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Post by Rosey on Jan 2, 2010 8:58:14 GMT -5
It was a beautiful day. The mid-afternoon sun was radiating happily in the brilliant blue sky, the bright green trees were swaying gently in a calm cool breeze, the water on the lake rippled as a gentle wind blew and children walking along the street below were giggling as they sucked on ice-creams and lollies, swinging on their parent's arms. Cars swept down the road with tunes wafting out the open windows and a cat lolled lazily on a mossy wall not too far away. So, really, if there was ever a day to be sad, this certainly wasn't it – but however hard he tried, Dale just couldn't help it.
He turned his pointed face away from the cheery sight as he pulled his knees closer to his chest; his long dark locks of hair creating a curtain around his face as he sat perched beside the water with a heavy sigh, the first tears welling in his eyes and tipping over the brims, trickling down his face. One dropped down over his nose, making it tickle, and he swiped it away with the back of his hand. Crying confused him – he felt so ungrateful, weeping for a reason he couldn't think of when there were plenty of others worse off than he was. He was one of the lucky ones – he had brilliant friends (amongst the more shallow ones), a fabulous wardrobe, great taste in music, an envious social life, amazing hair and a pretty face. So why, oh why, was he sitting here feeling sorry for himself?
He pulled his knees up to his chin and rested his head on them, a sob getting caught in his throat. He coughed, but for some reason it only made it worse, and he put his hands to his head, pulling at his hair as he took in a sharp, shaky breath, the trickle of tears turning into a flood as he gave in and openly wept, the hot drops running over his lips, and he licked them away, the sour saltiness making him pull a face and cry even harder.
After a while, his stomach started to ache as the muscles began to protest sharply against being clenched in his doubled over position. He didn't care though, and the more he shook, the more it hurt, and the more it hurt, the more he wailed, his nose running and his head feeling like it was about to explode. He thought about trying to find a more private place - a few passers by had started looking - but every ounce of energy had been completely sucked from him, so he settled for wiping face against his knees, not caring about the fact that he was rubbing snot and eyeliner all over his favourite skinny pants. He was completely wretched.
He hated that he was now making a mess of his clothes, even now, in this state he was worrying about it. How vain did that sound! A grey PVC jacket over a bue shirt covered his upper torso, with a pair of black drainpipe jeans covering his lower half, complete with a pair of white stack heeled boots. His hair, which was once a feathery mane around his face looked a little lank now, from the tears he'd accidently spread through it.
Now, why was Dale so upset you ask? The only reason he could get upset - Howard. It hit him hard. See a while ago he and Dale had gotten into a spot of bother. Dale didnt like to tell anyone - what would they think? For Dale to agree to do something so stupid. Well, you'd do allot for your family, especially if they were anything like his uncle. The uncle that had brought him in, brought his mother in when they'd left his father. When they'd escaped.
Dale missed Howard, and he was sorry - sorry that when Dale had left he'd left under such bad cicumstances. How often did his uncle and his mother think of him? Would they write to him soon? These were just a few questions that crossed his mind often. Questions that he didn't like to think about - didn't think about when he was around people. But he hadn't been with anyone for a few days. Not Giselle, not April - he missed them too. A ghost of a smile crept upon his features when he thought of them. They were probably his best friends - his only real friends - since he arived here. But there was slim chance of seeing either of them here wasn't it? It was times like this that Dale supposed you needed your friends.WORD COUNT ;;
STATUS ;; COMPLETED\
TAGS ;; DALE, OPEN |
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Post by April Conners on Jan 2, 2010 14:58:37 GMT -5
  So you've had a bad day...?I had decided at go out for a nice hack after my run in with, emm, well, what was her name again?
I suppose that was one of the worst things about the whole fight was that it was first impressions. I didn’t want to be lurking around in the barn forever, just waiting till she came back, so I decided it was a nice day, so why not ride out? Me and Oliver needed to get outta there anyway.
I’d seem to have lost track of time just wandering along the many trails. I had dropped my reins on Oliver neck as soon as we got far away enough from the roads and any danger. I allowed him to wander down the trails wherever he liked, not really caring where we ended up. He plodded along like some old nag, very unlike himself, his head lowered to the ground as he contently moved along, taking in everything on the trail floor. I dropped my stirrups rolling my ankles and stretching my legs down. I reached my arms up to the sky and stretched pushing my arms away from each other slowly, giving a large yawn, tired from getting up so early.
I held onto the reins with one hand twisting a large leaf round and round in my fingers. I wasn’t sure what type it was I just grabbed it from one off the plants that I could reach. Oliver had the same idea, quickly snatching some poor plant before I could stop him and tell him off. I couldn’t help but laugh at him, greedy boy that he was. He flicked his ears back at me, chomping away, listening to the familiar laughter. I grinned at him, still chuckling as I flicked a bit of his lop sided mane back to where it belonged. Oliver obviously disagreed, shaking his head vigorously causing it to fall back it its “right” original place.
“Oi!” I laughed giving him a light slap on the withers. “I’m making you look pretty.”
I leant forward onto the gelding’s long neck, stroking his mane over to the right side. I pushed his reins forward, rubbing my fingers down then before stopping half way down his neck, clashing on as I kicked my feet up in the air, grinning, seeing if I could balanced there for long. I tried letting go of his neck but had to grab back on as I glanced down at the ground, not really fancying visiting there. Thanks but, no thanks.
I cupped my hands over the top of his neck, my hands filling with bright ginger mane and brown leather as I lay along this neck, resting my on the massive bed of hair. I couldn’t get enough of this, just me and Oliver. I had always preferred horses to humans. So much simpler, horses don’t lie; they aren’t generally mean for no reason. I just lay there spinning this leaf stalk round with my fingers, digging my nails into the green think stalk. It was almost hypnotizing. I just sat there and listened to his steady hoof, feeling each time he moved each leg. I could hear him swish his tail every once and a while to keep the fly’s at bay. Plodding along, not a care in the world.
I looked ahead, seeing the trees thinning. I sat up, pushing myself back into the saddle where I was safe and secure. I slipped my feet back into the stirrups comfortably, seeing that the trail was coming to an end, going out in the open. I looked through the trees to see a bright glint causing me to screw up my eyes and look away, pushing the green leaf in the way of the light to protect my eyes. Oliver raised his head, pricking his ears up, sensing that we were coming out into the open. He shied slightly from the light, but I didn’t really mind, I couldn’t blame him, I had done the same. I lifted the reins to stop him from going anywhere, holding a hand above my eyes to shield them from the harsh new light. Ah, yes. I could see now, it was that lake. What was it called again? Oh I don’t know. I was starting to get used to the places around here but I was still no expert. Old something like? Ozzy lake? Something likes that anyway.
