Chapter 9
I gathered my books and got up to leave for my next class, virtual testing. I could tell in Hotaru's eyes that she was very devastated to see the hard work in the gundam section of our website disappear. We walked out the classroom doorway and my eye caught sight of someone glaring at me, Heero Yuy. His eyes sent a chill down my spine, so I turned away. I said bye to Hotaru and we both split to go to our next classes. She had biotech. After having our website partial ruined the both of us didn't look forward to doing anything.
I soon reached my classroom and took a seat. I didn't recognize anyone there except for Wufei, Hotaru's crush. My teacher for this class was Rasheed. He began introducing himself and I couldn't help but sigh (a little too loudly) and rest my forehead in the palm of my left hand. In the other, I twiddled with my pencil. Although I was aware I was being rude I couldn't help it. Mr. Rasheed was in the middle of passing out the class guidelines when a messenger from the office walked in and handed him a note and he looked it over.
"Ms. Riona Tsai?" he asked and I stood up. "You are wanted in the office." said Mr. Rasheed. I gathered my books and he handed me the note to use as a pass. The guys in the classroom eyed me as I walked to the door, thinking I had done something bad. I gave them a glare, which sent them slouching in the chairs. Wufei on the other hand just sat there with his arms crossed, looking as if he wanted to come along or saying that message should have gone to him. I could tell he was bored too.
I walked out the door and made my way to the office, curious to know why I had to go there in the first place. I reached the office and walked in, I handed the secretary the note and she pointed to the nurse's office. The nurse's office? I said inside, shrugged my shoulders, and walked inside. There I saw Hotaru sitting on the bench as the nurse bandaged her arm. I was so shocked to see her there that I didn't notice Duo sitting in a chair against the wall.
"Hotaru what happened?" I asked walking over to her. The nurse hadn't finished bandaging her arm so she couldn't sign. Instead, Duo did the talking.
"Hey good-lookin' whatcha doin' here?" he smiled but I didn't.
"Duo what happened?" I asked sternly, also noticing his bandaged arm.
"Just a little accident..."he said slurring his words. ''Hotaru and I were in biotech and we were messing around with some chemicals and stuff. Turns out alcohol and iodine don't mix, huh Hotaru?" he joked and I turned around to Hotaru. The nurse had just finished bandaging her arm and left. Hotaru began to sign.
"First of all, it wasn't WE who were messing around with chemicals it was HIM and only him! I was sitting there trying to do it right when Duo who happen to be my lab partner started messing around. Then braid-boy mixed, urgh, alcohol and iodine and you can figure out the rest!" Hotaru exclaimed. I tried hard not to smile, it was kinda funny.
"Okay, what did she just say?" Duo asked and I sighed.
"She said that it wasn't the both of you who were messing around it was only you! I thought you knew better than to mix iodine with alcohol!" I said and Duo slightly cringed. ''Just be glad it was minor." I added. Duo reminded us that it was getting close to lunch time, so he left (figures!). Hotaru and I stayed awhile longer to talk a little more with the nurse on how to take care of Hotaru's arm. She assured us it would heal overnight, because technology is now so advanced. When we were done we didn't realize our lunch period was already over.
"Man I have biotech next..." I whined.
"So, I have virtual testing!" Hotaru signed. ''Who's our teacher?"
"Mr. Rasheed!" I answered.
"You gotta be kidding..." Hotaru signed and I shook my head as if to say no.
"I don't wanna go to biotech, I don't wanna go anywhere anymore." I sighed.
"Why don't we go get some coffee? You wouldn't miss much in biotech anyway, it's only our first black day." Hotaru signed.
"Okay sounds nice. You wouldn't miss much in virtual testing either." I replied and we walked out of the office and to one of the coffee shops on campus.
When we got to the coffee shop we each bought a cup of coffee and some small pastries and sat down at a small table.
"So, I guess this hasn't been a very good day for the both of us, huh?" I said after taking a sip of my coffee. Hotaru shook her head.
"Once in awhile I wonder, maybe we're not cut out for being here. I mean, almost everything we do turns out the way we don't want it to be." I sighed, taking another sip from my coffee. Hotaru just finished taking a sip from her own.
"Nah don't say that...I know it's been tough, well very tough for me, but we just gotta hang in there. Riona, things might not always turn out the way we want them to, but hey that's life right?" Hotaru signed.
