Greengate Academy

Chapter 10

"Okay, do I look okay?" Zoe asked, smoothing down the tight teal dress we loaned her. Maddie had done her makeup beautifully, and I had done her hair, putting it into a pretty messy French braid.

"You're gorgeous, Zo. Don't even worry." I assured her. She smiled at me, but it had a hint of nervousness.

"Okay, I think I should go now. I don't want to be late, or anything." She said as she grabbed her phone and purse. "See you guys!"

"Good luck!" We called after her as she left our dorm.

Anxiously, we jumped by the window and watched as she waved to a blonde boy standing in front of our dorm. He looked just as nervous as her.

"Wanna go out to eat or something?" Maddie asked. I sighed, shaking my head.

"Sadly, I need to go muck stalls with the uncultured swine of the century." I told her. Maddie pouted. 

"Aww. Tomorrow we'll have to go have some fun." She turned to clean up, and then turned back. "Conner's not that bad, y'know."

I snorted. "I'm sorry, but he's already given me a pretty clear impression of what he thinks of me." I went to my room and change into black leggings, a three quarter shirt with blue and silver stripes.

I slipped on my brown barn boots. I slipped on a purple fleece and stuffed my phone and earbuds in the pocket. I didn't want to talk to him much.

"Have fuuun!" Maddie teased. I groaned and shot her a look, sending her into a fit of giggles.

I left the dorm and walked across campus. Even though it's pretty early in the season, the air still possessed a sharp chill that made me zip up my fleece even tighter.

Finally I got to the barn and relished the warmth from it's heaters. Conner was already waiting in a grey sweatshirt and jeans. He was rubbing the nose of one of the lesson horses gingerly. I felt my face soften at how gentle he was, and how he smiled up at the horse's face.

He noticed me staring, and I think he was surprised. I looked to the side, a little embarrassed.

"Bout time you showed up." He snickered, crossing his arms. I just rolled my arms and walked over to the board. "Something wrong?" He asked. I didn't bother to turn to look at him.

"Collins! Collins, answer me now or else!"

In an attempt to shut him up, I turned to him and sighed. "After everything you've put me through, you really expect me to just be friends with you like that?" I snap my fingers, and stuff my headphones into my ears. I tap my phone a couple songs and soon my playlist plays "Weak" by AJR. I move to the first stall assigned for us. It's empty, thank God.

I see Conner grabbed a wheelbarrow and two pitchforks. He dropped it off at my stall, and then placed the other pitchfork at the other stall.

"Thanks.." I mumbled, and started getting to work.

Slowly, we worked through the barn aisle in silence. I heard an alert in my ears and checked my phone. 15% battery.

"Shoot." I whispered. I whipped the earbuds out of my ears. Conner noticed and chuckled.

"Gonna finally talk now?" He joked, but I wasn't in the mood.

"Claire. Claire. Claire." He started. "Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire. Claire."

"Oh my God!" I almost yelled, causing some horses to snort. "Do you not hear how annoying you're being? Do you not understand you've hurt me enough? Maybe I don't want to talk to you because I'm tired of your crap!"