That one Walter boy~ Cole Walter

06. The orchards

I found Jackie with Alex out on the porch so I left them to it. As I wondered up the stairs, I met Cole who was coming down. "Hey." I said, pleased to see him. "Hi." He replied, his face lighting up, "How our things today?" He asked.

"Everyone is still so mad..." I rolled my eyes, looking around to see if anyone was around. "Talk to me about it." He continued his travels down the stairs and I followed.

"Everyone is basically refusing to talk to me and Jackie!" I stopped to think and he turned to look at me, "And even Alex, they're mad at him too." I mentioned and he laughed. "What?" I asked. He shook his head obliviously, "It's just rare, he's normally the golden child!" We had now made it to the bottom of the stairs.

"What are you doing today?" I asked, aware that it was the weekend and I had no plans. "I was thinking of going for a ride today." He stopped to look at me, "Come with me." He made it sound like it wasn't an offer but a demand.

"Yeah but I'll have to work it around my busy schedule." I pretended to look at my imaginary watch. "What's on your schedule." He asked, grabbing my wrist trying to see my 'watch'.

I pulled my wrist away, "Oh I seem to be free right about now!" He grabbed my shoulders and began to push me out the door, "Perfect." He laughed.

Inside the stable, we were met with Jackie and Alex. "Hey." Cole called out, making them look away from one another all flustered. "What are you doing?" Cole asked and Jackie quickly replied with enthusiasm, "I jumped!"

I pulled her a confused look, "What do you mean you jumped?" Alex answered for her, "The loft. You can join-" Before he could finish, Cole interrupted "Yeah nice. We're going for a ride." He unlocked Custard's stable and led him out.

"Cole. You owe me an apology." Jackie moaned, catching his attention. "Oh yeah. I'm sorry." He replied bluntly and I watched Jackie's eyes roll with frustration. "Come on Jackie. Live a little." He smiled sarcastically at her. "Oh come on Cole, don't mess up people's hair." Jackie mimicked his voice and I couldn't help but laugh.

Cole started up again, "Don't you city-types change your hair all the time?" And Jackie continued, "Well not me, or Ev, I like my hair just as it is." I smiled at her.

"Jackie." Alex cleared his throat. He placed a book on the protruding ladder, "I'll, uh, see you later, okay?" He exited the stable smiling.

"Hey what's that about?" Cole asked as he put head-collars on both the horses ready for our ride. "Just a book." Jackie quietly managed out. She delicately grabbed the book and wondered past us, "Alex, wait!" She called after him.

Cole directed me to Custard and I tied on a lead rope. He got Murphy ready and we both wondered out the stable. In the distance, Alex and Jackie chatted away and I noticed that Cole couldn't take his eyes off of them. 

From the back of the stable, Isaac approached us. "Cole. Here." He held up some money which I guessed was for the bet, I rolled my eyes at them both. Unexpectedly, Cole barely acknowledged the money, "Keep it." He said humbly.

Just like I did, Isaac followed his eyes to meet Jackie and Alex. Isaac grabbed his shoulder laughing, "Man, again?" Cole finally looked back at Isaac, "What?" But Isaac now ignored him, rolling his eyes.

Once Isaac was out of sight, I asked Cole what he meant but he shook me off.

"Why did you reject my offer for a ride the other day?" Cole changed the subject. "Hold on. You rejected me." I replied, remembering how he left for Erin. "No. I don't reject anyone." He laughed but I didn't, I avoided his gaze, "Well I guess that's the problem..." I mumbled, not for him to intentionally hear.