Here's chapter 4! This shouldn't be as boring as the beginning chapters, and the story gets more interesting from now on (in my opinion anyways…Lol)! Thank you for your reviews! Please review this chapter too!

Chapter 4

It had only been a few days and already Lea was bored and feeling very irritable. She felt like she didn't fit in with those around her- and she didn't- and was ready to return home to her normal, rough life. Other then that Nicholas Jerry Lucas guy that one time, no one bothered to even acknowledge her existence.

Walking outside one morning, she glanced at the sky and noticed the bright blue sky with occasional puffy, white clouds. The sun was shining brightly but it wasn't too warm and she frowned. Stupid perfect weather didn't fit her mood at all.

It wasn't long before she was stalking around the place, unable to help but wish she could shove someone just to relieve some of her annoyance. But that would most likely start a fight and lots of trouble along with it. Not that she minded, but Lea wasn't sure what the consequences would be. She doubted they'd be serious, and a fight sounded like fun at the moment.

And that's how she had ended up being even more irritable the next day. It didn't bug her that she had been scolded for starting a fight, but that the fight hadn't lasted very long. This place was just no fun.

Lea folded her arms across the coral fence, starring off into the beautiful distance, wondering how hard it would be to ride a horse away. But that was a dumb idea, because even if she managed to stay on the animal, Lea hadn't learned how to saddle and prepare the horse for a ride.

The sound of hooves against the soft grass brought her back to reality as she turned with a scowl to see who was disturbing her peace. Most everyone else at camp had gone of to go swimming in some lake, but Lea didn't want to socialize.

"You stayed behind to mope?"

Lea narrowed her eyes at the rider, Nick, as he looked down at her with a hint of a smile that he always seemed to have. She had the right to be in a bad mood and sulk alone, didn't she? He stayed behind too.

"Have you come to show off your magnificent riding skills?" Lea asked with distaste, annoyance flaring up at the memory of him laughing at her lack of riding knowledge. The horse stomped a foot impatiently as Nick chuckled and patted the horse's neck gently.

"I was just on my way to go for a long ride." He ignored her question. When she didn't comment or reply, he went on in a friendly tone, "You can come along if you want."

Lea stiffened at this, so sure that he was just saying this so she would have to admit that she hadn't the skill or knowledge to ride anywhere. He was trying to get her to admit her inability so she would feel less then he.

"I don't need someone criticizing me every moment of a 'long ride'" she stated with displeasure, not mentioning the fact that she probably couldn't even mount without making a fool of herself.

Nick surprised her by rolling his eyes and lowering his hand to her with his palm up. She couldn't help but look at him in complete confusion, not sure what it was he wanted.

"Ride with me." He shrugged nonchalantly. Lea could feel his eyes boring into her, waiting for her to say something nasty and turn and walk away-which is the first response that came to mind.

Stunning both herself and him-although his expression didn't show it-Lea hesitatingly gripped his hand and allowed him to help her up behind him. She hadn't expected him to assist her with such ease, but the thought only struck her for a moment.

Nick waited a moment for some reason unknown to Lea before he turned his head to speak over his shoulder to her, "You're going to want to hold on."

Lea was momentarily embarrassed when she realized he expected her to wrap her arms around him to stay steady. She knew her answer instantly. There was no way she would be humiliated like that.

"You wish." She scoffed.

"Suit yourself…" Nick commented in amusement before ordering the horse to walking. Just as Nick expected and Lea didn't, the movement caused her to nearly fall off but she swallowed a scream and caught her balance.

"You could have warned me." Lea mumbled with pink cheeks, as she tightened her grip on him. Her right arm was wrapped tightly around him, her hand gripping the front of his shirt while her left clung desperately to his upper left arm.

Apparently having heard her comment, she felt him chuckled slightly and just knew he was grinning even though she couldn't see his face, but the back of his curly haired head.

Neither of them spoke as they rode, Nick allowing the horse to pick up speed once they were out of camp. Lea let her mind wander as she clung tightly to Nick, not loosening her grip or changing her position of holding onto him. As much as she hated the thought, she was immensely afraid she would fall but also didn't want to draw attention to the extremely close quarters they were in.

It seemed like forever that they rode, further and further from the buildings but Lea was surprised to find that she was enjoying herself despite her nervousness and embarrassed-ness.

Finally the horse slowed at the top of a small hill quite a ways from where they had started. Lea looked around at the scenery, and couldn't help but smile at the beautiful rolling hills and gorgeous landscape.

When they came to a stop, Lea expected them to dismount but instead they just sat and it was a moment before she realized that Nick was absorbing the scenery as well. She could feel him relax and nearly jumped when he peeled her balled up fist from his shirt before smoothing the material against his chest.

"There's nothing to be scared about." He said soothingly, placing her hand on his hip and tossing a smile over his shoulder, "You're not going to fall off."

"You don't know that." she snapped, feeling quite childish and unable to meet his eyes. Somehow, Lea knew he was smiling again and wondered if he ever scowled or glared.

But he remained silent as he peeled her other hand away from the awkward grip she had on his arm and placed her hand on his other hip. Lea only hoped she didn't look as stupid as she was feeling at the moment. No one had ever made her feel more foolish.

"Okay, I'm going to start going again-don't freak out again." He warned her briefly, and she opened her mouth to insist she would do no such thing and never had-but instead she snapped her mouth shut as the horse began trotting and her stomach did a summersault at the sudden movement.

Lea didn't obey his warning, though and panicked inwardly as they picked up speed. It was impossible to keep from wrapping her arms tightly around his waist and clenching her jaw together in silent worry.

They reached the stables just after sunset, and Lea realized just how much time they had spent out riding. Nick left the tired horse to be cared for by one of the adults before wandering off toward the main building-presumably for dinner. Lea followed silently and neither of them spoke as they got their food and sat alone at a table.

Despite the fact that she felt like a little lost puppy following him around, Lea couldn't help but feel drawn toward his upbeat personality. He was practically her opposite, but maybe that was the kind of friend she needed.

"Tell me about yourself." Nick suggested, his gaze seeming to pierce into her as she sat across from him. She glared, but obeyed not knowing what to say.

"I'm independent, my dad and I hate each other, I get into a lot of fights, and I don't trust anyone." She shrugged simply before taking a bite of her food and not bothering to watch his reaction to her statement.

"I'm close to my family." Nick said shortly.

"That's all I get?" Lea raised an eyebrow and pointed at him with her fork, "You should tell me three more things so we're equal."

"Fine…I'm in a band with two of my brothers, have diabetes-"

"You're in a band?" Lea interrupted him with a doubtful tone, but he only nodded in response, "You have two brothers?"

"Three."

"But you said-" she began, wondering if he had been lying after all-because as she informed him, she really didn't trust anyone.

"You shouldn't assume things." He commented with a half smile, "I'm in a band with my two older brothers, but I have a little brother too."

"I don't have any siblings." Lea stated.

"And you've never ridden a horse before you came here." Nick pointed out the random fact, "Am I right?"

"I don't like being made fun of." Lea said in a low tone as she gritted her teeth.

"It was just a question."

I hate replacing Jonas with Lucas. Ick.

Reviews are loved! :]