Watching The Star | On Hold

Chapter 7

It was a boring Thursday morning in July and I had nothing to do. I would've loved to spend some time with Susan today, but she was in one of her moods again because it was ten-thirty am and Henry was here. I didn't feel like spending the time indoors until then. Instead, I had this sudden urge to explore and maybe head back to town.

"Susan, will you join me on a walk to town?" I asked Susan, who sat hunched at the kitchen table, half asleep as she leaned her head on her hands and closed her eyes. She hadn't even washed herself up yet, she sat at the table dressed in a pink tank top and baggy shorts, her pajamas. Her brown hair was tied on top of her head in a messy ponytail.

"No, I'm heading back to bed. I didn't sleep well." She replied and straightened her back.

"Oh, I slept wonderfully," I replied and took a seat opposite her. "What kept you up?"

"I dunno. I just kept waking up. I had a nightmare and then I just couldn't stop thinking about it."

"What was it about?" I asked, but immediately regretted the question as I saw a pained expression flash on Susan's face, but in a matter of seconds it was gone and she stood up.

"It's none of your business." She flashed and then walked away, leaving me dumbstruck in the kitchen.

I guess I'll take a walk on my own then. I got up and went outside. Elizabeth sat outside on the porch together with Riley.

"Is it okay if I go for a walk?" I asked her, playing nervously with the tie around my wrist. This would be the first time that I left the house on my own, so I wasn't sure if she'd allow me.

"Will you be going on your own?" She asked, frowning.

"Yes, I want to explore the town a bit," I replied.

"And Susan, doesn't she want to go?"

"No, she headed back to bed. I don't think she slept well," I explained.

"Well, I guess it's alright with me." She replied with a smile.

"Thank you." I started walking away when Elizabeth called my name.

"Lorena, do stick to paths you've already been on. I don't want you getting lost." She said pausing and a smile came across her face. "And I'm really glad you're starting to open up to me."

I smiled back and turned around, then continued walking.

This time she didn't call me back, but I could feel her eyes following me as I walked away and left the property.

It's been nearly two weeks since I'd been here and I didn't have to use my notebook anymore to talk to Elizabeth. In all honesty, it was starting to go rather smoothly talking with her. She is a very talkative and friendly person, just like Susan, and it doesn't bother her when I only give small replies. Of course, this doesn't mean that my heart doesn't beat madly with anxiety when I speak. I don't know where this anxiety comes from. I've had it ever since I was a young girl and it comes up in random situations. Sometimes speaking with someone goes just fine, but more often than not I have to write it down or say nothing at all, but then people just think I'm being rude.

I stopped a few steps in front of Star's paddock, and he stood grazing together with another horse, I didn't know much about this horse, Star was a Perlino and Promise was a Tobiano, but this horse had a full black coat with a white mark on its head. Susan hadn't told me much about this one, and I was a little curious about him.

Henry also stood in the paddock. He was refilling the water trunk. I haven't run into him again since the other two times; I spend most of my mornings indoors with Susan or reading.