Just a Breather (OPEN)

[Peter Holden]

Peter leaned back a bit, his spine just beginning to press against the bark of the tree. He was certainly excited about their planned exchange of skills, but didn't let it show as much as the girl did. A mere smile graced his face as he watched her reaction in satisfaction. To quote John Green "...if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane.” The more he considered it, the more he liked how the quote fit the two of them. Perhaps he'd share it with her someday, but certainly not soon. That would be too bold, too obvious, too not Peter, if that made any sense at all.

She was so truthful, and blatant, yet it was also quite obvious that she was reserved about something. But everyone had their secrets, and this girl, as extraordinary as she was, was no different. Despite telling himself this, Peter still wanted more. It wasn't much like him. Usually he left things as they were, and let people go around their business without getting into anything, but something about this girl made him want to keep talking to her and find out more, and just make her happy. In truth, he felt rather selfish.

He listened to her reply, wondering why he'd asked such a stupid question in the first place. When they got together to start to work on it, he'd figure out what they'd do. Her weakened voice and hardened eyes made him feel a bit weak himself, and he answered quietly, "Of course. I know exactly the feeling." He really did, and rarely knew what he was trying towards when he went out to take pictures or started a piece. It kind of formed itself as he worked along and ended up how it liked in the end.

Peter's eyes brightened when she explained that Dev was an eventer as well. "Eventing is such a great discipline. We do some training in cross country of course but it's just not our forté. And he'll probably grow more patient with it when he gets older. Thimble has certainly settled down, and she didn't like it much before either." He looked over at her, smiling widely, and was quite delighted to see that she seemed just as excited, if not more. He blushed at her comment about remembering him. He was certain that he would have remembered her too, but didn't return the comment. He couldn't bring himself to attain that flat, truthful tone like she did. Instead, he simply shrugged, "It's a pity. I would have liked that."

He watched her look up at the sky and was confused for a moment before a raindrop hit his collarbone. He usually would have been rather annoyed by the change in the weather, but chuckled at her comment, only a bit annoyed. He was feeling too happy from talking with this girl to be bothered now. He stood up, stretching out his long limbs as he unfolded. Thimble had become a bit bothered by the rain, and he walked over to her and untied her from the tree, pulling down his stirrups and walking back towards the girl. "My name is Peter Holden." he smiled, his eyes glinting. With that, he walked Thimble over to a nearby tree stump and used it to help mount her, and began to make his way back towards the barn, giving a small wave. He wondered if she'd come catch up with him, or just let him go. Either way, he was happy, and light feeling, knowing that he'd see this girl again soon.

[Avery Jacobs]

Avery felt an annoyed pang tumble through her emotions at her broken response to his perfectly normal question. Still, she couldn’t have helped it. The truthful answer would have hit much too close to home and Avery didn’t want to risk having him ask about that. It was no secret to girl what a big jerk she became when people even ventured near the topic of her past and she really actually was starting to enjoy this boy’s company. The last thing she wanted was for him to see her true dark side. While, he most probably would see it soon with how often she kept running into him, Avery just hoped he didn’t get hurt in the process.

Hand sliding in some sort of self-comfort, Avery’s eyes held a downward glance as the boy responded to her rather pathetic sounding response. To her relief, he answered in a quiet voice and not prying at all. She couldn’t express how thankful she was due to her personality, but Avery was pretty much glowing in thankfulness. She peeked up at the boy, her eyes not meeting his as she nodded slowly; quite unable to let herself speak. The last thing she needed was to blurt something stupid out as she usually did. Avery had a habit of telling people exactly what she thought of things, insulting or not.

She was glad he knew what she meant also, knowing she wouldn’t have been able to answer that question to the exact details. The brunette’s gaze tilted back to the boy’s, her liking of him increasing once more. In a weird way, one that was quite unexplainable, she felt as she understood him as well. No matter where they came from, she wondered if he understood her as well. Avery nearly shivered at the thought, before returning to her usual confidence look fixated on the boy. Not in any threatening way, simply one that said she was talking to him and he had her attention. There was no point trying to get a point across when Avery wasn’t paying attention.

“I agree on that.” Avery let her smile start back again as the conversation turned back to their horses. Dev certainly was young, but he had a lot of potential. The brunette’s plan was to bring it out. She nodded quietly “I sure hope so.” She wasn’t too worried about patience, simply about him getting bored about it. The gelding liked to challenged, though she hoped with time he’d start to get a bit wiser with his crazy decisions. Avery nearly laughed as the boy blushed, but held it in, deciding that was one thing she could manage to hold her tongue from commenting on. She nodded, unable to speak in fear she would embarrass him.

Avery inhaled in silent annoyance at the rain. She had known it was going to rain however, with the weather they’d been having as well as the array of clouds that filled the sky. The brunette had just hoped it wouldn’t have been while she was on a trail ride. Still, she wasn’t going to complain, she’d had a good day, running into the boy. It had been nice to have a good conversation with someone where she wasn’t growling in annoyance at the end. Avery couldn’t remember the last good conversation she’d had. Going over to Dev, Avery pat her horse a bit, before using her vaulting abilities to leap right on. She raised a brow as the boy looked at her and said his name. She grinned slightly, rolling the name over her tongue mentally. Avery watched as he mounted and up and then started to ride off. “Good bye Peter Holden.” she said, just enough for him to hear. She would’ve caught up to him, but she just needed this time to think. Avery decided she would tell him her name then next time they met. That way he’d have a reason to see her again. This certainly was not the last goodbye she had coming for Peter. Avery was sure of that.