"Yeah, that's true, but with all that's happening like our gundam section of our website being deleted...we spent who knows how long working on it! I guess we just gotta learn how to let things go..." Hotaru nodded and took another sip of her coffee.
"Don't worry, we'll live through this, together..." Hotaru signed and smiled.
"You know, I don't know what I'd do if you weren't my friend Hotaru." I smiled. We talked a little more and soon it was time to go to our last class of the day, horseback ridding.
"Well I hope this class turns out better than our other classes!" Hotaru signed as we got up to get ready to leave.
"Yeah I hope so too!" I replied and we left to go back to our dorm to change into our ridding clothes. Hotaru braided my hair into one braid so that it wouldn't get in the way of my riding. She was lucky, she had short hair.
Once we reached the stables Ms. Noin told us to saddle and harness our horses. She also reminded us that she will be evaluating our skills today so she would be watching us from the minute we place the saddle on our horses. I fed Naomi some oats while I placed on her saddle. When I finished I put on her bridle and now I was all done. In the stall beside me Hotaru had also finished with Artemis.
"Once you have finished I will come over to look at your horse." Ms. Noin finished and walked over to Hotaru and me first. She took a look at both Artemis and Naomi's saddle and bridle.
"Very good job girls. You may ride your horses out to the field and I will meet you there." Ms. Noin instructed. Hotaru and I put on our riding helmets, got on our horses, and rode out of the stable and onto the field. Once we got out there we waited for Ms. Noin to finish looking over the other horses. While we waited, Hotaru and I couldn't help but notice the guys' riding class that was going on in the neighboring field. There we saw Trowa and Wufei. For some reason I couldn't take my eyes off Trowa and I noticed Hotaru couldn't do the same with Wufei. We watched as they rode their horses but it all ended when Ms. Noin rode out with the rest of the girls.
"Alright ladies, as I have told you today I am going to be evaluating your skills and abilities. Each one of you is to complete this course of jumps." Ms. Noin explained and pointed to the course as she told us what direction to take after each jump. She called a girl's name and I could tell she would be doing it alphabetically, from the end of the list and up. The first girl was didn't do so well, she missed two or three jumps. Two or three more girls went but still, all of them missed a jump or two.
"Next, Ms. Riona Tsai!" Ms. Noin called out.
"Good luck Riona!" Hotaru signed to me.
"Thanks!" I smiled. As I rode towards the course I could hear the snotty girls whisper and I managed to hear someone say, "Oh one of those new girls, watch her fall!" I sighed and stopped Naomi as Ms. Noin walked up to me.
" Whenever you're ready." she said and I nodded. I took a deep breath.
"Yah!" I said to Naomi and we took off onto the course. The first few jumps were simple but the closer the course came to an end the jumps got harder. Naomi turned right and then jumped over a pole jump. The last jump was coming up and it was a brick wall. I was a little shaky but I urged Naomi on. She jumped over it with ease. I had her trot over to where Ms. Noin stood.
"Very impressive Ms. Tsai, you cleared the course without missing a jump." Ms. Noin exclaimed.
"Thank-you." I answered and rode over next to Hotaru.
"Good job!" she signed.
"Thanks. When it's your turn watch out for that turn after the second pole jump, its a sharp one so be careful." I cautioned and Hotaru nodded.
" Next, Hotaru No Shi!" Ms. Noin shouted.
"You're up, go show them what you're made of! And watch out for that turn okay?" I smiled and Hotaru and Artemis were off. They had a very good start and Artemis looked very relaxed. Hotaru took caution in the turn like I had advised and soon the last jump was coming up. I held my breath and Artemis soared over it with ease. Hotaru had cleared the course flawlessly like I had. She got some words from Ms. Noin and rode back over to where I was.
"So, how was it?" I asked her.
"It was quite nice, actually!" she signed and we both smiled. Two girls rode up next to us.
"You girls did very well!" one of them said.
"Oh, thank-you..." I replied.
"I'm Relena Peacecraft and this is my friend Hilde Schiebeker.
"Pleased to meet you." I said and they smiled.
"Where did you girls learn how to ride like that? It was amazing!" Hilde exclaimed and both Hotaru and I blushed.
"Oh, the both of us rode in America at our old school. This is my friend Hotaru and I'm Riona." I said. Our conversation soon ended because all the girls had been evaluated.
