Horse Lovers Paradise

Horse Lovers Paradise (8)

Chapter 8
Girlfriend

"Ella? Sarah?" I heard a voice calling. As if on cue Both Sarah and I scrambled to our feet and looked at Eric who was watching us anxiously at the stable door. I took a couple steps towards him and flung my arms around his neck, resting my head on his shoulders. "I thought you were going back to your room". I laughed as I realised Sarah and I must have fallen asleep in Casper's stable last night.
"I guess we kinda fell asleep here" Sarah explained voicing my thoughts. I laughed and took a step away from Eric and turned to Sarah.
"Feed up and then get ready for school?" I asked, Sarah nodded and left Casper's stable, not before patting Casper and thanking him for not crushing us during the night. "Thank You" I told Eric when Sarah was out of ear short.
"For what?" He asked confused. I smiled gently, although I was shivering slightly because the cold I responded
"For everything! It was really sweet that you cared so much about me last night" I said hugging my arms around my body. Eric must have noticed my cold state because he pulled his hoodie off and wrapped it around me. I blushed at him and bit my lip, reminding myself again how amazing he is.
"No need to thank me. I'm just glad your ok" I smiled harder at his comment and hugged the jumped around me, "look this isn't exactly how I planned on asking you, but Ella, would you like to be my girlfriend?" His voice sounded so sincere. I froze at the words, I opened my mouth a couple of times although no noise came out, I can't believe Eric wants me to be his girlfriend! "I understand if you just want to be friends" he explained his voice sad, I shock my head before forming the words
"I would love to be your girlfriend". I bit my lip trying to hide the squeal I could feel inside me, Eric beamed happily while we stayed in the moment.
"Are you guys together yet or not?!" I heard a voice behind Eric, I looked over his shoulder and saw Kelly standing there with some empty buckets on her hand. Eric turned and looked back at me as he obviously didn't know Kelly very well, I laughed at Kelly before nodding my head and saying
"Kelly this is my boyfriend Eric, Eric this is Kelly, the world's coolest groom" I introduced. Kelly sent me a wink and I knew immediately what she was thinking. I quickly fed Casper while Eric and Kelly chatted away casually, Sarah joining them when she was finished with Rocky. I stood in front of Casper with Sarah and Eric on either side of me. I smiled when Tracy walked into the barn and stood next to Kelly and glanced suspiciously as Eric and I. Kelly held her palm out and waited for Tracy to put money onto it, which she did.
"Seriously?! You betted on me, Again?!" I asked, laughing at them. Tracy and Kelly nodded there heads and I laughed at them before I glanced at the clock on the wall.
"I would love to stay and chat but it's Friday and that means we have class to go to!" I complained to Tracy and Kelly when I noted the time was 7:00am. Sarah and I pouted while Eric just rolled his eyes an amused expression on his face.
"Bye Tracy. Bye Kelly" Sarah and I shouted in sink, we turned and looked at each other in awe before Eric said farewell and the three of us were walking along the pathway and towards the Orchid building. Eric and I hand-in-hand while Sarah was on the other side of me. We all chatted casually and I couldn't help but smiled at how amazing my life was now.

I glanced at myself in the mirror and smiled at my appearance, I was wearing a loose and baggy purple tank top with a multicoloured floral skirt that was short us the front and long at the back, I then matched the outfit with some nude flats and my golden stirrup necklace. I had some mascara and lip gloss on and my blonde hair was blow dried and sitting straight on my back. I smiled happily with my work before taking a seat on the edge of my bed while Sarah was in the shower. I pulled out my phone and quickly check FaceBook and noticed I had at least 100 new friend requests all from students at Welsh Mountains. I accepted all of them and scrolled through my news feed, I almost started chocking when I noticed Jasmine had put up a photo of her and Mark, they were both smiling into the camera. I swelled the lump in my throat and continued scrolling until I noticed Eric had out up a status this morning,
I couldn't have asked for anyone better. You are always by my side, it's like you can control my emotions. All I can say is thank you because you have changed my life for the better in the past week of knowing you. <3
I awed at the cute status and realised many people had commented things like
Aww, you and Ella are perfect together!
Too Cute! #Erla
"Erla" I said tested the word on my tongue. I smiled and nodded my head at how sweet it sounded, I replied to a couple of inbox's although when I noticed Jasmine come online I immediately logged off. Although by the time I had put my phone back into my book bag, Sarah had come out of the bathroom in her outfit. She was wearing some white denim shorts with a baggy and loose golden Micky Mouse tank top matched with gold sandals. She had tied her hair in a casually fishtail braid with mascara and lipgloss, because like me Sarah had pimple-free skin. I complimented her on her outfit and she did the same to me before we flung our bags over our shoulder and made our way to the cafeteria.

