TOXIC

Chapter 9

I sit on the couch with my head resting on Stefan's chest. I look up and smile at him, his arm was over my shoulder as we cuddle by the unlit fire. It was too hot to have that on.  The door opens and I look behind. Both Hailey and Winnie come in. But Winnie had a hand full of dress. 

"Need you to try on a couple of bridesmaid dresses. I have a few options and they have to be returned by 1"

"That's my cue to see what I can do around the house" Stefan says taking his arm back and standing up. I grab his arm. 

"Stay. See what one I look best in." He looks at me and rolls his eyes.

"I'm only staying because I have nothing better to do."

"Wait, Hailey why are you here?"

"A email came out to day. Cross- country?"

"Like running?" Stefan says. Hailey and Winnie laugh.

"No. I wouldn't run if my life depending on. Just kidding. Its like horse riding but you jump over things. Made of wood. In the country. But I also did jumping and barrel racing" I explain.

"That's for cleaning that up" he says jokingly. 

"You welcome" I say patting his shoulder.  

"Are you gonna do it? Please" she says pleading.

"I think about it" I say and look at Winnie.

----

"So how long have you been jumping?" Stefan asks as I walk Harley into the course Hailey set up will I was trying on dresses.

"4 years" I reply.

"Really? Why didn't you tell me?" he says.

"I had a bad fall and broke my leg. I stopped. Then just before you came I started again."

"Oh" he says looking down at his feet. "Good luck" he says jumping onto the fence where Hailey was sitting. 

"Should we be worried?" Stefan asks.

"No. She's a great jumper" Hailey says. I walk to the starting point and stand there. I pat Harley then canter to the first jump. I feel a rush of energy come and I fly through the rest of the course. As I get over the jump I turn to the next then speed up.  

I finish the course and walk him over to them. I get off and climb the fence to Stefan.

"Thanks Hailey" I say excited.

"No worry. I've got to go though. I have a hot date for tonight" she says.

"Let me help you pick an outfit" I say.

"Yep. Come over after you get this guy cooled down" she says jumping down and patting Harley. 

"Ok" I say and look at Stefan. "Want to help me?" I ask.

"Sure". I laugh and smile at him. "What?".

"Don't worry" I say hoping down. I put Harley in the round pen and grab the hose. Stefan stays a safe distance away until I spray him. He walks towards me. I put the hose down and grab a brush. I put it in his hands. I grab his arm and pull him towards the horse. I grab the hand he has the brush in and brush the horse with his hand. I grab the hose and spray it on the horse's legs. 

"You got me" he says.

"No I didn't" I say.

"You did, you pain in the ass" he says walking towards me. He grab the hose of me and sprays me down. I enjoy the cold water coming on to me and grab it back. I spray him, he on the other hand was not that happy. He snatches it off me and tackles me to the ground. Wet hair goes into my face and he removes it.

"I'm gonna get sand in my hair" I say.

"That's pay back" he says. I lift my head up and kiss him. 

"I've got to go" I say as he releases me. I stand up and wipe all the sand off me. I kiss him and hop into his car. I wave as I drive off. 

"Why are you wet?" Hailey asks as I walk in.

"Water fight. He won."

"You can't go home like that."

"Yeah. I can. Wear this" I say grabbing a playsuit from her closet. It was baby blue with Japanese blossoms on it. "Anyway who do I have to dress up for?"

"Stefan. Have a at home date. And besides I have a dress I want to give you?"

"Anyway. Back to you. Was there any special reason for this date?" I ask smiling.

"No. He said he wanted to go on date. No reason behind it" she says as she grabs a dress from her wardrobe. "I was gonna give it to you later on as a thank you. For joining me with jumping and barrel racing. I knew it took a lot of courage" she says handing me a Free People Meadows of Medallion Slip.

"It's beautiful. But two things. It's a little see through and how did you have time to get this?"

"I knew you would say yes. Its the type of person you are and to answer or explain your comment. Stefan would love it."

"Thanks so much. I love it" I say. "Now get dressed while I put this on" I explain. She smiles and turns around. 

We walk out of her room and her mom looks at us. 

"You both look beautiful. Are you having a double date." 

I chuckle, "No. I'm just going home. Your daughters going on a date"

"But a double date wouldn't be a bad idea. Thanks mom" she says walking up to her and kisses her on the cheek. Her mom smiles and wave us goodbye.

----

I get out of the car and see Stefan holding boxes as he walks to the barn. I walk up to him and kiss him on the cheek.

"You look hot" he says. 

I blush. "Hailey gave it to me. Why are you holding boxes?"

"Ask your mom" he says and walks off. I run to the kitchen.

"Why is he holding boxes?" I ask.

"He's moving out to the attic over the barn. If you to are gonna be a couple. You can't live in the house together. You can't imagine the times I heard his door open and close and yours open."

"Can I still visit him?"

"12 curfew." she says and laughs. I smile and run to his room and grab some boxes. I take them to the attic. It was actually pretty cool. Wood walls, a double mattress on wooden pallet boards and a small TV and bedside table. 

"Its not that bad" I say. He looks around to me. "What? Its cosy" I say wrapping my arms around him. I kiss his shirt. "Why don't we get a pizza and sit up here?" I say. He turns around and holds me tight.

"Sure. But where getting a buffalo chicken pizza."

"Fine" I say rolling my eyes then smiling. I grab my phone and order a pizza. As I order he wraps his hands around me.

When I get off the phone I turn to him. "Tonight. Can we not do, any other stuff. I just don't feel like it" I say. He nods but also looks confused. There was a reason why but I didn't want to tell him. I was afraid.