CountryCore Series: Hold Your Horses (WLW)

Can't Stop Running

Kennedy opened her eyes, rubbing the crustaceans in their corners away as the sunlight cascading into the room somewhat blinded her. That wasn't right. In her room, she had blackout curtains since it could take her eyes a fair bit of adjustment before she was able to really see anything. On top of that, she typically waited to put her contacts on until they were, which meant getting her coffee and eating breakfast was somewhat of a blur. Right now, she could see clearly and knew as soon as she ran her eyes over the room in her vision that she was definitely not home.

Jolting to attention, she felt an arm around her waist tighten and peered down toward the only partially foreign appendage, recalling just who held her so tenderly in the past. Finally recalling the events of the night prior, Kennedy craned her neck to glance back at her heartwarming captor and felt her face soften as she met Mikala's. Careful not to wake her, she slowly turned over and ran her eyes over Mikala's slumbering features cast in the early morning light that only seemed to make her even prettier. Kennedy hadn't thought about it much, although she wished she had, but Mikala was at her most beautiful when painted by the sun.

Remembering her sweat slicked skin as she hauled hay bales down the chute at the horses barn, or how the sunlight danced off of her cheeks when she watched Kennedy handling the bees from afar, Kennedy found herself mesmerized. Mikala was so pretty with her rosy cheeks and inviting features. Kennedy couldn't help reaching over and tracing her fingers along her velvety cheek, reminiscing about last night. However, as much as she desired enjoying being in her arms, she also recalled something she knew prior to last night, only finding out more about it over the party.

Mikala wasn't sedentary. In fact, her friends surmised that despite the fact that she was in a rent-to-own agreement for her beach house, she would probably go off traveling again. They couldn't be certain, but with how nomadic her life had been since her early twenties, Mikala's friends anticipated her wanting another trip before too long. Instead of asking, they just assumed as much due to her history and Kennedy wasn't far behind them. She also feared Mikala would leave, sooner rather than later, and she didn't want that. Nor did she desire forming an attachment with someone who would be gone, though she knew Mikala had genuine feelings for her.

Perhaps she could talk to her about it. Kennedy rolled over and shook her head at herself, staring up at the ceiling fan through an arched brow. Things felt like they were falling into place last night, but if Mikala really wouldn't be around very long, if she was actually planning to depart soon, what would that mean for them? Regardless of her recent courage, Kennedy knew she was still just as much of a coward as she touched her chest and felt her heart threatening to burst through her sternum. That plodding from which she always grew weary, downtrodden to her habitual despondence resonated against her hand and she eased her way off of the bed.

Luckily, Mikala didn't wake and Kennedy gathered her things, determined to keep that beating at bay before her heart shattered upon learning that this, the happiness she'd only just achieved, would soon be gone as she made her retreat.

* * *

"You sure it's okay for me to be here?" Hugo asked as he ran his eyes all over the Wilson's homestead. "Wow, you weren't kidding. This place is nice."

"It really is. And peaceful. And yes, it's fine for you to be here." Mikala hopped out of her Jeep and gestured toward the main house. "Go on and meet Charline and Bruce. They're great people."

"Alright. And you?" Her best friend began walking backward toward the Wilson's giant house as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "You sure you don't need the support?"

"Knowing you're here is enough support, bud. See you in a bit." With that she waved and he did the same before turning toward the main house.

Mikala hadn't been able to sit still since she woke up without the very person in her arms whom she wanted to see first thing that morning. She still wasn't sure why, but Kennedy had left before she even stirred awake and wasn't answering her calls or texts. Mikala racked her mind for what she may have done to upset her, but only one possibility came to mind. Perhaps taking her into her bed was too far. Perhaps she should have left her to sleep on the couch. God, I had perhaps and maybes... Mikala felt her shoulders slump as she approached Kennedy's tiny home and cleared her throat.