City & Country 02

They sat down to dinner that evening. Conversing about their classes and more importantly how Landon and Chase had met.

“Well, Landon lives in the dorm that my father had donated to the school. My father is kind of uptight about where his money goes, so each year he sends me out to take a look around to make sure everything is maintained well.” Chase paused a moment, “So, I’m walking down the hallway on the west wing of the second floor and at the end of the hallway by the fire exit, I saw Landon sitting with all his luggage, a complete distraught look on his face. Apparently, they had assigned him a room that did not exist.”

“Oh that’s horrible.” Jane began, “Landon, honey, why didn’t you tell us about this?”

“I didn’t want you to worry.” Landon stated, “Besides, Chase let me stay with him at his suite until the matter was fixed.”

“That was kind of you to share your room with him, I can’t imagine those things are a decent size.” Jane stated.

“They’re not, but I don’t stay on campus. I live in a hotel, that my father owns.”

“Oh…” Jane stated with a smile. “Well I appreciate you spoiling him with space. I bet it was hard to transition back to that dorm.”

Skylar rolled her eyes slightly as she played with her food. She wasn’t really all that hungry. In fact, the constant talk about how much money Chase had was making her loose her appetite. She was just about to excuse herself from the table when Chase said something that intrigued her slightly.

“Actually, I think this atmosphere spoils him the most. I can’t say that I’ve ever sat down and ate in such a gathering.” He stated.

“I’m sure you’ve been to many banquets and dinners in your status.” Skylar stated. Chase looked up at her.

“Yes, I have. But those gatherings are strictly superficial and selfish. They are of no real intimacy.”

“Well you still attend them, so what does that make of you?” Skylar asked.

“Skylar!” Joseph scolded.

“No, its ok.” Chase began. “That makes me obligated.”

It was quiet the rest of dinner.

Later that evening, Skylar set out on the porch, a blanket hugged over her slightly. She stared out into the moonlight country side and tried her best to relax. Not to soon since she came outside, her brother and Chase burst through the door in somewhat a hurry.

“Where are you going?” Skylar called to them.

They were some what dressed up. Landon, in a button down shirt and some jeans, and Chase, in jeans, a fashion tee and a navy jacket.

“I’m taking Chase to Stevenson’s bomb fire.” Landon stated, “We’re going to pick up Claire on the way, you should come too.”

“Why would I want to go hang out at that dill-weeds party?” Skylar questioned. Landon smiled at her mischievously.

“What could be sweeter revenge, then showing up at his party pretending to be completely unfazed by your break-up?” He asked.

“I am unfazed!” Skylar replied.

“Then you won’t have to pretend.” Chase suddenly spoke. Skylar glared at him slightly.

“Besides, its my first night back and you should want to come hang out with me!”

“Whatever!” Skylar stood and threw her blanket in the house, then quickly made her way to the car.

Skylar stayed quiet most of the ride. Just sitting there listening to them rant on about girl. Or what they thought they knew about girls anyway. Again, she was growing annoyed at the sound of their voices and was thankful when Claire’s house was in full view. When they pulled up in the driveway, Skylar hurried to get out.

“I’ll go get her!” She called.

“No, she’s expecting me.” Landon stated as he got out of the car. “In fact, I’m probably going to be a while so you should just go ahead and take Chase to the party!”

“What?!”

“Me and Claire will just walk over.”

“Land, its over a mile from here!” Skylar exclaimed, “You know how these roads are at night with these parties!”

“We’ll be fine, Sky. Just please, for me?” He begged with his eyes and Skylar sighed. She could never really say no to him. All her life, every time she ever got into trouble, it was because of something Landon begged her to do.

“Fine, but if you’re not there in an hour, I’m coming looking for you!” Skylar warned. He nodded with a laugh.

“All right, an hour.” Landon leaned into the window as Skylar got in the drivers seat. “No stealing other peoples girls, you hear?” He directed the comment to Chase, who just smirked at him.

“I won’t promise nothing!” He replied and Skylar rolled her eyes and gave Landon a look that pleaded, ‘Please don’t leave me with him!’. But all Landon did was say goodbye and head up to the front door of Claire’s house. Skylar reluctantly, reversed out of the drive way and started down the road to Stevenson’s Stables.

The drive was quiet between them the rest of those few minutes, until they pulled around the corner of the road and Stevenson’s place came into view. Skylar heard Chase let out an amused sound and she looked over at him.

“Quite a sight isn’t it?” She asked him. He nodded.

“You hicks sure know how to party….” He replied.

Stevenson’s Stables was a piece of property near the woods that Dylan Stevenson’s father had purchased many years ago, but never did anything with it. So, Dylan took it upon himself to turn it into the only place in the small town that mattered for the teen community. There was always dozens and dozens of people there. Fire bon fires burning at once, and there never was a short supply of beer, and then some. Depending on what you were into.

Skylar pulled the car into the empty field where all the other cars where parked and looked over at Chase.

“You sure you want to be here?” Skylar asked him.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, for one, you’re a stranger in town.” She started and then laughed lightly at his ‘so what?’ expression. “The guys in this town don’t really show new comers much respect, cause the girls in this town are so bored with the guys, that they’ll be flocking over you on default.”

“Ah. I see. Believe me Skylar, its much the same in whatever city you’re in.”

“Ok.”

They got out of the car and made their way over toward the party. As they pushed through the crowds of people, ever so often Skylar would be stopped by someone she knew and she would introduce then to Chase. He would be polite and charming and Skylar would move them quickly along before any of the guys caught on to his charm as well.

