Hey hey! Guess what you all get in this chapter! A list of facts about the
Tamer epic I bet you NEVER knew!
***FACTS***
1. I created April while laying on the futon one summer evening, staring out into the rain. Doesn't that sound familiar in the first chapter of 'April'. . .?
2. I named and modeled Danny after my first crush in 4th grade ^_^
3. My dad's middle name is Anthony. Oooo scary O_O Anthony sort of acts like my dad at certain times. . .
4. Danny was actually supposed to be Lance (you know, the dude you battle after the Elite Four?), but then I realized he just wasn't as cute (though he IS still pretty cute ~_^), and some involuntary mantra in my head said not do use Lance. So I didn't.
5. I was originally going to have Danny and April divorce and April goes back to live in the Den, but that would just not be cool. I don't think Diana would like being raised by a single parent.
6. I modeled Diana after my real-life friend Diana. That's also where I got the name ^_^
7. My friend Edgar created Shane, and he kept suggesting that Shane be April's long-lost brother or something, but I thought my idea was so much cooler ^_^ (Sorry Edgar!)
8. Diana only rides her Ponyta because I ride horses in real life!
9. You know how Diana jumps on Princess and I keep describing jumping tournaments and stuff? I actually have no idea how to jump on a horse. No clue! I can barely even canter yet. ^_^;;
10. Allison and Julie (Diana's friends) are names of real friends of mine. And that one picture Diana got for her birthday? We are all actually in that pose. It's a pretty freaky picture.
Hmmm. . .can't think of any more right now. I bet you didn't even read them! You probably skipped down right to the chapter!
Fine, fine. You can read it.
Oh, and Hanni, if by "teasing" you mean that boy calls you funny names, trips you, steals your lunch, and bumps into you causing your books to fall, he likes you. If he calls you cannot-write-here names, almost gets you expelled, ruins the 50% of your grade report without apologizing, watch out, because he's going to beat you up in front of the guy you really do like.
How do I know that? Uhh. . .let's just say I have my sources o.O
~Chapter Eight~
Six months later. . .
~*~*~
I slammed my hand on my alarm clock and slowly opened my eyes.
"I hope I win this thing," I muttered. "Otherwise I'm getting up early for nothing."
I literally rolled out of bed, tangled up in the covers. I really had no desire to get out of bed, even if the next championship was today.
"DIANA!" Mom yelled from downstairs. "GET UP!!!"
I groaned and somehow stood up. I slowly got dressed and did this sort of zombie-walk downstairs.
Mom and Dad were eating breakfast. Dad looked up at me and laugh. "You really CAN wake up the dead," he laughed.
"Neeeed foood," I mumbled. I poured myself a bowl of cereal.
"So, are you excited about today?" Mom asked when I sat down.
I suddenly woke up and grinned. "Of course! I love every moment I spend with Princess." I looked around the room, and didn't see Grandma at all. "Isn't Grandma coming?" I asked.
"No," Mom said, and stared at the table.
"Oh, okay," I shrugged. It would've been nice to have her support, but as long as I had Mom's and Dad's, I was fine.
Right after breakfast, Mom and Dad went next door with me to help pack up Princess's stuff. Unfortunately, I think we arrived at a bad time.
Shane was in Mars's stall, getting his brushes and tack. Danielle was feeding her Rapidash's, yelling at Shane about something.
"I still can't believe you! You KNOW-"
Shane dropped the bridle he was carrying and stared at his mother, his eyes hard and cold. "You know what? I don't know. THAT'S the problem."
Danielle started to say something, but just then, her and Shane noticed Mom, Dad, and I by Princess's stall staring at them. Shane's eyes immediately softened, and I had to look away.
"Uh, sorry about that," Danielle laughed. "Ready for today, kiddo?" she asked me with a wink.
I grinned. "You bet!"
Danielle grinned back. "Get Princess's tack and brushes and put them in the same trunk from the last show. And get your clothes ready too."
I gasped. "Mom!" I cried. "Can you get my jodhpurs and stuff? I have them on my chair, but I totally forgot about them."