The sun was way above us now, must be midday. The reflection on the water – the brightness of the open was enough to make me keel over off Oliver’s back. I felt slightly like a vampire unable to see blinded by the shock of it. Oliver screwed up his eyes too, slowing down. There was a light breezing coming across the large body of water as I examined where I was, pulling the horse up so I could look more closely.
I gazed down the long open line down to where people where, glazing over at boats floating along the water already. Could hear children laughing running about, enjoying themselves as though it was a summer day back in England. My eyes were starting to get used to the new light as I could see more, scanning the area. I spotted a lonely figure along the water line, all by himself away from everybody else along the Pierre. Hey, I knew who that was! The black matt of hair blowing in the wind, the skinny jeans, who else than Dale. A huge grin grew across my face as I realised who it was. Dale was a great mate, one of the first people I met when I came here. In fact, he was the first, wasn’t he? Always up for a laugh.
“Hey, Dale!” I cried, digging my heels into Oliver’s sides.
I gathered my reins up quickly as the gelding’s ear pricked ahead as he took off, glad for the chance to have a good gallop. Dirt and dust flew up behind us as we shot over the ground. I stood up in my stirrups, waving my right hand about like crazy; my other was to stop Oliver from getting too carried away, taking a firm pull on the bridged reins.
“WooHoo!” I cried as Oliver threw in a couple of excited and we grew closer to the familiar figure. I took back my reins, laughing out loud as I gave an almightily pull attempting the pull the excited young horse up. We slightly over shot as I turned back sharply laughing as we tore into the water, spraying everywhere. I expected to see Dale grinning and laughing back at me with some funny comment but he was just curled up, looking so small. I pushed Oliver forward back to shore, my smile fading as I tried to work out what was going on.
“Dale?” I asked, hoping I had got the right person. |
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Post by Rosey on Jan 3, 2010 8:10:24 GMT -5
“Dale?” A voice, a gentle, concerned, and slightly scared voice, wafted over him.
Damn it.
He kept his feathered head down, keeping as quiet and as still as possible, which was hard when his shoulders were trembling, heaving up and down against his will. He soon felt a presence beside him, and a burning sensation crept up his neck and over his face, his cheeks stinging as he felt them flushing red. He felt awful. His head throbbed, his nose was bunged up and his eyes were red raw and stinging. He chanced a glance up at April as she arived by his side, perched upon her horse... he'd forgotten his name... Oliver? Yeah it was Oliver. He had to look up eventually – and gave her a watery smile. He knew there'd be no way he'd be able to hide the fact that he'd been crying, but he wasn't sure what else to say (for once). "A'righ' there April?" He tried to smile, a forced laugh escaping his lips. “God, I must look a righ' mess, eh?” He brushed some of the hair from his face, the feathered stands wet and clinging to his skin. He then sniffed a little as he wiped a hand across his face.
April looked good; she looked happy. She was probably having a pretty good day. Judging from her former greeting towards him, Dale figured that was true. He didn't want to ruin that for her just because he was having a down day. That wasn't exactly fair on her. What would she say about this totally out-of-character behaviour anyway? He tried to make his curled-up possition seem a little more relaxed by releasing his grip on his knees and wrapping them around his torso, but he was sure that probably only made it look worse, as he was now digging his fingers into his lithe rib-cage now. He waited for a reaction, any reaction.STATUS ;; COMPLETED
TAGS ;; DALE, ASH |
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Post by April Conners on Jan 3, 2010 14:34:35 GMT -5
So you've had a bad day...?I raised an eyebrow at this unfamiliar person, pulling the gelding up to a halt beside him. I couldn’t help being surprised at his body language, his words, everything was so – so- not Dale... Dale, crying? It was just too weird to contemplate.
"A'righ' there April?" He mumbled half heartedly, uncurling from his little ball.“God, I must look a righ' mess, eh?”
He looked up at me; face pale, eyes all red and watery. He was shifting slightly looking uncomfortable as he tried to adjust himself to a different probably more normal looking position. Not a very happy bunny now. He didn’t look like he wanted me here at all as he stared on across the water line. I was left sitting on Oliver, not knowing what to say or do. He truly did look awful, but you can’t exactly say that, can you? Sure, that would make his day.
“Dale – uh- Hi,” I forced a few words from my lips, breaking the silence.
I found myself unable to take my eyes away from him. This wasn’t exactly a site you see every day, now, is it? I didn’t really know what to do with myself, whether just to turn Oliver around and go back the way I came and give him some space. I swallowed trying my best to look away and act completely normal. I didn’t want to make him feel any worse than he felt, or looked for that matter of fact.
I tried to think of what could be wrong. I didn’t know much about Dale’s past – he had always been so secretive about it. Come to think about it he was kind of like the dark horse. Changing the subject and all that lark. Mind I had never really wanted anyone to know about mine so I didn’t really go there myself. I knew that his uncle had sent him away for some odd reason but I always just took it all was for the riding side of things. Living round London what hardly horse paradise, was it now?
“Oh, Dale.” I whispered, swinging my leg over the pommel of the saddle so I was sitting on sideways before sliding off, landing beside my friend on the stones. It was hardly the correct way to dismount but it was my way. I kept a hold of the reins so Oliver couldn’t go off for a wonder; I knew he would do if he could. “Feeling a bit homesick, eh?”
I crouched down next to him, sitting very similar to him. I leant against my knees, hooking my arms round my thighs as I sat, resting my head so I could look at him. I just took a guess that he must be missing home, thinking he could always go along with that if he didn’t want to tell me what the matter was.
“Not seeing your horse today, eh?” I asked, trying to make conversation.
To be honest I was never very good at comforting people. I tended to find ways to make them feel worse really. I felt quite useless sitting there, thinking it would probably do better if someone else was here. Oliver lowered his head down to our level and was poking about for something to eat, giving a large sigh when he realised we were useless. I turned my attention to the horse, taking a hold of the bit with my left hand and the leathers with my other. I stroked his face, smiling at my horse.
