Back in the Saddle

Getting Acquainted

Nick's POV:

"We can't leave yet! Tommy and Ranboo haven't met Karl," Toby complains.

"They're just gonna have to meet him another time," George says, patting his brother on the shoulder lightly. "We should get Karl home so he can get checked out by dad. I don't want to find out later on that he has a concussion or something and then get blamed for it."

"I think it'll be okay," Karl interjects. "I mean I feel fine, and I would still really like to meet his friends." George gives him a skeptical look, to which Karl stares back intently, not wavering even slightly.

"Fine. But I'm hungry since I never got any snacks, so I'm gonna need some food soon."

"I'll take you to get something, Georgie," Clay offers. "You wanna come with us, Nick?"

"I'm good. I think I'll stay with Toby and Karl. It's been a while since I've been able to race Tommy and I've been itching to do it again, put him in his place and show him who the real big man is 'round here."

"Yay!" Toby says, grabbing Karl's hand and dragging him away.

I take one last glance at George and Clay before running to catch up with them. Toby pulls out his phone, texting his friends to see where they are. I read the chat over his shoulder, so I see when Ranboo replies quickly, telling us that he and Tommy are in the stables. Perfect, I'll be able to get my horse and Tommy and I can race.

And maybe I can impress Karl in the process.

"Are you sure you're alright?" I ask once we're out of earshot of Toby, who ran ahead to get to his friends first.

"Mhm, I'm just fine. I never got a chance to say thank you back there. So thanks, you know, for saving my life." Karl gives me the biggest, brightest, happiest smile that I think I've ever seen and my heart stops working properly for a solid minute. His eyes shimmer in the morning sun, making them glow, like they are small blue suns themselves.

"Don't mention it. I'd do it again anytime, sunshine," I say, letting the name slide off my tongue before I even realize what I've said.

Karl's smile drops and his face grows a deep red, causing my stomach to curl up. I await his response nervously, but he doesn't answer, instead just smiling again. I think I could look at his smile a hundred different times and never get used to it: that's how mesmerizingly gorgeous it is.

We reach the stables way sooner than I want to, meaning I have to stop staring at him now. Tommy, Toby, and another other boy with black hair who I assume is Ranboo--I've only ever seen him around, not met him directly--are all talking by one of the horses stalls. It's Tommy's horse, Lizzie. I always thought it was an odd name for a horse but never cared enough to bring it up.

"Karl, this is Tommy and Ranboo. Tommy and Ranboo, meet Karl."

"Hi Karl! It's nice to finally meet you," Ranboo greets politely, whereas Tommy...

"AYUP! Big K, my man, Tubs has told us so much about you!" Tommy practically shouts, standing up and shaking Karl's hand very aggressively. But Karl simply laughs, a sound that floods me with serotonin.

"It's good to finally meet you guys too," he giggles, pulling his hand away from Tommy's clammy grasp.

"Hey Tommy, you wanna race?" I ask.

He instantly nods and starts to get Lizzie ready, so I begin to head over to my own horse's stall. She gets excited as soon as she sees me, neighing a bit and shuffling around. I chuckle under my breath before entering the stall and saddling her up. I'm sure she's desperate for a run, and I see this as a perfect opportunity to kill multiple birds with one stone.