Trustfall || Sanders Sides Equestrian AU

Chapter 30 - Wrong, Right, Neither

Patton wasn't avoiding anything. He never was! He left the house early because he was so, so excited to go to school today. Yup. And by utter coincidence, truly a natural flip of coin, today was his mother's day off – the only day of the week he'd see her before waking up. He would have seen her, that is, if he'd woken up at the normal hour; but as previously mentioned, Patton was just so... so excited to go to school. And so, she was still sound asleep when he put his shoes on and locked the door behind him. He wasn't avoiding anything. Ever.

His mum's day off meant she was there to make his siblings breakfast and drop them off at school, so he was officially dismissed from that task as well. Nothing could stop him from walking down the street at 6 in the morning.

"Patton?"

Patton's stomach flipped with a start. "I'm actually feeling really okay, Maori, I'm not avoiding anything!"

"Maori? Whos' Maori?"

He almost pulled a muscle turning around at the speed of light. Virgil made his way down the street, buried in a dark red hoodie which he pulled over his head.

"Oh-!... Sorry, Virge." He pushed up an awkward smile. "I thought you were someone else."

"Why are you out here so early? School doesn't start till eight."

Patton shrugged. "I don't know. Woke up early. The house is boring...?"

A concerned spark flashed in Virgil's eyes. "Is everyone feeling okay?"

"Yeah, of course, why?"

"I don't know, I avoid the house too when-..." He stopped himself and pursed his lips, and tucked his hands into the hoodie. "Never mind."

They sealed a silent agreement to walk together – Patton buried in his thoughts, and Virgil buried in his hoodie. He twisted a single string around his finger distractedly as they walked, and his dark brown eyes were sunken in thoughts Patton didn't even bother try to read.

"So why are you out here early?" he casually asked. "Stopping by at the barn?"

"Mhm. I need to clear Nexus's stall, she was coughing a lot yesterday."

Patton yawned. "Oh, yeah. I noticed that, too."

"Want to join?"

"Yes, please."

There was something so peaceful about walking down the empty morning street with Virgil. He was a special friend. They had a consistent, warm silence between them, and it was relaxing to sink into it and let his mind wander. Kind of like the way a horse would lay down to sleep if he were somewhere he feels safe – Patton let his mind wander when he was around Virgil, because he didn't have to worry about the way he perceived him or the conversation.

The sky was a butterfly-blue, and the first clouds of the day floated lazily along the line. The dew that had clutched on to the leaves they brushed past tickled at their noses with its fresh scent and mixed with a familiar lavender one – though Patton couldn't quite tell where that one was coming from.

Daybreak lived up to its name beautifully when they arrived, allowing the sunrise to paint it in golds and greens. Patton yawned as his friend rummaged through his keys. Just as he found the one and turned it through the stables' lock, a small red car parked at the lot behind them.

Laura waved at them as she shut the front door closed. "Morning, kids. Skipping school again?"

"Just stopping by to get some chores done."

"Music to my ears. Keep at it and I might give you your stirrups back."

Virgil twisted his face at her. "Screw you."