Maybe It'd Be Easier {LJ}

[Cannon Eric Ryland]

Cannon stood in his room, looking out the window to the barns that sat below, wishing he could just get away from it for a while, but no matter where he went, it seemed, he'd always be around the same thing, he'd always be around horses. He spent a few minutes thinking about it, and decided he didn't have a choice. If he wanted to get away, he'd just have to deal with it. he pulled out his phone and sent Diamond a text.

Cannon: You wanna get away for the weekend?

It'd been a week or two since they'd talked about it, and he figured now was as good a time as any to ask. He hoped she'd say yes, that way he wouldn't have to show up at home looking homesick, which he wasn't. Plus, someone else would be there to witness just how crazy his parents were.

He looked on his nightstand as he waited for a reply and saw an old picture which he was sure his mother had packed him sitting in it's frame on the bottom shelf. It was of him and a girl whose hair was as blonde as a child's Barbie doll, and that wasn't the only part of her that resembled that doll. He rolled his eyes at the picture, remembering when and where it was taken, and choosing to push it far, far away. It was the only girl he'd ever dated, and the one who his parents had been convinced he would marry. That was red flag number one. Now, she was probably making up stories about what she did that past summer, all of which would involve him of course, and everyone would think he was a jerk, no matter what the story was, because whatever Kelly said happened had to be the truth. He looked back at his phone, checking to see if she'd texted him back, yet.

[Diamond Patrick Parker]

Feeling the soft chime of her phone on her arm, and interupting her music; Diamond slowed to a walk, puffing out air. Leyla stopped and turned, waiting to run some more. Walking over to a bench, tapping her hand against her thigh and watching the Pit follow her, Diamond raced to unattach the phone from her upper arm.

Quickly swiping it unlocked, and punching in her code; Diamond saw an imcoming message from Cannon. Reading it inside her mind, she thought of what she would say, and then quickly typed back to him.

Cannon:You wanna get away for the weekend?

Diamond:Sure, where at; your home or mine? <3 London

Diamond sent it, still sitting on the rock hard bench, as Leyla jumped up and layed her head against Dimaond's shoulder. Smiling, she stroked the dog's head and awaited an imcoming text from him. She hoped that she could go to her estate, but would rather stay close; considering it's only two days, and she wouldn't really ever like to introduce him to her family, exspecially Josh. Or her friends for that matter.

[Cannon Eric Ryland]

He heard his phone buzz after he had set it back down on the bed, on his way to his bookshelf.

Diamond: Sure, where at; your home or mine? <3 London

Cannon: Not enough time to spend in England, lets just say mine this time.

He typed back to her quickly. He had thought about it, wondered if she'd want to go back to her house, but then realized that an eight hour flight both ways would leave them with little to no time to spend with her family or friends. He grabbed a book from the shelf after dropping his phone back on the bed and sat down against the pillows, picking up where he had left off in his assigned reading for school. He thought about Bully, and how he'd have to let the grooms know he needed them to take care of him for the next two days, maybe fit in a lunge session. Then he though of all the horses back home, how they'd practically run each other over trying to greet he and Diamond. He couldn't help but laugh at that.

[Diamond Patrick Parker]

As Dimaond was awaiting a reply from Cannon, she started back to her dorm; wanting to be at home if she had to pack now. Leyla puffing out air but still wanting to run more begged at Dimand's knees to pick up the pace. Smiling at her, she urged her along to get a move on.

Hearing the soft chime interrupting her music again, Diamond cracked a smile, reading the reply.

Cannon: Not enough time to spend in England, lets just say mine this time.

Texting back fastly, she replied,

Diamond:True...you have any pets? I have two and I wouldn't know what to do with them for the weekend, any ideas of where to keep them? <3 London

Walking up the steps of her house, Dimaodn wound through the halls finding her room and walking inside; ebing greeted by Bo. Stroking him she sat down on her bed, and layed down on her back; feeling the coolness of the sheet against her back and head.

It would be nice to get away for the weekend and she was looking forward to it, already thinking about what it would be like for her and hikm.

[Cannon Eric Ryland]

As he got a few pages into the book, he heard his phone buzz again and he picked it up, putting the book down.

Diamond: True... you have any pets? I have two and I wouldn't know what to do with them for the weekend, any ideas of where to keep them? <3 London

Pets? He had horses, and there were a few barn dogs...

Cannon: We've got a few dogs around the barns if you want to bring them with you. They like other animals. Wanna leave in 30 mins?

He typed back to her and set it down again, taking a second to think if he needed to bring anything, and then shook his head to himself. He lived there, of course he didn't. He grabbed his boots and went down to the stables to find a groom and let Bully out for a bit. Once he found them he asked them to feed and work Bully for him, and then remembered Diamond, and added Fly onto their list. After wards, he grabbed Bully's lead shank and took him out to graze.

[Diamond Patrick Parker]

Starting to get everything ready for the weekend, she saw the incoming text from Cannon; looking at it quickly and then letitng her thumbs sweep acrossed the screen.

