Choice // n.h.

Chapter 18

fetus babe at the top ^

hello it's me.
for some reason I got a wake up call for this book and decided to throw together a chapter, so boom. here it is.
I feel like Ive matured from the last time I wrote anything for this fic, so I feel like this chapter is a little different. idk. let me know what ya think. enjoy.

I went back to Uni. I had to.

I went back and on came the never-ending pile of stress. I missed several assignments just from the first week, but with the encouragement of my mother, Spencer, and the occasional text from Niall, I was able to willpower through that mess. And that meant a few late nights energized by coffee, unintentionally annoying my roommate, getting minimal sleep, and somehow making it to my morning classes on time.

So, currently, I just got let out of my second and final class of the day and am headed to the stable area to see Luke and try to get in a ride. I messily throw my book bag in my tack locker, trading it out for my grooming box. I'm pleased to see Luke sticking his head out from the stall and whinnying at me as I walk down the barn aisle. I speak to him softly and stroke his velvety nose before reaching for his lead rope and clipping it onto his halter. I tug my chestnut gelding out into the aisle and hook him onto a pair of cross ties, planning to groom him thoroughly.

I decide to switch it up today and start with the hooves. I grab my hoof pick and ask Luke for his front hoof, of which he easily obliges, and start clearing away the mud, shavings, and whatever else is packed into his feet. It's smells absolutely horrid, but I'm used to to by now.

"Excuse me," a gentle voice calls out, probably wanting to pass through the aisle that I'm blocking up.

"Sorry." I apologize and drop Luke's hoof, turning around to unhook one of the ties. When I do, I'm met with the face of a fellow classmate, Bradley.

Not to mention, the guy is pretty good looking, especially at the moment. His loose brown curls were ever so slightly falling from underneath his unclipped helmet, his big brown eyes fixated on me as he removes his riding gloves, his big dapple grey gelding trailing behind him. He must've just finished a ride, and I will admit, Brad does make the English style of rising slightly more appealing.

"Hey, Lindsey, right? We have Equine Sciences together remember?" He halts his horse to chat with me.

"How could I forget?" I send him a polite smile.

"Listen, my fraternity is having a little get together tonight, you should totally come hang out." He offers, tugging his helmet off his head and fixing his hair.

I frown, "I don't really know if that's my scene. I've only been to a couple parties anyways.."

"It's not a party, remember?" he winks, "Plus, it's a Friday night, you should let loose a little. Promise you'll think about it?"

I nod, finding it hard to say no. It's not like I have a crush on the guy or anything, but of course he's attractive. Maybe it's because my eyes have always been on someone else.

---

"No offense, Lindsey, but you're seriously gonna wear that?" My roommate, Olivia, bites her lip and eyes me up and down.

"I'm already way out of my element in these pants, there's no way I'm changing anything else." I cross my arms, not seeing a problem with my outfit. I'm wearing a simple t-shirt with dark skinny jeans. It's only a 'get together' anyways, so I see no point in dressing up.

"Fair enough." Olivia shrugs and turns back to the mirror to finish applying her mascara.

We eventually make it to the frat house and its booming with music, varying colors of lights switching on and off. I should've known that I'd been sweet-talked into another typical frat party.