it's only TEN at night [open]

[♥ poppies]

Opening the door to the first apartment it was a Saturday night and she was screaming into her cell phone. God damn it Chase you can't do this! I have a new life now! People don't know the old me! I mean... The conversation continued as she slammed the door shut knocking down a glass cup in the kitchen and it shattered. Crap! Look Chase I have to go. Without waiting for a reply she took a look at the clock in the living room and saw the time, it was quarter to ten at night and she groaned. Walking slowly and almost dragging herself into the kitchen she grabbed a broom and cleaned up the shattered mess. Taking another sigh she put it in the garbage and grabbed a bottle of water and tossed the cap off and put it on the counter and gulped the entire bottle down taking another breath she looked at the clock again. It was five of ten and she walked into her bedroom which was basically empty and turned the radio on and opened her closet. As the music blasted the sound proof walls of the apartment helped with almost everything so nothing was heard except when near the entrance doorway. Slowly she stripped from the jacket and then the tee-shirt finishing with the tank top and finally her bra as she faced away from the window she picked a tank top from her closet and drapped it over. Pulling her jeans down she finally finishing her dirty clothing. Tossing them into a pile by the laundry basket she grabbed a pair of shorts and pulled them up and took a deep breath as she turned the music down a bit. Then she walked into her bathroom and splashed some water in her face, waiting for who knows what.

[Beau]

Pulling into the visitor lot of the apartment building, Beau glanced down to the folded piece of paper in his hands. It was a neat script-writing, his own of course, copied from one of the business cards he'd seen lying around the office. He'd figured that, after leaving without much of a business proposal, Kris was left stranded on her own. It was Beau's duty to help her out. He didn't want her to not know what her job was for the next while.

Putting the Escalade into the parking gear, Beau lowered his music before climbing from the luxury vehicle. He used to the remote starter to lock it safely once he approached the building's doors. His nose wrinkled in distaste; he would've admired the building if it was sky-scraper height, and built with more attractive materials other than weather-worn brick and wood. His nose upturned even higher at the interior. Only a single stairwell heading upwards, another down. Not even a damn elevator, he thought as he checked the slip of paper once more and approached the ascending stairs.

Beau was out of breath by the time he was on the right floor. An annoying sound filled the stairwell, no doubt someone's music. It drove him insane; if one was lucky enough, they could probably see the imprints of his hands as he gripped the banister angrily, tearing at them with his fleshy fingers. He was puffing as he walked down the hall, searching the doors for the correct number. It was difficult for the wealthy man, because the hallway's insufficient lighting was obviously no good to him. He was used to the bright lights of his own house, that were only turned off when the housekeeper was ordered to shut them off.

Before rapping on her door, he glanced down to his watch. He muttered a colorful obscenity to himself. It was rather late- and he just hope she wouldn't be too angry at him for such a late visit. Besides, it sounded like she was awake. He'd found out the source of the music was her room- he could faintly hear the beat from outside the door.Stuffing the paper into his pocket, he gave a sigh and rapped a few times on her door before sticking his thumbs into his pant pockets.

[♥ poppies]

The toothbrush halfway in her mouth after the water splashed in her face. Something struck out of the beat of the music as Kris jogged slowly and silent feet-ed into her room and turned it down as she walked to the kitchen before noticing the door. As the rattling of the rusted golden chain. The apartment was horrible and was disgusting for her placing but it fit her life style. It wasn't like Kris spent her life in an apartment her life was with horses. And horses only really. Who the hell comes around knoc... Her voice then suddenly drifted her eyes rolled as her hand had come over the knob and pulled. The door now opened her voice had stopped and the toothbrush held limp in her mouth as she starred straight at Beau. What the hell would a rich man be doing in a dumpy apartment area. Mind snapping into reality she spoke almost in shock. Hey. Eyebrows raised for a second before she moved into a conscious that was stupid. Standing in her door way, mind out of space in front of Beau. A pair of shorts that fit loosely and were a bit short along with a black tank top. Toothbrush hanging limply out of her mouth the music had drowned out of her ears. It almost didn't exist to anyone and wasn't even heard unless you were in the bedroom. Taking a deep breath she spoke once more to him not wanting to feel stupid. Uh come in. If you want. Leaving the door open she'd leave it to him to close, she had already started for the bathroom. Spitting out all in her mouth she rinsed the toothbrush and chucked it in a small cup turning the sink off. Wiping her hands off she looked at herself in the mirror, she was still the same jackass Kris as she always had been. A burden to her parents, a burden to whoever she met, and a ass to newcomers that she met.