“You know, if you want I’ll ride for you and do your horse today.” I suggested, deciding that I could at least try and he somehow helpful. I doubted Dale would take me up on this offer, always wanting to do his own horse despite how much he didn’t seem to enjoy mucking out. However he was acting very out of character. “It’ll be good for Zappa. You don’t mind, do you, Oliver baby.”
I glanced back at Dale, waiting for a response. I really wanted to know what was the matter with him. What could possibly make Dale, Dale of all people, to be this unhappy? I pulled Oliver’s head, giving him a light kiss on the nose before resting my head on him.
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Post by Rosey on Jan 4, 2010 5:36:43 GMT -5
Yeah you could say that.
Dale's gaze remained ahead of him as April squatted beside him, almost mimicing his position on the small stone's beside the water. They were both sitting so close that he could touch it's rippling surface if he wanted to, feel the cool water on his fingertips. It would be nice on a day like this; a rare sunny day of late. But of course he was sitting here instead, wallowing in self pity and homesickness, and bringing April down with him.
He felt her presence as she sat down next to him, and even though he wanted to pull away or run off in shame, that simple act made his heart glow with appreciation and made him want to cry even harder. She cared. And it meant allot to him. Without really looking up at his friend, Dale nodded slowly, "m'yeah s'pose so." It wasn't a lie, but not untirely true either. It somehow felt like a lie; sure he did miss London sometimes, but only certain parts of it. He missed the shops, and he missed the small park close by his mothers old appartment. He missed Howards homestead, his horses and even the spongey little brown matress that his uncle made him sleep on. Dale loved, loved it here in Fielding, Kentucky. He loved it all, and mostly he loved having April and Giselle to hang out with whenever he wanted. He hated bringing them down though.
It didn't take him long before he realised that April had asked him about Zappa, ahh yes Zappa. He adored his beautiful painted mare too. But he hadn't ridden her today, he supposed he should but there were so many thing's he wanted to do instead. Like be there now with April and Oliver, just sitting there for a while. Glad at least for her company. It sounded selfish yes, but he was sure he could make it up to her later on.
Dale forced his gaze up so that he could meet that of his friend's. April had pulled Oliver's long face a little closer now so she could lean over and plant a small, motherly kiss upon the horse's nose. He tried to look away, but his shiny blue eyes locked onto her equally blue ones, and he crumbled completely, throwing his arms around April's neck and burying his head against her neck, tears cascading over his sharp sculpted features and dripping down. He clutched at her, still feeling mortally embarrassed but unable to tear himself away. “I'm sorry,” He muttered hoarsely against her neck. "I don' mean to be upset it's just tha'..." He swallowed back a sob. "Have you ever done sommink for a friend, or a family memeber even if ya know tha' it wasn' a good thing to do?" He decided not to wait for her to answer, afraid of what she'd say, and equally afraid that he wouldn't be able to say what he wanted to say. Even when he was happy he was like that; if he wanted to say something he'd say it. His ego wouldn't tollerate it if he couldn't.
"See, before I came here my uncle Howard go' into some trouble with a coupl'a berks in suits. He borrowed some money offa them and when he couldn' pay up they said they'd hurt 'im. They were talkin' abou' robbing a bank an' I was scared for 'im, so I said that I'd help him out." He didn't look up for fear of what he'd see, so he just continued to muffle into April's neck, feeling his own voice vibrate against his skin. "I said I'd drive 'em to the bank and wait for 'em while they wen' inside. I can remember one of the guys name's was Niall, bu' I can' remember the other one'd name.
"They said they'd be two minutes 'n fiftyfour seconds so I put on a song to time 'em 'cause I don' read too good. So they went inside and it was my job to make sure no one go' suspitious... or so they recon'd. I recon it was just to ge' me outta the way." Dale felt his stomach squirm uncomfortably at the memory. "Turns ou' they did want me outta the way 'cause next thing I know is Howard's tellin' me they were gonna..." he trailed off as a violent shiver wracked his small frame. "Cut me up. I was a liab..bili" He tried to think of how Howard had explained it to him, he remembered as if he were trying to explain it to a small child. "A liability to them. He wan'ed me safe, so he 'nd my mum sent me here." He dared a glance up at April's face now, too needy now to let go of her, but to embarassed to look directly at her. "I didn' mean to do anythin' illegal, or wrong I just... I was... I'm worried 'bout 'im."STATUS ;; COMPLETED\
TAGS ;; DALE, APRIL, OPEN |
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Post by April Conners on Jan 27, 2010 15:08:07 GMT -5
So you've had a bad day...?
The geldings head shot up into the clouds, almost as shocked in Dale’s sudden turn. He side stepped quickly away from the fast movement. I gave a very quick squeeze down the rein to stop him from going anywhere. He placed his hooves carefully on the pebbles, as though he was standing on smouldering coals. It seemed as though Dale’s unusual behaviour had passed on to him, it was hardly like Oliver to take care. In fact most of the time he was more likely to trip over himself, sending me over board in the process. His little red ears where pricked as he swayed, twitching to spook, resisting the urge, sensing that the familiar character was un happy. It wouldn’t exactly help if he took off then and there.
Though is behaviour was hardly uncalled for. I could hardly believe my ears as Dale told be his story. I wanted to stop him and get him to repeat, but decided quickly that wasn’t a tactful approach. I slowly slipped my arm around him so I wasn’t sitting so uncomfortably. It reminded me teenagers out for a cinema date, as the boy slowly pretended to stretch so his arm could be around the girl.
I gave Dale a quick squeeze as I turned my head to look at him, taking in each word that he was saying, staring at his lips. His story made me want to laugh out loud, plaguing me with guilt but I just couldn’t help but smile. It was so Dale! It was the type of thing you’d imagine him to do, being the colourful character he was, but who could have guessed.
"I didn' mean to do anythin' illegal, or wrong I just... I was... I'm worried 'bout 'im."
He glanced up at me, causing me to blush as I forced the smile off my face, not wanting to make him feel any worse that he already was, but as he looked up at me with those big blue eyes the smile couldn’t stay away. I found myself lost for words, for once. I opened my mouth half expecting something, something deep and helpful to come out, like on a movie. It seemed like a movie to me.
“Jeez...” Was all I could just about manage, forcing words out my mouth? “Dale...”