“You want a drink?” Skylar asked Chase as they walked up towards the kegs. Chase shook his head.

“I don’t drink.” He replied. She turned and looked at him.

“Really?”

“Not anymore.” He gave her a soft smiled and then looked over her shoulder. “What’s that over there?” Skylar turned around and saw that he was talking about the stables.

“Oh, that is Dylan Stevenson’s Lay in Hay Stables.” She laughed lightly.

“Lay in the Hay?” Chase questioned.

“Well you know how at like house parties, if you want to hook up with someone, you go and find an open room?” She questioned. He nodded. “Well Dylan thought of the bright idea that since they were using the stables to have sex in, that he should have mattresses put in every stall and line around it with hay.”

“Intriguing and at the same time completely filthy…” Chase replied.

“Intriguing and filthy, the only words that could be used to describe Dylan Stevenson.” Skylar stated. Chase looked down at her slightly.

“He really hurt you that bad?” He questioned. Skylar looked up at him and searched his eyes for a sign that he actually wanted to know or if he was just making conversation. But before she could even decipher that thought, Landon and Claire showed up.

“Hey guys!” Landon stated.

“Sky!” Claire grabbed her arm and pulled her aside into the crowd.

“Claire!” She said with a laugh as they stopped and Claire let go of her arm. “What is your malfunction?”

“You’re brother just did the most amazing thing!” She exclaimed excitedly.

“Ewe! I don’t’ want to hear it!” Skylar covered her ears and turned away.

“No, you idiot!” Claire pulled her back around, “Don’t be gross! He gave me this!” She pulled a necklace from under her shirt. Skylar stared at it slightly dumbfounded.

“He…. A…. he gave you his cross?”

“I know!”

“That was our grandfathers… hell he’s never taken it off!”

“I know!”

“Do you have any idea how serious this is?” Skylar questioned.

“I KNOW!” Claire shouted excitedly.

“I always knew he cared about you, but god, this is on a whole other level of feelings for him.”

“I didn’t know what to think. Or say.” Claire started, “I mean, I know we’ve been pussy footing around this whole ordeal for years now, because of his commitment issues, but I’ve always hoped he would get over that. And now that it seems like he has, I don’t know what to do now.”

“I don’t know, Claire. I’m the wrong person to ask advice for in this subject.”

“Yes, but he’s your brother. Who knows him better than you?” She asked with a smile.

“Yeah, I guess…”

“Well look who we have here!” Skylar took a deep breath and turned to face the voice.

“Dylan.”

“Skylar.” He began, “haven’t seen you in a long while.”

“Well, Dylan, usually when two people break-up they tend to not see to much of each other.” She replied.

“For most, but you and me…” He ran his hand along her side, “We’re a special case.” He rested his hands on her hips and grinned at her slightly.

“Gag me!” Claire rolled her eyes.

“There’s nothing special about us, Dylan. Get over yourself!” Skylar pushed him away and began back over to where they had left Landon and Chase.

“Sleaze!” Claire hissed at Dylan as she followed Skylar.

“Hey, Where did you guys go?” Landon questioned as they made their way up to them.

“Girl talk…” Skylar replied.

“At least that was until Dylan poked his slime ball head into the conversation.” Claire whined.

Claire and Dylan never really got along. In fact, they sort of hated each other, which only made Skylar relationship that much worse. They’re constant fighting was one of the reason for their break-up. Skylar was tired of being the middle of it all.

“What did he want?” Landon asked.

“I going to go with making me his lay of the night.” She sighed. “Look, I’m going to go back home.”

“Are you sure?” Claire asked. She got her a soft nod.

“I’ll see you guys at home…” Skylar headed back to the car. As she unlocked the door she heard Chase’s voice behind her.

“Skylar!” He called to her. She turned around to face him as he made his way up to the car.

“What?”

“You know, you shouldn’t let him win you over like that.” he began, “by leaving you’re just telling him he’s still capable of getting under you skin.”

Skylar’s annoyance with Chase’s know-it-all attitude was beginning to boil over.

“I know you’re trying to be helpful but for one, I didn’t really want to come anyway. And two, you know nothing about my relationships!” She snapped.

“I may not know your relationships but I know enough on the subject to know a woman scorned when I see one.”

“For which, I assume, you were the cause?” He smiled at her softly as he advanced toward her, then leaned in close to her ear.

“Let’s just say, I know enough.” He whispered. She looked up at him. Despite the fact that she had looked at him many times that day, she just now began to realize how handsome he was; How great he smelt. “And if I know anything at all,” he continued, “He’s right behind us watching.” Skylar peered over his shoulder and indeed, Dylan was a few cars back. He stopped seeing how close her and Chase were and stared a moment.

“So, what happens now?” She asked him.

“Well, that’s all up to you.” He pulled away and began back over to the party.

Skylar watched as Chase walked away and then glanced over at Dylan. She looked down at her hands not sure what she should do. She knew if she tried to leave Dylan would follow. But she also knew if she stayed, he wouldn’t give up. Dylan was persistent and usually always got what he wanted, she wouldn’t be able to say no.

“Unless…” She began and looked up at Dylan once more, “CHASE!” She called to him. He turned around and looked at her, as she quickly made her way over to him.

“What?” He asked as she made it up to him. She grabbed his arm and link it with hers.

“Just walk.”