This Is My Life

Chapter Four "School"

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Monday, August 27th, 5:30AM

Jade POV

My alarm on my phone went off and I turned it off with a groan. I heard a knock on my door. "Jade, are you up?" I heard Bryan's voice.

"Yeah, I'm just about to get dressed." I replied to him.

"Okay, we're leaving at six. Mom made breakfast by the way."

"Okay, I'll be down in a minute, thanks Bryan." I got out of bed and went to my dresser. I grabbed a pair of my good jeans and put them on, then grabbed a dark gray tank top putting it on. I found my boots and slipped them on.

I had tossed and turned all night, resulting in not much sleep. I grabbed my messenger bag with all my books in it and slowly walked out of the bedroom, it kind of saddened me that this was my last time in the house because I would be going to live in a dorm. I liked living with the Ely's and being so close to Magic, I liked the people I've met so far in Darton and I really don't want to leave. Oh well. Get over it Jade. I was greeted by everyone in the kitchen as I walked in.

"You look like you didn't get much sleep." Maxine fretted over me.

I smiled. "Just nervous about school. I'm fine, really."

"You're gonna do fine honey." Maxine gave me a hug and I felt my throat tighten.

"Thanks." I replied. I sat down at the table and ate the breakfast Maxine had made which was wonderful.

"Jade..."Maxine started. I looked at her. "Luke and I were talking last night and we were thinking if you wanted to stay, you were more than welcome to stay here if you'd like. We wouldn't charge you rent or anything and you could bring Magic here to stay so she'd be closer."

I smiled brightly at her. "I'd love that! Are you sure?"

Maxine smiled back. "Of course! It's been great having you in the house this past week and I don't think the boys will mind, right boys?"

They all nodded in agreement. "I love having you here, it's like the sister I never had." Bryan said. I smiled at him. We definitely were bonding.

"Then it's all settled. You can bring Magic over whenever you're ready and set up your room however you like." Luke patted my hand. This had made my day. I got to stay in the house with this great family and Magic would be right outside, my dream come true. After we finished breakfast, Maxine insisted of taking pictures of Bryan and I.

"Your parents aren't here to see you off on your first day so I'm sure they'll love a picture." So I sucked it up and smiled with Bryan for the picture then we got into the truck with Nate to head to our first day of college. We talked all the way there, Nate giving us tips and shortcuts around the campus. Once we got there, we split from Nate. Thank goodness Bryan and I had all our classes together. I wouldn't be completely alone.

We walked to our first class and I felt a bit overwhelmed. The campus was so big and there were so many students walking around. We took seats in the third row of seats and sat down waiting for class to start. I pulled out my Microsoft surface tablet/laptop that I had purchased before coming here, ready to take notes. Our professor came in and introduced himself, telling us a little bit about what to expect out of this class and what he expected out of us. Nothing too hard. It was just a communications class.

The day passed fairly quickly with Bryan and I only getting lost once. We ate lunch together between classes at the cafe in the math building and Bryan walked with me to the office so I could tell them I wouldn't be living on campus. All our classes we liked so far. My favorite one was the one where we were actually in the barn with horses, where they'd teach us all about managing a barn. We met up with Nate around two fifteen to head back to Darton together. They would drop me off at Gold Dust then head on home.

Nate asked us all kinds of questions about our school day and how we liked our classes, our professors, etc. I had liked everything. "It was so different, so exciting, ya know?" I said as we drove.

Nate smiled. "Yeah I know. I felt like that last year, this year I feel even better about college because I'm more comfortable since I know where everything is and what's expected of me."

Bryan and I told him about the professor that almost got kicked in the barn. A testy horse that stallion was and our professor warned us about letting boarders bring horses like that to a barn we owned or operated. It can definitely be a liability to us. He heavily advised against it.

Before I knew it, we were at Gold Dust. "Can you guys take my bag into my room? I don't want it to get dirty or damage my books?" Bryan grabbed my bag and said he would.