Cannon:We've got a few dogs around the barns if you want to bring them with you. They like other animals. Wanna leave in 30 mins?

Diamond:Sure! Thanks, I'll drive down there, you got a ride?

She thought that she might as well asked. As she packed a PINK duffel bag, Diamond thought to bring a pillow and sheet with her; just in case. Thats all she slept with anyways. Having all her stuff packed and ready to go, she slipped Bo in his crate, and then left Leyla out of hers; knowing that she didn't need one for the weekend.

Walking down to her car withh all her stuff, she awaited the text back from Cannon before starting off to the airport. The least she could do is take him with her to the place; afterall he invited her to his place anyways. Texting and stroking her dog, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Then remembering Fly, she got out and quickly walked to the barn; knowing that he animals would be fine, considering she had the hood down in the car.

Figuring out that it had already been taken care of, she nodded and walked back.

[Cannon Eric Ryland]

He saw her text and quickly responded.

Diamond: Sure! Thanks, I'll drive down there, you got a ride?

Cannon: Funny you mention that... my parentals took the truck back after the last show. Think I could tag along?

He sent it and gave Bully a pat, knowing his horse was going to be mad at him for leaving him alone for two days, but it was better than the rest of the horses back home, only getting to see him for two days. He watched him graze and then finally brought him back into the barn, refilling his water buckets and giving him his dinner, supplements and all. As he started to walk back to the dorms, he waited for a response from Diamond, and then wondered where he should meet her. She was probably still packing, so he decided to go sit under a tree in one of the large fields used by the student to play Frisbee or just lay on a blanket and read. He watched as people passed by and dogs hopped around their owners, excited to go for a walk or run to the reserve. It made him think of all the dogs back home, wonder what they were up to. He checked his pocket again for his wallet and sighed in relief when he found it there, not wanting to have to run back down to his dorm and get it.

[Diamond Patrick Parker]

Getting and imcoming message, her phone jingled the familar Iphone ring; and she pulled it out, lucky that she was away from the barn. Seeing the reply from Cannon, she hustled it back to her car ready to go in no time.

Cannon: Funny you mention that... my parentals took the truck back after the last show. Think I could tag along?

Diamond:No problem, I'll be outside your house in a couple minutes.

Driving to the house of which he was staying in, she checked that she had the right one and then awaited Cannon's arrival outside the doorsteps. The Ford truck was parked outside, and Diamond closed up the top window; not liking it opened very much, considering Leyla would jump out if she could. Diamond really needed to clean the top of the truck. It was muddy as all get out since the night her and a few friends decided to get it stuck. Very smart.

Hearing the dog whine as the result in closing up the truck's escape routes, Diamond smiled and pat the dog's head, which she closed her brown almond eyes. Bo scratched at his cage, and Diamond would have a note to herself. Reminding herself to introduce Cannon to the creature.

[Cannon Eric Ryland]

He read her text and sighed, knowing that now he'd have to go back to the White House dorm. He stood up and walked back down the hill to where he could see the hunter green roof of White House. There were a few people coming in and out of it, but not too many, just the way he liked it. When he reached the bottom of the hill, he waited for her to come, not bothering to go inside. As she pulled up and seemed not to notice him he walked over to the truck and ran around the back, ducking down so she didn't see him and popped up at the passenger side window, a smile wide on his face.

He laughed, opening the door once she saw him and then hopped in. "Thanks again for giving me a ride." He said to her as he closed the car door and buckled up. He looked in the back seat and saw a cage and another dog outside of it. "These your pets?" He asked her as he turned back around. He loved dogs, so he was happy to see them in the truck with them.

[Diamond Patrick Parker]

Running a finger over her eyelash's Diamond flinched when she saw a shadow pop up in the window next to her. Leyla started to bark, and she smiled whenever it was Cannon; thankfully. As he hopped into the car, she laughed.

No problem, the least I could do. Sorry for the truck being so...uh, muddy. A friend thing. she said to him, smiling at the thought. Getting the truck stuck was the best night ever; and by far the funniest in the world.

Hearing his next statement, Diamond nodded. That's Bo in the crate, he's a special pet. Then theres Leyla; whos my little protecter. she said stating to the Pit. Leyla whined and then layed down in the back of the truck. She watched Cannon with weary eyes; making sure he was safe of Diamond. Just don't make any sudden movements and she won't attack you. Diamond said making it sound like she was serious.

Pulling out of the lot, she stopped before she pulled out onto the road. Where to? she asked the boy who sat next to her.

[Cannon Eric Ryland]

He saw her laugh and smiled. "Scared ya." He laughed to her with a wink as he got in. He'd been planning on it, but when the dogs started barking, he almost jumped himself.

He looked around, only noticing the mud when she mentioned it. "You went mudding?! Aw, how much fun was that?" He asked her with a laugh. He loved to go mudding, and he always knew the best places, though his parents never liked it very much when he came home coated in fresh mud.