"You girls all did a wonderful job, some better than others," Ms. Noin said and looked at Hotaru and me and we exchanged glances. "But don't worry, those of you who didn't do too well will surely advance by the end of the year. For the rest of class, we will be reviewing the basics. Everyone ride over to that field and I will meet you over there." Ms. Noin said pointing to the field next to where the guys were having class. Hotaru and I were about to head to the field when Ms. Noin stopped us.
"Girls, I'd like to have a word with you." she said to us. "Your riding skills are far too advanced for this class, I noticed it even as you were saddling your horses. You have complete control of your horse, you both demonstrate good posture, what more can I ask for?" she smiled. " You need to start competing. Well anyway, since there really isn't much you can learn in this class, I suggest you go try it with the guys. Their activities are a little more advanced than this class. If you like it, then I'll see to it that you have your schedules changed to that class, alright?" Ms. Noin explained.
" Thank-you Ms. Noin." I said and Hotaru nodded.
"Its very nice to have talented riders like you here on campus!" Ms. Noin added and headed off to the field where the rest of the class was waiting. Hotaru and I turned Naomi and Artemis towards the field where the guys were having class.
"Are you sure about this?" Hotaru signed to me nervously.
"I'm not really sure either." I replied shakily. "Oh well, lets just go try it out." and we both rode up to the field. As soon as we got there the guys looked at us in a mean way. I tried not to show my nervousness. Hotaru rode beside me and I could tell she felt the same way. On the other hand Naomi and Artemis seemed ready to charge at the other stallions. They weren't too happy about being around them. We soon found the instructor, Mr. Zechs Marquise.
"Umm...are you the instructor Mr. Marquise?" I asked just to make sure.
"Yes I am, what can I do for you girls?" he asked, surprised to see two female riders in a class full of guys. The guys in the class started to gather around and I caught sight of Trowa and Wufei.
"Ms. Noin, our instructor told us to come over here and try riding in your class since we're too advanced for our old class." I explained. Mr. Marquise sat on his horse and thought for awhile.
"I'm sorry, miss..." Mr. Marquise paused
"Riona Tsai and this is my friend Hotaru No Shi." I replied, figuring he was asking for our names.
"Alright, I'm sorry Miss Tsai and Miss No Shi, but I don't think that will be possible." Mr. Marquise said and was about to leave when I had Naomi stand in his way. I looked Mr. Marquise in the eye, "Is it because we're girls? Or are you afraid of the challenge?" I asked sternly.
"Hmm...I like your determination but you are just not fit for this class!" he replied and again tried to leave but I continued to have Naomi stand in his way.
"You have to at least give us a chance!" I said.
"Alright, but if your riding doesn't meet my standards, then its back to your old class you go." Mr. Marquise concluded and Hotaru and I couldn't help but smile.
"Thank-you Mr. Marquise." I replied and let him pass.
"Everyone, these two young ladies are going to take part in our class for the rest of the day." Mr. Marquise announced, but it seemed everyone already knew and they didn't look too happy about it. Wufei and Trowa rode up to us.
" The other guys aren't going to go easy on you." Trowa explained.
"What?" I asked puzzled.
"They don't like having you around. They're going to try doing anything to make you leave." Wufei replied and the two rode away.
"Okay, what was that all about?" Hotaru signed to me.
"I have no idea. Just don't show your nervousness and we'll get through, okay?" I said and Hotaru nodded.
At first I had no idea but I was about to experience what Trowa and Wufei meant. We rode Naomi and Artemis down to the other end of the field so that we could practice jumps. On our way down there the other guys had their stallions try biting and nipping at Naomi and Artemis, who would try to do the same back but Hotaru and I didn't allow it. The stallions were meaner than we thought. Then once and awhile the guys would purposely try to knock us off our horses. One more guy tried to knock me off Naomi and he hit my last nerve.
"That's it!" I shouted and rode up to him. ''What the heck is your problem, don't know how to steer your horse?" I shouted angrily and Hotaru rode up beside me and began signing.
"Riona just forget it and come on." she signed.
"What's the matter, friend can't talk?" the guy joked and Hotaru gave him the deadliest glare. She hated it when people could tell she was mute and thought it was a joking matter.
"See what I mean?" I mumbled to Hotaru and she heard me. One of the guys friend rode up beside him too.
"I see you girls have taken into liking my pal here?" his friend joked and Hotaru and I rose in anger. We were about to sock it to them when Wufei and Trowa rode over and stopped us. Trowa took hold of Naomi's reins and turned us away. Wufei was talking some sense into those guys.
