Life One Summer [On Hold]

Chapter 9

The next day I was sat outside in the hanging chair reading a magazine that Lily had bought me from the local store, it had completely surprised me this morning and I wasn't used to simple gifts for no reason but it made me feel happy that Lily had thought about me.

I felt a buzzing coming from my pocket and when I picked up Kelsey instantly began chattering away. "My god woman, you've been completely M.I.A these past few days."

"Hey Kelsey."

"What the hell have you been up to?"

I began swinging myself to and fro with my leg which was hanging out of the seat, "You wouldn't believe half of it if I told you."

Kelsey sounded curious, "Try me."

I began recalling all the events from the past few days with surprisingly little interruption from Kelsey I finally got to the walk with Travis yesterday and suddenly I realised how exhausting it had been.

"Wow Aria you've had enough drama to warrant a reality TV series."

I laughed slightly, "I'm not sure if that's a good thing."

"I can't believe you actually said that Sam was your boyfriend."

"Well I'm glad you're taking it this well, I thought you were going to flip."

"Oh come on babe you know me better than that. Plus why would I be mad when you have a thing for this Travis dude?"

I moaned, "But Kelsey, I shouldn't he's" I lowered my voice, "got a girlfriend, I'm also living in his house, it would be so awkward if it didn't work out."

Kelsey tutted down the phone, "From what you've told me I don't think you've got an issue of it not working out."

I frowned a little confused by what she meant, "But for now I have to stage a breakup with my fake boyfriend, who happens to be your boyfriend. How am I supposed to do this, you know I failed drama class?"

"And who got an A+?" Kelsey called down the phone like a football coach.

I rolled my eyes, "You did."

"That's right, and so this is what you're gonna do."

*

Lily had asked me earlier on if I would take the boys down their lunch as 'James being the idiot that he is' forgot that he was going to be far up west today. It had worked out perfectly for Kelsey's plan which was to make the breakup as obvious as possible and where better than right in front of the guy I liked. She was going to talk me through it when I got there but for now I had the challenge of mounting Shadow.

He was stood there, all ready, the food packed in a satchel strapped to his side.

"You can do this Aria" I said to myself as I approached him, "It's not that big a deal." I planted one foot in a stirrup and reached across to the saddle as Travis had taught me on that first day. And I bobbed up and down to gain some momentum taking a leap of faith onto the horse.

Somewhere in the process my eyes had closed and when I reopened them I was actually sat, the right way round, on top of the horse.

"Yes!' I shouted loudly, startling some nearby birds.

Readjusting myself and grabbing the reins Shadow seemed to take this as a hint to start walking forward and I began off in the direction that was awaiting my breakup.

When I got to the clearing, after making at least three wrong turns, I saw three figures hacking away at some recently chopped down trees. Getting out my phone I quickly texted Kelsey that I was there and rode down the path that lead to them. As I came a little closer something caught my attention, two somethings, two shirtless somethings. Chase I pretty much ignored, though it was nice to have some eye candy, but I had forgotten how much I appreciated Travis with no clothes on. Everything he wore from the waist up had been discarded and I felt my gaze drift as I awed at this gorgeous lumberjack.