Walking slowly and slackingly almost into the bedroom she grabbed a tee-shirt and drapped it over, it smelled clean so it must have been. Outside of the barn Kris looked almost down to earth and not like the same old barn girl. Back straight and her hair set down on her shoulders and back she walked out of the bedroom and into the living room and stood in the middle. As if waiting for someone to tackle her, arms crossed over her chest, standing up straight, and her eyes wide open. Fully alert. An old memory had come back into her life though, the purple streak in her hair and was only a strand. It had been a professional job but compared to others it fit her. She'd had it now for a couple hours and it wouldn't come out for a while or unless she wanted it to. Kris couldn't really manage words at the time being nad her mind was still racing at why he'd be there. Even though he had left her dumbfounded in the paddock with the filly. She had no idea when to start because he said whenever, who'd she train or what else she'd need to know.

[Beau]

Beau's brows furrowed together when he glanced down the jettison hallway. He was just about to crinkle his nose when the door swing open- his head sharply turned, giving him a small case of whiplash. He opened his mouth to speak, but quickly left it open, no words ushering from his voice box. Instead, his face held a confused expression. His eyebrow arched, jaw snapping shut with a definitive click.

His eyebrow managed somehow to stay in the same position, in an arch over his left eye. He cleared his throat once the woman spoke. "Uh, hi." He said softly, taking in the sight of the girl with her toothbrush in her mouth just moments before. He didn't even make his quick glance-over subtle; his eyes went downward, from the rather skimpy shorts to spaghetti strap. It was common dress for nighttime, none the less. To be frank, Beau himself enjoyed being shirtless, with jammie pants on. That was common too, right?

"Did I come at bad time...?" He began, but was shushed by her words. He was invited in, and he knew better than to refuse. He did come out to talk, after all. "Thanks." He took a reluctant step in, fighting the urge to burst out in a fit of giggles, or shudders at the state of the apartment. It was a typical flat- small, crammed and in Beau's opinion, disgusting. He closed the door tenderly behind him, left alone as the girl ran to the bathroom to rinse out her mouth. "You have... nice flat." He commented, sticking his hands into his pockets once more.

He waited until Kris returned, in proper clothing for nighttime and company. "Hey," He gave a small shrug. "Sorry, I came at a bad time?" Apologizing, he cheeks grew a fair shade of pink. Hoping it was unnoticed, he glanced down to his rather expensive shoes before back up. "I just thought I should explain more about the job." He gave another shrug, looking down to his feet awkwardly, like a schoolboy who was about to ask out a crush. "You know.. the jockey and training job." He hinted, in case the woman forgot. Somehow, Beau didn't think it'd be something she would forget. Being in the very presence of Beau was something that wasn't easily forgotten.

[♥ poppies]

Yeah well this is the best my expenses can get me. Raised eyebrow she finally dropped it and grabbed herself a cup of water from the kitchen and brought it out and held it out to him. Want it? When her words had stopped she had re-registered the thoughts of the training and jockey job, she had completely forgotten about it. The phone call with Chase had killed her entire day, he had another racing bet on her with an upcoming race in March. It was something he'd done each time she raced and she was not his high money earner. He had problems and she knew that as she looked at the floor almost her mind was gone in the present, she was in the past. Daniel the one guy who had believed in her and trained her was her best friend but she hadn't heard from him in forever. Chase was almost her problem like a disease, he depended on her to live. The purple strip of hair in the dark shade of brunette, the past. Thin and still at a five foot and three inch heigh almost to bid to be a jockey. Still her life hadn't moved past the past. She was still there and she needed a good rattle of her personality and "cage" to be brought back into a present reality. Her mind couldn't help but be stuck in the past, it wasn' her problem. And the first step to coming into the reality was with the chestnut filly who was almost like Kris in personality and behavior.