"What are you doing?" I asked Trowa in aggravation.
"I told you, they weren't going to take it easy having you and Hotaru around." he explained.
"Yeah well I was about to show them they had to." I replied angrily and Trowa shook his head.
"Stay away from them alright? Just focus on your riding." he said and we rode back to Hotaru and Wufei. Wufei had probably already signed some advice to her too because those jerks and already left and she too had seemed to calm down. The four of us rode down to the other end of the field as intended earlier. The class did fit our level but it was so hard to concentrate seeing so many jerks around, well everyone except Wufei and Trowa. Class soon ended and Hotaru and I rode off not wanting to ever see those guys again. We reached the stables and began grooming our horses. We soon finished and were about to leave to go back to our dorm when Relena and Hilde stopped us.
"Hey Riona, Hotaru!" Relena shouted and we turned around. "So how was class with the guys?" Hilde asked.
"Oh yeah it was great, almost being knocked off your horse and the other horses trying to bite your own horse's head off." I replied sarcastically. Relena and Hilde smiled.
"Yeah, guys can be jerks. Well anyway you two are really good and I was wondering if we could get to know each other better. I'm having a party this Saturday and I want you both to come." Relena smiled and handed each of us invitations.
"Us come to your party?" I asked astonished, having remembered Hotaru and I had no friends before.
"Yeah, why not? I mean unless you're busy or something." Relena added.
"No, we'd love to come!" I answered.
"Great, I'm going too! I'll see you two on Saturday then!" Hilde smiled.
"Okay cool." I smiled.
"Oh yeah, its an elegant party so remember to wear something nice and fancy alright?" Relena added and the two left. After Relena and Hilde left, Hotaru and I checked on Artemis and Naomi, gave each one a carrot and left for our dorm.
"Man, I really need a shower!" Hotaru signed.
"Yeah, tell me about it!" I replied.
"Well...." Hotaru began signing pretending to 'tell me about it' and I couldn't help but smile.
"Hotaru, we're invited to a party!" I said in excitement. We soon reached our dorm. We each took a shower, had pizza for dinner, and went to sleep. It had been a VERY long day.
I gathered my books and got up to leave for my next class, virtual testing. I could tell in Hotaru's eyes that she was very devastated to see the hard work in the gundam section of our website disappear. We walked out the classroom doorway and my eye caught sight of someone glaring at me, Heero Yuy. His eyes sent a chill down my spine, so I turned away. I said bye to Hotaru and we both split to go to our next classes. She had biotech. After having our website partial ruined the both of us didn't look forward to doing anything.
I soon reached my classroom and took a seat. I didn't recognize anyone there except for Wufei, Hotaru's crush. My teacher for this class was Rasheed. He began introducing himself and I couldn't help but sigh (a little too loudly) and rest my forehead in the palm of my left hand. In the other, I twiddled with my pencil. Although I was aware I was being rude I couldn't help it. Mr. Rasheed was in the middle of passing out the class guidelines when a messenger from the office walked in and handed him a note and he looked it over.
"Ms. Riona Tsai?" he asked and I stood up. "You are wanted in the office." said Mr. Rasheed. I gathered my books and he handed me the note to use as a pass. The guys in the classroom eyed me as I walked to the door, thinking I had done something bad. I gave them a glare, which sent them slouching in the chairs. Wufei on the other hand just sat there with his arms crossed, looking as if he wanted to come along or saying that message should have gone to him. I could tell he was bored too.
I walked out the door and made my way to the office, curious to know why I had to go there in the first place. I reached the office and walked in, I handed the secretary the note and she pointed to the nurse's office. The nurse's office? I said inside, shrugged my shoulders, and walked inside. There I saw Hotaru sitting on the bench as the nurse bandaged her arm. I was so shocked to see her there that I didn't notice Duo sitting in a chair against the wall.
"Hotaru what happened?" I asked walking over to her. The nurse hadn't finished bandaging her arm so she couldn't sign. Instead, Duo did the talking.
"Hey good-lookin' whatcha doin' here?" he smiled but I didn't.
"Duo what happened?" I asked sternly, also noticing his bandaged arm.
"Just a little accident..."he said slurring his words. ''Hotaru and I were in biotech and we were messing around with some chemicals and stuff. Turns out alcohol and iodine don't mix, huh Hotaru?" he joked and I turned around to Hotaru. The nurse had just finished bandaging her arm and left. Hotaru began to sign.
