Hello all! You are reading the story of new High School Graduate! AND I DIDN'T TRIP AT THE CEREMONY!...well...i tripped on my way up to the stage but i don't think anyone saw! :D
YAY ME! hehe :)
Another chappy! WHOO! Expect some Nate and Vivian fluff! and for those who have read the books there's a little secret hidden in this chapter foreshadowing an event later to come, see if you can pick it up! :D
i love you all!
~Random Insanity.
VPOV
Sam's family and I pulled up to an out of place mansion with wrought iron gates.
Stupid rich people.
I shifted in my seat pulling at the hem of my dress. I really hoped that Nate liked it but after thinking that I felt my face burning in embarassment. I've barley know the guy for more than a few hours and already I could find myself caring about what he thought of me. I was jerked out of my own thoughts when the truck stopped and Sam was jumping out. I look over at her and she smiles at me, pointing to the middle of the seat where some clothes were folded up.
"What are the clothes for?" Her smile just got brighter.
"For the real party at the Ely's house after this snooze fest!"
She pointed behind her to the huge white tent in front of the mansion. Confusion must have been written all over my face because she quickly elaborated.
"This "party" is just us being neighborly. It would have been rude if we declined the invitation. Oh! And don't let Salcom get to you, no matter what okay? Try to stick me or my family or even the Ely's."
That's the second time I've heard that. He can't be that bad can he? Especially since we are going to his party. If nobody likes him then why are we here? To be neighborly?
Confusion much?
Sam and I walked together over to the white tent where we sat at a big table with her friend Jake on my right, Sam on his, and Nate on my left. And I have never felt smaller in my life. Being stuck between two Ely boys will do that to a girl. And Jake kept jostling me while he was eating so I had to scoot closer to Nate to avoid his hazardous elbows. When I looked at him I could have sworn that his cheeks were a shade pinker then I had remembered. Must be my imagination. I poked at my seemingly over priced food trying to pay attention to the conversation. Something about a round up? Who knows with these cowboys? I stood up and walked out of the tent hopefully without anyone noticing, thinking I was just going out to get some air, when I saw that there was a barn directly across from where I stood I couldn't resist walking over. Sam was right. This party was a snooze fest. I entered the cool barn and inhaled the wonderful scent of horses, hay and leather. A gold head popped over a stall door and looked at me with the cutest expression that I just had to smile.
The name on the stall door said Champ and did he ever look like one, his ears were pricked and his bright, wide eyes told me that he was an intelligent one. He danced on eggshells and tossed his head eager for me to give him a pat. As I stroked his neck he turned his head to the barn door showing me the scars on his side where spurs have left their mark on his otherwise gleaming coat. An imperfection.
"You and me both boy. I've got my share of scars too."
I reached up to scratch behind his ears, smiling in amusment when he cocked his head, putting more pressure on my hand. We both jumped when someone laughed loudly from somewhere behind me. Turning around I held back a laugh of my own at the cowboy get up that this man had on. There was fringe actually on this man's jeans instead of on chaps. His bright, to small, long sleeved shirt had sequins and sparkled everytime he shifted in his poor boots that had to carry his great bulk.
"Well look what the cat dragged in. You Wyatt's new foster kid?" Blunt much?
"I'm part of the HARP program actually." But he was already waving his hand dismissing my sentence before I was even finished.
"So you've meet Champ I see." He flashed me a big fake grin. His teeth were way too white, it was unnerving.
"Yes, I have. Poor boy."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, whomever his rider is, really needs some lessons. No horse should have scars where a spur has been dug in."
I could see the fat man's face getting red with anger. Did I say something wrong? It was totally obvious that this horse had a novice rider.
Oh crap! It's his horse and you just insulted him! Damn, damned, DAMNABLE!
"What I do with MY horse is none of your business missy. I could ride circles around you, but I'll bet my money that you've never even been on a horse."
He was stomping towards me and stopped so close that he was looming over me and I could see the vein that was popping out of his forhead.
Oh shit. What if he hits me? Will I be able to scream?
I flinched and mumbled out what I think was an apology. But his face turned redder still and Champ had backed up, eyes rolling. Smart horse.
"Excuse me?"
"I said I was sorry." My hands were cluched to my chest as I turned my body slightly so that my front would at least be protected.
"You would do well to hold your tongue to your superior's young lady."
His voice was dripping with anger and hatred and I shut my eyes tightly waiting for a blow to my face but a few paniced heartbeats later when it never came I opened my eyes. I couldn't see the fat man's angry face anymore, instead a pair of tense, strong shoulders and a brick colored shirt stood in front of me.
Nate?
"Excuse me Mr. Salcom. Is there a problem here?"
Mr. Salcom backed up and smoothed his receding hairline back.
Oh crap. So this was the annoying man that everybody warned me about.
"Just explaining how things worked around here to the little girl."
Nate reached back to keep me behind him.
"Well if you're finished here she and I will be going now. Goodnight Mr. Salcom."
He put his arm around my shoulders and gently guided me around the fat man. We walked to his beat up Ford and he opened the passenger door but when I made no move to get in he just lifted me up with one arm to place me in the seat. I huffed and crossed my arms.
Stupid strong person. No fair.
"Stay here while I tell Wyatt that I'm taking you to my place and they can just meet us there for the party."
I just turned my head away. Acting like I was pouting about him man-handling me into the truck, I was just trying to distract him. I hoped he didn't see how scared I was before. I didn't want any questions. I think it worked when he just chuckled under his breath and shut the door. As he walked away I leaned my head back and foced on breathing in and out. My heart was still racing. He returned a few minutes later after I had calmed my rapid pulse and jumped into the driver side and started the truck. This was going to be a long ride. He pulled out and while he was driving, turned to me.
"What did I tell you Vivian and how did you disappear so fast? One minute you were practically sitting in my lap and the next you were gone."
His face was turning pink again. I was sure of it.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you in front of everyone. Jake just kept bumping me with his hazardous elbows."
He blushed further then laughed loudly, completely surprising me. "Hazardous elbows? And don't worry, I wasn't."
What did that mean? I was going to have fun dissecting that sentence tonight. He was laughing so hard that I don't think he noticed that the truck had slowed. I couldn't help but smile at his carefree laugh. I actually thought he was going to yell at me. I could feel the tuck hitting bumps as he pulled over to the side of the road. He had sobered up and turned his serious gaze at me, instantly raising goosebumps on my arms and causing a tightening in my stomach.
"Vivian, did he hit you before I got there?"
Shit. So he did see my face, a small, dark part of my mind wished that I could say that he had so I could easily explain my cowardice away but I quickly banished that thought.
"No."
"Did he threaten you?"
"No."
"Did you think he was going to hit you?"
I didn't answer. He didn't push me for one either like I had thought he would, instead, he sighed before leaning back against the seat, putting the truck back in gear and continued driving.
We drove silently for the next couple of minutes before he turned to me with a blush covering his cheeks.
"What is it Nate?"
I bit my lip. What did I do?
"I ment to tell you earlier but you look amazing."
"Oh."
Brillent reply but I was focusing on trying, and failing, to control my blush. So he did like the dress.
"Thank you. You look nice to." I finally squeaked out.
He nodded and rubbed the back of his neck before we both looked back at the road. We were silent the rest of the way but at least it was more comfortable that the tense silence that was screaming at me earlier. A few minutes later we were pulling into a ranch yard.
"Welcome to Three Ponies Ranch." He indicated with a sweep of his arm.
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