Justin was awakened the next morning by a broad, slimy nose poking him, and the sunlight hitting his face. He brushed the wet, cold nose away, assuming it was a dog. He woke with a start when a horse neighed right in his ear.
“Good morning, Curly. Nice hammock-lines.” Anna laughed. Justin felt the welts in his face from lying in the hammock all night.
“What time is it?” he yawned.
“Almost 5:30. I was just going for a long morning ride. I can saddle up another horse, if you want to come with me. Maybe we could talk?” Justin nodded. Then he noticed his hair was still matted with gravy.
“Mind if I take a fast shower first?” he asked, smiled ruefully.
“Hurry.” Anna smiled back at him.
15 minutes later Justin walked into the barn, fresh as a daisy and ready.
“I’m giving you fair warning, last time I was on a horse, I broke an arm.” Justin regarded the beast warily. Anna laughed at him.
“Relax, Constellation is almost 15. He wouldn’t throw a fly anymore.” she said, as Justin mounted. She lead Consellation and Justin across the yard, and onto a path winding throughout he woods.
“Now, it normally takes me about 3 hours to ride this trail, so don’t freak if we’re taking awhile. We’re not lost, promise.” They rode in silent for a few minutes.
“So tell me about her.” Anna said suddenly.
“Well, she’s kind of short, blond and really cute, isn’t she? I know we’ve only know each other a few days but--”
Anna cut him off. “Not her, you moron, Symone. You know, the girl you’re in love with?” Justin sighed.
“Oh. Her. And I’m not in love with her. I don’t think. I don’t know anymore, Anna. Seeing her again just made me want to go and rip her heart out , run it through a paper shredder, tape it back together, then thrown it in the middle of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Just so she can feel what I felt. But then all this other part of me wants to just hold her, forever. Never let her go again. I don’t understand why she did what she did.” Justin said.
“Maybe she was scared.” Anna said, slowly, thoughtfully.
Justin almost laughed at the idea. Symone, brave enough to challenge him to a basketball game, not afraid of anything. Could she be scared of him, or their love?
“What about Joey?” Justin asked, changing the subject.
“You say that name again, and I’ll get Constellation to throw you so far you’ll be back in Orlando last Sunday.” Anna said quickly.
“You like him, don’t you?” Justin said, looking at her quizzically.
Anna started, then regained composure. “No, I do not like him one bit. I think he is vile and womanizing and--”
Now it was Justin’s turn to cut Anna off. “Womanizing? Ha! The last time Joey played a girl...wow, it was a while ago. Actually, he just got out of a kind of relationship before we left. He was with this girl Jess, but it didn’t work out. He hasn’t looked at a girl since...until you, that is.” Justin grinned wickedly.
“Mr. Timberlake, I suggest you stop talking unless you want to be lost in the woods. With no girls. And no hair gel.” Anna said smartly. The two rode side by side in silence.
Emmi opened the door to the guys room. Lance was the only one left sleeping, on the top bunk. She tried not to laugh as she watched him from the doorway. His hair was a mess, and his mouth was slightly agape. She almost lost it as an idea ran through her head. Slowly and quietly, she climbed up the ladder, so she was at the foot of his bed.
With a loud war cry, she flung herself on Lance, tickling him mercilessly. Lance awoke with a cry, and started fighting back. He grabbed Emmi, and pinned her on the bed, laughing at her red, pouting face.
“No fair, I was supposed to win.’ She whined.
“Not a chance. And now, to collect the prize...” Lance reached down and touched his lips to hers.
“Well, it’s about time! Y’all have spent every day together since we got here. We had bets going on how long it would take you guys to hook up.” Two very red faces saw JC in the doorway. As quickly as he appeared, he was gone, the door shut behind him.
Lance rolled over so he and Emmi were laying side-by-side, with a few overlapping parts, on his bed. They stared at the ceiling for a few moments.
“Dang.” Emmi said, after a bit.
“What?”
“I just realized that I lost the bet.”