He laughed as she introduced her pets, nodding to each in turn. "Special?" He asked her, an eyebrow raised at this, wondering why she chose that word. When she told him not to make any sudden movements, he froze, pinning himself back against the seat. "If I don't move, he won't be able to see me, right?" He said to her in a low whisper, playing along.

He looked up when she asked him which was to go and nodded to the left. "Just follow that road until you hit the signs for the freeway. Unless of course, you'd rather take the boring scenic route?" He laughed to her as he looked over to her, finding it harder and harder to hold his accent back. She didn't know it yet, but she wasn't the only one who was hiding something. Maybe he'd tell her later into the ride. He'd obviously have to tell her before they reached his house.

[Diamond Patrick Parker]

When Cannon had jumped in the car she hit her arm against his left shoulder. Haha, very cute. she said then focusing back on the car. Turning the radio up a notch so they could atleast hear it, she then felt good; that was until they reached the road, she would be jamming out.

I love to go mudding; use to do it with a bunch of friends back home. How do you know so much? You actually get out in the world? Diamond said to him making the last question sound suprised. SHe loved to joke around with him; it was th eonly guy she ever really had in a long time.

Ha, your fine; she's the nicest dog you'll ever meet. Yeah, special; he's not really a dog, more like a Lynx. she said to him, turning her head with a fake wince on her face. She hoped that he wouldn't be mad in anyway, and Bo wasn't afraid of dogs, and if they didn't appeal to him, he stayed away; gradually.

Hearing the instructions, she turned left and then kept driving; now hearing the song, Cruise, come on in the background of her car. Takign her phone in hand, she texted a message to her friend.

Diamond:Actually getting out for the weekend...finally!

Blake:Where to?

Diamond:Not London, sadly. Maybe next time!

Then turning her head back to the road and focusing more on driving now, she locked her phone and placed it in the middle compartment's cup holder, where the white metal shined against the black rubber. Humming with the music, she thne thought of bringing up something. So are we going to play I spy, or.... she mentioned joking.

[Cannon Eric Ryland]

"I try." He winked to her as she complimented his sneak attack after punching him in the arm. He laughed as she turned the music up loud.

She asked him about mudding and he just laughed. "You don't live in Kentucky and not go mudding every chance you get." He told her with a very serious face. It was true, he and his buddies would sneak out all the time to go see who could get the farthest in the backwoods before they got stuck.

His eyebrows shot up as he heard the word 'lynx'. "No way! A lynx?!" He said as he looked into the pet carrier. "Too cool." He said to her with a smile.

He heard Cruise come on by Florida Georgia Line come on, a song which he loved, and started to tap his thigh to the beat, as he normally did when listening to a song. He heard her phone buzz once but didn't look to see who she was texting, still thinking about when he would tell her. He was pulled out of his trance when he heard her ask him a question. "Only if you want to." He chuckled lightly. "Or we could play twenty questions." He said to her with a raised eyebrow.

[Diamond Patrick Parker]

Smirking at the reply she had gotten from Cannnon, she then replied one last time to him, Bad thoughts about you are running through my head right now Cannon.....

Letting the past conversation slip out of her hands, she genuinly moved onto the next that they had seemed to start. Now that the rules had been changing at Blue Ridge; she knew that she couldn't keep Leyla. Thats part of the reason she had brought her, trying to rehome her. True, London it was hard to find places; but we always got them. she said to Cannon.

Perking her eyebrows at him with the reply to Bo, she offered a sly smile. Thanks, he's such a handful though. Do you have or know of any shelters on the way down to your "estate"? she asked him, giving him an aplogetic, but sad, look. I have to get rid of Leyla, sadly; but I really don't know where to keep her. If the shelters bad, I'm thinking of sending her overseas, but I would like to keep her close; but don't know if the family would be willing to let me visit.... she said to him.

Leyla was her baby, but with the dog rule now in place; she had to be gone, and fast. Nodding to the 20 questions idea, she smiled. You first.

[Cannon Eric Ryland]

He chuckled at her response, but that was all he did, letting her think what she wanted about him. It was funny to hear what other people said in regards to his personality, it amused him.

He nodded in response to her mudding back home in London, "Were you drinking tea and eating crumpets while you got your cars stuck in the mud?" He smirked to her, stereotyping her for a moment, teasingly. He liked to annoy her, mostly because she had a good sense of humor.

When she asked him about any shelters by his home, he thought for a moment before realizing they really didn't have any where he was from. The closest one was another three hours away. He shook his head, but then spoke up, "I mean, there is one, but it's too far to keep driving to it... but maybe if you ask nicely my parents will let you keep it at our place. He'd have lots of new friends to play with." He said to her with a raised eyebrow.

He grinned when they started 20 questions and he leaned back in his seat, thinking about what he would ask her first. "What was the strangest thing to you when you came over from England? He asked her.