left.

"Well, we have to go too," Zoe said to absolutely no one in particular, her and Olivia bursting out laughing. Zoe bid Raven goodbye and the two friends walked back to Zoe's house. Once in Zoe's room, Olivia noticed the shopping bag on her bed.

"Found the crisps, then?" She asked when she peered inside and saw countless bags.

"Yep, and I made sure we had way enough," she laughed.

"Yeah, I can tell," Olivia laughed as well.

"So, did uh, did Pin like the radio?" Asked Zoe, visibly worried.