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"Aspire to inspire, before you expire."  - Eugene Bell Jr.

Dedication: UnsteadyCreatures for the amazing cover! Thank you!

Recap:

"Thanks Jayden," I murmured.

I dialled dad's number and he answered on the second ring, much to my relief.

It kind of felt good that I got back at Xavier. I moved on.

But the worst part? After all this, I still want Xavier back.

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"Morning!" My manager chirped as I dragged my feet.

"Morning," I mumbled back.

I took a deep breath, inhaling the horse smell I had grown accustomed to. Ditching my bag in the locker room, I punched in and checked over the list. There was a lot to do, as usual. I hadn't been in for a few days and Bec had been sick. We'd been short staffed and now we all had to pick up the slack.

I'm glad that there's a lot to do. It will keep me distracted from Xavier and the absolute mess I made the other night at the party.

I set to work and tried to get through everything. I thoroughly cleaned the stables, I re-filled the water, I made up the night feed early and I prepared the hay. I leaned back on the pole, taking a swig of water, feeling quite accomplished.

"Nice job," Oliver commented. "Record time today."

I gave him a slightly breathless grin.

"Hey, do you want to go for a ride today if I need you to? I've got Dallas working with a young girl but I've just had someone else request a ride and she's my only rider in today."

I shrugged. "Sure. Just a trail?"

"Yeah, is that cool?"

I nodded. He grinned and disappeared out the back, to go get the horses prepared. I still felt breathless, so I hung back and continued to drink my water. I let my eyes close as I listened to the soft clips of the horse's shoes clunking on the cement. I took time to listen to the hurried footsteps of the other workers. I heard the birds chirping in the trees and the water pump going.

It was such a nice day. I lived in a beautiful town. I shouldn't be so down on something as petty as a boy. I should be out enjoying myself and the world around me.

Pushing off the wooden pole, I propelled myself out through the doorway. Just as I walked through, the door swung shut from a gust of wind, effectively smacking me straight in the face. With a loud yelp, I fell back painfully, landing on my butt.

I sighed as I lied there, sprawled on the hard cement. I stared up at the large, overarching roof of the barn.

I had tried to be optimistic.

The door swung open.

"Er- Faith? Are you okay?"

I blinked up at the ceiling, vaguely recognising that voice.

"Come on," the voice said.

A strong grip wrapped around my wrists and suddenly, I was pulled to my feet. Feeling slightly light headed, I stared at the person in front of me.

"Jayden..." I said slowly, scrunching up my face. "What are you doing here?"

"My sister gets riding lessons."

"Oh."

"I saw you working so I requested a ride. You still up for it?" he asked, offering me a friendly smile.

"That was you?"

"Yep."

"Er- I guess."

"Gee, don't sound so enthusiastic," Jayden laughed, rolling his eyes.

"Sorry."

"Don't sweat it. Lead the way!"

With my shoulders slightly slumped, I walked through the doorway, successfully this time, out to the back where Oliver was just finishing saddling up Jayden's horse.

I grinned. He let me ride Jamaica today. He was my favourite.

I let my fingers trail across his neck. He was a dark, liver chestnut with a blaze and three white socks.

"Hey man," I whispered as he nudged me.

"How do I get on it?" I heard Jayden asked.

Rolling my eyes, I turned.

"You all good?" Oliver asked.

"Yeah, thanks," I said to him.

He gave me a wink, which I ignored, before sauntering off.

"See this?" I asked, pointing. "This is a stirrup. Your left foot goes here."

"Does it have to be the left foot?"

"Yes, otherwise you'll be facing the wrong way, dumb ass."

"Woah, no need for name calling here. Just because you're a know-it-all."

"Oh shut up," I laughed.

He did as he was told.

"Okay now grip the saddle. When I say jump, jump. I'm going to give you a boost."

Jayden successfully mounted and settled into the saddle.

"That hurt my stomach. And I think I pulled a groin muscle."

"That sucks."

"You're so sympathetic."

"I get that a lot."

I rounded the wash bay and mounted my own horse with ease.

"How'd you go that?"

"Practise," I answered, gripping the reins.

I gave him a quick run through with how to go and stop, basically.

After a few minutes, we eventually got to walking.

"Can we just stay at this pace?" he asked, his voice unsteady.

"Sure."

"Okay, thanks."

He looked extremely uncomfortable and I let out a laugh.

"It's okay to breathe, you know."

"What if it runs?"

"He's a trained school horse. He knows not to go faster than he's told."

"You act like they can understand us," he muttered.