"Remember, I'll be back to pick you up with your truck so we can bring Magic home with us." Bryan said.

"I know, I can't wait." I grinned at him and then walked towards the barn. Inside I greeted Ryan and Jed who were looking at Boots, Hotspot's cute little colt that was almost a three year old. "Hey, how are you guys?" I gave Boots a pat on the neck. I just loved young horses.

"Good, we were just talking about you." Jed smiled at my expression.

"Good or bad?" I asked jokingly. I had already developed a good working relationship with Jed and Ryan, Linc tended to stay away from the barn but when he was here, we talked enough. I just tolerated him because he was the owner though.

"Good." Ryan laughed with Jed. "We were thinking that we should start on some lunging and ground work so when he turns three soon, he'll be ready to accept a rider and he'll know walk, trot, canter, etc."

"That would be good and smart. Work with him with the long reins from behind and teach him how to rein and the paces and then work with a saddle and everything." I nodded along with their plan.

"We were thinking that maybe you'd like to work him." Jed said with a look towards me. I was surprised.

"Me? You want me to work him?"

"Well you said you've trained horses before and both your former barn owners and Paul says you've got the knack for training young horses." Jed smiled.

I smiled back. "I would love to! I miss training young horses and I would love to train Boots. I just thought you would like to." I said to Ryan. I mean Boots was his after all.

"Well I might give you a hand a time or two but I'm still working with Hotspot who I want to focus on more and I think you'll do the job well."

The rest of my shift I was on cloud nine. Soon enough Bryan was pulling up with my truck and trailer so we could take Magic back to Three Ponies. I had informed Jed of the change and he understood I wanted her closer to me. I led her up onto the trailer and unhooked her. I said my goodbyes to everyone and Bryan drove us home.

When we got to Three Ponies, I unloaded Magic and asked Bryan which field to put her in. "Let's put her in the round pen right next to the field for tonight so the horses can get used to each other through the fence then we'll put her in with them tomorrow."

So I let her into the round pen and I groomed her for a bit while she ate her grain. I laid out some hay and gave her a bucket of water. I really had to get started on my homework and I was starving. I ate dinner with the Ely's who were all talking about school. Each one of us got to talk about school to Maxine and Luke. It felt nice, like being in a family again.

I talked to my parents and Chris every day through text or phone or email but I was getting a little homesick especially when I was in a family setting. And I had four more years of this to get through, of course Thanksgiving wasn't too far away, then winter break and I had summers I could go home during. I knew the choice and sacrifice I was making when I chose to come here to attend school.

I helped Maxine with the dishes despite her protests and then I started my homework. I really just had to write a paper about what I intended to do after I graduated with my degree, my business plan. The rest was just reading. I was finished my paper when I heard someone set down next to me and I looked up, it was Nate.

"Hey." I said to him as I sat my pencil down. "What's up?"

Nate shrugged. "You looked a little sad at dinner, just wanted to make sure you were okay."

I nodded. "I'm fine, just missing home a bit."

Nate looked sympathetic. "I bet you do miss home."

"I do, very much. But I knew what I was getting myself into when I decided to come out to Nevada for college. But the holidays will be here before I know it, I'll go home, see my family for a bit, come back, then count the days til summer." I managed a tiny smile.

"You're brave, I'll definitely give you that. It couldn't of been easy leaving home for an unknown place where you know nobody." Nate sympathized.

I shrugged. "Yeah, but look at me right now. I'm staying with wonderful people who have accepted me into their life, I have a job that I love and I'm going to school for what I want to do. I'm pretty lucky."

Nate looked torn for a moment. "Jade, do you think you'd want to take a walk with me? I was just going to check the horses and could use some company?"

I felt shocked but said yes. I followed Nate out of the house, grabbing my jacket on the way. It got cold at night in Nevada even though it was still summer. When we were outside, Nate started asking me questions about my life back home. I answered them honestly as I could, leaving certain details out, like embarrassing ones. As we walked and talked, I found myself drawn to Nate. He certainly was cute and he was nice. Only thing holding me back? Well one, I lived with him and it could get awkward if we broke up and still had to live together. Second, well the stuff that went down with his ex-girlfriend the day I came here. Couldn't forget that.