Finally, the trap snapped open as she went into reality at that very moment and spoke to Beau. Yeah I was gonna talk to you tomorrow but I guess we can talk now. No smile dragged over her face and the raise of her eyebrows was all as she felt her cheeks flush a pale red. Something was off with her, ten o' clock a little past, Beau standing in her apartment and the air conditioner didn't work. Was it a kiddish blush like a crush or was it the heat blush?

[Beau]

Beau frowned slightly, but quickly masked it with a crooked smile. His own income got him hell of a lot more- he'd been spending the past week in a motel room, as he made final plans to purchase a rather lovely home in town. It was a multi-story house, with built-in garage. It'd cost him a pretty penny, but it'd be worth it. Personally, his first choice would be the highest living space in a sky-scraper, over-looking the town while he posed naked in front of the window, where nobody could see him unless they happened to be flying in a helicopter right next to the building.

Beau quickly accepted the glass of water, gently taking it from her hand. "Yes, thanks." The faint scent of whiskey was on his breath. He wouldn't be one to admit that he'd had a couple of drinks before he made his way over- not one too many, however. He was still quite sober, however. The water would only aid him to get rid of the alcohol quicker. He took a few sips, then looked to the girl. "Ah, yes. About that." He began, swirling the contents of the cup, being temporarily mesmerized by the water. He shook himself out of his reverie and glanced back up.

"I will not be in tomorrow," He gave a thoughtful shrug, "until very late." He said, taking a small step closer. He was rather close to the woman now. He raised the glass once more before draining it of its contents. He felt quite refreshed now. "Mmm." He murmured. "Thank you." He held the glass at his side now, his head tilted as he realized the girl was blushing. Playfully, he raised a hand to place it at her jaw, thumb sweeping her cheek gently. "You blush. Why?" He smiled thoughtfully, before taking his hand and dropping it to his side, walking towards the kitchen counter to place his glass atop it.

He returned in a few strides that probably rumbled the flat below them. "I will be making final plans to purchase a home. I will be there, however, very late." He gave a sheepish grin. "Do not wait up for me." He crossed his arms over his chest, his long-sleeved shirt riding up a tad to reveal colorful boxers. "You are interested in both job, yes?" He went on, barely stopping for her to speak as he paced around her slowly, one arm propped up on the other, fingers stroking his facial hair in thought. "Well, one horse is very, very dangerous. He needs to be taught to be calm, or tame. He has wild spirit; he has broken many, many bones. He is too valued to me to be put down or sold; I need him to be very..." Beau stopped pacing, pivoting on the spot to finish his sentance. A slight smirk came over his handsome face as he spoke. "Gentle."

[♥ poppies]

Each word of his poured into her ears like molasses so slow and so unmeaningful before she felt his hand on her cheek. Why was she blushing? As soon as it had come up she spoke, It's just that there's no air conditioning, so it's hot. Then his hand was gone before she could even react. The touch on her face, like Chase and Daniel's. Daniel had only done it once and it was an accident, one kiss and that almost killed their relationship as friends. Then there was Chase who had turned it into much more and had pushed her forward, then again she was half drunk but under age. And now in the present and the future they'd still be the best of friends but also enemies, a complicated relationship. When she snapped back into reality it was with Beau pacing around her and speaking of his horse she looked at the ground straight ahead. It sounded like a horse she had once had before, a big old stallion named Humble Pleasure who had gone to win the Breeders Cup. All though people didn't believe it, it was because of a women's touch that's when Kris spoke. Her eyes still drained into thoughts of everyone she had met and then knew that she had hurt them. You basically mean a gentle touch. It wasn't a question but he wanted his horse to be, for his pause, gentle. It was one of two things a women touch one that not many racehorse owners believed work. But just look at Kris's past, how little she had read. And here she stood in her apartment with Beau talking about her career.

