Need you | Miles Fairchild

3. riding lessons

I wake up and get dressed, buzzing with excitement for my riding lesson with Miles—he honestly brings out the best in me. Once I'm ready, I head down to the kitchen. Everyone is already awake except Miles and Kate. Flora bounds up to me, her arms wide.

"Guess what?" she asks, her eyes sparkling.

"What?" I smile.

"No work today!" she twirls around.

"Yay!" I cheer.

"Quick, have breakfast so Miles and I can teach you how to ride," she urges.

"Alright, I will," I laugh.

"What would you like for breakfast, dear?" Ms. Grose asks kindly.

"Uh... just toast with peanut butter, please," I reply.

"Sure thing," she says, smiling.

"So... how did you sleep?" Flora asks, plopping down across from me.

"Very well. What about you?" I ask.

"Amazing," she grins.

"Your toast, dear," Ms. Grose says, handing me my plate.

"Thanks," I say, biting into it.

"Are you excited to ride a horse today?" Flora asks.

"I'm so excited," I say, my mouth half-full.

"Miles!!!" Flora suddenly calls, running over to her brother.

"Morning," he says, hugging her tightly.

"Hey," he says, giving me a small smile.

"Sleep well?" he asks.

"Yeah, you?" I reply.

"Pretty good," he answers, shrugging.

"Your usual breakfast, Miles?" Ms. Grose asks.

"Uh, yeah, please," he replies.

"You'll be riding my mother's horse, and I'll take Samson," Miles tells me.

"Okay, sounds good," I say, finishing my toast.

"Here, love, I'll take your plate," Ms. Grose says.

"Thank you," I smile.

"Thanks for breakfast, Ms. Grose," Miles adds.

"Anytime, dearies. Now go have fun!" she says with a wave.

We run to the stables and get the horses ready. The white horse I'm assigned doesn't seem to like me—she keeps snapping at me.

"You'll be fine," Miles says reassuringly.

I smile at him and climb onto the horse's back... and immediately get bucked off. Pain shoots through my back as I hit the ground.

"Ouch," I groan, sitting up.

"Are you okay?" Miles asks, offering his hand.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say, taking it.

Then Samson nudges my back. I can't help but smile.

"Hey, you," I murmur, patting his nose.

"Well, he seems to like you. Want to try riding him?" Miles asks.

"Uh... sure, if that's okay?" I say.

"Of course," he says, smiling.

I climb onto Samson, and he walks perfectly, letting me ride with ease. After about an hour, we return the horses and head back to the house.

"You were really good today," Miles says.

"Thanks," I reply shyly.

"No problem," he smiles.

"Miles, what should we do now?" Flora asks, bouncing on her heels.

"Whatever you want," he says.

"Let's play spotlight! I'll be it, and you and y/n hide!" she suggests.

"Sounds good," Miles agrees, taking my hand.

Flora starts counting to a hundred, giving us plenty of time to hide. We squeeze into a tiny cupboard, practically pressed together. I can feel his breath on my face, butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

"Y/n," he whispers.

"Yes, Miles?" I reply softly.

"You're beautiful," he murmurs.

"I-I'm what?" I stammer.

"Beautiful," he repeats, his gaze steady.

"Thank you," I whisper, blushing.

"You're welcome," he says, taking my hand.

"How long will it take her to find us?" I ask quietly.

"A while," he replies, letting go of my hand.

Then, gently, he cups my cheek, and I wrap my arms around his neck. Without thinking, we lean in, and our lips meet in a long, passionate kiss. I never want it to end.

"FOUND YOU!" Flora's voice suddenly cuts through our moment as she flings the cupboard door open.

Miles and I pull apart, flushed, as Flora scrunches her nose.

"Ewwww, you two are gross!" she declares.

"Well, you'll understand someday," Miles says teasingly.

"No way! I'm not falling in love!" she says, shaking her head.

"Just you wait," I say with a smile.

We hop out of the cupboard and join Flora for a tea party. Not long after, we have lunch, and Flora decides to take a nap. Miles and I relax in the lounge, chatting quietly... until a scream cuts through the house.

"What was that?" I ask, startled.

"I... I don't know," he says.

I run toward the sound and find Kate on the floor, clutching her neck, screaming.

"Kate?" I call.

"Move! Out of the way!" Ms. Grose says as she rushes to her side.

"Is she alright?" I ask.

"She'll be fine," Ms. Grose reassures me.

Miles places a hand on my shoulder. "Let's go to my room," he says gently.

I nod, following him. Once inside, I curl up in his desk chair, knees pulled to my chest.

"She'll be fine, Y/n," he says softly.

"I know," I murmur.

"I wonder what happened..." he trails off.

"It's just weird," I explain. "The night we met, something creepy happened to me, and now Kate... maybe she saw something too. My family has a history of visions and strange things, so it's probably nothing serious."

"Anyway, you both will be fine," he reassures me.

I nod silently.

"Come lie down with me," he says, patting the bed.

I slide under the covers next to him, and before long, the world melts away. I fall into a deep, peaceful sleep, wishing this moment would never end.