"So I have a question." I said as we sat on hay bales in the barn. I played idly with a piece of hay. "The day I came here and that girl was screaming at you, did you really not cheat on her?"

Nate took in a deep breath. "I really didn't Jade. I can even show you the texts and pictures." Nate pulled out his phone and did so. While the texts were on the verge of flirty, it wasn't cheating and the pictures were all just selfies(do I really kind of hate that word, ha) really. Not nudity. "While we did used to have a fling, me and this girl, we never did anything while Janelle and I were together. Janelle and I were very much on and off, more off than on. But I was raised right and raised to treat a lady right. I would never cheat."

For some reason, I believed him. Well I know Maxine and Luke wouldn't condone cheating and he just seemed to be telling the truth. I could tell most of the time when people were lying, there were signs that gave them away. Nate had none of them. "I believe you." Nate smiled at me.

"I'm glad." Nate reached over and grabbed my hand. I didn't pull back. So we sat there, talking until it was late enough we had to go in. I smiled as I laid in my bed, so content. Life was good.

…...

That night had started something between Nate and I. After so many secret looks, late night talking, and spending time together, Nate asked me on a date two weeks later. We went to see a movie at the local theater, a horror/thriller film that had me squeezing his hand all throughout the movie. As we walked out, I still held onto his hand.

"That was the creepiest movie I've ever seen. I'm going to have nightmares." I shivered. Nate pulled my into his side.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you from the boogeyman." Nate winked at me. I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah right, you'd throw me to the boogeyman." I said as we walked down to the food court in the mall. Nate laughed.

"I would not. I'd give him one of my brothers, how about that?" Nate suggested. I giggled.

"No, I love all your brothers. Give them Linc." Nate knew and agreed with my dislike of Linc and everyone pretty much agreed with me. It was so weird how much he was disliked. Unfortunately he was my boss, I didn't like him, but I loved my job at Gold Dust.

"Okay, that sounds good." Nate squeezed my shoulders. "What do you want to eat?" I looked at my options.

"Greasy pizza sounds good don't you think?" I asked, my mouth almost watering. I hadn't had pizza in a month. Nate pulled me towards the pizza place.

"If that's what the lady wants, that's what she gets." We ordered two slices of pizza each. I had pepperoni, mushrooms and onions, Nate had cheese pizza. He threw me a disgusted look. "That is so gross."

I took a bite ignoring him. "No it's really good. Broaden your horizons."

Nate chuckled at me. "I do, just not with pizza." Nate looked up at his name being called and smiled at a blonde haired guy and a brunette girl coming towards us. "Hey man! How are you?" They did that guy handshake thing that I never understood and then Nate introduced us. "Jade this is Tommy and June some of my good friends from high school. Guys this is Jade, she just moved here a few weeks ago and is going to college with me and Bryan."

"Hi." I said and held my hand out for them both to shake. I talked to June as the boys caught up and talked. I learned Tommy and June had gotten married right after graduation and were now expecting a baby in February of next year. June asked about my major and we talked about horses. Horses were a common topic in Darton, just like back in Virginia. After a few more minutes, they said they had to go but told me it was nice to meet me.

"They seem really nice." I commented as they walked away. "And they're so cute together."

"Yeah they really are. They were sweethearts all through high school and everyone knew they were going to get married. Tommy works down at the auto shop at Phil's and June works as a teacher's assistant at the elementary school."

"That's so sweet." I sighed. "High school sweethearts are like the sweetest love story ever."

"Mom and Dad met in California at the beach and fell in love instantly. Or so mom says." Nate said with a chuckle. I smiled at him.

"You don't believe in love at first sight?" I took a bite of my pizza as I waited for him to answer. Nate shrugged.