"First of all, it wasn't WE who were messing around with chemicals it was HIM and only him! I was sitting there trying to do it right when Duo who happen to be my lab partner started messing around. Then braid-boy mixed, urgh, alcohol and iodine and you can figure out the rest!" Hotaru exclaimed. I tried hard not to smile, it was kinda funny.
"Okay, what did she just say?" Duo asked and I sighed.
"She said that it wasn't the both of you who were messing around it was only you! I thought you knew better than to mix iodine with alcohol!" I said and Duo slightly cringed. ''Just be glad it was minor." I added. Duo reminded us that it was getting close to lunch time, so he left (figures!). Hotaru and I stayed awhile longer to talk a little more with the nurse on how to take care of Hotaru's arm. She assured us it would heal overnight, because technology is now so advanced. When we were done we didn't realize our lunch period was already over.
"Man I have biotech next..." I whined.
"So, I have virtual testing!" Hotaru signed. ''Who's our teacher?"
"Mr. Rasheed!" I answered.
"You gotta be kidding..." Hotaru signed and I shook my head as if to say no.
"I don't wanna go to biotech, I don't wanna go anywhere anymore." I sighed.
"Why don't we go get some coffee? You wouldn't miss much in biotech anyway, it's only our first black day." Hotaru signed.
"Okay sounds nice. You wouldn't miss much in virtual testing either." I replied and we walked out of the office and to one of the coffee shops on campus.
When we got to the coffee shop we each bought a cup of coffee and some small pastries and sat down at a small table.
"So, I guess this hasn't been a very good day for the both of us, huh?" I said after taking a sip of my coffee. Hotaru shook her head.
"Once in awhile I wonder, maybe we're not cut out for being here. I mean, almost everything we do turns out the way we don't want it to be." I sighed, taking another sip from my coffee. Hotaru just finished taking a sip from her own.
"Nah don't say that...I know it's been tough, well very tough for me, but we just gotta hang in there. Riona, things might not always turn out the way we want them to, but hey that's life right?" Hotaru signed.
"Yeah, that's true, but with all that's happening like our gundam section of our website being deleted...we spent who knows how long working on it! I guess we just gotta learn how to let things go..." Hotaru nodded and took another sip of her coffee.
"Don't worry, we'll live through this, together..." Hotaru signed and smiled.
"You know, I don't know what I'd do if you weren't my friend Hotaru." I smiled. We talked a little more and soon it was time to go to our last class of the day, horseback ridding.
"Well I hope this class turns out better than our other classes!" Hotaru signed as we got up to get ready to leave.
"Yeah I hope so too!" I replied and we left to go back to our dorm to change into our ridding clothes. Hotaru braided my hair into one braid so that it wouldn't get in the way of my riding. She was lucky, she had short hair.
Once we reached the stables Ms. Noin told us to saddle and harness our horses. She also reminded us that she will be evaluating our skills today so she would be watching us from the minute we place the saddle on our horses. I fed Naomi some oats while I placed on her saddle. When I finished I put on her bridle and now I was all done. In the stall beside me Hotaru had also finished with Artemis.
"Once you have finished I will come over to look at your horse." Ms. Noin finished and walked over to Hotaru and me first. She took a look at both Artemis and Naomi's saddle and bridle.
"Very good job girls. You may ride your horses out to the field and I will meet you there." Ms. Noin instructed. Hotaru and I put on our riding helmets, got on our horses, and rode out of the stable and onto the field. Once we got out there we waited for Ms. Noin to finish looking over the other horses. While we waited, Hotaru and I couldn't help but notice the guys' riding class that was going on in the neighboring field. There we saw Trowa and Wufei. For some reason I couldn't take my eyes off Trowa and I noticed Hotaru couldn't do the same with Wufei. We watched as they rode their horses but it all ended when Ms. Noin rode out with the rest of the girls.
"Alright ladies, as I have told you today I am going to be evaluating your skills and abilities. Each one of you is to complete this course of jumps." Ms. Noin explained and pointed to the course as she told us what direction to take after each jump. She called a girl's name and I could tell she would be doing it alphabetically, from the end of the list and up. The first girl was didn't do so well, she missed two or three jumps. Two or three more girls went but still, all of them missed a jump or two.
