The Elusive Prince

Chapter 34: Walk Before You Run

Merideth

I didn't think sleep would be so peaceful for me tonight, especially since I went to bed ignoring a heavy feeling in my heart but I guess it didn't matter because I slept peacefully tonight. It was one of the rare nights where I had a dreamless sleep and I don't know if I should be thankful or not, maybe I should since having no dreams is better than waking up or passing out from a nightmare.

As per unusual, I was once again awake before Hailey could come wake me up. I don't know if it was because my body got used to it or what but that doesn't mean I won't grumble about it.

Getting out of bed, begrudingly, I went to change into casual clothes with a simple white turtleneck and black square pants because it was chilly. I'm still pissed that my body chose to wake up early on a Sunday when I'm supposed to be allowed to sleep in. Whatever, I can't do anything about it anyway.

Deciding to wake Hailey up instead and tell her to do what I couldn't, sleep in, I went to her room and shook her gently. As expected she was awake in an instant.

"Wha-?" she looked around, confused to be woken up by someone other than her body clock.

"Good morning Hailey ahaha. I'm heading down for a cup of coffee, you could sleep in if you want, it's your day off after all."

Not waiting for her to reply I went out of her room while she went back to sleep. Well good for her, she needs all the sleep she can get, especially after taking care of me for almost a week now. She must've lost a lot of sleep during that time frame so it was only appropriate to have her sleep in.

Heading into the kitchen for a drink, all the while contemplating if I should drink coffee or hot cocoa to start my day, but upon further deliberation I decided I needed caffeine more to keep me awake for the day (not that my annoyance wasn't already).

Expecting the kitchen to be empty at this hour, because it was Sunday and we were allowed to sleep in however we want, I didn't expect to see someone on the kitchen standing by the coffee maker. I was a little surprised to see that said someone was Cassian, making coffee. Wondering whether or not I should approach him, he turned around and happen to let his eyes wander to mine. We looked at each other for a few minutes before he tilted his head and held up a fresh pot of coffee in hand, innocently asking me if I wanted one. Letting out a soft laugh under my breath at his actions, I went into the kitchen.

"You're up early." he started while pouring me a cup of coffee while I sat down on the counter. He handed me a fresh brew of coffee and I couldn't help but inhale the fragrance coming from the steaming cup of coffee.

"I could say the same for you. Why are up early on a Sunday anyways?" I started while sipping the coffee which had me double take because it was so good. This blend was way better than Hailey's usual and that is a very big compliment because Hailey was an expert in blending coffee.

"Force of habit I guess, how 'bout you? Didn't sleep well?" he said calmly and sat down on the seat across from me.

"Not this time. I think my body just got accustomed to waking up early for the past few days so now, even though it's Sunday, it doesn't want to let me sleep in at all."

"Well that's unfortunate."

We settled into silence after that and only the sound of us sipping from our mugs were heard from the empty kitchen. If you're wondering why it was okay for us to be in the kitchen alone, that is because all joint rooms in the dorm had camera's installed in. Although there was no mic so we could still have our privacy while they monitor us from following the rules and besides it was not like we were going to do anything to break said rules, so there's no need to worry about.

There were no signs of activity around us and that's because  as I have said, Sunday is the only time where we can sleep in without any limits. We all try to take advantage of that but it seems that for today I won't be having that priviledge.

Cassian must've noticed my gloomy expression, because he was getting good at it as it seems, and suddenly straightened up from across me.

"Say...do you want to go on a walk? It's the perfect time to go for a stroll now and since we can't go back to sleep anyway, how about doing something productive?" he proposed and suddenly perking up at that, I looked at him starry eyed.

"Well, that's an absolutely great idea. I'll change into something even warmer, since it is getting a little chilly. " beginning to stand up, I threw him a glance and looked at his clothes which was still his pajamas, back before finally heading out.

"You should change too. Can't have you catching a cold. I'll catch you in the living room. Bye!" I told him playfully before sprinting out of the kitchen to get dressed. As I was in a hurry, I didn't see nor hear the amused laugh coming from Cassian.

-

Changing into another fluffy coat, the light brown one this time that was given to me by Hunter, I bound downstairs and expecting to see Cassian, I was surprised to see the living room empty. He might still be dressing up or maybe even taking a bath, I don't know. Deciding that he might take a while, I sat down on the couch for a while. Idly scrolling through my phone, I didn't notice the approaching figure behind me until a shadow was cast over me, obscuring the light from coming into my view.

Glancing up, I came across the double colored eyes of Cassian staring at mine. I lift my hands up a little and put it near his face and his eyes seemed to widen for a while before I flicked his forehead. He let out a surprised yelp by the sudden attack and threw me a glare which just made me laugh.

Taking in his appearance, I notice that he was dressed in the same shade of brown coat as mine although his is with a different design. Still it looked similar from far away and I don't know if it was intentional or not. It doesn't really matter though, so I stood up and leaned in to him from the other side of the couch. He was still rubbing the spot that I hit and when he saw me approach again, he took a step back and protected his forehead.

