1993 Pt2 - Seeing Stars
Ember was singing softly to herself as she walked down the street with her mom and Shane. Shane chuckled as she did a little skip remeniscent of the dance he'd been teaching Kylan a couple days before.
"Stop that Em." Kylan snapped and yanked Ember from Shane's grip.
Marie tried a little spin and Marie picked her up in annoyance.
Shane took her hand and pressed in close. "Don't be such a spoil sport. She's excited."
"Look mommy horsie!"
"You see horses every day, Ember."
Shane pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Ewww."
"Then don't look."
Shane sighed "I'll take Ember for some cocoa. Try not to be nervous."
"I'm not nervous."
Shane cocked an eyebrow as Sienna rode up. "You must be Kylan. Shane says you're looking for a horse."
"I want to compete and the Mulligan horses are too old."
Sienna frowned, "Follow me"
Kylan was instantly drawn to the Fox Trotter "That ones not ready. We have others."
"He doesn't like being in chains."
Marie barely glanced at the stranger. "They aren't chains."
"I brought him here to heal not be a circus clown."
"Competing is a far cry from a clown."
Kylan turned to confront the stranger but he cried out "Look out!"
It happened so fast, one minute Fable had been nuzzling her hand the next he was kicking and whinnying angrily at her. Kylan dodged as the horse kicked and tumbled to the ground.
The man raced to her side.
"Are you alright." The man was kneeling over her, his eyes locking with her in worry.
"I'm fine. He didn't hit me, just knocked me off balance." The man didn't look convinced as he pressed his hand to her temple. "I guess the world is kind of spinning."
"I'll help you.
The man pulled her into his lap his, hands resting on her face. They were soft and he smelled comforting like dirt and smoke. She tried to get up and he stumbled back.
"Careful. Wait until you get your bearings." He stroked her hair and it felt so nice.
"Kylan?"
Marie jumped to her feet when she heard Shane. "It's not what it looked like. He...I...the horse..."
"The horse knocked her over. I was just making sure she was okay."
"By running your hands through her hair."
Suddenly Sienna, was between them. "Enough of this!"
"He's the one who can't keep his hands to himself."
"How many times have I told you boys to keep your feud out of my ring."
"Shane please. Let's just go."
"And you! I told you that horse wasn't fit for riding but you thought you knew better."
"I'm sorry"
"Get out of my ring"
Shane turned away. "Shane please. I promise it's not what it looked like."
"Then why are you so defensive about it. I'm not forcing you to stay with me Kylan. I like you but a girl like you will always be drawn to what's new." He turned.
She'd messed it all up again.
[Prescott Square 2 months after Prom]
"There you guys are! Lacey! Paul and Marie are here!"
The party was already in full swing as the couple slipped through the door to shouts of greeting. Like they were royalty. She guessed they were considering they'd been crowned at prom.
"Simon didn't think you guys were gonna make it."
"It was a close call. Can you believe this one didn't want to come to a party!?"
"No way! Marie are you crazy. We can't have a party without all the Amiga's. Who would light the bonfire!?"
"I just...haven't been feeling well."
"Uh oh here comes trouble. Maybe don't tell you you weren't gonna come. She's already pissed you were late."
"Thank the Watcher you're here. Zachary invited some of his rowdy Uni friends and there is no way I'm putting him in a headlock in this dress."
"I'll take care of him."
As the night got more rowdy, Marie slipped off to a back corner where Paul found her. "Here. You're favorite."
"Oh...thanks" She placed the drink in her lap without tasting it.
"Something's up. You've been off since prom. Is it because I got wasted? I know I ruined the evening"
"You didn't ruin the evening Paul. I...do you remember anything?"
"Not really. I was nervous. Everyone hooks up that night and we'd never...I wanted it to be special but..."
"I know. I shouldn't have put that pressure on you. Just because I have doesn't mean...I'm sorry."
"So was I good at least?"
Marie swallowed and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Paul, can we go somewhere more private."
Paul smirked, a glimmer of lust in his eyes and he pulled her into a kiss. "Mmm you wanna try again sober?"
"No, I...have something to tell you."
No one seemed to notice when Paul and Marie slipped around the side of the house.
Not even Toby as he mulled over Marie's words at prom. "Mei's literally only with him cause Simon's got a big dong and knows how to use it. Heck if I got the chance I'd be all over that too."
He'd thought she was just trying to make him feel better. Assuring him that their relationship wouldn't last and he had a chance. Then he'd walked into that bathroom and learned just what kind of girl his niece was.
"Toby! Toby! Come quick! It's Marie!"
So Paul now knew too.
"What do you mean it's not mine!?"
"Hey Paul, backoff."
"Get out of here squirt this is between me and your niece."
Lacey pulled Marie away from the boys while Toby tried to calm Paul down but Paul was beyond calming.
"Both of you mind your own business. Whose is it Marie?"
"Get off me Paul. I don't care what this is about. I'm Lacey Prescott and you have overstayed your welcome!"
Marie was no longer listening. A fox with strange markings watched from across the street. The same fox she'd almost hit on prom night. It disappeared into the brush
A (Hopefully) Temporary Ending