Broken bones, sounded like what she had taught herself over her entire lifetime. Out of her entire body it was her arm twice and her ankle three times, she almost broke her spine but thanks to her horse jumping she hadn't. But because the horse had jumped during the excercise run he had landed on his cannon bone wrong. Immediately he had went down and was put-down there and she had almost killed herself because of it. Her small mistake of not taking the outside had killed him but the owner had tried to sue her but she had no money. Her parents had it all, she was just a street girl then. When she thought back to the time were she had done illegal racing she only won about five hundred to nine hundred dollars a race and if she came in second or third or last she won nothing. All that money was spent on food till the next race and she hadn't been caught before she had moved on. Immediately she shook her head a second and looked straight up to follow Beau as he circled and then held her dull expression, her normal one. Everything else he said to her had been drained but that touch of her cheek she couldn't get out of her mind, it was now burned there. There was no way of Beau knowing her history but didn't everyone else?

[Beau]

Beau's eyebrow rose playfully at her excuse. Instead of shrugging it off, he stood rather close behind her. Their bodies touched momentarily as he placed both hands on hers, lowering his chin to her ear. A playful smirk crossed his lips, unnoticed by the woman. His breath probably tickled her neck or something- anything, he hoped, that would irk her. "Whatever you say." With a roll of his eyes, he moved on.

He swiftly moved to the side, continuing to pace around the woman. To be quite honest, Beau didn't feel the heat. In fact, he felt rather cold. Perhaps it was because it was a chilly negative eight degrees outside, or the frost that lightly dusted the streets and everything outside. Shrugging deeper into his long-sleeved shirt, he gave a small shiver. He folded his arms over his chest once more, one hand raised to stroke from his cupid's bow to chin. "Yes, more or less." He nodded, considering it.

"The other..." Beau thought for a small moment, "is horrible, horrible racer. He is very... bad." Beau threw in a nod to prove his point. "He cannot run fast, but is good jumper." He began to slow one he was near the woman's front, glancing sidelongs before taking a full on step towards her. He grasped both her hands, bringing them to his chest. "Please say you will 'chase him?" He brought her hands to his mouth for a small good-luck kiss.

[♥ poppies]

Immediately when everything had passed in those moments after he spoke and once she felt the touch of his hands. They had touched hers and had put her hands on his chest, one of this playful smiles had danced onto her face. A classic Kris smile when she was feeling something, something that no one else understood. The last time one of those smiles was when she was with Chase years ago. Yeah, A small pause, she didn't wanna show interest she couldn't she'd just end up hurting someone in the end so she took it away. , he'll be my first jumper. Her hands then drifted away from his as they landed by her side as she turned from them being close and walked into the kitchen slowly. What was it about him? Physical attraction? It was impossible, look at her past no one thought she could be in a relationship. As she opened the small cabinent her cheeks blushed as she grabbed a tea mixture and put it on the counter top. As she bent down to were her knees were against her chest she reached into a cuboard and grabbed the small tea pot and slowly creeped back up to her short height. All though people mocked her for riding horses expecially racehorses at five foot and three inches, a bit tall for a jockey, she was good. As she put water in the pot she set it on the stove and then thought of asking Beau. This entire time she had forgotten about him but now it was stuck inside her head. She wouldn't ask maybe he didn't want any, as she stood there with her hands spread apart as she leaned against the counter she thought.

Everything in her life had been screwed up. With Daniel, Chase, her mother and father, so many other people she had hurt. Expecially her parents but it wasn't her fault, also the fact she had been laid before she turned seventeen let alone before sixteen with Chase was even more dissappointing. After that one night their relationship was screwed for the worst or the best. Kris still didn't know. Ideas rushed into her head as she snapped into reality before turning and crossing her arms over her chest. She starred out teh kitchen window and waited, what would happen next?

[Beau]

Beau’s eyebrow cocked playfully as the girl smiled. He must’ve hit a nerve or something- it was one of the first he’d seen from her. It almost seemed like she wanted to return affection, but held back. A grin crept over his handsome face- it was one of those that could make a blonde’s heart beat twice as fast. Beau had still been grinning as the girl dropped her hands, leaving his to be crossed over his chest, and she moved away.