I looked over at the glassy water for some inspiration, watching the swans as they glided across the water. I looked at Dale and gave him a comforting smile, feeling suddenly full and confident to make my friend feel better. “That must suck.” I said, a voice screaming in my head “NO!” I don’t know what happened to my long speech but it just disappeared. I was hardly any good at comforting people. I looked down at my feet, blushing, feeling bad about being so bad at this. I sighed, kicking at the stones at my feet, making a little hole in the earth.
“Yeah, life sucks, doesn’t it?” I mumbled, looking up. Emotion came back to me. I knew how Dale felt, but he had no one to comfort him. It reminded me of when I was younger and when I had fallen off my pony, or had a really bad day at school he’d always know how to make things better. He just knew what to say.
“Sorry, I’m not very good at this.” I glanced back to Dale, feeling my stomach flipping as old memories came up. “I know how you feel, I really do. I really miss my Dad, too, I suppose your uncles kind of like your Dad, eh?” I glanced up and down at him, biting my lip. I could feel my heart beat a little bit faster, I felt myself almost starting to shake. “Yeah, my Dad and my brother died.”
My throat was burning with hot tears. I swallowed quickly, holding my chin up. I didn’t want to cry, no, nothing I could do could bring him back, no amount of tears shed could ever do that. There was no use showing any weakness. “Yeah, it happened a while back. Years ago.” I looked back down at my feet, making the hole in the ground bigger and bigger as I stabbed at the earth with my foot. I dug my nails into the worried gelding reins, trying to find the words to speak.
“There was this Lass I bumped into this morning. He was one of those girls – y’know – the ones who have everything you want. Well, we managed to get into a fight, and she was trying to say how much she hated her father and how horrible he was to her, and I just couldn’t stand her saying that, y’know. She said she had lost her mother, which made it even worse. I just couldn’t understand why – why after her mother’s death would she has not learned?”
I stopped talking quickly, feeling as though I carried on I would burst into hysterics. I felt so bad, bad that all these memories had come up, and bad that I had turned everything all about me.
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Post by Rosey on Feb 22, 2010 3:13:23 GMT -5
Let's Dance to Joy Devision
and celebrate the irony... [/b][/color][/size] and for one brief flicker of a second Dale was tempted to make a wise-crack about a 90's romance flick; but thought better of it as he tightened his own grip as he glanced out at the large lake and giving a little more contented sigh as he felt April give his shoulders a gentle squeaze. He felt comfort in that; the fact that even after what he'd told her, the thing he'd been afraid to tell anyone all this time, she was still willing to sit there with him and offer some comfort. Well, in her own quirky way he supposed.
He was unable to keep a small smile to sneak it's way across his face at her word's, "That must suck... Yeah, life sucks, doesn't it?" Ahh what an April thing to say. He looked back up at her then, giving her a curious look, the tears now drying against his face, and a small chuckle escaping his lips. "Nah not really. But the choices we're forced to make suck sometimes." A couple of swans caught his eye then, and he looked out at the glassy surface of the water. A couple of swans glided across the surface, letting out unintelligible ‘honk’s’, and burying their beaks into the water to try and troll for food. It was a shame he hadn't decided to come here on a better day; he might have remembered to bring some bread to feed them. Next time, he thought. And he'll bring April back here too.
Two swans, a darker one, and a ivory one glid together not too far from the bevy, ducking their heads in the water and lifting them, preening their feathers as the water ran down their backs. Dale was usually like that, letting any negative occurances, or insults, or just down right bad days slide off of him just as water slid down swans backs.
No, life didn't suck at all. There were many beauiful thing's about life. So many things to experience; good and bad. What Dale had experienced before was bad but this, sitting there with April, the two of them in an embrace right there was a very good thing. It made Dale feel all warm and fuzzy inside.Loved, and cared for in a way that he hadn't experienced since being with his mother and uncle. Of course it was a slightly different feeling, and slightly confusing in a way that he wasn't sure about. But it was nice. "But life doesn' always suck does it? I mean, look at wha' a great friend I have in you?" He raised his head to look at hers. "I'm sorry abou' your dad though... and your brother. That must suck." He quoted what she had said moments before, only this time giving her a sort of lopsided smile. Though he doubted that it was entirely appropriate to do so.
He sat up straighter then, wrapping his arm a little tighter around her knowing that she needed just as much comforting as he had. He felt slightly better, knowing that April was there for him, and he wanted her to know that he was just as much there for her as she'd been for him. "Thanks, Ape." He leaned over and gave her a brotherly kiss on the cheek, before settling down beside her once more.
Everything is going wrong
but we're so happy! STATUS ;; COMPLETED\
TAGS ;; DALE, APRIL |
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Post by April Conners on Mar 6, 2010 16:50:39 GMT -5
So you've had a bad day...?
“Aye, but that’s all in the past, innit?” I mimicked Dale, not very convincingly.
I looked across the lake, the huge mass of water stretching across as far as the eye can see. The wind suddenly picked up creating little ripples, moving across the water towards us. I could feel that icy breeze now, shivering into Dale. The wind flicked odd hairs into my face, causing me to flinch away. I blinked, blowing away my mass of hair out of my eyes, laughing along with Dale again. I could see a huge grin grow across his face from ear to ear.
It was nice, just sitting, something I hadn’t done for ages. For once I finally felt at home here at firefly fields. For once in the time I’ve stayed here. It was nice to feel secure again. I hadn’t felt like this in a long time having always had something go wrong when everything seemed to be coming together again. There had always been money troubles since my father had died. He was good with business, money and what not. The man of the house some might say. My mother however, was not. Once he was gone everything fell apart. She always made it out that everything was going to be fine which would drive me even more insane thinking that this woman was in charge of our finances. It was up to the point where we were going to be kicked out of our home.
I shook off those memories. That was the past, this is now. I leaned into Dale and slacked on Oliver reins, dreaming of what the future could hold. Endless possibilities. The worlds my oyster...
I was suddenly awoken by a less friendly character. My bubble burst as I sat to attention. A huge white swan had been eyeing us the whole time came to greet us, to say the least. Obviously decided that enough was enough. I got the feeling that we had out lived our stay.
“Whoa!” I veered back, eyes shooting out of their sockets as the creature flapped its wings at us, swearing and cursing at me in swan speak. “Oh, ok, ok! Keep your feathers on!” I said, leaving Dales side as I leaped up into the sky. I wanted to be able to make a quick getaway if I had too. Oliver obviously felt the same way as he shied off into the distance as soon as the creature had made its attack, agreeing that it was not wise to stick around. I had made the lethal mistake on letting the reins slip through my fingers so he shot off behind me like red wind down into the woods.