"I don't know. I mean there's physical attraction, yeah, but love? I just don't know. Now I believe when you know you're with the one, you know. I can believe in that. Sometimes you just know a person is right." Nate caught my eye as he talked. "What's your opinion?"

"I believe in love at first sight. My parents met and immediately fell in love. They've been happy and married for over twenty five years now." I smiled at the thought of them. "Their relationship is how I want mine to be. Total honesty, they do everything together, rarely argue although it does happen and they're the best parents ever. Both very involved when Chris and I were in school."

"I know what you mean." We gathered our trash and threw it away. Nate took my hand and walked me to the car, opening my door for me. We held hands all the way back to the house and while we checked over the horses and I gave Magic a goodnight kiss. We stopped on the porch before going in and Nate pulled me closer to him. I looked up at him and our eyes locked.

"Can I kiss you?" Nate asked, nervous. I nodded and he pressed him lips down on mine. They were warm and I put my hands on his face. Nate's lips moved against mine and I sighed. I had been kissed before but nothing like this. Nate definitely knew what he was doing. He pulled back and laid his forehead against mine. "That was great."

I smiled. "I think so too." Nate kissed my forehead and kissed my lips one more time before opening the door, leading me inside. Everyone was in the living room except for Adam and Jake. Adam was working and Jake was hanging out with Sam, Darrell, Jen and Ryan.

"How'd it go lovebirds?" Quinn teased. I threw a pillow at him as Nate and I sat down on the loveseat.

"The movie was great. Really scary, I'll be having nightmares for weeks." Seriously, I was. "And Nate is disgusted by my taste in pizza."

"She likes mushrooms and onions on her pizza." Nate shuddered. Everyone laughed.

"It's not that bad!" I defended myself. "If you would just try some, you could see."

"Nate likes his stuff pretty plain." Maxine said with a chuckle. "Always has, even as a child."

"Well you're boring." I told Nate with a straight face. "Broaden your horizons."

We talked for little bit before Nate walked me to my room. I was so glad I was off tomorrow, I had homework to do and I really wanted to ride Magic. But most of all I wanted to sleep in. I was exhausted, school was draining me along with work but I loved both. I just hated getting up early every day.

Nate leaned against my door. "I had a good night."

"Me too. I'd love to do it again." I couldn't believe that came out of my mouth. That was a little forward.

"Well good because I was thinking we could do it again within the next week." Nate grinned at me and he leaned down to kiss me. I sighed when he pulled away. "Try to get some sleep."

I nodded as he went to his bedroom. I changed into my pjs and laid in bed thinking about our date. It was gonna take me awhile to get to sleep. A little while later I heard my phone vibrate. I grabbed it off the stand and saw it was a text from Nate.

Are you still awake? -Nate

I smiled. Yes. I replied back.

A minute later my door creaked open and Nate walked over to my bed. "What are you doing in here?" I hissed at him.

"I couldn't sleep either so I thought I'd come talk." Nate said, pushing me over and sliding into my bed. He was just in a t-shirt and boxers. But I was glad he was here. We talked and watched TV together. I could feel my eyelids growing heavy and the next thing I knew I was asleep.

…...

A/N: Hey readers! So I know no one really reviewed for this story after my last note...But it has like almost 30+ views so I figure maybe someone is interested. I'm trying to get back on track with updating regularly and have updated these stories so far:

Ripped Pictures(Phantom Stallion)

Rescuing Me(Twilight)

Juliet's Moon(Phantom Stallion)

Bree's Challenge(Thoroughbred)

Mine(Phantom Stallion)

Stronger Than I'll Ever Be(Criminal Minds)

And I have a new Phantom Stallion story called Sophie's Choice, check it out if you haven't already.

I will be updating Savannah's Journey(PS) soon hopefully and Jillian's Miracle(PSxHT). Then Finding Moon(PS), Saving You(PS), You Need To Trust Me(Twilight), and Racing Hearts(Twilight).

Thank you for reading and sticking with me! You readers rock.

QuinnandSeth'sgirl15