Mom laughed. "Okay, sweetie. I'll get them and put them in the car."
"Thanks," I smiled.
"Thanks a lot, now what am I supposed to do?" Dad asked, pretending to be mad.
I giggled. "Can you just walk her around for me?"
"Sure!" Dad agreed. He looked at Princess. "Um, do I get a rope or something. . .?"
"Oh yeah, you're halter-impaired," I laughed. I snapped the halter and lead rope on my Ponyta and handed the rope to Dad. "Here you go."
Dad grinned sheepishly and led Princess out of her stall and around the paddock.
I grabbed her saddle and bridle and hurried out to the trailer. I walked up the ramp and saw Shane already putting Mars's stuff away.
All of a sudden, my hands got really sweaty and I nearly dropped the saddle. Shane turned around and gave me a weird look. I coughed and put Princess's stuff in the trunk and ran out of the trailer. That tickly feeling was back up my spine.
What was going on? This was only Shane. The guy I saw every day in school and nearly every day when I rode Princess.
I shook my head and found Dad. He was still leading Princess around, but she wasn't happy about it. Her ears were flat on her head and she was snorting. I guess she still didn't trust certain people after all this time.
"Mean face!" I cried to Princess, and she snorted again. I turned to Dad. "I'll take it now." Dad sighed with relief and handed the lead rope to me. Princess's ears perked up and she almost seemed to smile.
"Can't waste your energy today," I whispered, leading her towards the trailer. "Gotta save it for those jumps."
Princess whinnied in return.
~*~*~
I slept most of the way to Ecruteak. I didn't even wake up when we went to the restaurant-Mom had to order some fries for me for later. I was surprised when I opened my eyes and we were suddenly at the Pokemon Center in Ecruteak City.
I yawned. "Are we here already?"
"Yes," Mom laughed. She got out of the car and opened my door. "You sleepyhead," she winked. She disappeared for a second and returned with a tote bag. "Here are your clothes," she said. "Change quickly in the Center and then Shane and Danielle want you to help unload the Ponytas."
"Okay," I blinked, still trying to clear my head. I grabbed the tote bag, hopped out of the car, and walked a little unsteadily to the Pokemon Center, but Mom had one more question first.
"Oh, Diana, can I have that key I gave to you?" she asked.
"Oh, sure," I said. I put the bag down and reached behind my neck, expecting to feel a little chain. But nothing was there but my skin.
"Uh oh," I muttered. I spun around. "Um. . .I don't have it," I said to Mom, and looked at my feet.
Mom's eyes got wide and I could have sworn she was about to cry, but Dad suddenly appeared and whispered something in Mom's ear. She shrugged and gave me a fake smile. "Go ahead and get changed," she swallowed. "I'm sure Shane's getting impatient."
"Okay."
I quickly changed and ran back outside. I loved the sound my boots made when I ran-almost as if I was a Ponyta myself. Shane and Danielle were just opening the trailer when I reached them.
"Oh, Diana, hello," Danielle sighed, and concentrated on getting the trailer ramp down. I could hear Princess kicking the sides. I hoped she would leave the bridles that were hanging alone.
Finally they managed to get the trailer all set up, and Princess burst out in a flame.
"Whoa!" I called, and she stopped instantly. She looked over her shoulder as if to say, "I wasn't doing anything. . ."
"Sure you weren't," I muttered. "Shane!" I called. "Can you toss me Princess's halter?"
Shane disappeared into the trailer, and a second later, the halter with the lead rope came flying through the air. Princess jumped a little at the sudden sight, but then she realized it was only her halter.
I clipped it on and tied the lead rope to a tree. Shane came down the ramp holding Mars on his lead rope and tied him to the same tree. We both climbed back into the trailer to get out all of the tack and brushes.
"Ugh," I groaned as I somehow lifted up the saddle. "At least the ring is only about a block away. I would hate lugging all of the stuff all around Ecruteak City." Shane nodded in agreement.
That tickly feeling suddenly went down my spine again. I cleared my throat and hauled Princess's brushes and tack out. I decided to quickly tack her up and ride her to the championship ring instead of walking her there lugging all of that stuff. Riding seemed much more logical.