Once we arrived I made a B-line for a table as the place was crowed and put my books down, Sarah eventually came and sat opposite me and asked if I was going to have breakfast.
"Nah, I'm not hungry" I explained. She gave me a suspicious look, obviously thinking about my eating disorder but didn't comment further which I was thankful for. Clare and Shannon came and sat with us and started eating there breakfasts.
"What do you guys want to do over the weekend?" Clare asked, I shrugged not knowing anything to do because I have never had a school weekend here. Sarah and Shannon thought for a minute before Sarah said
"I want to take Rocky out on a trail so he can get worked outside the arena, but other than that I have no idea" she explained shrugging. I nodded my head in agreement.
"We could go into town" Clare suggested. I gave her a confused look and she explained to me that we could take the schools minibus which leaves at different times during the weekend into town for the day.
"I have an idea" I explained. The girls waited silently for me to continue "back home I kinda had a tradition. Once a month me and my friends would go and spend the day at the spa. We could go shopping in the morning, have brunch between shopping. Then we could go to the spa" I suggested. All girls loved the idea and it was settled.
"So, Saturday?" Sarah asked, I nodded my head and smiled.

I glanced at the time and realised Sarah, Clare and I needed to be at maths in minutes. I quickly stood, everyone else following my actions. Shannon said her farewell and went to her class leaving the 3 of us. We walked quietly along the hallway and I was surprised when people were calling greetings to me. I smiled and greeted them back, although most to them I have never seen before.
"Little Miss Popular" Sarah teased gently elbowing my in the ribs. I nodded my head and quietly whispered
"How do they know me?" Sarah gave me a black look as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Your Ella! The girl who can ride like O-M-G, looks like a supermodel and is standing up to Vanessa! Your pretty well know" I blushed at her compliment and let my gaze fall to the floor. We continued walking over our maths class, once we arrived we were greeted by Mathew, Sean and Drake. I smiled sweetly at the boys
"Hey guys" I said standing next to Sarah in the line. They replied with greetings until we started up a casual chat.

Classes went by in a blur today and I was glad the teacher were taking it easy on us with homework amounts, I walked with Sarah back to our room from the assembly we just had. I smiled as we talked about the competition we were training for in our lessons, Sarah then explained to me thy she was nervous about the competition.
"I think everything will be fine because it's obvious we have a really strong team" I explained to Sarah. She thought for a minute before nodding her head and saying
"I'm not exactly worried about the competition. More about the scouts" she explained. I was completely confused as to what she meant, Scouts were people who attended big shows and saw riders with talent and offered them something like a spot on there team or a job at there barn.
"Why would there be scouts coming to a schooling show?" I asked, Sarah thought for a minute before saying
"I heard that the AYET are looking for more riders and they attend all the shows around here. Meaning any show. I know I won't be getting noticed anytime soon because there are so many more talented riders around but..." She trailed off not knowing what to say. I nodded my head before saying
"Don't even think about it. My main focus is to try and get Welsh Mountains Junior Team on the top of the leader board and I need ever member to give 100% not be thinking about scouts who might not even show up" I told her, I know it sounded slightly harsh although with Vanessa consistently waiting for me to screw up in the team, I was consistently feeling the need to prove myself over and over again. Sarah gave a nod, obviously deep in thought before saying
"Yes Mama" we laughed at each other until we reached the room.

