Chapter 14

They finally stopped at a river running through an open meadow with a few stray trees surrounding the river bank. Nick obviously didn't run as much as Audrey did; he could hardly catch his breath. She just smiled to herself.
"Ha ha, not used to running?" She said, starting to walk slowly down next to the river, following the rushing water. Nick looked up at her, and said, "Hey, I'm not miss track star." He walked over to her, and walked next to her. He took her hand in hers. Instant goose bumps.
"So where are we anyway?" He asked, squinting into the sunlight.
"The most beautiful place in the world. My favorite place. The place I go when I'm sad, when I just need to think, when I just need air." Nick nodded, still not sure exactly where he was. Audrey knew he was still confused and said, "Meadow Valley. It used to be a horse farm years ago, but the family moved, and it just became deserted. You know, this place saved my life once."
"How?" He asked, taking her other hand, and swinging her around so she was facing him. He looked at her dreamily.
"From suicide. I was riding my bike a little over a year ago, I was so fed up with everything, you know? I was actually on drugs then, but only for a few months. I couldn't control myself anymore. All I wanted was the crank. So I was planning on riding my bike right off the bridge about a mile past here, right into traffic. But something stopped me when I rode past here. It called to me, so I rode my bike in here. The horses were still here at that point. I walked right up to one of them and just started petting him. It's amazing what animals can do for you. Dylan was his name. He actually saved me. The owners started seeing me come around a lot and decided to teach me how to ride. They knew about the drugs, and they along with Dylan, helped me get control again." Audrey didn't look directly into Nick's eyes once when she said this. She was too ashamed. Nick was speechless for a moment.
"I know what your thinking, your thinking that I'm a total loser." She said, looking off past Nick's shoulder into the distance. He shook his head furiously and said, "No, I think your perfect." She smiled, finally looking into his eyes. She wanted to hug him more than ever at that moment. She flung her arms around him and he embraced her back.
"Drey, we've all had problems, and I know you're upset, but you know what that means don't you?" He said still hugging her. She shook her head, no.
"Time to write a song." he said. She grinned, the tears in her eyes disappearing. She took a step back, but took his hand. "And you know where to best place to write a song is?" She said. He shook his head. She pulled him forward and they started running towards the empty barn. "No, not running again!" he yelled. She started laughing.
Audrey opened up the wooden barn doors, and walked right in. She led Nick down the aisle way, and to the stall door that had the word DYLAN imprinted on it. She opened the stall door. There was a bail of hay on the right side, and she sat down, followed by Nick. She took it all in for a moment, just remembering all the memories she had in here. She took a long, deep breath, and closed her eyes. "This is where I changed forever." Nick studied her for a moment, watching her take a trip down memory lane. He fixed his gaze on the open window in the back of the stall. There was a giant willow tree in the distance; it was like a scene from heaven. It was absolutely amazing. Drey finally opened her eyes to see Nick mesmerized by the sight. She stood up, and tugged at his hand. He turned his head up at her, and she winked at him, tears started fill in her eyes, giving him a weak smile. He stood up, and they held hands walking out of the barn. They started there walked towards the willow tree, hand in hand. She started to yawn, and leaned her head on Nick's shoulder as they walked. He looked down at her, butterflies in his stomach. "You wanna lift?" He asked. She looked up hopefully, and shook her head up and down like a little kid. She stood behind him, and leaped onto his back. He made a small grunt noise before taking off towards the tree. Something caught Nick's attention. There, carved in the tree was Audrey Grace Martin, and below was her two trainer's names, and the horse she used to ride, Dylan's. She slid off of Nick's back, and looked up at the tree. Their names were much higher up now, and she smiled at the memory. "I remember that day perfectly. It was the day they were moving. We rode out here, and carved our names in. We promised to meet back here in exactly five months and now, two and a half weeks. We told each other this would be our spot, if I ever felt weak again, just come here, and they would be here. I just can not wait to see them all again. Especially my boy." She said still looking at their names. Nick was touched, and grabbed her hand again, rubbing it softly with his thumb. Despite the whole she felt in her heart from missing just about everyone, she still somehow felt completed with Nick. He made her feel special; wanted; needed. Unlike the way her parents made her feel.

woahh man. intense much?! who knew Audrey had all these secrets!?

okay so i know where i want this story to go next. it's gunna be even MORE intense. like, what happenes when they go back on tour? is Audrey gunna be able to sit around and wait for him? you'll seeeee.

so keep reading and reviewing ; and ill write more.