just for you [sync]

[Onzy]

Ruthie actually managed to bunk classes quite easily. It might end up with her in Dafydd's office, but she honestly didn't care. It was about another hour till the lunch break, so she wasn't missing much in her own mind. The music room seemed to be the best place to hide out, not because it was actually on campus, but because the walls were sound proof, and no body really bothered the muso's in there. At least that was what she observed during the day. It was possible that they were actually there for a class, but Ruthie was feeling home sick after two weeks. It was strange not seeing her parents or siblings every day, or being with her family. France had been amazing and she wished to go back. It helped having her friends around her, but Kian was so absorbed in the crap he landed himself in that he was scarce. Ieuan was with Max almost permanently and Niall she saw now and then. Starting a new school meant catching up, and catching up meant that she had to give up her social life for a while.

Closing the door behind her, Ruthie went to sit by the baby grand piano at the center of the room. The ivory and ebony keys were like old friends. She knew she didn't play so well, guitar was her better instrument, but she just wanted to sing. Sing away her home sickness and melancholy. Now that Ruthie was actually in the room, she wondered if dancing wasn't a better choice, just to get her blood rushing. Taking off the cover, she sought for a song and found just the right one. Maybe it sounded better on guitar, but the piano was just as good. She played the intro, and then her lilting vocals picked up the notes and formed words.

Missing the train every morning at 8:52,
Sipping coffee from the same cup as you.
The sharing of secrets we thought no one else knew,
That's what I miss about you.

The new way that love had made me see,
Your bashful grin when you asked if I would like your key.
The knowing way you used to caress me,
That's what I miss about you.

You stole in with your starry smile exciting me,
Driving with you in your new car, feeling free.
If it's true that love is blind, then I was blind willingly,
You made me feel we had a future, that could be and would be.

The way you said I'd be no one on my own,
Your habit of soaking yourself in over-priced cologne.
The way you turned the light out when I knew you were home,
That's what I don't miss about you.

I bet you're using your weary magic like it's new,
Driving so fast with a new fool beside you.
Presumably believing she's the last of the lucky few,
I wonder if she knows she's being lied to like I do.

The way I only doubted myself when I was with you,
Like I was a fool for expecting something from life too.
Your skill of putting me down in-front of everyone we knew,
That's what I don't miss about you.

Without really realising it, Ruthie knew she was singing this about someone. Holiday romance was her thing, but before the holidays she had fallen in love, fallen hard, dated Jace for a while, and then had to break it off because neither of them could do long distance. Obviously Niall had been there for her, but he was her best friend, and that was all that she saw him as. Sometimes she wondered if he didn't feel more, but it was an absurd thought actually.

[Sync]

The gelding span on his haunches effortlessly, the young male in his saddle did not jostle at the sudden movement. Hooves thundered against the dry sand of the arena, rider and horse taking the curve of the barrel with practiced ease. The flashy gelding's oracles zeroed in on the next barrel, his rider grinning in anticipation as they flew towards it. Cutting it closer than the former obstacle, the two again made it with ease. Mack's nares flared with excitement as they approached the last barrel, harsh breaths sliced the air. This time, the equine seems to be a little to confident. His hind hoof nicks the barrel as they pass, causing his rider to suck in a breath of anticipation. Sliding to a halt, the pair gaze at the teetering object. Slowly, it fell back into the upright position and Niall gave a breath of relief. Sweat dripped from Mack's neck and flanks, coating his sides generously. The pair had been in the outdoor arena for hours, due to the fact that Niall had no morning classes. "I think that's enough for today." he murmured to the tired gelding, patting his neck affectionately.

The ride back to the barn was quiet, with most students being in lessons. Mack was relaxed, which was unusual for the normally grumpy gelding. In the short time Niall had been working with him, Mack was usually rather uptight. The other horse assigned to him, Mist, had a much more mischievous nature. Niall hadn't been able to pick favorites though, the pair were brilliant in very different ways. The light breeze cooled the pair as they made their way back, relieving them of the heat that had been beaming down on them all morning. It was surprisingly warm for the beginning of October, and Niall wasn't exactly pleased with it. He hated the heat, much preferring it when it was tipping it down with rain. With a sigh, Niall dismounted his quiet steed and chose to lead him the remaining few steps to the yard. Allowing Mack into his stall, he untacked the horse quickly and gave him an already filled feed bucket.

After giving the gelding a quick groom to cool him off, Niall decided to hunt down Ruthie. He hadn't seen much of her since they'd arrived, he'd spent a lot of the time in the stables where she pretty much refused to go now. He frowned a little, trying to think where she'd be. There was a possibility that she may be in lessons, but something in the back of his mind was telling him no. Call it best friend intuition, if you will. Suddenly, it struck him. "Music classroom." he concluded aloud, heading in he direction where he knew the classes were. It didn't take him long. Without all the people milling around and blocking up the pathways, Niall made it to the classrooms swiftly. The boy paused outside the door though, hesitant to enter it due to the fact that the corridors were rather narrow. Taking a deep breath, he threw open the door and moved at a brisk pace toward the music room.

Peering in through small window on the door, Niall allowed a soft smile to tug at his lips when he caught sight of a blonde haired female sat at the piano. Unwilling to remain in the corridor any longer, he let himself into the room and resisted the urge to leave it open. Instead, he rushed over to the nearest window and threw it open, glad that it was large in stature. Feeling relatively comfortable in the big room, he walked over to Ruthie's side. When he caught sight of her expression though, he immediately sat beside her on the piano bench and slung an arm over her shoulders. "Homesick?" he asked quietly. He knew how hard it was for the female to be away from her family, she had a very close relationship with them unlike Niall did with his own parents. Sure, he loved them and they loved him, he just didn't relate to them very well. Smiling at her softly, he allowed himself to relish in the contact he currently had with her. He hadn't been able to have much since they had arrived, due to the fact that either Dafydd, Ieuan or Kian were demanding her attention. The curly headed male slammed the jealous feelings down, focusing on the fact that he was the only one with her right now.

[Onzy]

Ruthie was so drawn in by her thoughts that she didn't hear the door opening behind her. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she saw Niall throw open a window. Of course her best friend would find her when she was feeling alone. It was the freaky bond that they shared since they met. When she had started at her old school she was deemed the outsider and Niall was also one. They had found each other and the rest they say is history. The curly headed male came to sit next to her, and slung his arm over her shoulder, providing comfort. He asked the obvious, and Ruthie just sighed in response. Heartsick. I miss Jace, was her answer.

Niall smelt like horses. It meant that he had been down at the barns before coming here, probably just working the horses he had been assigned. Ruthie wasn't in much of a mood to talk about herself, so she chose to change the topic, and Niall would guess it. So how are the horses? she asked. Despite the fact that she didn't ride, she did miss it. Horses scared her, but she just needed to build her confidence again. The accident sometimes still haunted her dreams, but she just pushed aside those feelings and focused her attention on the other things that now occupied her time. Like music for example.

Playing a few aimless notes, she listened instead to the silence around her. There was a whole story to tell by just listening to nature's music, and there wasn't a music piece that she had found that brought out the same color rich tones. Sorry I haven't been around lately. I'm just trying to catch up with the work, she said suddenly, feeling guilty that she hadn't been seeing much of people lately.