I decided to make my riding outfit coordinate with Casper's gear so I wore a lime green polo shirt, cream jodhpurs with my black boots, gators. My hair was braided and I looked at myself in the mirror before tucking my shirt in and turning to Sarah who had just stood from her bed wearing a baby blue polo shirt, navy blue jodhpurs with brown boots and gators. Her brown hair was braided and she looked fabulous. I smiled and we exited the room. We talked about the weekend and I was super excited about having a spa day with my friends!
"I really want to take Casper on a trail" I told her. She nodded her head and said
"I think it will be fun since they have been working hard in lesson's as well. Maybe we could organise a small ride" Sarah explained. I nodded my head loving the thought before saying
"Why don't you invite Conner? It's obvious you guys like each other" with that she blushed cherry red and I laughed at her. "Make it casual. I'll invite Eric and Keely" I told her. She nodded her head and smiled, she didn't say anything but I knew she loved hanging out with the year 9's. "What about Clare?" I asked. Sarah thought for a minute before frowning and saying
"We could invite her but I don't exactly know if all 6 of us would be allowed on a trail together and it would be good to talk to Eric and Keely about the competition and get some advice" Sarah explained, I nodded my head and added
"It's also like a treat for the horses because they have been training everyday day for 1 and a half hours. She is only getting lesson's every 2nd day for an hour." Sarah nodded her head and we continued the walk to the barn.

I leaned down and pated Casper's neck before sitting tall and walking around the edge of the arena,normally Sarah would walk with me and we would talk although today she was with Conner, I managed to catch her eye and gave her a thumbs up before continuing on my circle with Josh a little ahead. I watched him bend his horses through a series of movements although his horse seemed stiff on the left rein.
"Josh" I called to him gaining his attention. He seemed surprised and walked over to me before halting parallel to Casper. "Your horse seems stiff on his left rein, try bending his head towards you a couple of times and see how he responds to the serpentines then" I told him. Josh bent the horses head towards him a couple of times before doing some serpentines although this time his horse was moving freely through the work.
"Wow. Thanks Ella!" Josh explained scratching his horses neck. "Hope felt a lot better" he told me. I smiled and said a quick
"Good, glad I could help!" He nodded his head before was fell into an awkward silence while walking the horses along the edge.
"How are you feeling about the competition?" I asked making a conversation. Josh sighed before turning and saying
"I'm nervous as hell! I have never compete for the school before and I'm the youngest rider in the team" he explained. I nodded my head in understanding before saying
"I'm nervous to, although I'm really excited. I have never competed for Welsh Mountains either" I wanted to tell him how nervous I was and explain that being captain made me feel like everyone was expecting me to give a flawless performance, but I decided against it knowing he needed support not my problems.
"But your a really talented rider!" He argued. I laughed at him before saying
"So are you! Our whole team is really strong" I explained. He shock his head before saying
"I just feel a lot of pressure to perform well because I'm the youngest" he explained shrugging. I nodded my head before turning and looking at him directly in the eye
"Who cares if you are the youngest!? Tracy obviously thought you were ready for the team otherwise you wouldn't have been put in here, I have faith in Tracy's decisions. Just because your the youngest doesn't mean your any less talented than any other rider here" I told him, he smiled and thanked me before we feel into a comfortable silence and song inured warming the horses up.

