Disguised In Lavender

Part 17

The cafe wasn't far from the library but the rain hadn't stopped its violent assault on the now sloshing ground underfoot. Lauren and Ann ran through the squelching mud with the platinum blond trying her best to hold the umbrella between them. Even despite her efforts, both had soaking wet hair that dripped onto the collar of their sweaters. A tall girl with red dyed hair welcomed them with a chirping voice, skipping carelessly to the register. "Just a hot chocolate and peach tart." Lauren breathed, trying to catch her breath as she waved for Ann to order, choking on her breath with laughter at the mess she looked.

The rider couldn't look so good herself because Ann shot her a nose crinkled smile of teasing distaste. "Hot chocolate for me too but I'll take a croissant." She elbowed Lauren who stumbled over slightly and pretended to dash towards an empty table, tumbling into the cushioned couch. "You're hilarious." Ann giggled, rolling her eyes as she sat across from Lauren and threw a towel at her head, wringing out her hair. "I know, so, horse stats." The older girl patted at her shoulder length hair and leaned against the soft cushions, tapping her boot rhythmically on the tile floors. "I've been trying to find anything about Ducky, it doesn't seem like he has a lot to his name." Ann admitted dimly, wrapping the towel into a ball and placing it on her lap as she pulled open a bookmarked page. She spun it around so that Lauren could see an index of horse names and their pedigree stretched in tiny print across the crumpled paper.

Scanning for a name she could recognize, Lauren found Gravity and just below her beloved mare, there was Ducky. "They come from the same sire and I've heard of Ducky's dam, Purposefully intended, but you're right, he isn't exactly the same." Ann bit her lip and placed her head on her hand, propping herself up on her heel to see over the book. "Well, we knew going in that he wasn't exactly show stopping." She muttered, looking a bit more uneasy about their choice which made Lauren's stomach twist in a painful note. "I trust you, come on, a trainer who can read all of this has got to have some sort of magic." They both locked eyes and Ann let a small smile press onto her lips before looking back at the pedigree. Lauren felt her stomach settle, subconsciously tilting her head to follow her trainer's dimpled smile.

A clip of heels caught both of their attention, the girl at the register carried two plates and mugs in both of her arms. The apron around her waist and neck read in swirling letters 'Winchester Cafe' as did the beret topping her curled hair. She gently sat both plates down in front of the only customers and gave Lauren a sweet smile before heading back to the kitchen. Ann quirked an eyebrow and hid her judgmental pursed expression as she took a sip of her hot chocolate. "What?" Lauren asked with a giggle, taking a packet of butter and calmly unwrapping the gold foil. "Nothing, it's just that everyone seems to want to know Lauren Blaine of Winchester Manor."

The bitterness that thickened Ann's voice was nearly venomous, clicking her tongue as she set her drink down. Lauren didn't know what to say back, it felt as though she'd been punched in the gut and she let the butter drop. "What would I need new friends for? I've got Tanner and mostly Zack, not to mention you, Ann, I really don't want you to think our friendship is just for shows. I know what I said and it was kinda bitchy but I can't have you feeling like you can't trust me." Neither said a word for a minute as Ann gazed at Lauren cautiously, biting her lip as if she couldn't bring herself to believe a single word.

It was true that Lauren had never had a best friend like Ann but the thought of being replaceable to the pretty trainer killed her. She had a roommate like Madge and to be in the eye of Dalla was huge, no matter how much Lauren hated to admit it. "I've got you." Her voice was low as she leaned closer and opened her hand, palm face up on the table. Ann glanced down for a minute and then back into Lauren's eyes before down at her own hands on the edge of the polished wood. Slowly, she lifted her left hand and placed it in Lauren's, a smile crossed her lips as the rider intertwined their fingers and waved them back and forth.

Her eyes followed the rocking motion with a panging sense of yearning before she glanced back at Ann. "I won't do anything to ruin our friendship." The blonde promised, but why did those words make Lauren's heart drop down to her shoes? She had the stinging urge to pull her hand away and focus back on the books without another glance at Ann. 'Friendship', it was the barrier that had been broken in the lavender field, but they weren't anywhere near the lake now. Lauren forced a smile and still couldn't bring herself to drop Ann's hand but she forced her focus back to Ducky. "Good, now let's not ruin this show either." She chuckled lightly, letting her hand relax and noticing once more how well it fit in Ann's and was warmed by her.

Raindroplets slowed to a pattering drizzle of mist while Ann and Lauren flipped through both books they'd checked out. Still hand in hand as though glued together in comfortable eternity, their laughter echoing around the empty cafe. It was nearly sunset by the time Lauren closed the huge index of horses and took the final sip of her drink. "Dang, it was cold hours ago so now I'm disappointed." She grumbled childishly, stacking the cup back onto the plate and brushing stray crumbs from her tart onto a napkin. Ann let her hand slip away and scooted to the end of the seat, heaving herself up and wordlessly motioning for Lauren's plate.

"We should head back to your dorm then." She consoled when she skipped back from laying the china on the register, brushing off her sweater. "Oh," Ann's eyes turned sheepish and she glanced at Lauren through her batting eyelashes, "can I stay with you tonight again? I don't mean to be a burden, it's just that Madge's parents are here and they kind of got on the wrong foot with me as her roommate." The trainer scuffed her heeled ankle boots against the tile and dropped her gaze as Lauren stood and ran her fingers through her platinum hair. "Of course, it's whatever. One condition is that you have to help me get my algebra grade up tomorrow." Ann tossed her head up instantly, an awed grin showing not just her dimples but pearly teeth. Her eyes widened in surprise as Lauren nodded along with her confession, cheeks turning a deep red at the younger's excitement.