Disguised In Lavender

Part 29

Ducky walked calmly into his stall and touched his muzzle to the hay net; they hadn't worked long enough for him to be hungry. Honestly, even a few minutes in the ring where suddenly both girls were serious and bold felt so good. "I don't want to keep bringing this up but it's on my mind." Ann began slowly as they walked up the hallway, Lauren bent slightly over in a hobbling skip to slip off her boot guards. "The entire school thinks we're horrible people, your abusive father is on campus, a huge show is coming up, and, to top it all off, I've never been in a relationship before." The trainer explained in a rush, obviously overcome with all that had happened in the few days.

"What's that got to do with anything?" Lauren asked smoothly, flipping the straps of leather onto a tack box and walking normally again. In a single motion, Ann had pushed the older girl onto the box and stood over her with one hand on her thigh. "I want to love you, I want you, I just don't know how I'm supposed to go about it." A smile crossed Lauren's lips as her eyes fell shut and she lifted her chin to press her lips to Anns. She didn't have to answer or say a thing, the trainer kissed her back and folded one leg to be closer. "Just like this." Lauren mumbled into her lips as she slowly pulled back, feeling Ann lace her fingers through her hair.

Right, every instinct in Lauren screamed that this was wrong, but why did it feel so right and so electric. She stood so that Ann could see level with her, still pressed against the wood walls but not daring to move. "So it is true." Lauren turned her head swiftly to where a booming voice broke her blissful staring contest with Ann. The trainer jumped back and stuffed her hands into her pockets, looking from Lauren to the stranger. A lump formed in the older girl's throat and tears swelled in her eyes, her chest clenching and restricting her air.

It felt like her legs wouldn't hold her or let her run from the reason her heart was hammering in her chest. A huge man with greying black hair and a square jawed face took swallowing steps towards them. His arms and legs bulged with what must have once been pure muscle, now he had a round beer belly. Ann looked over at Lauren as if asking what she was supposed to do but got no answer. "You're a monster!" He shouted, now inches from the rider and enraged spit flying from his scruffy mouth, reaching a hand towards her. Ann watched in horror as he slapped her sideways into the wall then laid his eyes on her, scowling.

The clatter of the barn doors swinging open turned the man's attention from both girls, breaking Ann from her daze. She rushed to her knees and knelt beside Lauren who had her palm pressed to the side of her head where she'd been hit. "Get out." Anger fueled Mr. Terence's usually calm voice, he brandished a stall broom at the man and hit him over the head. "Get out, get out!" He repeated, continuing to hit the man over the head until he was on his hands and knees and trying to cover himself. Ann curled herself protectively around Lauren, not yet realising the hot tears streaming down her face. Mr. Terence followed with the broom as the man stumbled to his feet and dashed out of the barn, still shouting. "Lauren." Ann whispered through her sobs, patting her hair and running her thumb along her cheeks. "Oh don't cry. Ann, I'm so sorry." Lauren opened her eyes and instantly felt a twinge of guilt seeing the younger girl's face wet with tears. The rider buried her head against Ann's shoulder and breathed in her warmth, trying to forget the sting in her cheek.

Her father was here, it sent a shiver of intense fear through her but she found herself more enraged than sad. Mr. Terence came back with the broom still in his hand and a tint of red on his cheeks, still panting in dismay. "You okay, girls?" He asked, bending down and placing a hand on Lauren's shoulder, she looked up but didn't let go of Ann. "Just a little slap, he's done worse. Thanks to you." The trainer stood shakily to her feet and pulled Lauren with her, both glancing at each other sheepishly. Mr. Terence didn't even ask what they'd been doing, it was sweet on one hand but concerning on the other. "No problem, if he bothers you two again just call me. Oh, Tanner told me everything about him and Dalla, she'll be suspended from the show this weekend. Have a good night." Lauren and Ann both waved enthusiastically but couldn't shake the feeling of dread hanging over them.

Without quite thinking, the rider put both of her hands on Ann's hips and pulled her close, kissing her forehead. It felt like years of terror was pouring out of her, it still hurt, an open ache now that he was here. Ann closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around Lauren's shoulders in return, propping herself up on her toes. "I broke the promise." She whispered with the sound of tears still thick on her tongue, pulling away from Lauren. "No you didn't. You didn't do anything wrong, darling." Ann took a breath, not replying as she swayed back and forth before looking up and turning Lauren's chin.

The slap left a bright red mark and a bit of blood on the rider's cheek bone but it didn't look horrible. "Will you fix it for me?" Lauren asked softly, turning her head back to face Ann with a small smile as she took her hands away. "Of course, god it's only Wednesday." The trainer sighed, falling easily into stride as the couple walked out of the barn into the chilling night. Both were a bit more cautious since they had no idea where the man had gone, it put them jumpily on edge. Thankfully, the doors to the dorm were the checkpoint they made safely and Ann was able to get by on her expired pass.