I staggered backwards clear of the animal, not worried that Oliver would go far and stopped a safe distance away from my new friend. I couldn’t help but laugh at Dale’s reaction, always putting on a show. He was clearly back to his old self. I brushed down myself trying my best to get all the annoying little stones and grit off. The swan soon retreated back into the water giving some dirty looks from the side lines.
I could hear Oliver’s hoof beats getting fainter and fainter, turning to watch hopelessly as he sped off into the distance. I held my hand to my forehead, shading my eyes from the son to watch my gelding cantering away in the opposite direction making himself scarce. The stirrups were flapping wildly at his sides making it look as though the gelding might take off into the sky. “Well,” I sighed as he took a sharp turn off into the woods. “There goes my horse.”
Word count -- 621
Status-- Done finally.
Tags -- April && Dale
Notes -- Not my best but... 
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Post by Rosey on Mar 12, 2010 8:11:14 GMT -5
Let's Dance to Joy Devision
and celebrate the irony...[/b][/color][/size] Dale’s large eyes widened slightly and an amused grin spread across his pointed features as April began to mimic his lilt, a light giggle escaping his lip’s as his tongue flicked to curl around one of his incisors. He began to clap his hands. “Very good, love,” He chuckled, tipping an invisible hat in response. “We’ll make a cockney ou’a you yet!”
He thought it funny when people tried to mimic his accent; though he was terrible at mimicking others, himself. It was almost exciting to be able to interrupt and alter language; laying dirty lingo egg’s that people are going to have to say, then watch like a voyeuristic cuckoo as they hatch - 'There, speak like that. Now talk all stupid.’
When everything is homogenized and bland, nothing need’s to register; if you put things in an unnatural, or foreign fashion - even if it’s just saying someone’s name in silly voice, or changing the way it’s pronounced - it always make’s people want to listen more.
Dale observed with curiosity as April gazed off towards the lake, where his large blue eyes were sweeping over the water. He felt his own self shiver lightly as a cool breeze rustled the tree branches above them, and cooled the dry tears on his face. April made a blowing sound with her lip's then, and Dale looked to see she was brushing away some of her long tresses of blonde hair from her face. He’d always admired hair; all the styles and colors you could play with. Sure, that must have sounded a little ‘unmanly’ but Dale had always preferred women’s company to men’s. Men were very narrow minded and conditioned to behave in a certain way - women were cooler about stuff. He didn’t like to generalize.
A loud "honk!" broke Dale out of his thoughts and he looked up to see that one of the swans had made it's way to the edge of the lake, waddling out of the water and was currently stretching out it's long neck, making odd noises and flapping it's large wing's at them, blowing the hair off of Dale's fringe. He gave an odd squeak then, eyes widening as he jumped back with surprise, and his face went into the ultimate defence mode; eyes big, face innocent, looking for all the world like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He scramblied to his feet after April, the corner’s of his mouth tweaking into a diminutive frown while April brushed the grit from her pant's. It made Dale realise that he must've had some on his clothing too, and he reached around, brushing off sand and grass from his backside.
The swan that had scolded him, Dale realised must've been protecting eggs or something for it to behave the way that it had. "I wonder wha' her beef is." The tone of his voice was inquizitive, as he looked back at the swan, who was now settling itself down into a sitting possition near the water. He wasn't going to get an answer though, as he heard the now-familiar sound of hoof's beating against the ground, growing fainter as Oliver dissapeared into the woods. "Aaaaaaaaaand he's off!" Dale put on his best "commentary voice" as he watched the gelding dissapear into the woods. He knew there was no point in chasing after Oliver, there wasn't exactly a big chance that they'd be able to catch up to him at all.
The breeze grew stronger now as it swept around the duo; the leaves above them rustled and soughed in hushed echoes. The cries of things unseen were amplified by the gesture, and the forest appeared to suddenly come to life. The air charged, and Dale could hear the sound of the swans ducking their heads under he water, trying to seize unseen bugs and fish; seemingly nonplussed about the weather at all.
"Yup there 'e goes." Dale crossed his arms and nodded. "Somewhere..." He sucked on his bottom lip for a moment in a thoughtful manner. "So shall we go geddim?" He asked, stepping forwards before he heard April's reply and made his way towards the wood's.
The grass thinned out as he entered the shady growth of the trees, turning into soil as he walked over it at a slant, his shoes slipping slightly as he eased his way down, using upturned roots as leverage. It was a suprise to him that Oliver hadn't tripped at all while running down here. "April are you comin'?" He called back up, unsure if she was following now, or not. He turned around now, taking a few steps back as he did so, to take a look back up the slight descent. He looked back down momuntarily, making sure that he at least had a decent foot hold one one of the roots.
It would be a pretty slippery trip if you made a wrong move.Everything is going wrong
but we're so happy! STATUS ;; COMPLETED\
TAGS ;; DALE, APRIL
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Post by April Conners on Mar 24, 2010 15:02:44 GMT -5
So you've had a bad day...?
"So shall we go geddim?" Dale stepped away, wondering off into the wilderness.
I wasn’t completely sure he knew where to go, and soon enough the image of us hours later circling past the same tree for the 16th time in 5 minutes popped up, lost deep in the undergrowth as he insisted he knew where he was going. But I suppose it was the best bet so I was quick to on his heels. I trudged through into the darkness as daylight seemed to disappear into a calm green wonderland. Dale appeared to be proving me right as he plodded on away from the safely of the trails and paths, looking up around his as though the horse may be hidden in the trees or somewhere.
It felt like we were exploring in the rainforest or somewhere unknown and untouched by man, having to make a real effort lifting my knees high just to take a step forward. It was clearly quite over run by new spring plants and shrubs up to your knees. I could feel the dewy shrubs under my shoes, the slippy grass giving way under my feet. I had had little grip on them – they had been worn down doing yard work day in day out, day and night. I needed to get news trainers but it was just a matter of money. Every time I had a little left over Oliver had thrown a shoe, or stood on his reins, or ripped his rug – anything that was expensive. It was almost like he was doing it on purpose. I thought back to the girl on the yard who was clearly not short on cash. If her pony so much as sneezed she would send a vet out for sure no problem, and get him another saddle every month. The jealously stung right to the bone.