Biting his lip, Beau couldn’t help but have his eyes travel down the woman’s physique as she approached the cabinets, and then bent down. He realized he’d been nodding softly, eyebrows rose as though he enjoyed what he was looking at. He shook himself out of it, crossing his arms tighter around his torso and remaining motionless. He shouldn’t be looking at a co-worker this way, no matter how pleasurable it was for the man.

A smile crept over his Adonis-esque features. He silently walked up behind the woman as she braced herself over the countertop. Slowly, he placed his hands on either side of hers, his chest on her back. “Is it too much for you to handle?” He whispered into her ear with a grin over his lips. He waited here for a moment before he stood up straighter, turning so that the small of his back lent against the counter. “Have you ever ‘chase before?”

[♥ poppies]

Arms still crossed her mind still far away, not in New York in her apartment. But back to New Orleans, the hell pit she had lived for years. Head shook one second as her hand slipped from something and then touched her head as she felt something on her back. Turning around she saw Beau and had managed to hear him ask two questions. Could she handle it she wasn't gonna sound high and mighty. I can handle anything... As for 'chase which Kris knew little about it she hadn't. ....no I haven't. Kris was here and in this moment before she knew it Kris had to make sure it was real. Taking a few steps she felt almost drunk, well about thirty minutes ago in her car she had whisky. Not a lot but she got drunk easily, she approached Beau and then stood infront of him with a bit of a guilty smile. Her hands rubbed the sides of her arms as she looked at him and then around her in the small kitchen. A cold gaze was then set upon him but still with Kris's smile, rare event to say. Her hand then creaped up her arm to her hair where she flicked it all to one side of her shoulder as she looked at the entrance to the kitchen and then exited before she paced around waiting for the tea water. Soon enough it set off the high pitch whistle Kris walked into the kitchen and just as she did a liquid was underneath her foot. Almost as in slow motion Kris fell and fell hard on the kitchen floor. Eyes closed her head tipped to the side, deep in thought even though half concious.

Slowly her eyes fluttered open as she starred up the blarring whistle of the water still boiling in the pot. Immediately Kris reacted to what had happened, she started to laugh but coughed. It hurt like hell but she wasn't about to show it, she never did. A horse had chipped the side of her ankle once and it was fractured she showd no signs that it was even injured. She didn't tell anyone, that was the past. Kris's body still remained almost pinned to the ground her still unmoving except for her hands on her stomach as they sat there she coughed once more turning away.

[Beau]

Beau watched incredulously. She didn’t get affected by his moves; ones that would make a girl melt in an instant. He’d oh-too-obviously led her on several times, but deviously held back. He was a tease, and wasn’t afraid to admit it. He crossed his arms with an arched brow, a sheepish smile toying with the corners of his near-perfect lips.

“You can race, no?” He said, one arm rising from its folded position to rub at his chin and jaw-line. “It is that with jumps. Easy.” He smiled, propping up off the counter and pacing slowly around the kitchen. It wasn’t that bad for an apartment- he’d seen worse. Unfortunately, this was one of them. He startled when the pot began whistling, turning on his heel to take the pot and put it on a burner that wasn’t activated.

A sudden thump made him wheel around again. He looked straight ahead, seeing nothing. Something lumpy on his floor caught his eye, and a sheepish grin went over his face before a concerned look took over. He darted to her side, on his knees, one hand on her jaw-line, the other her shoulder. “Kris?” He said, slightly worriedly. Beau’s expression changed from concerned to irritate after she fluttered open her eyes and coughed. “You can handle anything?” His tone held mock irritation.