I dismounted and my legs were jelly, I groaned in pain as I stretched the. Today Tracy decided to make us go the entire lesson without stirrups. It was obvious everyone is the team were struggling now with the pain in there legs,
"Anyone interested in going for morning runs to start getting fitter?" I asked the team who were all still standing in the arena groaning in pain.
"Are you crazy?" Sarah asked sarcastically. I laughed at her before leading Casper out of the barn and towards his stable, every step hurting. I untacked him and cooled him off before leaving my tack in the tack room where Casper's designated spot was. I felt a pair of hands cover my vision and a voice behind me call
"Guess who?".
"Eric?" I asked. The person laughed and let there hands fall to there sides, I turned and saw Eric and Keely standing there. "Hey guys" I smiled.
"Hey!" Keely greeted.
"I can help you guys tack up if you want? Casper is done" I told them,
"That would be great! Thanks Ella" Keely explained, I followed the pair of themtowards there barn which was opposite mine. I limped lightly as it actually hurt my legs so much because of the muscle.
"Are you okay?" Eric asked, watching my walking pattern. I laughed at his concern before saying
"Today's lesson was 'no stirrup' themed. The rest of the day is going to be 'no walking' themed" I explained. Eric and Keely both laughed at my explanation and I couldn't help but smile. "Seriously. It hurts" I whined.
"Aww. Poor thing" Keely said with a sarcastic tone. I laughed at her and rolled my eyes entail we reached there barn, it was identical to mine so it was easy to fine everything. I watched as Eric went into Freedom's stable and tied him us in cross ties. Freedom was a stunning looking horse standing at 16 hands with a dark black coat, 2 white socks and a star. He sniffed my hand curiously and I patted his neck admiring his conformation up close. I turned and watched as Keely pulled out a pony. It was funny looking at a pony tied directly next to Freedom,
"Ella, this is Ellesby Black Betty or Betty for short" I walked casually over to the pony and stocked her mane, she had a stunning black coat with small white spots and a white M on her face. She muzzled my hand and I stroked her face gently.
"She's gorgeous, what breed?" I asked, Keely smiled at my compliment and patted Betty's head.
"She's a Welsh x Palouse which is why she is only 13.2 hands" Keely explained. I nodded my head and smiled at Betty, she was a good heigh for Keely since Keely was so short.

I helped Eric and Keely both tack up before walking with them over to the arena. I stood next to each horse holding there reins while they mounted, there was already 2 riders there. A girl on a flashy dapple grey and a boy riding a lively chestnut, Keely rode Betty off on a loose rein around the arena while Eric stayed still. I couldn't take my eyes off the grey horses, the rider was collecting him up and catering around the arena. They were in complete harmony and it was obvious by watching for a couple of seconds the pair had been through a lot together. I finally turned my attention away from the rider and horse and towards Eric who was watching me with interest,
"Who is that?" I asked, my gaze falling back on the pair.
"That's Kayla. She's the captain, she doesn't really talk to anyone. That's her horse Storm, they are really good" Eric said watching them now two.
"They're going to the Olympics one day" I stated. Eric glanced at me with an amused expression, probably wondering how I came to that observation. Kayla and Storm moved as one and it was clear she was dedicated to riding, I couldn't flaw one thing about her.
"What makes you say that?" Eric asked amused, a couple more people have come into the arena and started warming up although I couldn't take my eyes away from Kayla.
"Watch her. She and Storm are an amazing pair, they block out the rest of the world and ride!" Eric thought for a minute before quietly stated
"Like you" I was shocked at his response and stayed quiet. Eventually Eric left and started warming Freedom up while I turned and faced Tracy.
"Oh Ella. What are you doing?" Tracy asked, I smiled and said
"Beginning my long journey with aching legs to my dorm" Tracy laughed and before smirking and saying
"That's to bad. I was hoping you could tack you Fox in Socks and join part of this lesson, Chloe needs work and everyone has fled the barn for the day. You interested?" Tracy asked with a knowing smirk. I laughed and nodded my head eagerly before jogging into the barn.

I stroked Chloe's liver chestnut neck and smiled at the horse, she stood easily at 14.2 hands with a liver chestnut coat with 4 white socks and a blaze. I tacked her up in jumping gear, purple tendon boots and pink bell boots. My phone was buzzing my my pocket, I quickly grabbed it and pulled it out, I had misses a call from Sarah and she had just texted me then, I immediately felt guilty about not going up with her.
Hey El. Where are you? I'm in our room with Cassie, are you coming up?
I smiled as I remember Cassie from photography and I had become friends, Cassie and Sarah were also really good friends from last year,
Hey Sar. Sorry, I lost track of time. I'm still at the barn, Tracy wants me to ride in the Intermediate Class. I'll be up in 2 hours or so.. Tell Cassie I say hi and the 2 of you should do something together. :)
I quickly sent my reply before shoving my phone back in my pocket and leading Chloe into the indoor arena where the entire Intermediate team were waiting. I gulped when everyone's eyes fell on my, Keely and Eric both gave me surprised and happy looks while everyone else either gave me a blank look or an annoyed look, probably wondering why a year 8 was crashing there training session.