I clipped on my helmet and quickly tacked up Princess. I attached the bag of brushes to her saddle and mounted. Shane gave me a weird look before also tacking up Mars. I guess he was going to follow me.
We trotted to the ring. "Seems a bit better to ride them there, right?" I cried over the sound of the stomping hooves.
"Yeah, that was a good idea," Shane said back. "I don't know why I didn't think of it."
I chuckled and looked over at Shane. He was concentrating on riding Mars, obviously, but he seemed a little. . .worried? His face was pale and his eyes kept darting every which way. Plus, his hands were shaking a bit which was giving Mars some of the wrong signals.
I wondered if he was worried over the championship. That might explain a little, but not very much-Shane usually didn't get nervous over competitions and riding Mars.
Shane shifted in his saddle a little and actually grinned. "Whoo hoo!" he cried. "I'm getting taller! Soon I can actually go back to Red Spot!" He playfully slapped Mars's rump and he broke into a canter.
"Hey! Wait for me!" I cried. I didn't canter Princess, though. I wanted her to save her energy for the competition.
Shane slowed to a walk and waited until I caught up. "Yeah, I have to save Mars's energy anyway," he laughed once the Ponytas were walking side by side again.
"That's what I was just thinking," I laughed. The stadium suddenly appeared in front of us and I halted Princess.
"Hey, why'd you stop?" Shane asked. He turned around in the saddle and raised his eyebrows.
"I'm a little nervous, I guess," I admitted. I got Princess into a slow walk and looked around for a place where I could groom her.
I think Shane found it-he gathered up the reins and dismounted and started walking somewhere. I did the same.
"Don't be nervous," Shane said. "I'm the one who should be nervous. You beat me by one second. I can't make that mistake again." He did the unthinkable and actually laughed.
I laughed too. We approached the same barn we went into last time. I tied Princess in some cross-ties and untacked her. She was a little sweaty, so I grabbed a washcloth, soaked it in some water, and rubbed her down.
Shane had Mars tied up near Princess. He was grooming the Ponyta, and we were both silent until I finally spoke up.
"You know, you should do that more."
"Do what?"
"Laugh. You never seem to laugh, and it was kind of nice actually hearing that from you." I smiled.
Shane chuckled.
"Ha, there it is again!" I cried, and threw Princess's dirty washcloth at him.
"Hey!" he exclaimed in play anger, and threw it back at me. I managed to catch it and stuck my tongue out at him. He raised his eyebrow. "You know, there must be a wheelbarrow full of manure here somewhere. . ."
I raised my eyebrows back. "You wouldn't!"
Shane rolled his eyes, but he was still smiling. "Of course not."
I grinned.
~*~*~
About a half hour later, both Mars and Princess were well-groomed, tacked up, and raring to jump some stuff. The competition wasn't going to start for another hour, though, so I took Princess out to a small ring to warm her up a bit.
Danielle arrived right in the middle of my warm-up. "Lookin' good Diana!" she laughed.
"Thanks!" I laughed back.
"Do you know where Shane is? He should be warming up too."
I shook my head. "I haven't seen Shane since he was done tacking up," I said. I halted Princess so Danielle could hear me better. "The second Mars was tacked, Shane tied him to a post and ran off somewhere."
Danielle gritted her teeth. I could tell she was trying not to scream. She sighed and said, "Well, if you see him, tell him I'm mentally yelling at him and that he's got to stop disappearing like that."
I laughed. "Okay."
She ran off, shaking her head. I resumed my warm-up, but my mind wasn't really on warming up. My mind was on Shane.
That WAS sort of strange he disappeared like that. But then again, that was just like Shane. He was mysterious like that.
I shook my head and halted. I glanced at my watch and saw the competition was starting in ten minutes, so I dismounted and walked Princess out of the ring. I was waiting for Danielle near the bigger ring where the competition was being held.
Suddenly, in the distance, I heard a scream.