"Next, Ms. Riona Tsai!" Ms. Noin called out.
"Good luck Riona!" Hotaru signed to me.
"Thanks!" I smiled. As I rode towards the course I could hear the snotty girls whisper and I managed to hear someone say, "Oh one of those new girls, watch her fall!" I sighed and stopped Naomi as Ms. Noin walked up to me.
" Whenever you're ready." she said and I nodded. I took a deep breath.
"Yah!" I said to Naomi and we took off onto the course. The first few jumps were simple but the closer the course came to an end the jumps got harder. Naomi turned right and then jumped over a pole jump. The last jump was coming up and it was a brick wall. I was a little shaky but I urged Naomi on. She jumped over it with ease. I had her trot over to where Ms. Noin stood.
"Very impressive Ms. Tsai, you cleared the course without missing a jump." Ms. Noin exclaimed.
"Thank-you." I answered and rode over next to Hotaru.
"Good job!" she signed.
"Thanks. When it's your turn watch out for that turn after the second pole jump, its a sharp one so be careful." I cautioned and Hotaru nodded.
" Next, Hotaru No Shi!" Ms. Noin shouted.
"You're up, go show them what you're made of! And watch out for that turn okay?" I smiled and Hotaru and Artemis were off. They had a very good start and Artemis looked very relaxed. Hotaru took caution in the turn like I had advised and soon the last jump was coming up. I held my breath and Artemis soared over it with ease. Hotaru had cleared the course flawlessly like I had. She got some words from Ms. Noin and rode back over to where I was.
"So, how was it?" I asked her.
"It was quite nice, actually!" she signed and we both smiled. Two girls rode up next to us.
"You girls did very well!" one of them said.
"Oh, thank-you..." I replied.
"I'm Relena Peacecraft and this is my friend Hilde Schiebeker.
"Pleased to meet you." I said and they smiled.
"Where did you girls learn how to ride like that? It was amazing!" Hilde exclaimed and both Hotaru and I blushed.
"Oh, the both of us rode in America at our old school. This is my friend Hotaru and I'm Riona." I said. Our conversation soon ended because all the girls had been evaluated.
"You girls all did a wonderful job, some better than others," Ms. Noin said and looked at Hotaru and me and we exchanged glances. "But don't worry, those of you who didn't do too well will surely advance by the end of the year. For the rest of class, we will be reviewing the basics. Everyone ride over to that field and I will meet you over there." Ms. Noin said pointing to the field next to where the guys were having class. Hotaru and I were about to head to the field when Ms. Noin stopped us.
"Girls, I'd like to have a word with you." she said to us. "Your riding skills are far too advanced for this class, I noticed it even as you were saddling your horses. You have complete control of your horse, you both demonstrate good posture, what more can I ask for?" she smiled. " You need to start competing. Well anyway, since there really isn't much you can learn in this class, I suggest you go try it with the guys. Their activities are a little more advanced than this class. If you like it, then I'll see to it that you have your schedules changed to that class, alright?" Ms. Noin explained.
" Thank-you Ms. Noin." I said and Hotaru nodded.
"Its very nice to have talented riders like you here on campus!" Ms. Noin added and headed off to the field where the rest of the class was waiting. Hotaru and I turned Naomi and Artemis towards the field where the guys were having class.
"Are you sure about this?" Hotaru signed to me nervously.
"I'm not really sure either." I replied shakily. "Oh well, lets just go try it out." and we both rode up to the field. As soon as we got there the guys looked at us in a mean way. I tried not to show my nervousness. Hotaru rode beside me and I could tell she felt the same way. On the other hand Naomi and Artemis seemed ready to charge at the other stallions. They weren't too happy about being around them. We soon found the instructor, Mr. Zechs Marquise.
"Umm...are you the instructor Mr. Marquise?" I asked just to make sure.
"Yes I am, what can I do for you girls?" he asked, surprised to see two female riders in a class full of guys. The guys in the class started to gather around and I caught sight of Trowa and Wufei.
"Ms. Noin, our instructor told us to come over here and try riding in your class since we're too advanced for our old class." I explained. Mr. Marquise sat on his horse and thought for awhile.
"I'm sorry, miss..." Mr. Marquise paused
"Riona Tsai and this is my friend Hotaru No Shi." I replied, figuring he was asking for our names.