"What?" I teased and he just glared. I laughed and extended my arm to pat him on the hand gently and started heading for the scanner. He seemed to get that gesture though because he followed behind me and got his watch under the scanner by the door to register our leave.

Once outside, we were both greeted by the fresh and cool morning breeze as we trudge outside our dorm. There were no words exchanged between us as we walk peacefully. We reached the main buildings, which was unsurprisingly empty at this time of the day. Since we weren't really talking, I decided to take out my phone and happened to come across my joint scheduled calendar with Hailey and almost let out a squeal but didn't because I was civil and one must not scream in the empty hallways at six in the morning.

That however didn't stop me from shaking from excitement though and through the force of my excitement alone, I managed to catch the attention of Cassian who was minding his own business and was probably admiring the architecture again. He threw me a confused glance and let out an amused huff when he saw that I was grinning from ear to ear.

"What's got you so giddy now?" I didn't answer but shoved my phone on his face instead. It was however too close so he couldn't see anything. He pushed the phone back at a desirable distance and squinted on the screen. He must've read what was on it because he raised his eyebrows at me and smiled.

"Isn't this your scheduled recruitment?" I just threw him a smile before grabbing his hand, not letting him have a chance to react, and pulled him to the direction of the stables. Although there wasn't that much people around, there was however still some early birds scoping the area for worms, who saw us. We must've looked ridiculous, with me dragging Cassian by the hand and running through the halls like nobody's businness, completely forgetting about appearances at all over my giddiness to get to the stables fast.

Of course, due to our speed, we reached the stables record time. I didn't even notice Cassian who was catching his breath beside me and sprinted inside the stables where I know Marshall would be, tending to the horses. I was right and he looked surprised to see me because he stopped what he was doing in favor of looking at me as if confirming if I was a hallucination or not.

"You're here early Princess." I just laughed and shrugged before going to the private stables where our individual horses are at. Going straight to Night's stable, I unhooked the latch on the door and proceeded to give Night a light stroke which he just answered with a soft neigh.

"Missed me?" I said lightly before getting the apple that Marshall gave me to give Night for a snack. I was engrossed with Night that I completely forgot about the existence of the person I dragged here with me.

"You're really enthusiastic about horses huh." came the huffing voice of Cassian as he greeted Marshall before looking at me in the stables.

"Oh Cassian, she dragged you here too?" he just nodded and I tuned them both out as I brush Night's mane lightly, letting their conversation pass over me.

"Yeah. We wanted to go out for a walk but then she must've remembered her visit her because we sprinted straight here after she glanced at her phone."

"Oh that's unfortunate hahaha. But oh well, now is actually the perfect time to come here. Just before the team entering the equestrian comes over for training."

"Equestrian? Oh you mean the sport for horseback riding. Wait, there's a team for that?"

"Yeah of course. Why do you think we have lots of horses here? Wait do you wan't to ride Anisa? I could take her out." then I saw Marshall trying to move to the other side but Cassian just stopped him.

"Maybe later. For now I think it's Merideth who wants to ride instead." at the mention of my name connected to the words ride, I snapped out from my daze and looked at their direction expectantly. They both laughed and I huffed.

"Of course. Go change the both of you. Your jodhpur's are in the locker at the side as usual. I'll saddle Night for you." I didn't wait for him to finish and zoomed into the locker room and changed. I'm not wasting precious riding time.

"Wait me too?" I heard Cassian say before I finally closed the dressing room and got changed. I kept the brown fluffy coat on since it was quite chilly. Getting out of the changing room just as quick, I approach the saddled Night up and had Marshall help me to mount him. Sitting comfortably, I adjusted myself and my hold on the reigns just in time for Cassian to come tumbling out of the dressing room, dressed with the men's uniform and brown coat on top. No matter how I look at it, we seemed like we were in couple outfits but thankfully Marshall was dense and didn't mention it. He did mention something else entirely though.

"Right, Merideth, do you think you can let Cassian ride with you?" Cassian just shot him a look and I laughed a little at that.

"Yeah sure why not? After all, I dragged him here." letting Marshall usher Cassian into Night's back, I adjusted myself to give him space on the back. So that's why he put a big saddle on here.

Cassian was a little tense but loosened up a bit when he was finally behind me and Night didn't do anything but whiney a bit. Stroking his mane a little, I glanced back at Cassian who looked like he didn't know what to do with his hands.

"Right, you could hold unto the side here." Marshall instructed and he followed. "Great! Now you're good to go. And Merideth..." he added as I was ushering Night out of the stables gently.

"Don't go too fast 'kay? I'll see you in a bit." smiling wickedly he waved us off and before Cassian can process what was happening, I was already making Night run off into the morning breeze, ignoring the protest behind me.