~*~*~*~
AUUUUGH! I bet you're all screaming because of these darn cliffhangers. Well, have no fear, the next chapter is currently being written, and it will be written faster if you leave a review ~_^
***FACTS***
1. I created April while laying on the futon one summer evening, staring out into the rain. Doesn't that sound familiar in the first chapter of 'April'. . .?
2. I named and modeled Danny after my first crush in 4th grade ^_^
3. My dad's middle name is Anthony. Oooo scary O_O Anthony sort of acts like my dad at certain times. . .
4. Danny was actually supposed to be Lance (you know, the dude you battle after the Elite Four?), but then I realized he just wasn't as cute (though he IS still pretty cute ~_^), and some involuntary mantra in my head said not do use Lance. So I didn't.
5. I was originally going to have Danny and April divorce and April goes back to live in the Den, but that would just not be cool. I don't think Diana would like being raised by a single parent.
6. I modeled Diana after my real-life friend Diana. That's also where I got the name ^_^
7. My friend Edgar created Shane, and he kept suggesting that Shane be April's long-lost brother or something, but I thought my idea was so much cooler ^_^ (Sorry Edgar!)
8. Diana only rides her Ponyta because I ride horses in real life!
9. You know how Diana jumps on Princess and I keep describing jumping tournaments and stuff? I actually have no idea how to jump on a horse. No clue! I can barely even canter yet. ^_^;;
10. Allison and Julie (Diana's friends) are names of real friends of mine. And that one picture Diana got for her birthday? We are all actually in that pose. It's a pretty freaky picture.
Hmmm. . .can't think of any more right now. I bet you didn't even read them! You probably skipped down right to the chapter!
Fine, fine. You can read it.
Oh, and Hanni, if by "teasing" you mean that boy calls you funny names, trips you, steals your lunch, and bumps into you causing your books to fall, he likes you. If he calls you cannot-write-here names, almost gets you expelled, ruins the 50% of your grade report without apologizing, watch out, because he's going to beat you up in front of the guy you really do like.
How do I know that? Uhh. . .let's just say I have my sources o.O
~Chapter Eight~
Six months later. . .
~*~*~
I slammed my hand on my alarm clock and slowly opened my eyes.
"I hope I win this thing," I muttered. "Otherwise I'm getting up early for nothing."
I literally rolled out of bed, tangled up in the covers. I really had no desire to get out of bed, even if the next championship was today.
"DIANA!" Mom yelled from downstairs. "GET UP!!!"
I groaned and somehow stood up. I slowly got dressed and did this sort of zombie-walk downstairs.
Mom and Dad were eating breakfast. Dad looked up at me and laugh. "You really CAN wake up the dead," he laughed.
"Neeeed foood," I mumbled. I poured myself a bowl of cereal.
"So, are you excited about today?" Mom asked when I sat down.
I suddenly woke up and grinned. "Of course! I love every moment I spend with Princess." I looked around the room, and didn't see Grandma at all. "Isn't Grandma coming?" I asked.
"No," Mom said, and stared at the table.
"Oh, okay," I shrugged. It would've been nice to have her support, but as long as I had Mom's and Dad's, I was fine.
Right after breakfast, Mom and Dad went next door with me to help pack up Princess's stuff. Unfortunately, I think we arrived at a bad time.
Shane was in Mars's stall, getting his brushes and tack. Danielle was feeding her Rapidash's, yelling at Shane about something.
"I still can't believe you! You KNOW-"
Shane dropped the bridle he was carrying and stared at his mother, his eyes hard and cold. "You know what? I don't know. THAT'S the problem."
Danielle started to say something, but just then, her and Shane noticed Mom, Dad, and I by Princess's stall staring at them. Shane's eyes immediately softened, and I had to look away.
"Uh, sorry about that," Danielle laughed. "Ready for today, kiddo?" she asked me with a wink.
I grinned. "You bet!"
Danielle grinned back. "Get Princess's tack and brushes and put them in the same trunk from the last show. And get your clothes ready too."
I gasped. "Mom!" I cried. "Can you get my jodhpurs and stuff? I have them on my chair, but I totally forgot about them."
Mom laughed. "Okay, sweetie. I'll get them and put them in the car."
