15 Days

Day 7

Day 7

Half-way done. I blew air out my nostrils and sighed deeply as I leaned my head against the bus window, peering out into dark morning. To be honest, I wasn't sure I was ready to face Sadie after yesterday, but I'd made reservations at the nearby stables this morning already. I wondered what would really happen if I lost this challenge. Would my friends abandon me? I didn't want to think about it.

~~~

School was quiet for the most part, and asking Sadie was less trying for some reason. Probably because it was becoming routine. She had hesitated but agreed. When I walked back to my table I saw Gia, her dark eyes pinned on me. I thought about what she had told me before and sighed, closing my eyes. Stargazing...somehow that seemed a lot more intimate.

I met Sadie after school and drove us to the stable where she informed me that she used to ride when she was young. I nodded quietly and went to register us. I asked if she wanted a helmet and she shook her head with a small smile. I declined one too. The stable hand walked out two saddled up horses and quickly told us the rules and where not to go. Then we could ride off.

At first I felt a bit unsteady on top of the horse, but I quickly adjusted; Sadie adjusted immediately. She started down the trail at a trot, bouncing up and down on the horse, on hand around the reigns and the other hanging at her side. I tried to copy her casual style, but it unsettled me and I went back to holding the reigns with both hands.

The scenery was truly beautiful- that was undeniable. But the air between us was tense. I wanted to say something- anything- but instead I looked out at the squat trees and green shrubbery, relaxing to the smooth pat pat of the horse's step. That changed when Sadie decided to mess with me.

I heard the whistle a second before I felt the pull and my horse started trotting. Sadie's horse was picking up pace a few feet in front of me- as her horse quickened mine did too.

"Whoa boy, stop, slow down, come on!" My last cry was whisked away in the wind as my horse tore forwards into the empty plains, veering off the path after Sadie's horse. "No! Stop! We're off course!"

Sadie looked back and laughed. "Come on, Bobby! Live a little!" She shouted back into the wind. I swallowed down my fear as the horses tore further into the grassland, leaping over the low shrubbery and ducking under the trees. Unfortunately they didn't duck far enough and I got a faceful of tree as my horse ran by. Sadie looked back, and seeing me battling the leaves, laughed out loud. "You're supposed to duck!" She yelled and turned forwards again. Our horses galloped until finally they could take no more and slowed to a tired walk along the edge of a small stream.

"God." I whispered, pressing my hand to my wind and tree battered face. My heart was jumping in my throat, slowly calming a bit.

"What? A little scared of a gallop?" Sadie smirked, sliding off her Paint and looping the reins around a tree branch. She walked to the edge of the stream and sat down, digging her fingers into the foliage covering the ground. I was worried that my horse would somehow escape, but I followed suit and joined her at the edge of the stream.

"What are you thinking?" I asked quietly, listening to the bubbling of the stream and the sound of the horses tearing up grass as they ate it.

"I don't know." She folded her arms around her knees. "All of this-" she looked at me, "what does it mean?" I frowned. "If you do win me, what will you do? Brag about it, show me off as your trophy and then move on with your new title as "King Bad Boy Hottie"?" Sadie sighed a bit wistfully.

"No!" I was shocked. "Sadie, I would never do that. I-I'm not like that." I took a deep breath, running my tongue along my lower lip to think of what to say. "I know everyone loves the "bad boy", but that's just not the kind of person I can be. If- If I did somehow make you love me, well, you can bet I loved you first. If you wanted to break up with me, I would, as long as you're happy." I said quietly. "I've always cared too much." I picked up a pebble next to me and threw it into the stream.

"Really?" Sadie looked at me, her eyes wide.

"Of course."

"But everybody- everyone just wants me to look good and get a new girl each night."

My eyebrows creased at this. "What? What kind of a douche would do that?"

Sadie shrugged. "Everyone. There's a reason I don't date anymore."

"Trust me, Sadie, I would never do that."

She looked at me for a second, then away, shaking her head. "I wish I could believe that."

"Sadie..." I reached out for her, my fingers catching under her chin, turning her to face me. "If you ever loved me, I wouldn't hurt you." I whispered, looking into her eyes.

"I can't believe it." Her voice trembled, face crinkling as she said it. "I just can't."

"It's okay." I murmured, pulling her against me, letting her hide her face in my shoulder. I took a long breath and rested my head against hers, gazing out into the nature as she cried against me. "It's okay."

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WHOO! Bonus upload! I know this one is really short, but I thought it was pretty essential to their relationship. I also didn't want to make you guys wait till Friday for such a short thing!

Another thing to mention- NANOWRIMO starts in one week!!! AUGH!!!

I'm not sure if I'm going to work on my wrimo story along with this one or if I'll put this on hold for November. I know, hold sucks, but it might be best, because I'm feeling a bit dry with it right now.

Anyway, please comment and vote and I will give you more info on Friday with the next upload which i promise will be longer than this!!

~Applenice607