Make It Stop

2. Bet

Hailey

I walked over to the stable in the back of my garden. It was a chilly sunday afternoon, which made me hug my long dark blue coat tighter around my body. I greeted my horse and led him out of his box before I gave him an apple and stroked his neck, patting it gently. ''Wanna go for a ride, Thunder?'' I asked in a childish way. I loved my horse, I've had him since I was 10 years old and I even slept in his stable when he was sick once. I chuckled at my obsession with Thunder but I couldn't bear to lose him. After I put on his reins, I didn't bother to saddle him, I love horseriding without a saddle and it was even more comfortable for Thunder too. Easily hopping on his back, I patted his neck and signed him to walk, I'd meet up with Chelsea, a friend whom I've known since primary school who has her own horse too.

Once I got there she shot me a glare as soon as she saw I didn't saddle Thunder once again. I chuckled, knowing that she hated it when I'd ride without a saddle. Chelsea was more of a fan of safety than me, she always wore those horse riding boots and a black cap that nearly crushed her dark brown curly locks, besides that, she'd always scowl at me if I was going too fast. But I didn't mind about it, I loved the freedom when I was at full gallop with Thunder. Chelsea hopped on her horse as we both started to ride towards the forest near her house. The frther we got, the more trees were appearing. I inhaled a deep breath, letting the cold air burn into my lungs. Meanwhile, Chelsea was rattling about random stuff and later I joined her, talking about school and other girl things. But then we got interrupted by a few barks of a dog coming from my side, making the horses stop walking. I cocked my head in the direction where it came from as I saw a group of maybe 5 boys walking our way, smoking -what seemed like- cigarettes. Thunders ears moved backwards, showing me that he began to feel nervous. I stroked his neck to let him relax, which helped a bit. Chelsea and I looked at eachother as we decided to continue to let out horses walk, but they didn't even move. I sighed as I looked at the group again, which was already a few feat removed from us. They wear dressed in some low pants with big t-shirts and golden chains, I'd almost thought it was a gang until I saw a familiar face. Justin. He caught my gaze as I tried to look away but I couldn't, I stared at his mouth, a cigaret hanging losely between his lips. Thunder got startled by the pitbull barking even more and trying to escape from his belt but the boy who held him didn't let it happen. ''I hate horses.'' One joked which made the group laugh and nod in agreement, except Justin. Who was now avoiding my gazes by looking at the ground and taking a drag from his cigaret. I looked at Chelsea who had widened her eyes in anxiety and looked pale. ''You girls are fine though'' Another boy said checking us out while whistling. ''You can ride something else in stead of that horse'' He trailed off, smirking at me, making me want to gag in disgust. The boys all smirked and chuckled, and once again, Justin didn't join them. But then he spoke up ''Let's go guys.'' He mumbled as he attempt to walk away. The other boys rolled their eyes but then followed him behind, the boy with the dog kept on pulling at the dog's belt with difficulty but after a while of pulling, the dog gave in and walked away with the group.

Sighing in relievement, I looked at Justin who stared at me from over his shoulder but then gazed away when he saw I looked back, continuing to walk. ''That was so scary.'' Chelsea almost squealed cupping her mouth with her hand dramatically. I mumbled a ''Mhm.'' before I patted Thunder's neck again as soon as he had calm down. Finally the horses started to walk again, turning back towards the neighbourhood. ''Those boys were so trashy, oh my god.'' Chelsea said annoying. She more liked those posh boys with expensive clothes and cars. Definetely not my type, even though I was almost the same. I nodded but I didn't really agree with her. I mean, yes those boys were jerks but it attracted me in some kind of way. I was shocked by my own thoughts but shrugged it off as soon as we were in front of Chelsea's huge villa. ''I'll see you tomorrow Hail!'' She blow me a hand kiss before hopping off of her horse and leading it towards her garden, not giving me time to reply. I decided to hop off too and walk home while leading Thunder. The sun was already beginning to sink into the horizon, making the sky look orange. I kissed Thunder's nose after I settled him back in his box and began to walk inside the house again. The warmth from the inside of the livingroom greeted my body, making me shiver. My parents were watching tv, looking up at me as soon as I stepped inside. ''Hi sweetie.'' Mom smiled warmly at me. ''Hi.'' I replied, taking off my coat and dropping it on a chair. Before I wanted to go upstairs my mom stopped me. ''Hailey, can you do me a favor and put this in the mailbox of Ms. Carter?'' She stood up and gave me an envolope. ''It's accidently been delivered here.'' I sighed. ''Not Ms. Carter.'' I whined, Ms. Carter is our neighbour that lives a few houses from us, she always complains about everything I do, about Thunder, even about me walking on her pavement even though it isn't even her pavement. I really don't like her. My mom gave me a begging look. ''Come on Hailey, don't be so difficult.'' I rolled my eyes and gave her a whatever look. ''Fine.'' I mumbled as I directly walked outisde again, not even putting on my coat. I walked down the street until I reached her house. I opened the mailbox and quicky shoved the envolope in it, walking away before closing the mailbox again. Just when I was almost at my house again I heard someone call my name. ''Hailey,'' a voice, who was now behind me, made me turn around. It was Justin. I didn't say anything, biting the inside of my cheek as I looked up at him, waiting for him to say what he had to say. ''Uhm,'' He started, ''Sorry for my..'' It seemed like Justin was trying to find the right words. ''Friends.'' He finally said. ''They were acting like jerks.'' Justin scratched the back of his head as he looked up at me. His eyes meeting mine, making me shiver. There was something in his eyes that I couldn't put a finger on what it was, it seemed like regret, anxious, as if he was hiding something. I shot up from my thoughts as I spoke up. ''It's okay, they were creepy though.'' I chuckled lightly, trying to cut through this awkwardness. Justin replied with a soft chuckle on his own, which was so adorable. Okay Hailey, stop it. ''So..'' Justin trailed off ''You want to get some coffee at Starbucks or something?'' He stuttered a bit, probably feeling awkward. I didn't know what to say, it was weird to go to Starbucks with somebody I barely knew but on the other hand, I had this feeling that I wanted to know him better because he seemed nice. And Handsome, and cute. I coughed a little to stop my thoughts and smiled lightly. ''Sounds.. good.'' I said as I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. ''But first I have to tell m-'' I started but then I realised it sounded lame to say I had to ask my parents for permission to get coffee, so I corrected myself. ''I mean, I have to go get my coat.'' I said as I pointed at my house with my thumb. Justin nodded in reply before I walked inside the house to get my coat. And ask my parents for permission. Ugh, lame.