I watched where I was treading carefully, staring down at my feet for any signs of the horse, or anything nasty I might stand on. I could hear Dale mutter something a couple of yards ahead of me, calling my name but I took no notice, feeling as though keeping my shoes clean was more important, until...
Bang. Right into me.
I cried ouch in complete shock, not entirely sure of what went wrong. I could feel my feet sliding against the underlying shrubs, shooting forward into the back of Dale’s knees as I tipped back away from him. All I could do was windmill desperately as gravity took effect once again, reaching out for anything in arms reach. Dale was right in front of me, and I quickly decided that if I was going down, he was going down with me. After all, this was because of him. I quickly grabbed onto him, hoping somehow that he would be some use, only to find that he came flying back with me as we crashed to the ground together.
“AH!” I shrieked, letting go of my grip on the muppet, feeling very soggy and not amused. I reached back to my head feeling like it had its own heart beat. I squinted, opening my eyes to the leafy canopy covering the sky, trying to see through the plants that had seemed to grow over me. Dale was moping around, wining like a puppy, but I felt no sympathy for him. “Dale!” I growled, sitting up slowly and feeling the sudden urge to hit him, cursing and hissing as I looked myself up and down seeing grass stains and skid marks all over me and feeling my head being weighted down my leaves.
“You idiot!” I barked, using him as a leaning post to help myself up. It was fair enough, considering he got me down there. I managed to drag myself up muttering away under my breath, and attempted to brush what I could off my clothes but it didn’t really make much difference either way. I still looked as though I had been dragged through a bush backwards. I quickly pirouetted on my heels to look at Dale, hunching my shoulders as my hair stood on end. I felt so ready to scream abuse at him in the heat of the moment, but swallowed my words quickly, trying not to let any escape.
“What...the...hell...”
Word count -- 720
Status-- Done but veeeery late sorreh >.<
Tags -- April && Dale
Notes -- Not exactly the best post ever but betterlate than never!
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Post by Rosey on Mar 30, 2010 8:25:44 GMT -5
Let's Dance to Joy Devision
and celebrate the irony...[/b][/color][/size] At first Dale was oblivious to the happening's behind him. He'd been far too focused on keeping his own feet from sliding on the slippery descent instead of looking back at April, who he assumed was following him. His large eyes were focused downwards as he edged his way down the slope, testing the weight of roots and rocks as he stepped, making sure his feet found semi-firm purchase on the ground as he did so.
His eyes had adjusted to the dimness of the forrest, his nose to the musty smell of loam, ears to the buzzing and chirping of insects, the calling of unseen creatures. He looked out into the daubed mass of green and brown that was too crowded, too confused to be taken in at once, felt the damp kiss of humidity on his pale chilled skin. The blue sky above had been completely blotted away by green, waxy leaves above, the twisted, creeper-tangled branches of colossal trees stretching out like open fingers toward the unseen firmament.
There was a sudden yelp from behind him, but before he had a chance to turn around he felt his knees give way beneath him as they were knocked by something from behind him. He let out a startled cry and his hand's found purchase over knees that were now entangled around his thighs while he and the weight that had sent him sliding down the bumpy, pokey, and scratchy incline. Dale let out an "oomf!" as the ground came at them with a sudden thump he tumbled at the bottom, released from his passenger. Dale's heart hammered wildly as he looked around in confusion, he then looked over from where he was seated on his bottom on the ground towards April who used his shoulder as some sort of leverage to hoist herself up to her feet, he did so too a moment later and was surpised to find that he was suddenly confronted with a very aggrivated looking April.
"Idiot?" Ouch! Dale's mouth fell open as she spoke, his expression full of hurt. "S'cuse me but you're the one who knocked into me, ya pringle." He adjusted his body into a defensive stance, hand's on his slender hips, brow creased and lips pursed. The look that April was giving him, he hadn't thought she was capeable of making. Not directed at him anyway. It made Dale was to apologise, although he knew he had nothing to apologise for. She was the one who'd crashed into him not the other way around.
He almost could have laughed at her, had it not been a very foolhardy move seeing as she was already pretty cross with him. But on what grounds? He'd done nothing wrong. Her hair was matted with leaves, her clothes were now filthy from wet grass stains and mossy soil. He looked down at his own self and could have cried. His favorite jeans were ruined! They were just as filthy as Aprils, the arm of his jacket had a tear in it and his elbow was throbbing painfully though he chose to ignore that for now. And his hair...! Well that was still alright, probably a bit tangled thanks to the tear's he'd already shed plus the sudden fall, but alright none the less. "Geez Ape's, I though' my heart was going to jump ou' of my throa'."
Dale’s bottom lip pouted a little and he turned his gaze away from his sodden looking friend now. “Wasn' my bloody faul' your feet slipped.” He grumbled. Uh oh! It was starting now; get ready for it! Dale was about to sulk. "Y'know if you wanna look for your horse you can do it on your own. Don' le' my clumsiness ge' in the way. I can take leave whenever ya wan'." He shrugged then, not waiting for a come-back as he turned away from her, stomping off towards the recumbent creepers, pushing aside some of the dense, waxen leaved-shrubbery to clear his path as he walked away from April through the spread of opaque greenery. He didn't look back. Tear's pricked at his eyes again and he angrily swiped them away with the back of his hand.
There was a constant sort of twilight beneath the trees of the forrest, though he had the idea that it was coming on late afternoon now. The cries of animals and birds as they cajoled, keened, shrieked from above, all around was growing in intensity, evolving into a chaotic, discordant symphony. He was, not for the first time, ungrateful of the fact he was so small. He felt tiny compared to this place.
Dale continued to walk heavily through the over growth, irratably batting away branches as he walked, and stumbling as he went. Use had left the soles of his boots without traction, but they were accustomed to the sharp cobblestones of London rather than the wilderness, which seemed intent on poking and scraping and nettling him to death at this point. His elbow still throbbed and Dale looked down and instantly felt his stomach churn. Not knowing how he'd managed to do it without noticing, Dale realised that there was a deep jagged cut across his elbow, still oozing a little blood around some light bruising. He placed a hand on his elbow, putting some pressure on it before wincing as he pulled his hand back sharply to reveal that his palm was crimson red. It was strange, looking at your own blood; knowing that it came from your body.
