A Year To Remember

Chapter 7: When Lightning Strikes

A/N: VOTE. COMMENT. ENJOY

QQ: Do you think the chapters are too short? Or is length OK? Please let me know ;)

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"Wait, so how do you make it stop?" Eric asked once I helped get him situated on his horse. "You be rude to it. Our horses are taught to run only if you be polite to it, so say please to walk, say it twice to jog, say it three times to run, and be rude to it to stop. Got it? It's kinda weird, but I think it's pretty funny."

"Sure." Eric agreed absent-minded. He looked down at the dirt nervously --even though we weren't that high up--and sighed.

I found amusement as Eric fidgeted with the foot holders at the side and looked completely terrified. His eyes widened and he gulped when I told his horse, Moon to walk. I was on my horse, Neptune who was walking beside them.

I didn't want to ride Missy because that horse loves to bite other horse's tails and I didn't want Eric to faint so to be on the safe side, I was on Neptune.

"So, are you good at riding?" Eric asked me snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, I guess I'm pretty good. Nobody ever said I was bad at riding."

"I see, so... do you have a favorite horse?" Eric asked trying to keeping the conversation going. "Yeah, my favorite is Moon because I've known her since she was born, so I'm kinda attached to her I guess. I've known Missy for 3 years and Neptune for 4."

"Oh. By the way, don't you think it's weird how school started on a Wednesday?"

"Not really since that happens quite often, like last year, school started on a Friday."

"Really, mine always starts on a Monday."

I didn't think twice before responding. "Yeah, oh, and some girl invited everyone in her tennis class to her birthday party on Saturday, so do you want to go?" As soon as the words escaped my mouth I regretted it. Crap. I just invited Eric Kingston... To a party. But maybe he'll be uncomfortable since it'll probably be the first American party he's been to... Score. I smiled to myself, this will be interesting.

Eric pretended to think for a moment. "Sure I could take a break from you."

I gasped pretending to be hurt, "Eric, how could you?"

"Bex I was only kidding I didn't know you'd be so offended." Eric said, concerned.

I laughed. "I'm just messing with ya."

Eric frowned "Yeah whatever. Hey, Bex, are we lost?"

"No, I was planning to go to the creek, we're almost there."

"On horses? Isn't that a little weird?"

I shrugged, "It's OK, we own the creek."

"You own the creek?"

"Yeah, my dad thought it would be nice to have our own little creek, so we got one."

"You guys must be really rich."

"Just noticed Kingston?" I asked smirking when I noticed a flicker of movement. I told our horses to stop and I jumped off.

"What happened Bex?"

"Nothing, I thought I just saw our cat though, she hasn't been seen for three weeks. I think I know where she went though. She has a spot she really likes near the creek." I explained. I looked up and noticed the grey sky as the clouds started piling up. We better head back soon.

"So, what's your cat's name?" Eric's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Rosa." I replied.

Eric looked shocked for a moment, he blinked, and I remembered the name he was mumbling earlier in his sleep. "R- Rosa... That's... A nice name... Um, do you have a dog?" he changed the subject.

I arched an eyebrow. "No, my mom thought three horses and a female cat is enough. Also since it's a female cat, she's bound to give birth anytime soon, so we're gonna have lots of pets."

"Oh, I'll wait here then."

"You don't like horses but you wanna be left alone on one?" I teased.

"I'm not gonna be on the horse, I'm just gonna watch them from a far." He said slowly getting off the horse.

"Ok whatever you say mi amor." I said offering him my hand. He took it and slowly lowered himself.

I giggled to myself as Eric struggled to get down the horse even when I'm helping him. He seemed to be blushing, which just added to my amusement.

"Hey at least I got down in one piece." Eric said, noticing my expression.

I shrugged, Moon wasn't the type to buck him off or anything. She was a sweetheart. But Eric didn't know that.

"Sure I guess anyway stay close by I'll be back in a flash." I told him.

"Sure thing Bex." Eric said walking the opposite direction of me. I ran forward and slowed down when I got near a shed close to the creek. I quietly opened the door and gasped.

"Oh my gosh, Eric come here!" I yelled out the door. I heard footsteps coming my way, "Surprised you didn't get lost." I laughed.

"I try." Eric said shrugging.

"Whatever just come here and look." I said pointing to the kittens in the corner of the shed.

"Hey she really did give birth." Eric chuckled.

"I figured she would sooner or later, but these little creatures are adorable." I was excited for them. Already conjuring up names in my head for the five adorable orange and white kittens.

"How will we get all five cats back to the house? Unless you're bold enough to ride a horse without holding onto the reins."

"I don't really know" Eric answered honestly. "But I'm pretty sure the pocket things on the horses could hold two kittens so I guess the mom will have to stay until tomorrow."

"We can't just leave her here." I said picking up two kittens. One had white and grey fur and blue eyes, while the other one was orange with thin white stripes on its back. Like a tiger. I turned to Eric. You take the other three and I'll just hold Rosa on my lap." He nodded. Picking up his 3 kittens and disappearing outside the shed. Lightning struck and thunder boomed as the door slammed shut again.

"Eric!" I shouted. But the sudden storm drowned my voice out. I tucked the kittens and Rosa into my jacket and ran to the direction I thought the horses and Eric were in, but they weren't there.

"Eric!!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I certainly didn't want to be stuck outside in the middle of a huge rain storm. I could try walking back, but the distance was too far and the weather was too overwhelming. Lightning struck again. The thunder boomed louder and seemed to rock the earth. I turned behind me to the direction of the woods behind the creek. That's where the thunder seemed to be coming from. It was close. Too close. "Eric, where are you?" Panic arising in my throat, threatening to jump out and into my stomach. Eric could be seriously hurt. Especially if he took a wrong turn and was anywhere near the woods... Or even the creek.

I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to see clearly and looked around wildly. Or what if he's already halfway to the house.

"Eric please don't leave me here..." I plead over the thunder.

"Eric please don't..." I stopped mid-sentence. A sense of Deja Vu washed over me. 'Don't leave' , I wanted to say again. But he was gone. Out of sight. That boy is so dead when I get my hands on him. I ran back to the shed. I couldn't afford these new-borns and their mother to get sick. I just hoped the babies Eric had with him were safe. Hopefully he didn't leave them behind...

I shut the door and hugged myself trying to conserve body heat. I shook off my jacket and laid it underneath the kittens. Their little eyes were closed and they didn't seem to mind. One of them, the one with the stripes, yawned and cuddled up against its sibling, who had its tiny face tucked into its belly. I watched as Rosa circled around them and twice and then laid down at their feet. The jacket was just big enough to hold the three of them.

I, in the meantime, was freezing. I looked around for a blanket or anything else I could use for warmth- Mentally noting that I should stock up on things like that. Just in case some guy left you all aloe in a thunderstorm and you had nowhere else to go. I sat down and leaned on the wall as the rain pounded on harshly against the window. Please let this be over soon.