Recess: Secret of Beginning

Chapter 20

Spinelli slowly opened her eyes. She used the bark of the tree to help herself sit up and winced as she felt a pain shoot through the back of her head.

For a moment she forgot where she was. Realization hit her and she groaned. "Of course I would ride out in the middle of a storm, I'm so smart" she scolded, her teeth chattering from the cold.

She barely made our Twisters figure as he stood shivering under a tree across from her. The storm was even worse than before as it blurred her vision and deafened her thoughts.

She tried pushing herself up to stand but with the pain in her head and lack of strength from the cold, she fell back down onto the cold soft snow.

She tried to get up a few times but she was getting colder with every passing second making her whole body shiver. Eventually she huddled by the tree bark and hoped the storm would pass soon.

She hoped she hadn't gone too far and her friends will be able to find her. Her logical side was telling her she was most likely freeze to death if someone didn't find her soon. Until then she had to play the waiting game.

It was a while before Twister started pacing back and forth. Spinelli lifted her head weakly trying to figure out what was causing his behaviour. He gave a long loud whinny and a small rear as he cautiously tried to step up onto the slope.

To Spinelli's surprise a whinny was heard back which made Twister even more antsy. Spinelli tried to look through the falling snow up to the top of the slope. She squinted her eyes as she made out a figure peering down.

The figure quickly stated descending once it spotted Twister and was soon right in front of Spinelli shaking her gently to help her focus. Her heart swelled when she recognized the figure.

She felt like she could cry from relief. "T.J?" She quietly mumbled past her numb lips. The boy cracked a weak smile. "Hey Spin, what happened?" T.J asked, worry laced in his voice. He cupped her cheek in his hand and gently rubbed his thumb against her cold skin. Spinelli leaned into the warmth his hand was providing.

"Head hurts.....I feel dizzy" Spinelli croaked, her voice harsh from the cold. "We need to get you back to the ranch, your freezing" T.J said. He bit his lip as he looked around trying to think of how he would get her out.

"I have an idea. You think you have enough strength to sit up on Twister and just hold on?" He asked. The blue roan pinto walked over and nudged the boy gently. Spinelli nodded. T.J carefully helped her mount onto the patient gelding. "I just need you to hold on tightly" T.J instructed gently squeezing Spinelli's knee in support.

The slope was too steep for a horse but a human could climb up with enough effort. T.J came down carrying a rope. "I'm going to tie this to Twister and the other end to Mischief. You just need to hold on" T.J explained as he tied to rope around Twisters neck and climbed back up to Mischief.

"Ready?" T.J asked glancing back at Spinelli who nodded in approval. T.J pressed his heels gently into Mischiefs side to walk him on. Spinelli tightened her grip on the reins as Twister was pulled forward by Mischief.

T.J made sure to take this very slow. He knew if he went fast Spinelli could lose her balance and fall off. It was going smoothly. Until Twister reached the point he had a problem to climb earlier.

The gelding tentatively placed his hoof forward. Spinelli held her breath as she felt Twister straining his muscles. The tension Mischief was putting on the rope kept Twister stable enough to keep climbing.

The blue roan was determined. He sensed that he was in danger if he stayed down there. He also felt Spinelli would be in danger as well.

"Almost there!" T.J called out over his shoulder pushing Mischief forward for the last pull. With one last pull Twister pushed off his hind legs and leaped up gracefully onto the bank. Spinelli breathed out in relief and loosened her deathly grip on the reins.

T.J hopped down and helped Spinelli dismount from Twister. The petite girl leaned against him for support as her feet hit the ground. She embraced him. She felt comfort and safety as T.J's warmth surrounded her. She rested her head in the crook of his neck, breathing in his familiar scent to calm down from the whole experience.

His arms found his way around her waist and he held her close burying his head in her neck. He needed to get as much contact with her. Just to remind him that she's alive. That's all that mattered. She was alive and safe.

The two stood embraced for a while. Just holding each other. Feeling the warmth of the other person against them. The subtle fan of each others breath to remind them they are alive. Clinging onto the other to make sure it's real.

"How long was I out here?" Spinelli muttered still pressing her face against T.J's shoulder for comfort. "Honestly I have no idea. The only thing that mattered was finding you" T.J sighed as he rested his chin on top of Spinelli head. "I'm so glad your okay" T.J mumbled tightening his hold around the petite girls figure.

Even with how cold she was Spinelli's face still manage to heat up. "Let's get you back" T.J said rubbing Spinelli's back before pulling away and smiling down at her. Spinelli looked up at him and bit her lip.

"I'm sorry for running off. I know it was stupid and -" T.J cut Spinelli off before she could finish. "We can talk about it when we get you warm and safe" he said hugging her one last time and running his hand soothingly through her thick medium dark hair. Spinelli sighed closing her eyes. She nodded.

"I'm not able to ride" Spinelli admitted as they pulled away. She still had an arm hooked around his waist for support. "you can ride with me. Twister is still tied to Mischief so he can follow along" T.J suggested.

Spinelli would've argued. But she knew they needed to get back before the storm picked up again. T.J tied Twistrs reins so he wouldnt trip over  them. Spinelli allowed T.J to help her mount Mischief and he got on behind her. She snuggled back into him for extra warmth throughout the ride back.

Everyone was ecstatic to see Spinelli safe and sound. She caused a panic with her disappearance, especially to her parents. She had been surrounded for a while. But everyone soon got tired and headed to bed. While Spinelli was snuggled in blankets in front of the open fire.

She was pretty sure everyone retired for the night so it surprised her to see T.J enter the living room. She would've made fun of his dinasaur print pyjamas but was too tired.

He gestured if he could join her and Spinelli lifted her blanket as a sign of permission. They sat in silence enjoying the warmth of the fire. Until T.J decided to speak up.

"Are you feeling better?" T.J asked looking at her. "I guess. But even surrounded in blankets and a fire in front l still feel cold" Spinelli chuckled. "No wonder, you were out there for a while. Luckily no hyperthermia" T.J smiled nudging her.
"Yeah" Spinelli agreed before a shiver shook through her body.

T.J bit his lip before scooting closer to her. "Maybe....I could help with that warmth problem?" T.J asked, shyly glancing over at her reaction. Spinelli's heart felt caught up in her throat but she managed to nod.

She felt her heart racing as T.J pulled her closer to him. She draped her legs across his lap as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She swallowed hard. She knew they will have to talk. But not tonight.

The two fell asleep cuddling on the couch. Feeling each others fast heartbeats. Enjoying each other presence not caring about reputation. Just each other. Safe and sound.

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I'm sorry for taking so long to upload but I just couldn't find the time. I hope you enjoy the long chapter.

Honestly I don't really know where to go on from this point. Since Christmas is done I was thinking of focusing on valentine's and more spring themes. I'm also trying to figure out how to make the main antagonist work.

Thank you for reading and leave any ideas you have down in the comments

Love,
Natalia