New chapter! Sorry for the long delay!
Enjoy
Disclaimer: Cassandra Clare owns the mortal instruments books and characters!
Chapter 4: Cowboy
"So you're the cowboy." I comment.
All he does is nod his head.
"Um… so it's your job to take care of the horses? Who's paying you? It's not like we have money." I ask.
"Well actually this just started as a favour then it became a hobby."
"So no one's paying you?"
"Not everything is about money, ma'am." He responds.
I frown, "you don't have to call me that, it's just Clary."
He only nods then goes back to grooming the horses, presently he was brushing the mane of a white horse.
He seems to notice me watching him and says, "Her name is Seraph."
"You actually named her, Clary." Jonathan adds.
"Really?" I say impressed with coming up with a name. I reach up to stroke her and she leans into my hand.
"Seems like she still recognises you." Jace says as he hands me the brush.
I take it and smile, actually content in this small town.
"So Jace, what do you actually do around here. School? A job?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
I see him grabbing another comb and grooming a different horse. Jonathan decides to start hand feeding the other horses farther into the stables leave Jace and I to converse on our own.
"Well actually I'm graduating this year."
"Like Jonathan!" I say a little too excitedly so I clear my throat, "What are you planning on doing after?"
"I might move out and become a male model, I have the looks and everything so… why not?"
I blink. Great. What's worse than a beautiful man who knows that he's beautiful? Nothing that's what. Okay fine maybe like… global warming or the polar bears being on the brink of extinction but I mean in a guy who is a potential candidate for a new relationship that is such a bad quality. Which seems kinda hypocritical since when it comes to girls society encourages them to be bold and super confident in themselves. Something to think about… I sigh internally, double standards.
"Are you serious or…?"
"About the male model thing? No. I want to be a photographer."
"And why is that?"
"Well, have you seen this place? It's beautiful."
There is a long pause and then I realise that he's actually waiting for me to answer. Now the real question is whether to answer truthfully which would be a no or lie to gain his favour.
"It smells a lot. There's not many social hang outs and it's in the middle of nowhere so…" I decide with the former as I've never really been a people pleaser however when I turn to look at him I actually feel… regret. He looks like I just took his camera and smashed it into tiny, little, microscopic pieces. Note my use of the 'triplet' there 0my English teacher would be so proud.
Jace straightens and holds his head up high as he regains his composure. "Okay then, obviously you haven't seen the town."
"What's there to see?"
"Are you free?"
"Um… considering we're practically penniless and have lost our worth right now yes I am free."
"I didn't mean it like that but okay."
"I know what you meant, I was just kidding and I'm pretty sure I won't be doing anything later or ever."
"Okay cool. Let's go." Suddenly he pulls me away from Seraph. I put the comb into the container and allow myself to get pulled away.
"Hey Jonny we'll be back later, Jace is taking me somewhere." I yell out to him.
"Whatever." He waves his hand dismissively.
I scoff, how uncaring and cold of him (!)
About an hour and a half later, after climbing a ridiculously steep hill we reach whatever this place is.
"Is this the part where you reveal that you're not a stable boy and actually a faerie living in the woods and can talk to the horses?"
"What? No." He looks at me as if I… well as if I just asked him if he was a fairy and could communicate with horses, you witnessed it for yourself.
He puts his arms on my shoulders and turns me. As he does so, no I don't feel electricity or sparks or fireworks, like it would say in the books or the movies –which is a terrible and overused line by the way! –but I just feel… safe. Like he would be my shield or sword whichever he had to be in order to protect me or he would be the one I would run to if I ever needed help which is ridiculous because I never feel this way. I trust him completely and I don't even know him.
I briefly forget this feeling as I look over the town. The sun is beginning to set so there is a light touch of orange looming over the entirety of this small town. And for this brief moment I forget how much I actually hate being here and appreciate looking at this place through his eyes. I feel an itch to draw every tree, every house, Lake Lyn just under us, the beautiful sunset. It's been a long while since I've drawn or painted anything. I miss it. Back in Alicante I'd forgotten about it and put my focus on school and parties and shopping. I can't believe I've forgotten the feeling of peace that it gives me.
I take a deep meaningful breath.
"I hope you like the view as much as I do." Jace comments.
"I really hope you're not looking at me because that would be so cheesy and I might even reconsider ever hanging out with you again." I say before turning my head to look at him.
Surprise, surprise he was looking at me. But not how I thought he would be, not like other guys back at Alicante have in the past. He's not looking with lust but something else, intrigue, like he's searching.
"It would be worth it." One side of his mouth quirks up, not in a smirk but in a boyish lopsided smile, then he averts his eyes back to the scenery before us.
"Why don't you take a picture?"
"Ive got like a dozen of this. I come up here a lot, alone is best because I could never find anyone else who would appreciate it as much as I do. And now I've found you."
"How did you know I would, though? I did admit ay that I hated this town."
"There's a saying that my dad used to say, 'those who are blind have the most potential to see'. Obviously not literally blind that would just be cruel to say to them. But –"
"But because I was blinded by my ignorance of this towns real beauty you saw me as someone with the potential to open their eyes and see what was right there in front of them?"
"Exactly."
Hope you liked it!
Please review/follow/favourite, would love you hear your thoughts!
~Liz Ashley xxx
