Selection high

Blankets and Stables

I call mom and tell her I'm staying over at a friends house because even if this is a joke, I don't want to go home yet. I stand outside the school at three like Kile asked but all I can think is that he's probably stood me up and this is a huge joke.

"Eady!" I squint and see Kile standing in the corner of the parking lot smiling and waving. I shake my head and walk towards him.

"What's the plan Kile?"

Kile gives me a devilish grin "what kind of surprise would it be if I told you?"

I roll my eyes and get in the car "if my clothes get ruined I'll kill you"

Kile just pulls out of the parking lot smiling.

---

"OK close your eyes" I feel hands over my eyes and I try not to smile.

"It smells like horse crap"

Kile laughs and uncovers my eyes "that's because it is"

I blink and look up to a beautiful white horse, kind of like the one Kile used to have when we were little. Wait.

"Kile... Is this the same horse?"

Kile smiles at me "Yep. Freddie is exactly the same"

I laugh "I remember when you fell off him"

Kile shakes his head "of course you do"

I pause "why are we here?"

"Isn't it obvious? We're going on a picnic via horse"

I look at his in shock "really?"

Kile nods and for some unknown reason I hug him. Kile stiffens but then hugs me back. "Ready?"

---

The horse ride was quick and beautiful. Kile sat in front and I held onto him from behind.

Kile lays out a blanket now with a basket he'd somehow managed to but behind me on the horse.

"This is amazing. Thank you Kile" I say smiling

"It's nothing. I'm just happy to see you smile"

I'm sure I'm blushing but we sit down anyway.

"You know, I'm pretty sure there are nail marks in my chest"

I laugh "oh please I wasn't that scared"

"Oh yeah? You could have ripped off my shirt." He shakes his head laughing "you're cute when you're scared though"

I laugh and sit next to him on the blanket "yeah well I'm always pretty cute"

Kile looks at me and runs his hand through his hair. "You won't get an argument from me on that one"

I blush again and look at Kile. How is he doing this? Why is he doing this?

"So what do we have?" I open the basket. "Did you make all of this?"

"Oh nah. I can't cook." He laughs "mom made the sandwiches and the wine is from the basement."

"Won't you get in trouble?"

Kile shrugs "only if they find out"

I laugh "ok then"

Kile pours me a class of wine and hands me two sandwiches. He raises his glass "to having you join our home " I smile and raise mine too. "To following you"

---

"I'm so full" I say lying down. The Suns almost completely down and I can see the moon. "It's so pretty here"

"It's my favorite place" Kile says lying next to me

"I can see why"

"I've never actually taken anyone out here before" I look over at him slightly shocked

"You haven't? Why?"

He shrugs "I guess no one ever deserved to see it"

"So why me?" I whisper. It's about all I can manage right now.

Kile shrugs again "we're close. We grew up together. I don't know, you just, you just make me comfortable"

I smile "thanks, you're the only one in the school who I trust fully"

"There's always Josie"

I pause, thinking about my encounter with her today.

"What? What's wrong?" Kile asks

I shake my head and smile "nothing"

Kile sighs "if you say so"

I reach over and punch him slightly in the arm "don't go all soft on me woodwork. I can still kick your ass"

Kile laughs "I should hope so Schreave"

We lie on the blanket laughing and telling old stories until we fall asleep.