[♥ poppies]

Paralyzed she lied on the floor and looked at Beau and cracked a small smile. Then she opened her lips and spoke softly, Anything. Her head fell back as she let it rest and she closed her eyes and breathed and then collected herself. Slowly she got to her feet and then stood a few second before feeling dizzy but she continued to stand. Hands then drifted and sat on her stomach and slid down before they just dangled by her side as she sighed and then rubbed the back of her head and laughed a little. I'll admit for once. That hurt. Admittance was a good start for her to Beau but she felt something odd happening. So many signs he had made that he was probably confused why she hadn't just collapsed and begged for him. Well, Kris was different a people in her past like Chase would know that. He knew that well and so did Kris but she couldn't help a weakness. She had just been a clutz and fallen, laughed, smiled, and had shown no signs of interest except for her mild blushing earlier. And then now?! Her cheeks flamed a pale pale pink almost as if make-up as she looked at him, practically gazing at him. Taking in his features as a smile toyed on her lips and her teeth knawed at her lip as well. Biting her lip had become a habit for her but only around people, with horses she could say anything. Things weren't feeling almost real, something had to happen until Kris believed they were real. Maybe if something happened between....no, no that wouldn't do it. In the end one of them might be hurt or both of them.

A pit in Kris's stomach then dug its self deeper into a guilt but also a want, she had been alone for two years. Her history told the story of why but two years seemed to long, she had been touched once or twice and she knew the first time was with Chase. She felt something happening and she knew it was the whisky she looked at Beau and then stopped biting her lip and smiled at him playfully almost.

[Beau]

Beau’s grin changed from irate to slightly amuse. He cocked a brow, leaning back onto the balls of his feet. He watched in silence as she climbed to her feet, and not soon after he followed her suite. Like before, he resumed his casual stance- arms crossed, leaning with his back on the countertop. A sheepish smile toyed with his lips, only fulfilled by her comment. “I bet.”

His eyebrow rose once more as she turned an alarming pink. Not only this, but she seemed rather taken with his appearance, either that or she hit her head pretty damn hard. He frowned, placing a hand on her forehead as though he was expecting a fever, or some throb from her injured brain. “Are you okay? You hit your head hard.” He seemed slightly worried. Beau, from all the times he’d seen her in the aisle, or just in the stables, rarely smiled. Now, she smiled quite a bit.

Before removing his hand, Beau glanced to the steaming tea-pot. Figuring she wasn’t in any state to remember, he swiftly turned on his heel, opening several cupboards before locating the coffee mugs. He set the cup down, grabbing the tea mixture that was already set out and popped it into the mug before he poured the steaming water over it. He turned to face the girl, cup in his hand. “Go sit down,” He eyed the small living space, making it more of an order than request.

[♥ poppies]

Yeah but I'm fine. That was her first automatic response as her smile dropped, people said she should take a break but she never did. I"m fine standing. Taking a deep sigh she felt the room spinning under her feet before it just stopped. Then she just rubbed her forehead and watched Beau before blinking a few times. Turning on her feet she then walked slowly to her bedroom were the only comfortable couch was. Grabbing the remote she flicked the television on, it was to a small town race in New York miles away. It was all she watched really looking for new movements and more. The pounding of the hooves on the television rung through the small room as she leaned back and sat comfortably into the small couch that pulled out into a bed. It was nice and the small coffee table infront was pretty. As she sighed and then stood up and turned the light on before dragging herself back onto the couch in the bedroom. Sighing she hit the couch easily with her head propped on a pillow by the wooden arm. Her feet propped on the other end she groaned as one hand drapped over the side. The other resting on her stomach as she turned her head and looked at the ceiling. Forgetting about Beau. What would the future hold for her and the unnamed chestnut filly? She had recently gotten a call from the vet that the filly thought to grow to be only around fourteen and three hands was going to have a recent growth spurt and be possibly a very tall filly. She'd average around sixteen possibly seventeen hands and hold great speed and agility. Her organs were catching up which was a good sign but if she didn't start to grow soon then it might be bad news.

The filly's gonna get taller. She said it at random her eyes dragging down but her head still held back up at the ceiling. Either Kris was talking to herself or to Beau or possibly no one at all. Her mind raced at the exact same time the several horses on the television started their race. Her mind then shot out as she closed her eyes a minute and then leaned up quickly and stayed that way her eyes open as she breathed a bit quicker.