"They do. They know when you feel tense or when you're scared," I explained.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"That's cool."

I turned my focus onto the sandy track. All I wanted to do was pick up a canter and rush through the trail. I wanted to feel the cool wind on my face. But that wasn't a part of my job. And I'd probably hurt Jayden.

Letting my body relax, I ran my hand over Jamaica's neck. His steps were even and consistent as we made our way down the track.

"Hey Faith?" Jayden said.

"Hey yeah?"

"Can you slow down?"

"Sorry," I said.

"Hey Faith?"

"What now?"

"Is this our first date?"

My stomach clenched. I continued to stare forward.

"No."

"Do you prefer dinner?"

"I'm not dating," I said with a sigh.

"Oh."

"Sorry."

"That's okay. I like spending time with you anyway."

Silence fell the rest of the trip. We made it to the glade and I just sat there, looking out at the fading sun over the water. It was a breath-taking sight.

"Beautiful," I whispered.

"Yes," he murmured. "You are."

***

The door bell rang, just as I had the spoon of nutella up to my lips.

Grumbling, I got off the stool and made my way over to the door. I swung the door open and sucked on the spoon.

"Hey."

"Jayden," I said, after swallowing the deliciousness. "What's up?"

"You won't believe who my dad is."

"That's random."

"Guess."

"I have no idea."

"Gary Evans."

"Really?" I asked, my eyes popping open. "He was my-"

"Anger Management Counsellor? Yup."

"Small world." I commented.

I took a moment to stare at him. He was holding four pairs of gloves and there was a bag at his feet.

"Are you stalking me?"

He ignored my comment.

"So," he said. "Your dad came and saw him. Said you were a bit down at the moment and your anger management exercises aren't working well. Correct?"

"My dad went and saw him? He didn't tell me that."

"We were at the grocery store and he ran into us. When dad asked how Faith was doing, I realised it must be you."

"That's weird."

"Yeah, but anyway, I'm here to help."

"With?"

"You. Controlling your emotions and stuff."

"And how are you going to do that?"

He chucked a pair of gloves at me and I caught it last minute.

He bent down and scooped up the bag that was lying at his feet.

"We're going to punch all the anger out of you, of course."

I grinned.

Now this was more like a first date.

***

My body was drenched in sweat. My hair was sticking to my skin. My chest was heaving.

But I had never felt so alive. Adrenaline pulsed through my veins. I felt good. Really good.

"You are one aggressive little girl," Jayden commented breathlessly.

"Yeah." I grunted, falling to the floor. "I'm exhausted."

"You should be. That was intense."

"Thanks for this," I panted. "I really needed it."

"Any time."

"Want a drink?"

"Would love one."

Slowly, I got to my feet. He trailed behind me. After withdrawing two powerades from the fridge, I tossed one at him.

"We could go for a run next?" he suggested.

"I need a breather," I laughed.

The doorbell rang again. I padded over to the door and swung it open. In my driveway, sat a new car. It looked very similar to my old one, but it wasn't. It was newer. My mouth fell open. It had a red bow on it.

"What the..." I whispered, stepping out onto the landing.

"Hey."

I turned, seeing Xavier standing on the porch.

"Hey?"

"Do you like it?" he asked.

"I don't understand."

"I bought it for you," he shrugged. "Your car is a write off, yeah?"

"Yeah..." I said slowly, still not processing what the hell he was saying.

"Jasmine's dad owns the Mitsubishi dealership in town. He had one in stock." he shrugged again, nonchalantly. "Like it?"

"Xavier..." I trailed off, staring at the car again. "I can't accept that."

"Why not?"

"How did you even afford this?"

"I had some help."

"From who?"

"Your dad."

"What!?"

He chuckled. "He helped me. Do you like it?"

"Xavier," I said again, shaking my head. "Why did you do this?"

"Because I made a huge mistake with you. I-"

"You all good, Faith?" Jayden called.

I flinched as Xavier's eyes widened. The hurt that flashed across his face made my stomach clench. Jayden wandered out.

"Woah, nice car."

I was silent as I stared at Xavier.

"Hey man," Jayden said, oblivious to the accumulating tension. "Jayden."

"Xavier," Xavier said gruffly.

"Oh..." Jayden said, giving me an uneasy look.

This wasn't awkward at all.

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Hey guys, sorry if this is as crummy as I think it is. I wrote it up pretty quickly. Going through some personal things at the moment but I'm trying to keep updating as regularly as I can.

What do you think of Faith and Jayden spending time together?

And what do you think of Xavier buying her a car and trying to apologise?