With a sigh, Dale continued on, of course he had no idea where he was going but it was better than being back there. The whole situation had been royally cocked up that was for sure. "Hmph!" He grunted as he aimed a lazy kick at a bush not far away and his eyes opened with surprise as his foot slipped underneath him and he was sent sprawling backwards, the wind being knocked from his lungs as he went down. He let out a sharp gasp, squeezing his eyes shut as he attempted to catch his breath. "Sh...it" he wheezed, gasping as he was short of breath. He wondered if he could for a moment and realised that he wasn't. Perhaps it was just the panicking that was preventing him from doing so. Either way he couldn't breathe!
Dale, April is right you are an idiot!Everything is going wrong
but we're so happy! STATUS ;; COMPLETED\
TAGS ;; DALE, DEAN
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Post by April Conners on Mar 31, 2010 14:18:01 GMT -5
So you've had a bad day...?
"Idiot?" Dale exclaimed, mouth gaping open, actually looking surprised at the accusation. "S'cuse me but you're the one who knocked into me, ya pringle."
I can’t describe his stance in words apart from it was completely Dale. Standing there if his hands on his hips, leaving back with his mouth wide open, practically looking me up and down. I half expected him to snap his fingers as he waved them about his face. It reminded me of some sort of comedy sketch on a cheesy American soap. At least he was in a fair state, considering it was his fault. His hair was completely standing on end with half a tree housing a family of birds in it (not that it wasn’t an improvement) and his clothes were ripped, torn, battered and stained. Every inch of him was covered in dirt and war wounds. I wish I had taken a picture. If I hadn’t been so flaming furious at him I’d probably burst out laughing.
"Geez Ape's, I though' my heart was going to jump ou' of my throa'." He carried on his little act, which despite me wanting to knock his lights out, even then was pretty entertaining. He pouted, poking his chin up in the air as he got ready to take the stage. He took a step forward, right into the spotlight, poking his chin in the air as he prepared himself for his performance. He jerked his head down to look at me, a matted and sodden fringe flopped down from it place, his lips started to move as his moans poured out.
“Wasn' my bloody faul' your feet slipped. Y'know if you wanna look for your horse you can do it on your own. Don' le' my clumsiness ge' in the way. I can take leave whenever ya wan'."
My eyes turned into slits as I clenched my fists firmly at my sides. I tried to pretend I had an imaginary stress ball, squeezing and releasing. I turned my head sharply so I had no face to air at. I could feel myself tremble. Breath, April, Breath. I gritted my teeth together, locking my mouth tightly shut so nothing would accidentally come out. But, of course, I couldn’t help myself. I simply couldn’t let him be such a jerk!
“Me...!” My voice shook. “Me...!” I could feel my control slipping, and I edged towards the funny little idiot. “My effin’ feet didn’t have an effin’ chance if your pissing about!” Yep, there it goes. All control. I could feel my words getting carried away. I didn’t even know what I was saying anymore. “Why don’t you just F off, will ya? Like you know how to find MY horse better than me. Like you’d know anything about Oliver!”
I hardly even noticed Dale wonder away from me as I shouted random abuse at him. It was just stupid stuff that you’d say to anyone – it didn’t even matter what it anymore- just plain immature name was calling. It took no intelligence, no effort on my part whatsoever. I didn’t even know what I was saying. Pointless. I finally brought myself to a halt with great effort. My heart was running away from me and my breathing was heavy. I started to feel a little guilty. Sure, it was totally his fault, no doubt in that, but I had equally completely over reacted. I always do, probably always will.
“Dale... Wait...” I muttered as I started to go after him, but stopped after a couple of steps. Stuff it. He was in the wrong! He’s the one that’s acting like a baby, not me. Anyway, I had every right to be angry! It was his fault that we were in this mess anyway!
My eyes followed the little figure as he plodded away with his head down neck deep in self pity like a child. He was growing smaller and smaller as he moved away into the wilderness. Then suddenly, as if by magic, he went flying up into the air. Gravity soon took effect as he flew back down like a ton of bricks, crash landing on his back as he was left sprawled about on the forest floor. Someone up there must have agreed with me. I could hear a deadening thud even from where I was standing.
“Oh, crap!” My heart skipped a beat, eye shooting out of their sockets, jaw hitting the ground. Everything from our fall out just evaporated and I bolted towards Dale. He must have hit the ground pretty hard and could be in any sort of state. Imagines sprawled up in my head as I tried my best to remember all the first aid training I learned to school. Damn, I really never paid any attention in that class. I quickly searched through my pocket for a mobile phone, trying my hardest to jumble around in the tight jean pocket and keep my footing.
“Dale, Dale!” I called and I dived down next to him, feeling thorns jagging into my sides. “Dale, can you hear me?” I was quite surprised I wasn’t knocked out next to him, considering how fast I’d got here. I could hear him wincing through deep shallow breaths. I hoped desperately that he was just winded as I fished the phone out my pocket. I looked down at the poor little creature he was. He was as white as a sheet, with crimson red clash against his skin.
“Oh my gawd...” I gasped, turning my head away quickly, feeling squeamish as ever. “Dale, how did you do that?”
I lifted his arm up to reveal a gaping big cut oozing with fresh blood. I just about threw up. This was going to be a hospital job...
Word count -- 979
Status-- Done
Tags -- April && Dale
Notes -- Ahh! Writers block Tried to make it the best I can.
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Post by Rosey on Apr 9, 2010 7:15:00 GMT -5
Let's Dance to Joy Devision
and celebrate the irony...[/b][/color][/size] It felt like someone had come from behind him and pulled his stomach and lungs out through his back. Which he was flat on, lying on a slight slant in the middle of a forest. "Hhhhh! Hhhhh!" He gasped like a trout with a fringe out of water, opening the eyes that he didn't even realize were shut. Everything looked so much bigger from this angle...not that it wasn't before though and everything was on it's side as well. Had someone tipped the Earth up? No. Dale was just lying on the ground. His legs were tangled uncomfortably beneath him and his arms felt heavy and floppy like a rag doll. He couldn't see much. Lots of little ink blots seemed to dance about in front of his eyes. When he tried to reach out to grab them his hands wouldn't respond to what his brain told them to do. Dale was helpless. So much for fucking independence. He half laughed, half growled, half whimpered to himself. April was right.
April...
"Dale, Dale! Dale, can you hear me?"
