Chapter 4 the Race
The next day I went to the horse races to watch Jack and my best friend Ann race.
"Karen how you doin'?" Ann asked.
"Pretty good, just having a hard time with my dad again."
"You should tell the sheriff about him or you'll be struggling more later!"
"Look Ann you don't know my dad, I'd say if I did that he'd murder me when he got out, like..." I stopped and choked back my tears. "Like my mother!"
An rubbed my back to try to comfort me but I pulled away. Quickly I changed the subject. "So you ready to win, Ann?"
"Hell ya!" "Hey Karen have you seen the new guy?"
"Jack, ya, I even got him out of trouble, why?"
Ann looked me in the eye. "What do you think of him, hot, huh?"
I turned my head away from hers, and rolled my eyes. "Look Ann I know what you're going for, but I don't plan on getting to know him to a point where I'm in love him or with anyone else!"
"Come on Karen he is a nice guy and it feels good to have a boyfriend, like Cliff, Jack, is a sweet guy and would take good care of you!"
I turned around and started brushing her horse to avoid her but she kept annoying me so I replied. "ANN, just wait I heard heartbreak always comes to everyone and you should be more careful on who you pick. Get this Cliff is a wanderer and could leave anytime soon, Jack is from the city he could leave soon too because he's not used to the country!"
"Nothing gets to you does it Karen?" Ann sighed. "Just think about what I said okay."
Ann nodded and started walking to the starting line but before she got there someone galloped on the horse to the front. Then I looked up to find Jack on what looked to be a year old horse. "Oh sorry Ann got carried away with the galloping," Jack laughed. Ann smiled and got up on her horse.
"It's okay Jack, anyway you're goanna need it!"
"Hey, Ann I bet you ten bucks I'll beat you!"
Ann smiled cunningly at Jack. "Deal!"
Feeling totally ignored I said, "good luck Ann!" Jack turned to me a smile.
"Hey Karen sorry I didn't see you there," Jack said sliding off his horse to greet me.
"So, Karen I've been wanting to ask why are your hands so beaten?"
I glared at him to show I didn't what to tell. After figuring it out Jack put his hand out for a handshake. Though I spook tough to Ann about Jack I knew I had a major crush on him. If only I could hide my feelings and talk to him as I do to Ann. Silently I shook his hand. After that they participants were all called so I left the area. My whole face was red from blushing but I shook it off when I got to the stands. After sitting down Cliff came and sat next to me.
"Hey Karen how you doin' bet you got into more fights?" Cliff joked.
"It's not funny Cliff and what are you doing here anyway?" I growled.
"I'm here to watch Ann, what are you here for?"
"Same thing."
The whistle blew for the race to start everyone turned their head to watch. Silently I sat down next to Kai. My father said earlier that if he does a good job at working, he could have anything he wanted of course the idiot chose me. He put his arm around me held me close. I frowned and pulled away from his tightening grasp.
I watched as Ann finished in second and Jack in last. I chuckled at the sight of Jack's face as he crossed the finish line. He acted as if he had won.
I jumped down from the stands to go congratulate Jack and Ann. Kai followed me silently. When I got to Ann Cliff was giving her a kiss. I shook my head, I knew I never want to get heartbroken, I've already have had enough pain. Jack ran up and gave Ann the ten dollars.
"Jack you did great man," Cliff said giving Jack a high five.
"Yeah Jack, you should come get some training and you'll do much better next time," Ann said.
Before I could say something Kai came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. I flinched with discomfort. Kai looked Jack over quickly. Then with a smile he shook hands with Jack. "Hi Jack I'm Kai I work for the Karen's, father." Kai then his face grew to a stern look. "Have you and, Karen met before?" I closed my eyes and prayed that Jack wouldn't say yes.
Like he could read my mind he answered, "no I don't believe I have." I looked into his glittering eyes in confusion. Jack shook my hand and walked away with a bow.
"How did he know I wanted him to say no, or was he trying to avoid me?" I thought to myself.
Thanks Pacfictwist you kept me going for this chapter.
