Never Be The Same // Liam Dunbar

Chapter 38 ~ Dark Intensions

After days of convincing, Luna had finally convinced her dad to buy the ten year old show horse. He wasn't a whole lot of money, since the previous owners claimed that he was useless and wasn't worth dirt. Somehow, Luna doubted it. All that the gelding needed was a chance. And so, she was going to give him one.

She had thought of the name Hades, or Pluto, who was the Roman and Greek of the underworld, registering his show name as Dark Intensions. After she and Damian had borrowed his father's truck, they brought Hades to his house, claiming a stall for him and then sitting in the barn with him so they could start the process of trust between Luna and Hades.

But, there were a few things that got in the way and slowed the process - Liam's clinginess, school, and the supernatural world. Luna was able to spend an hour at Damian's at most, but luckily Hades had only been there a few days, and so he was able to have time to adjust while Luna was kept busy with other things.

Luna walked through the school doors. The last Friday before Christmas vacation. Luna noticed Liam, Kenzie and Damian all standing by Damian's locker, laughing and talking about who-knows-what. Luna made her way to them, her hand immediately running over Liam's and intertwining their fingers as she stood next to him. Liam smiled, looking over at her, pecking her lips.

"Can you guys believe we're already half-way through our Sophomore year?" Damian asked. Luna shrugged. She knew that when Sophomore year was over, Stiles would be graduating, and she didn't know where her older brother was going to end up. In fact, she was scared. She didn't know if he planned on leaving Beacon Hills or staying home.

"I can't wait to get out of this hell hole," Kenzie mumbled, her teeth gritted in disgust as she looked around. She noticed Tiffany walking towards them, a smirk on her face. Kenzie rolled her eyes. "Speaking of hell, here comes Satin." Luna turned, just in time for Tiffany to be approaching. She looked at Luna up and down, her arms crossing over her chest, her eyebrow cocking up.

"So, I heard that you got a horse," Tiffany stated. Luna nodded, her eyebrows furrowed, unsure where the girl was going with this. Tiffany smirked. "Well, good luck. Once you get that horse to shows, you'll be competing against me." Tiffany stepped closer to Luna. "And I never lose." The girl turned, flipping her hair in Luna's face and walking off. Sensing that Luna wanted to lunge at her, Liam put his arm in front of her, blocking her.

Luna growled lowly. "I'm definitely going to beat her."

~~

Gaining Hades trust needed to start immediately. Luna walked into the stable, wearing denim skinny jeans, a black polo shirt, and her black English riding boots. She knew she might not he riding right away, as she and Hades weren't all that close, but it was worth being dressed for the event just in case. She only had a few hours since Liam had been bugging her for weeks to go to their favorite little hamburger place.

Luna successfully slid the black halter on Hades' face. She smiled, petting his shoulder, leading him to the corral before unhooking the lead. Hades began trotting around, snickering loudly, his ears back. Luna talked gently to him, saying how it was okay and that she was safe. Hades eyes glanced in her direction occassioanly, but he was yet to turn with perked ears and rest his snout on her hand.

Luna walked slowly around the corral, Hades slowing to a walk, his ears back but flickering forward. Luna stopped walking, watching the massive horse. He whinnied, finally stopping. He turned towards Luna, his ears perked, a good sign. Slowly, he approached, Luna putting her hand out towards him gently. Snickering gently, Hades rested his snout on her palm. Luna smiled, reaching forward and petting his head under his forelock.

She had gained the gelding's trust.

~~

After going home and getting dressed into a grey t-shirt with a pineapple on it, black high-waist shorts and her blacked out converse, Luna had gotten a ride to the cafe from Stiles. She instantly regretted her outfit choice, as she had forgotten about the cold winter night air. Although they didn't get snow, the air still got cold, and Luna was cold all of the time.

She walked into the cafe, the bell above the door ringing. She turned her head, seeing Liam sitting at the table they usually sat at, waiting patiently. He had already ordered a milkshake, with their clichè move of having two straws. The girl felt her cheeks burning up. She looked at his light blue, black and white leather jacket, his perfectly gelled hair, and his jeans. Finally, she walked over.

"Hey," she smiled, sitting down across from Liam. Liam instantly smiled as soon as he saw her, her presence being enough to cheer him up.

"Hey," he replied, taking both of her hands, the pad of his thumbs gently rubbing her knuckled. Luna glanced down at their hands, smiled, then looked back at her boyfriend. "Any luck with Hades?"

Luna nodded, smiling from cheek to cheek. "Yeah, I got his trust. Which means I can start riding any time I want." Liam smiled. A thought sparked just then in Luna's head. "You should learn how to ride."

"Horses?" Liam questioned, his eyes widening.

Luna rolled her eyes. "No, an alpaca. Yes, horses! It would be fun!"

Liam shook his head quickly. "Yeah, no. Look, I love you, I really do, but I think that horses should just be your thing." Luna began pouting, something that Liam had grown almost immune to, giving in from time to time. He shook his head. "No, Luna, it's not a good idea." Luna sighed.

"Okay, fine. You're probably right, anyways," she admitted. She glanced out of the window at the lights from the other buildings. She then looked back at Liam, both of them smiling, falling in love with each other all over again. As she opened her mouth to talk, her phone started to ring. Luna sighed sharply, pulling her hands away from Liam's and taking her phone out, seeing that her dad was calling. Knowing that it was about what happened at Damian's party, she looked at Liam with a sad look. "Duty calls. . ."

"You're leaving?" Liam asked, hurt in his voice. Luna sighed, hating to be the one to crash the date and leave Liam all alone.

"I'm sorry, Liam. My dad needs me," she replied, standing. Liam looked at her. Luna turned back to him. "I'm really, really sorry. Can we have a rain check?"

Liam nodded lifelessly, his smile now fake. "Yeah, yeah sure. It's not like I've been looking forward to this for days, anyways."

"Liam-"

"Luna, just go. Your dad is waiting," Liam snapped, standing and walking out. Luna sighed sharply, shaking her head at herself, beginning to walk herself to the station. Liam, being the boyfriend was, gave her a ride. The whole ride was silent, and rather than kiss her goodbye like he usually did, Liam just said bye, let Luna get out, and drove off.