Page 2 of Hooves & HeartStrings

“No one. I saw something funny.” I shrug, but my eyes drift back over to the direction she took off in.

“Mhmm,” Sawyer hums, not believing me.

We talk for a little while before I hang up and go to bed early. I’m not sure what I expected the summer to be like, but a part of me is hoping I get to see that jogger again.

* * *

“Lucius, you’ve been here for two weeks and you’ve hardly left the house,” my uncle says as he takes a seat next to me on the deck.

“I have. I’ve gone down to the beach a few times,” I tell him, taking a drink of my beer.

“Enough to dip your hooves into the water. Come on, it’s summer. Live a little.”

“I’m not a very social person,” I murmur as I look back out at the water. It's dark, the moonlight shining off it. I can see people laughing and swimming, the sound of music drifting down the beach.

“Nope, I’m not taking that for an answer,” he says, plucking the beer from my hand. “Here.” He hands me a hundred-dollar bill. “There’s a tiki bar just down the way. Go take a walk, have a few drinks, and maybe you will meet some new friends.”

“I don’t need any more friends. I have enough back home,” I say, raising a brow.

“And they aren't here. So, take this and go.” He raises one back.

I look at the money for a moment before sighing and snatching it out of his hand. “Fine, one hour, that’s it.”

“Just go.” He chuckles, clapping me on the back as I stand up.

As soon as I make it a few feet down the beach, I curse at how hard it is to walk with sneakers. Looking around, I don’t see anyone near me, so I slip them off and let my hooves sink into the cool sand.

My movements are slow, not eager to get to this bar, but I have to admit, the cool breeze and the scenery are both nice.

The bar comes into view and I quickly put my shoes back on. It’s not that I’m ashamed of who I am, but I lived in a town where my monster side isn’t something that makes people do a double take. Until now, this town has been known to be primarily human. And as I look around, I’m not seeing any monsters, at least none that are noticeable.

Not that it matters. I’m part monster, but with what I wear, you could never tell.

Even though I have a hat on, I pull my hoodie up and sink into my clothes for comfort.

“You going in, or what?” a girl asks next to me, making me jump. I look down at her as she looks me up and down, an amused grin on her face. “If not, I might have to call the cops. You're looking a little suspicious.”

“Sorry,” I grunt, and take the few steps up to the porch. Stepping inside, I see the place is packed with music playing and people chattering.

“Excuse me,” someone asks, pushing past me. Not wanting to stand in the way, I head over to the far side of the bar and take an empty seat.

“What can I get you?” a soft, musical voice asks me. My eyes snap up to meet the shimmering blue ones of the girl I saw on the beach.

Since that day, I have sat on the deck every night around the same time, hoping to see her again, but she hasn’t been by.

And here she is now, standing before me, asking for my drink order.

“Ahh. Do you need a moment?” she asks, a small smirk on her face.

“Beer,” I manage to choke out. “Ah, a beer, please.”

“Beer,” she repeats, her smile growing. “What kind of beer?”

“Right… ahh… Busch Light.”

“Can, bottle, or draft?”

“Bottle please.”

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