Farm Stay

Chapter 6

Hannah's POV.

I know what Ethan's doing, and it's pissing me off. Just when I thought he was beginning to show this really nice personality by encouraging me and stuff, too. I've never exactly been played with by guys. I currently have a boyfriend back home, Justin, but not for romantic purposes. We both benefit; he doesn't get teased for being single, and I just have someone I can trust and rely on.

Most guys back home didn't really like me anyway (bar Justin – he never judged me). I think it's because I'm adopted. Just the title 'adopted' makes the freak sirens go off in their heads. It doesn't worry me, though. I have enough people I love in my life, so it's not like I'm missing out.

We're still six rungs from the top – and yes, I counted – but it feels like miles. It's not that I'm scared of heights; I just like to be safe. Although, I have to say, Ethan does make me feel safe, the way he stays right behind me and puts his hands either side of me. Probably why I've coped... up until now.

I can feel him closing in on me even more, if that's possible. His chest is almost in complete contact with my back and I can feel all those muscles against me. It's really messing with my mind. I have to keep stopping or I fear I'll misplace my foot and fall to my death. Not a pretty thought.

Once recovered, I take another step, and this time I feel Ethan place his feet either side of mine. I grit my teeth, trying to control my beating heart.

"Keep going," he whispers over my shoulder, although he is higher than me because we're on the same step.

"Ethan, this is seriously not the time for this," I hiss.

He chuckles, and it vibrates through me. "Just keep going, or we'll never make it," he says, but his voice is really low and deep. I didn't even know it could go that low!

Then suddenly...

Ding!

I have a lightbulb moment. Ethan mustn't be that experienced, because he wouldn't exactly have much 'access' to girls around here. And two can totally play this game.

With new determination, I climb another step and wait for him to come up behind me. When he does, I make sure my but sticks out a little more against his legs. He stiffens a little, and it encourages me.

"I'm not sure, Ethan," I whisper. "This is so scary. I just don't feel safe climbing up here."

"What do you want me to do?"

"I don't know... make me feel safer?"

Sighing, he closes his his arms around me. "Fine. Just don't look down." I almost shiver as his whole body is pressed against the shirt of his I'm wearing but I catch myself.

Instead of continuing up the last four rungs, I glance back at him. Narrowing my eyes at him, I whisper, "We are so going to finish what you started, you're just asking for it."

He doesn't look at me, just stares at something a little to the right of me in the distance. But I don't miss him swallowing nervously, almost as if he regrets what he was doing. Ha, what did he think I was going to do?

The last few steps are slow, because I don't listen to Ethan and can't help but glance at the ground far below us. Finally, my whole body is on the wooden platform built around the tree. I can see Henry lazing with his feet dangling over the edge, and my heart leaps.

"Henry! Don't sit there, it's dangerous!" I call out with nervousness.

"Calm down, Hannah. I'll only fall if I go over the edge," he says with so much calmness it irritates me. Farm boys these days are so careless.

"You're on the edge," I defend.

"But I'm not over the edge. The only way I will go over the edge is if I'm not careful or–"

Ethan runs up behind him and interrupts, "Or if someone pushes you over!"

I gasp loudly as Ethan gives Henry a shove off the edge, making Henry give a loud yelp that I would laugh at if the circumstances were different.