Yes, he could hear her voice. Her soft, warm, smooth voice, slightly scratched and hitched with panic. Her face appeared a few second's after her voice rang through his ears. She was sat down in front of him. She found him, and she wasn't leaving him. He continued to gasp feverishly, trying to pump oxygen back into his lungs. This had never happened before... well not to this extent anyway. There had been times where Dale had lost breath. Either from recieving blows from his father, who had often tried beating the "sissy" out of him, or being beaten up by homophobes. The stomach and face were often the first thing's they'd go for.
As most men did; they'd often resorting to becoming quite abrasive and aggressive. Sometimes there was no point in smack talk. Dale could remember one time, way back in London he'd been out with a few friends when a guy (who had obviously had a few too many to drink) started heckling Dale, shouting at him from across the street. A "fucking transvestite" the guy had called Dale. “Points to you though, mate. Anyone who bum’s ya can pretend you’re a he or a she. I’m sure it must be hours of fun.” The drunk had finished on a laugh. Except he was the only one laughing. It was like that in London. Up North it was a slightly more self-deprecating thing. In London it was much more attacking and people really took the piss. You had to be on your guard otherwise you just get caned. Dale had been beaten up then. His stomach livid with bruises when he'd gotten home. His few friends who he'd been with had bolted as soon as the drunk had started crossing the road. Cowards. Who needs friends like that?
They weren't like April that was for sure. Before Dale felt, somewhere through his oxygen deprived haze, a hand reach out to grasp one of his arm's and turn it over to reveal the torn elbow and find beginnings of a nasty bruise forming, the skin red and tinged with purple. “Oh my gawd...” April gasped, looking pale as she turned her face away from it. Dale gently removed his hand from her grasp and let it fall onto his flat stomach. “Dale, how did you do that?” Her voice barely rose over a whisper. Dale tried thinking back. When did he do that? Hmm. It must have been when April had used him as a skateboard when they both slid down that incline. Maybe a branch... a root or something. "I can'... I can' b-breathe April." He said lamely, as if it weren't obvious at all. It wasn't entirely true. Yes he could - albiet in short, excrutiating gasps - but maaaan was it difficult. "Ugh... my solar plexis." He wheezed after he managed to take in another mouthful of air.
Dale read somewhere once that the one thing about the sternum is that you can produce a lot of pain without much real damage. Gut shots were most common and tended to produce a lot of bruising, while if you landed flat on your back, it wouldn't leave any bruises or welt's but it'd definately leave you on you gasping on your back for at least 30-50 seconds. Dale was alert, so he knew that there shouldn't any risk of passing out - unless he continued to hyperventilate like this. He was responding to April's voice. He wasn't at a point where he was unable to respond to her. Everything should be cool right?
Dono.
Well why did he feel so rotton? He moved his head to an angle so that on his arm he found the beginnings of a nasty bruise forming, one which ran from underneath t he sleeve of his shirt down to the his elbow, the skin red and tinged with purple. Maybe he had hurt it worse that he thought. He tried to move it, so that April wouldn't grab it again but it only served for him to catch a gasp in his throat as pain shot right up his arm. He lowered it back against his chest. "I think... I n-nearly brained myself 'ere eh Apes?" He offered her a half smile, forhead knotted as he squeezed his eyes shut. "I'd be careful... and make... sure I don' go all weird. Not... tha' you'd be... ow... able to tell the diff'rence eh?" He spoke in a slightly self-depricating way as he wheezed, very uncharacteristic of him. He could feel his breathing evening out now, becoming a little less painful. [/b]"'M sorry about before. I think we were both actin' like real bumberclarks hmm?"[/b] He added a little sleepily, blinking up at her slowly then. His eyelids feeling a little heavier as he allowed his brow to soften. "Mmmm' h-h-how... about we.... have a little sleepy?" He hummed.[/size] Everything is going wrong
but we're so happy! STATUS ;; COMPLETED\
TAGS ;; DALE, APRIL
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Post by April Conners on May 28, 2010 10:54:29 GMT -5
So you've had a bad day...?
It was becoming increasingly hard to understand his slurred words tumbling out his mouth. I doubted he was even aware of what he was saying. "Mmmm' h-h-how... about we.... have a little sleepy?"
I could see Dale’s eye lids drooping. Those milky eyes softening as his vision blurs. Just watching him dragged me down into a decent of dreams, bringing on a lions yawn. He seemed so like a puppy more than ever now, looking up at me with those big blue eyes. Though, this time it was not a playful little creature you were dealing with. It was the small innocent and vulnerable animal lying at my feet. Yet at the same time I felt so frozen as the piercing blue disappeared – dragging with it the entire colour in his face with it. It all seemed to pour away down into his eyes to leave a large basin of chalky white. The light seemed to seep away with him. I felt as though I was falling asleep, falling deeper, and deeper, deep into a dark merciless nightmare. The bracken and thorns wrapping round my limps dragging me down into a pit of darkness.
It was as though time has just, just stopped. There was no breeze. No sound. Nothing. Only the ice creeping up my spine, freezing my body solid.
“Dale.” I echoed sharply. I forced something out. I had to try something, but as much as I tried to search for what to do all I could see was black. My mind was blank. “Dale, wake up!” I growled, shaking him a violently I thought I could get away with. His eyes half opened, squint and cock eyed. He didn’t seem to have the energy to hold both of them open. One eye was drooping half open, the other was almost shut, both equally black and blue. I doubted he could see straight. He sounded as though is tongue was too big for his mouth, long random groans pouring out. At least it was some sort of response.
“Hold on, Dale.” My eyes shot down as I slapped my sides, feeling for which pocket I slipped my phone in before mounting. I quickly located it and squeezed it out the tight sides of my skinny jeans. I gripped it tightly as though it was a little animal just about to run away as I lifted it shakily up to my face. The screen was black. “Oh crap, not now! Not now!” I cussed under my breath, cold fingers fumbling for the red button, pressing down with a much force possible as if it would help the damn thing switch on. It was useless, completely hopeless. I tried again and again but got no response. The phone was completely dead. In the end all I could do was stare at it. I could see my refection; the screen looked more like a Mona Lisa wallpaper than my own face.
I looked down at Dale lying there, as still as untouched water, as I tried to figure out what the hell I was going to do.
Word count -- 518
Status-- Done
Tags -- April && Dale
Notes -- Bout time 
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