"Thanks," I smiled.
"Thanks a lot, now what am I supposed to do?" Dad asked, pretending to be mad.
I giggled. "Can you just walk her around for me?"
"Sure!" Dad agreed. He looked at Princess. "Um, do I get a rope or something. . .?"
"Oh yeah, you're halter-impaired," I laughed. I snapped the halter and lead rope on my Ponyta and handed the rope to Dad. "Here you go."
Dad grinned sheepishly and led Princess out of her stall and around the paddock.
I grabbed her saddle and bridle and hurried out to the trailer. I walked up the ramp and saw Shane already putting Mars's stuff away.
All of a sudden, my hands got really sweaty and I nearly dropped the saddle. Shane turned around and gave me a weird look. I coughed and put Princess's stuff in the trunk and ran out of the trailer. That tickly feeling was back up my spine.
What was going on? This was only Shane. The guy I saw every day in school and nearly every day when I rode Princess.
I shook my head and found Dad. He was still leading Princess around, but she wasn't happy about it. Her ears were flat on her head and she was snorting. I guess she still didn't trust certain people after all this time.
"Mean face!" I cried to Princess, and she snorted again. I turned to Dad. "I'll take it now." Dad sighed with relief and handed the lead rope to me. Princess's ears perked up and she almost seemed to smile.
"Can't waste your energy today," I whispered, leading her towards the trailer. "Gotta save it for those jumps."
Princess whinnied in return.
~*~*~
I slept most of the way to Ecruteak. I didn't even wake up when we went to the restaurant-Mom had to order some fries for me for later. I was surprised when I opened my eyes and we were suddenly at the Pokemon Center in Ecruteak City.
I yawned. "Are we here already?"
"Yes," Mom laughed. She got out of the car and opened my door. "You sleepyhead," she winked. She disappeared for a second and returned with a tote bag. "Here are your clothes," she said. "Change quickly in the Center and then Shane and Danielle want you to help unload the Ponytas."
"Okay," I blinked, still trying to clear my head. I grabbed the tote bag, hopped out of the car, and walked a little unsteadily to the Pokemon Center, but Mom had one more question first.
"Oh, Diana, can I have that key I gave to you?" she asked.
"Oh, sure," I said. I put the bag down and reached behind my neck, expecting to feel a little chain. But nothing was there but my skin.
"Uh oh," I muttered. I spun around. "Um. . .I don't have it," I said to Mom, and looked at my feet.
Mom's eyes got wide and I could have sworn she was about to cry, but Dad suddenly appeared and whispered something in Mom's ear. She shrugged and gave me a fake smile. "Go ahead and get changed," she swallowed. "I'm sure Shane's getting impatient."
"Okay."
I quickly changed and ran back outside. I loved the sound my boots made when I ran-almost as if I was a Ponyta myself. Shane and Danielle were just opening the trailer when I reached them.
"Oh, Diana, hello," Danielle sighed, and concentrated on getting the trailer ramp down. I could hear Princess kicking the sides. I hoped she would leave the bridles that were hanging alone.
Finally they managed to get the trailer all set up, and Princess burst out in a flame.
"Whoa!" I called, and she stopped instantly. She looked over her shoulder as if to say, "I wasn't doing anything. . ."
"Sure you weren't," I muttered. "Shane!" I called. "Can you toss me Princess's halter?"
Shane disappeared into the trailer, and a second later, the halter with the lead rope came flying through the air. Princess jumped a little at the sudden sight, but then she realized it was only her halter.
I clipped it on and tied the lead rope to a tree. Shane came down the ramp holding Mars on his lead rope and tied him to the same tree. We both climbed back into the trailer to get out all of the tack and brushes.
"Ugh," I groaned as I somehow lifted up the saddle. "At least the ring is only about a block away. I would hate lugging all of the stuff all around Ecruteak City." Shane nodded in agreement.
That tickly feeling suddenly went down my spine again. I cleared my throat and hauled Princess's brushes and tack out. I decided to quickly tack her up and ride her to the championship ring instead of walking her there lugging all of that stuff. Riding seemed much more logical.
