A long way south

Chapter 1

...

Even the wind had seemed to go pin drop silent as the big Black Horse's front feet hit back down on the ground, small particles of sand being flicked up in the process. His head was high and alert, ears flickering back and forth at every little noise that was made. He was tense and firm in his stance, black coat and muscles rippling in the sunlight, but his eyes didn't stray from the girl in front of him.

The Dark haired girl kept her posture firm but welcoming, her eyes staring straight back at the big black gelding, right hand holding onto the long white leadrope that was attached to the diesel blue rope halter that sat upon the pure black face of the Gelding. Her hair blew slightly in the wind, her Dark brunette hair standing out on the light blue shirt that was on her back.

"That's the way.. Offer it to him again.." A man's voice cooed from the side of the big wooden panelled round yard, two bystanders next to him.

The girl didn't reply with any words, just a mere nod as if to say 'ok'. She gently stuck her hand out infront of her, keeping her eyes slightly downcast so she didn't come off as a threat.

"You're right big fella.." Her voice was one that sounded like a cattleman, or should I say woman. It was firm and telling, but it held the sense of there were so many stories to tell. She had the voice that every Lady who roughed it with the guys would have. One that took no crap at all but it had a gentle 'motherly' edge to it.

The gelding flickered an ear towards the girl, keeping his body tight before he let out a big sigh, resting a hind leg as he licked and chewed, eventually feeling brave enough to stretch his nose out to sniff the girls hand, quickly allowing her to run her hand over his face and neck again.

The story of the gelding was one that was known in the area. His owner was in a bad mental state, the gelding being the man's only 'rock', but the 2 year old Stock horse couldn't, and didn't, have what it took for the man. When the young horse didn't 'perform' the way he was needed, he ended up at the sale yards, getting bashed around by the other horses there and the rough 'stockmen' that worked. There however, he found who would eventually be his safe spot, his home.

...

"Kodi Hurry up! You're gonna be late!"

The voice echoed through the rooms of the homestead, sending the Brunette girl into even more of a hurry as she rushed to get ready, her graduation was done, now it was just the big fancy dinner the school held which she didn't even get why she needed to go.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" She yelled out, slipping on a light blue off the shoulder dress that went to the ground. It wasn't her normal clothes that was for sure. Her long brown hair was laying on her back as she kept it out, a small bit of mascara on her lashes and a silver necklace around her neck. She paired the dress with her old trusty ariats, which thankfully you couldn't see because of the length of the dress.

The dinner was also a big 'dance' type of thing, and for the small outback new south wales town, it was a big get together, the graduating girls wore long dresses, the graduating guys lucky suckers got to wear jeans, boots and just a nice shirt, most of them still adding the circle L's that everyone around owned and lived in.

"My, don't you just look stunning" A Tall middle aged man, who was also nicely dressed, said with a warm smile.

"Thanks dad" She hummed, returning the hug she was given by her father. Her mother, who was a petite blonde woman ushered her daughter and two sons into a huddle, deciding she needed some photos to remember the night by.

"Right, now Matthew. It's your job to get her there safely, understand?" They were getting chased along as the two eldest, Matthew, Kodi's 21 year old brother, and of course 18 year old Kodi made their way out to the 75 series Landcruiser that Kodi worked her absolute ass off for.

...

"Are you excited?" Matthew asked, glancing over at his, in his eyes, 'baby' sister fretted in the passenger seat.

"I mean I guess.." She replied with a shrug, and before he got to ask one more question, the big fancy driveway into the town hall came into view.

...

The night was a long one, Kodi mainly keeping to herself as she watched her oldest brother and her younger brother Tyler, who had just turned 16, take their turns dancing with their girlfriends. Kodi was honestly a bit of a loner, she quite enjoyed school actually, despite hating being inside and being a kid who had decided she was going to spend the rest of her life in ag. Her only friends throughout highschool were her two brothers, and Matthew's friends, which of course got her a heap of shit from the girls because she just awkwardly tagged along with her older brother and his friends.

She was as sweet and kind as ever, often being too kind for her own good, which had made her an easy target for so-called 'friends' to screw over. So in the end Matthew just told her to stick with him, and that's what she did, until he graduated of course.

...

"What are you doing sulking over here by yourself?"

Kodi glanced her eyes up from the half empty Great Northern can she held in her hands, looking up to the tall blonde in front of her.

"Moping about, vibing on my own. What's new" She said with a shrug and a ghost of a smile on her face as she looked up at her brother's best friend.

"Question is, what are you doing over here? Shouldn't you be dancing with Katrina or whatever" She said with a huff. Her brother's infamous best friend. Colten Haighs. He was every girl's dream guy, he was tall, he was a sweetheart, he however was a bit of a heartthrob.

"Katrina dumped me" He said with an effortless shrug as he plonked down on the chair next to hers, where she had a clear view of everyone and everything.

The half swallowed mouthful of beer suddenly got stuck in her throat as she managed to choke and cough it down.

"I'm sorry what?! She dumped you?!" The shock was evident on her face as she looked at him as if he had committed murder.

"Jeez, don't sound so surprised" He answered with a chuckle. "For Marcus too. But that's not the point, your brother is worried about you" He said with a knowing look.

"Yeah well you can tell him I'm fine". Kodi had gone through a really dark patch 7 months prior. Her best friend in the whole world killed herself, and Kodi almost did it to herself after she heard the news. Savannah was her best friend. She always had been. Her short blonde friend lived four hours away but it wasn't uncommon for the two girls to be catching the big buses to see each other.

"Savy would've loved this.. She would've come just to make sure you had a good time" He said with a small chuckle and a smile. "I might not have known her the best but I know she wouldn't want you to be moping about".

Kodi shook her head, refusing to let the tears fall as she thought about her friend. She missed her too much. "Dont... Just dont." She said, her voice wavering slightly.

"I know it hurts Kodes but you really need to let yourself move on. It's not selfish to do that-".

She knew Colten was just tryna help. After 15 years of knowing him, she knew he wasn't one to let things go easily.

"If you're just going to instruct me on how to live my life then you can fuck off." She said coldly, sending him a glare.

"Your brothers are worried about you! Your family is!" He said, holding his ground and his word.

"Tell Matt he can get his own ride home." She said, snatching the keys off the table before he picked up her dress slightly so she could walk.

"Kodi-.. Kodi!" Colten let out a sigh, rolling his eyes before he headed back over to his group of friends. He never fully understood Kodi. She was a pretty girl, she was sweet, she was kind, yet she turned everyone who wanted to be her friend away in fear they'd be like the rest.