The Fault In Reality

Chapter Nine

The next few days slip into routine. In the mornings I rise quietly and get dressed, then set out to scavenge some food for breakfast. Usually I'll end up with an apple in one hand and a granola bar in the other.

Devany begins to come to me in the corral. I'm not sure if it's the apple I offer him, or the scratch under his forelock, or maybe just my presence. Either way, it works. We spend some time standing together, working on basic ground manners. I keep him from getting too pushy, and encourage him to follow me to and fro.

After our visit, I select another flake of hay to throw over the fence, and stare at the discarded brushes set out in the corner of the creaking barn. A few sparrows twitter madly as they swoop by, and I nearly jump out of my skin. Little things I've forgotten about working around horses...

I end up relenting to my cowardice, and leave the brushes where they are. Tomorrow, I tell myself. It's no use going into the corral if I'm nervous and jumpy. When I'm scared, Devany thinks he has reason to be scared.

Back at the house, lights have spilled through the mesh of the screen door, and so has the scent of breakfast. Real breakfast, that is, and not the contents of a crinkled granola wrapper. My stomach grumbles hopefully, so I sigh and head over.

Over the past week, the heavy feeling in my chest has loosened into a jumble of unfamiliar emotions. Who knew that the simple smell of dew on a sun baked grass could smell so good? It's these little things that spark a flicker of happiness in me. It trickles in from unsuspected places, like from the pricked ears of Devany as he sees me pass his corral, or the soft tones of a lark singing her heart out in a neary clump of brambles. I pause and pick a handful of the swollen berries off the bush and continue on my way.

Then I enter the house and my good mood vanishes.

There's a new figure sitting at the table. She seems to be a friend of Chase's. I freeze halfway over the threshold of the kitchen, and try not to shrink back. My mind draws a blank from the mess of thoughts that have immediately risen into my head.

Put simply, I don't like surprises. I never did. Even on my birthday, as my mother covered my eyes and my father led me into the stables, I didn't like it. Not until they pulled their fingers away from my vision with a flourish and I laid eyes on Eclipse.

My tall, beautiful Eclipse, standing regally with a bow twisted into her mane. Every bit of her gleamed, from her glossy coat to her oiled hooves. She raised her head patiently, as though she'd been standing there for a while, and nickered to me. It was love at first sight. I'd been unable to keep my hands off her, petting her face and stroking her neck.

I'd hopped onto her back then and there, despite my mother's fervent warnings, and we'd trotted the length of the aisle. Her rhythm was smoother than anything I'd ever experienced; her muscles entertwined themselves into gorgeous crinkles under her coat.

The memory slips away as suddenly as it comes, and I'm faced with the reality of four faces staring at me. I focus myself on the fourth. The unfamiliar girl has pale skin, paler then I think possible in the heat of the summer, and golf ball eyes. Her black hair is pulled neatly into a ponytail, and Chase introduces her to me as 'Annie'.

Annie rises with a hundred-watt smile and eagerly greets me. Though I'm inclined to hate her for startling me, it's soon evident her personality is grouche-proof. She's happy and strangely dainty. Chase stares after her with a smitten gaze, and I realize with a snort he's hopelessly in love. Eventually I'm allowed to be sit down to eat, and I try to ignore the curious glances of Annie.

After they've cleared their plates and Annie has offered sugar coated compliments to Pat, Chase and Annie set out the door. I watch them for a while, and decide that Annie must be oblivious to Chase's attentions. It's almost funny.

On a split second whim, I decide I want to spy on them. I excuse myself and rinse my plate at the sink, before trotting eagerly up the stairs to me room. From there, my open window provides an excellent view of the Chase and Annie.

"Where should we go?" I hear Annie say.

Chase hesitates slightly before answering.

"Well, there's a nice trail up by Maury river, and if you don't mind getting a little wet the horses enjoy a good splash."

I miss Annie's next words, but they must be of agreement, because the two head off towards the barn. They emerge with saddles balanced over their arms, and I'm surprised that Annie has an English one in her clutches. I assumed everyone out here rode Western, but evidently not.

"Should I grab Eleanor for you?" asks Chase. I follow his gaze to the paddock of a silver dappled Arabian. The mare looks calm and elegant, an easy beginner's horse.

"Maybe," says Annie, but she seems distracted. From the tilt of her head, I can see she's intent on something just around the bend of the barn. My heart lurches; it's Devany.

"Ohh, he's pretty!" coos Annie. Chase stiffens.

"I don't think you can ride that horse, Annie," he says.

"What do you mean? He looks bored. Wouldn't he like to go for a ride?"

I study Chase's face. There's no way he's stupid enough to give in, or so I tell myself.

"He's kind of wild, Annie," he explains.

"He doesn't look wild. Please? I've never seen a Friesian up close before. He looks kind of battered, though, is he OK?"

I can't take this anymore. I turn tail and take the stairs two at a time in my haste to get down. Pat sends me a curious glance as I burst out of the house and land on the porch. I'm surprised by my own urgency, but my pace turns to a sprint as I hear Devany's worried whinny.

I gather myself just before the corner of the barn, and slow to a stop. A quick peek around shows me Devany with his ears flattened towards the approaching Annie.

"Really, Annie, you can't ride that horse. Come back, please?"

I cringe at Chase's words. He's being far too polite. All my progress with Devany might be for nothing if he spooks now.

Annie is intent. She smiles and holds out a hand, oblivious to Devany's fear.

"Stop!" I shout. Chase whirls around, expression guilty. Annie pauses and turns, looking politely curious. I don't want to be in this situation. My gaze flickers around, trying to avoid their stares, and comes to rest on the slope of my shoes.

A/N: Sorry I haven't updated this in a while, it's just hard to keep it moving. But I'm working on it. Thanks for everyone's kind comments, they're truly awesome to read.