I clipped on my helmet and quickly tacked up Princess. I attached the bag of brushes to her saddle and mounted. Shane gave me a weird look before also tacking up Mars. I guess he was going to follow me.
We trotted to the ring. "Seems a bit better to ride them there, right?" I cried over the sound of the stomping hooves.
"Yeah, that was a good idea," Shane said back. "I don't know why I didn't think of it."
I chuckled and looked over at Shane. He was concentrating on riding Mars, obviously, but he seemed a little. . .worried? His face was pale and his eyes kept darting every which way. Plus, his hands were shaking a bit which was giving Mars some of the wrong signals.
I wondered if he was worried over the championship. That might explain a little, but not very much-Shane usually didn't get nervous over competitions and riding Mars.
Shane shifted in his saddle a little and actually grinned. "Whoo hoo!" he cried. "I'm getting taller! Soon I can actually go back to Red Spot!" He playfully slapped Mars's rump and he broke into a canter.
"Hey! Wait for me!" I cried. I didn't canter Princess, though. I wanted her to save her energy for the competition.
Shane slowed to a walk and waited until I caught up. "Yeah, I have to save Mars's energy anyway," he laughed once the Ponytas were walking side by side again.
"That's what I was just thinking," I laughed. The stadium suddenly appeared in front of us and I halted Princess.
"Hey, why'd you stop?" Shane asked. He turned around in the saddle and raised his eyebrows.
"I'm a little nervous, I guess," I admitted. I got Princess into a slow walk and looked around for a place where I could groom her.
I think Shane found it-he gathered up the reins and dismounted and started walking somewhere. I did the same.
"Don't be nervous," Shane said. "I'm the one who should be nervous. You beat me by one second. I can't make that mistake again." He did the unthinkable and actually laughed.
I laughed too. We approached the same barn we went into last time. I tied Princess in some cross-ties and untacked her. She was a little sweaty, so I grabbed a washcloth, soaked it in some water, and rubbed her down.
Shane had Mars tied up near Princess. He was grooming the Ponyta, and we were both silent until I finally spoke up.
"You know, you should do that more."
"Do what?"
"Laugh. You never seem to laugh, and it was kind of nice actually hearing that from you." I smiled.
Shane chuckled.
"Ha, there it is again!" I cried, and threw Princess's dirty washcloth at him.
"Hey!" he exclaimed in play anger, and threw it back at me. I managed to catch it and stuck my tongue out at him. He raised his eyebrow. "You know, there must be a wheelbarrow full of manure here somewhere. . ."
I raised my eyebrows back. "You wouldn't!"
Shane rolled his eyes, but he was still smiling. "Of course not."
I grinned.
~*~*~
About a half hour later, both Mars and Princess were well-groomed, tacked up, and raring to jump some stuff. The competition wasn't going to start for another hour, though, so I took Princess out to a small ring to warm her up a bit.
Danielle arrived right in the middle of my warm-up. "Lookin' good Diana!" she laughed.
"Thanks!" I laughed back.
"Do you know where Shane is? He should be warming up too."
I shook my head. "I haven't seen Shane since he was done tacking up," I said. I halted Princess so Danielle could hear me better. "The second Mars was tacked, Shane tied him to a post and ran off somewhere."
Danielle gritted her teeth. I could tell she was trying not to scream. She sighed and said, "Well, if you see him, tell him I'm mentally yelling at him and that he's got to stop disappearing like that."
I laughed. "Okay."
She ran off, shaking her head. I resumed my warm-up, but my mind wasn't really on warming up. My mind was on Shane.
That WAS sort of strange he disappeared like that. But then again, that was just like Shane. He was mysterious like that.
I shook my head and halted. I glanced at my watch and saw the competition was starting in ten minutes, so I dismounted and walked Princess out of the ring. I was waiting for Danielle near the bigger ring where the competition was being held.
Suddenly, in the distance, I heard a scream.
~*~*~*~
AUUUUGH! I bet you're all screaming because of these darn cliffhangers. Well, have no fear, the next chapter is currently being written, and it will be written faster if you leave a review ~_^