"Everyone, this is Ella, she is the captain of the Junior team. I have asked her to train with us today so Chloe can get some work. Ella, this is the Intermediate team. I waved lightly at them before Tracy checked over Chloe's tack and holding the stirrup and letting me mount. I wiggled around in the saddle before walking Chloe off and halting next to Keely on the end of the line. She gave me a thumbs up as Eric did the same and we turned our attention to Tracy who was talking about jumping positions and striding. She continued talking until eventually called for me to warm Chloe up while the other's started on some grids. I asked Chloe to walk of and she stayed round, we did some circles at walk, trot and canter on each rein before I halted and watched everyone ride, waiting for Tracy to give another instruction. I watched as Keely rode Betty through the grid, Betty was a great jumper and was easily leaping over every fence she faced, even the fences that were bigger than her. Eric and Freedom were easily jumping every fence and it was obvious they were a strong team together. My main focus was Kayla, she and Storm were stunning. I thought they were flawless on the flat but I had never seen anyone so unbelievable ride over fences. Just watching the two you could see the clear connection and the moment when they are above the fence and flying. Kayla was tall with dirty blond hair and blue/grey eyes, she was gorgeous. Storm was about 16 - 16.1 hands, his long legs and fine build indicated he was a Thoroughbred stallion. He reminded me a lot of Casper, the way he moved, the way he jumped and the way he treated Kayla like she was his whole world. I smiled at them together although I was bough out of my thoughts by Tracy calling me to go through the grid with Chloe. I pushed her into an active canter before circling and facing the first jump. I could feel everyone watching me, although I pushed the though away and focused on Chloe, I could feel her stride increase until we met the first jump, we floated into the air and landed cleanly not the other side, we canter a stride before raising again and clearing the vertical. Then we faced our last jump, a oxer standing at 1 meter 20 centimetres. Chloe's stride altered, I immediately noticed the difference and before she had time to duck out I pushed her with my seat. She flew over the fence and we landed safely on the other side. I patted her neck and turned to look at people's surprised faces, although Kayla was watching me, a small smile rested on her face.

I sighed as I pulled Chloe's tack off and rested it in the tack room. Most of the riders in the Intermediate team were from Eric's barn so it was quiet apart from 1 girl in the Advanced group who was tacking up her horse.
"Your horse is pretty" I complimented the girl when I walked last her, she stopped and patted her horses black, white and brown back. She smiled at me before saying
"Thanks. This is Angle and I'm Rebecca" she introduced. I smiled and stroked Angel's multicoloured face. She blew softly into my hands and I smiled at Rebecca,
"I'm Ella" I told her. She nodded her head and said
"Your new right? And your in the Orchid dorm?" She asked, I nodded my shad slowly before she quickly filled me in.
"Don't freak. I'm not a stalker or anything, I'm the prefect of the Orchid dorm and I ride in ten Advanced team" she told me, I nodded my head before we chatted casually while I helped her tack up. "Thanks for the help Ella. If you ever need anything just give me a shout, ok?" Rebecca asked, I smiled and nodded my head before limping towards the Orchid dorm.

That night I was laying in bed on FaceBook when Sarah walked in, she was dressed nicely in a denim skirt and a tank top smiled and greeted me, as I did the same while she jumped in the bathroom. I scrolled through my FaceBook and noticed Jasmine had out up a status saying
Trust Means Everything. Once Trust Is Broken, Sorry Means Nothing.
Cherish every moment you can with some people because you don't know how long it will last...
I rolled my eyes and continued scrolling through. Eventually I got bored and logged of when Sarah walked into the room
"How was your Intermediate lesson?" She asked, laying on her stomach facing me,
"Great. I rode Chloe, a school horse. There was a rider though, her name is Kayla, she was unbelievable! Her and Storm were mind blowing" I told her. She smiled and nodded her head. "What did you do?" I asked
"Not much, Cassie came over and we talked before going and getting some dinner" she explained. I nodded my head allowing the darkness to hit me,
"I'm going to go to bed. Night Sarah" I called to her,
"Night Ella" she called back before I fell into the darkness.




















Authors Note

Hey Everyone! I just wanted to say...

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Happy New Year's Everyone and I hope 2014 is good to everyone and brings good memories, not bad!

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