"Alright, I'm sorry Miss Tsai and Miss No Shi, but I don't think that will be possible." Mr. Marquise said and was about to leave when I had Naomi stand in his way. I looked Mr. Marquise in the eye, "Is it because we're girls? Or are you afraid of the challenge?" I asked sternly.
"Hmm...I like your determination but you are just not fit for this class!" he replied and again tried to leave but I continued to have Naomi stand in his way.
"You have to at least give us a chance!" I said.
"Alright, but if your riding doesn't meet my standards, then its back to your old class you go." Mr. Marquise concluded and Hotaru and I couldn't help but smile.
"Thank-you Mr. Marquise." I replied and let him pass.
"Everyone, these two young ladies are going to take part in our class for the rest of the day." Mr. Marquise announced, but it seemed everyone already knew and they didn't look too happy about it. Wufei and Trowa rode up to us.
" The other guys aren't going to go easy on you." Trowa explained.
"What?" I asked puzzled.
"They don't like having you around. They're going to try doing anything to make you leave." Wufei replied and the two rode away.
"Okay, what was that all about?" Hotaru signed to me.
"I have no idea. Just don't show your nervousness and we'll get through, okay?" I said and Hotaru nodded.
At first I had no idea but I was about to experience what Trowa and Wufei meant. We rode Naomi and Artemis down to the other end of the field so that we could practice jumps. On our way down there the other guys had their stallions try biting and nipping at Naomi and Artemis, who would try to do the same back but Hotaru and I didn't allow it. The stallions were meaner than we thought. Then once and awhile the guys would purposely try to knock us off our horses. One more guy tried to knock me off Naomi and he hit my last nerve.
"That's it!" I shouted and rode up to him. ''What the heck is your problem, don't know how to steer your horse?" I shouted angrily and Hotaru rode up beside me and began signing.
"Riona just forget it and come on." she signed.
"What's the matter, friend can't talk?" the guy joked and Hotaru gave him the deadliest glare. She hated it when people could tell she was mute and thought it was a joking matter.
"See what I mean?" I mumbled to Hotaru and she heard me. One of the guys friend rode up beside him too.
"I see you girls have taken into liking my pal here?" his friend joked and Hotaru and I rose in anger. We were about to sock it to them when Wufei and Trowa rode over and stopped us. Trowa took hold of Naomi's reins and turned us away. Wufei was talking some sense into those guys.
"What are you doing?" I asked Trowa in aggravation.
"I told you, they weren't going to take it easy having you and Hotaru around." he explained.
"Yeah well I was about to show them they had to." I replied angrily and Trowa shook his head.
"Stay away from them alright? Just focus on your riding." he said and we rode back to Hotaru and Wufei. Wufei had probably already signed some advice to her too because those jerks and already left and she too had seemed to calm down. The four of us rode down to the other end of the field as intended earlier. The class did fit our level but it was so hard to concentrate seeing so many jerks around, well everyone except Wufei and Trowa. Class soon ended and Hotaru and I rode off not wanting to ever see those guys again. We reached the stables and began grooming our horses. We soon finished and were about to leave to go back to our dorm when Relena and Hilde stopped us.
"Hey Riona, Hotaru!" Relena shouted and we turned around. "So how was class with the guys?" Hilde asked.
"Oh yeah it was great, almost being knocked off your horse and the other horses trying to bite your own horse's head off." I replied sarcastically. Relena and Hilde smiled.
"Yeah, guys can be jerks. Well anyway you two are really good and I was wondering if we could get to know each other better. I'm having a party this Saturday and I want you both to come." Relena smiled and handed each of us invitations.
"Us come to your party?" I asked astonished, having remembered Hotaru and I had no friends before.
"Yeah, why not? I mean unless you're busy or something." Relena added.
"No, we'd love to come!" I answered.
"Great, I'm going too! I'll see you two on Saturday then!" Hilde smiled.
"Okay cool." I smiled.
"Oh yeah, its an elegant party so remember to wear something nice and fancy alright?" Relena added and the two left. After Relena and Hilde left, Hotaru and I checked on Artemis and Naomi, gave each one a carrot and left for our dorm.
"Man, I really need a shower!" Hotaru signed.
"Yeah, tell me about it!" I replied.
"Well...." Hotaru began signing pretending to 'tell me about it' and I couldn't help but smile.
"Hotaru, we're invited to a party!" I said in excitement. We soon reached our dorm. We each took a shower, had pizza for dinner, and went to sleep. It had been a VERY long day.