"No, no. Your hands are too high," I say to Leo. He shoots me a look before whining,

"What do you mean too high?"

"I mean you have no god damn control of the horse when your hands are nearing shoulder height." He groans before lowering them. "Keep going. They should be near hip level."

"That's so uncomfortable."

"That's because you're not used to it. I find them being too high far more uncomfortable. Hey watch where you're going," I say because he's looking at me and not where hes going. "Your feet aren't in the stirrups enough."

"Why are you nagging me with all this shit?"

"Oh you want me to nag you?" I say standing a little straighter and following alongside Poppy. "You're slouching, your knees are drawn up, you aren't gripping the horse tight enough with your legs but you do seem to have a death grip on the reigns. Your feet are improperly in the stirrups--"

"Okay you want me to get off?"

"No I want you to see I'm not trying to nag you I'm trying to teach you to ride properly."

"I'm tired, do we have to keep doing this?" He says pulling on the reigns causing Poppy to stop. I stop as well and turn to face him. 

"It's been a half hour."

"So? It's hot out and I'm sick of your voice."

"Do you think I'm enjoying teaching you this. You're impatient, whiny and stubborn."

"Okay I'm done."

"You need me to get off."

"No I can do it."

"And untack?" I cross my arms.

"Sure I can."

"Fine. Show me you can do all that." I step back signally him to go ahead.

"You're an asshole," he mutters under his breath before taking his feet out of the stirrups. I watch him put the reigns in his right hand and I shake my head.

"Wrong hand," I say.

"Oh shut up," he mutters switching hands and hopping off. He begins to start walking but I stop him again.

"You didn't run the stirrups up the leathers."

"I thought I was doing this by myself."

I sigh. He is impossible. He adjusts the stirrups before leading Poppy to the stables and to the cross ties. Watching him try and do a 180 with a horse is entertaining. I don't say anything when he gets confused with what to do with the reins when connecting the cross ties. I cringe when he just drops them to the ground but hey I'm not aloud to say anything. Technically he won't learn this way but any more of him complaining might kill me if the heat doesn't.

Eventually after struggling to remember how to unhook everything he just stops to where I'm lent against a pillar, arms crossed and stifling a laugh.

"Okay, I need help. Stop laughing and help."

"That's not how you ask."

He just stares at me. "Please."

I smile to annoy him before moving to help. "This time watch me so you can prove me wrong next time."

"Good luck dragging me out here again."

"I would be glad if you didn't return but your father will be the one to drag your ass out here."

He's silent as I hand him things to put in the tack room. As I'm walking Poppy back to his stable I pass by a helmet I left on the old wobbly chair so I wouldn't forget. When I walk out of the stable I walk towards Leo.

"You'll be back," I say handing it to him.

"What?"

"My dad got you a helmet. Go put it in my tack locker."

"I don't know your lock code."

"I know you watch me do it every time."

He tries to hide a laugh before walking past me. I can't help but to smile a bit too.

"You need a drive back again?"

"You'd be driving back to Elle's," he calls out.

I take a moment to think. Maybe I should just drive him to write his G1 because I can't stand being his chauffeur.

"Or you could get your license?"

"Well I can tell you now that won't be happening today," he says exiting. "So you going to come with me or you going to listen to my whine all day long."

"You just sit on the couch. You're pretty quiet."

"Okay well this time I'll make an effort to annoy you."

"Effort isn't necessary, you're already doing a great job."

"You haven't said no so I'm taking this all as a yes. Go grab your keys."

I fish through my pocket and pull them out to dangle. "Somehow I knew I would be driving you somewhere again."

As I follow behind him I text my dad that I'd be leaving. He replies with an 'ok' and then texting me about him and mom are going up to the cottage this weekend.

"No texting and driving."

"I'm walking you dumbass."

"Your about to walk into a tree." I look up and stop, only inches away from the tree. "I just saved your life. No texting and walking."

I look to him who's not even paying attention to me but skipping to the car.

"Some days being with you is like babysitting a child."

"Just be happy you're not changing diapers and feeding me."

"That was an ugly sight don't mention that again." I get into the car and put it in reverse.

The whole ride he's rather chatty and complains about throwing a surprise party for Mia.

"I mean we said we would do it but it's kinda just us that hang out so like if we all just hop from behind couches it's kinda lame," he says. "Maybe I'll just rent her a Lambo for a day. Wait no she can't drive for shit."

"Can any of you drive?"

"Elle and Gabe."

I nod my head. "Okay anyway. Maybe laser tag? No we did that for Gabe's birthday. Camping? Nah that's too white."

An idea pops my head and I contemplate suggesting it but I'm not really their friends.

"I like camping because we could all sleepover and have fun but hell if I'm sleeping on the ground."

"I have an idea but I would be dragging myself into this."

He seems to think for a minute. "What? What is it?"

"I have a cottage up north. Our boat is up there. Not only do I have my drivers license but also my boating license."

It's not as big as their boat. It's just a Chapparrel boat and we really don't use it much just for the cottage because it's on a lake.

"You suggesting we go there?"

"Which would mean I have to go otherwise my parents won't let me but yeah I've been meaning to bring friends. Preferably my own but oh well this will work."

"It won't be much of a surprise birthday but— I kinda like that idea."

"I can't cook though."

"I can. Elle can also make eggs and bacon and Gabe knows how to BBQ."

"Oh but I know how to make hot dogs over a fire."

"If you had a microwave that'd be easier."

"Yeah but less fun. Bonfires are great. You just sit around in the dark roasting marshmallows and hot dogs and if it's warm enough you can swim in the lake after dark."

"Only problem is I'm stuck with you."

"Yes so you better decide," I snort. "Also I'm an only child meaning buying a cottage with more then two rooms wasn't necessary. However we do have a third room as a guest room and a pullout couch."

"There's six of us and how many beds. Four?"

"Yeah."

"Two people will share then."

The rest of the drive we discuss how it would work if we did follow through with the idea.

"It's not for another while anyway," he says getting out of the car. I follow right behind him back to the garage.

When we get inside everything is the same as last time. It's quite dark compared to the sunny weather outside. There's no windows other then strung up fairy lights and coloured LED lights.

However, this time there's a strong stench of weed.

"I see your friend is back," Elle walks up to us.

"My drive," Leo corrects. 

"Your personal Uber driver. Lucky you."

"You could always just get your license," Olivia calls out.

"No that's too much effort," Gabe jokes mocking Leo.

"Screw off." Leo walks past Elle and I and snatches Mia's beer out of her hand to chug. In return she kicks him in the shin.

"Sit down kid," Elle says to me. She acts as if I'm ten years younger then her. "I hate when people stand around all awkward."

"I- yeah okay," I mutter moving to sit on the couch. Gabe is on the other end with what looks to be a game boy.

Olivia walks over and sits next to me handing me a joint. I raise an eyebrow at her.

"C'mon, you seem so uptight."

I sigh before taking it from her and looking at it not really sure what to do.

She lets out a laugh before turning her body towards me and showing me.

"This'll open you up a bit," she says after I've taken a drag.