Abby gasped. "I'm so sorry..." she said. Her hands flew to her mouth when he showed his back. "Oh..." she stopped when he continued talking. When he stopped talking she shook her head "that is not what I want to do. I'm not calling you a wimp or making fun of you. I'm thanking you. I was just confused as to why you wouldnt even look me in the eye. I understand now and I am sorry about the girl..."

(I finished my post... you might want to read it lol)

Ryker shouldered the wet shirt and brushed one last speck of dust off of Serpant, who was now shining. The stallion's gentle eyes looked at Abby and Serpant nuzzled the girl carefully, breathing out softly on her hand. He turned to face Abby as she spoke, looking almost surprised. He hadn't told anyone that story, and the first response he expected was laughter. "You are very different than anyone else I've met, then. You shouldn't be thanking me. I should be thanking you for sitting through that story. You don't have to be sorry about the girl... she is in the past, and I am in the future. Hopefully sometime in my life I actually start making friends again. Or for the first time. In any case, you have a good night. I'd better go get some rest so my ribs heal sometime..." He trailed off with a nod, putting the brush in the basket and walking out. Ryker had explained his side of the story, and Abby was kind enough to take it, so maybe.. just maybe... if she didn't look down on him from now on... he might have a new friend. Maybe someone he could trust.

She watched him leave. "Wait!" She ran after him, slowing to a walk beside him. "I can be your friend!" She smiled "my only friend is Jessica. Don't tell her this but sometimes she gets a little bit overwhelming " she grinned and turned, walking backward so she could face him. She tripped over a rock but caught herself with a laugh. "I'm clumsy. Sorry"

(That honestly sounds like something from a kids show. *Wait! I can be your friends!* XD)

+++

Ryker slowed, coming to a stop as Abby ran out in front of him and turned to talk. He lifted his eyebrows slightly at her words, tilting his head slightly. "Jessica- the one that said I was cute? I'm flattered, really." He snorted jokingly, just having to add that in. "If you are not joking, I would be honored to be your friend... and your part time bodyguard, if you need it." Ryker couldn't help but add. "Also, don't apologize to me you tripped. Apologize to your legs. And I don't believe you are clumsy... if I tried to walk backwards I'd be on the ground, so it is pretty average." He commented, wondering if she was joking. She didn't LOOK like she was. And he needed to let go of stuff that happened a long time ago. He should give it a shot.

She nodded when he recognized Jessica "that's her! And I will always need a bodyguard" she grinned. "My legs are terrible. I can't walk half the time. She laughed when she fell back. She sat on the ground, dying laughing so much that she started crying. "Sorry" she managed, still laughing

Ryker was really relieved that Gavin hadn't punched him back... well, if it had been the face he would have been fine, but anywhere near the ribs and he would've been on the ground moaning in pain. "Ryker Rivera, at your service then." He chuckled, lifting his eyebrows slightly. "Now, if you want my opinion on something... you are sleep deprived and need some rest. If Sun is taken care of, I would suggest you go to bed. On that note, I am exhausted and my leg is throbbing.. so as much fun as talking to you was, I have to get to bed. I will see you in the morning." He stated, starting to go towards the hill to stumble down towards his cabin.

Abby grinned when he said his name. She was watching him from the ground. "Bye bye! See you tomorrow Ryker!" She waved them pulled herself to her feet. She walked up to the house, climbing into the tree to sleep. She didn't want to wake Jessica and the tree was her favorite resting place. The trees leaves were so dense that almost no rain came through. She settled in the nook and fell asleep almost instantly

Ryker smiled a little, which made him seem a lot more friendly and really lit up his face. "See you tomorrow, Abby." He answered with a small chuckle, walking down the hill with a slight grimace before entering his cabin. He put the wet shirt out to dry, changed into more conformable and dry pants, and went to lay down. 10 seconds later he was out like a candle on a windy day.

In the morning Ryker awoke to bright sun outside his window, shining into his room. He sighed a little, pushing himself off the bed with a grunt of pain and limping to the dresser. Grabbing some jeans, he felt too lazy to do anything else, walking to the stove and taking the frying pan. Starting to heat up, Ryker made some eggs, standing near the sizzling pan and waiting.

Abby woke up when a squirrel jumped down onto her chest. She gasped and rolled, throwing herself and the squirrel onto the ground. The squirrel landed nicely and scrambled up the tree again. The wind got knocked out of her and she took deep breaths, her lungs rising and falling rapidly. She pulled herself into a sit then a stand