Important Announcement at bottom!
The Orchard common room on Saturday morning was alive and bustling with all different kinds of activity.
After waking up, taking a quick shower, and slipping into a cozy outfit I was walked into the lively room. Looking around for Victoria, finding her on one of the three-cushion black leather couch. Sitting next to her was a few girls that also lived in Orchard. They all seemed to be watching something on the 42-inch flat screen TV, so I didn't bother to walk over to them and disturb them.
Instead I walked over to the kitchen area and I opened up the one that I knew held packets of hot chocolate that only needed hot water. Pulling out a black tea kettle that I had brought with me from home, I filled it up with water and then set it on the stove to warm up.
Looking around I noticed Hailey walking into the room looking like she had just rolled out of bed. Her long black hair pulled into a messy bun on the top of her head, baggy black sweats were tucked into to tan classic mini UGG boots, a soft looking red crew neck shirt with a faded TOM's logo in white on it.
Waving to her as she looked around I a same smile when she walked over and gave me a yawn in reply. Wiping the last seconds of sleep from her eyes she the smile to me and said, "Morning."
"Good morning, would you like some hot chocolate?"
Nodding her head in response I turned around and grabbed the now whistling kettle, turned off the stove I set the Kettle on the counter and grabbed two mugs and another hot chocolate packet. Pouring the hot water into both mugs I opened both the packets and emptied them both in the mugs before grabbing a spoon for both of us and handing Hailey her mug.
Smiling she accepted it and take a small sip, smiling at how good it was.
With Hailey sitting across me on the bar stole and, myself leaning against the garnet counter tops.
Some where between finishing our hot chocolates and chatting over where we grew up in Washington, Hailey and I thought it would be fun to hangout later that day and maybe have a sleepover.
After another hour of doing absolutely nothing I ducked out of the common room and back into my room. Deciding that Fearless needs a little love I slipped into a pair of my cozy full-seat breeches, a snug long-sleeve black shirt, and my colorful none matching riding socks before grabbing a pair of my older and more worn torn black paddock boots and leather black chaps. Predicting the cold outside I also grabbed my black Alexus Hipster Puffy Jacket that my mom had gotten for me my last birthday.
Locking the door behind me on my way out I made sure to not only have my room and show tack trunk, but also to have my cell phone and black riding gloves.
Smiling to myself I scurried around all the loud girls in the hallways and slipped outside into the crisp November air. Letting out a huff of breath I started walking the now familiar path down to the large barn. Almost skipping when I got to the doors I slipped inside and wasn't surprised to see so many people working with all their horses and chatting with other riders.
Walking through the isle way and occasionally ducking under cross ties I stopped outside of Fearless's stall. Smiling when I saw him sleeping with his head in the corner I grabbed his leather halter and black spare lead rope before stepping in and calling to him, "Good morning baby boy."
Turning his head to me he blinked a few times and then seemed to register who I was before turning to me fully and allowed me to slid his halter on his head. Snapping the lead rope on I was able to open his stall door and step us both out to the hall, finding an empty cross tie I set to work taking his blanket off and cleaning him up.
After a few minutes I seemed to have slipped into an easy grove of grooming and picking his hooves. Once there was not any dirt left on him I slipped into the tack room and walked over to where I stored my riding gear.
Grabbing my working bridle in one hand and saddle pad with dark brown saddle in the other I stepped out the door and walked back over to Fearless. Settling the saddle pad on his back and the saddle over that, I reattached the detached girth to both sides of the saddle and made sure it was nice and tight. Inspecting the gear once more and nodding to myself when it looked like it would work, I slipped my gloves onto my hands and zipped the pocket that held my phone and keys.
Moving to his head she unclipped both the cross ties and undid the halter before sliding down his neck and pulled the bridal over his head and waited expectedly for him to take the simple snaffle bit. When he did I made sure all the buckles were in place before putting on my helmet.
When we were both completely put together I walked him out to the outdoor arena that I knew would be dry because of how there hadn't been any rain in a long time. Walking him to the middle of the arena I dropped both stirrups and lifted myself into the saddle. Shifting around in the saddle to make sure I was comfortable I let him walk to the railing on a lose rein before collecting the reins but continued to let him walk. After a few rounds I collected him a little more and asked for a slow warm up trot.
Not to against working today and probably still trying to fully wake up he didn't resist and just started trotting. A few more rounds and the usual spunk and hot-bloodiness that I normally expected started to show through when he started to try to quicken the pace to raise his head a little higher. Knowing he needed to warm up a little bit more but was not loose enough to canter I let him pick up a quicker pace and lengthened the trot.
About 10 minutes of that had Fearless fully awake and wanting to canter even more, and knowing that I was going to loose this battle one way or another I asked for the gait. Quickly though I regretted it as he shot forward on the wrong lead and head raised like a mad horse.
Pursing my lips and tightening my hold on the reins I almost missed Colton Johnson standing on the outside of the arena with a beautiful bay gelding next to him.
Passing him with Fearless still fighting everything I asked he called out, "Try putting your heels down and lowering your hands."
Nodding to show that I had heard him I took the recommendation and lower both my heels and my hands. Though it wasn't an instant reaction Fearless started to lower his head enough for me to get him to halt and re-pick up the gait on the right diagonal.
Minutes of this passed by before I finally stopped a majorly sweaty and physically drained Fearless and walked him into the center of the arena facing Colton.
Letting out a shaky breath I looked at him and gave a tiny and shy smile before saying," Thanks I really needed help with that."
Nodding back to he smiled and said, "Yeah no problem, you looked like you almost had it."
Laughing a strained laugh I replied, "More like almost lost control completely."
"It wasn't that bad." He replied as he walked around the fence with his horse. Opening the gait he walked in with his horse and to the center of the arena to stand next to Fearless and I. Stroking Fearless's deep liver chestnut coat he smiled up at me and asked, "Feeling better?"
Nodding my head and once more giving a shy smile, I felt my cheeks heat up a little at his close contact and genuine concern coming from the guy's voice.
"That's good. Your Alice, right?" He asked.
Nodding my head before replying, I said, "Yeah it is, and your Colton, right?"
"It is," after a pause he said," It was nice watching you ride, o you mind if I ride in here for awhile to?"
Shaking my head I said back,"Not at all I was just leaving."
Quickly turning Fearless away I walked him out of the arena and back to the crossties trying desperately to hide that blush that somehow found it's way on to my cheeks.
Time flew by as I un-tacked, groomed, and made sure that Fearless was all set before putting back on his heavy-duty ballistic nylon burgundy blanket and leading him to his stall.
Shutting the door I started to walk out when my phone buzzed. Checking it, a text message from an unknown number read:
You really are a wonderful rider. Maybe we should ride together sometime.
Not knowing whom it was from but guessing Colton I typed back.
Thank you so much for your compliment! But who is this?
A few minutes later I got a reply back saying: Colton.
Blushing just at the thought of the handsome rider I quickly typed back: Oh! Sure I would love to practice with you some time! I have to go right know but text you later?
His short reply right after was: Sure.
Smiling at it I realized that I was at Orchards doors, before slipping my phone back in my pocket and opening the doors. Looking at the time I noticed that I had about three hours to get to ready before I met up with Hailey.
Unlocking my room with the key I couldn't help but think where things were leading, not that things were going any where with either Curtis or Colton, but I couldn't help but think…. What if?
Did me telling you there was an important announcement at the bottom make you read the chapter faster? :)
I hope not because this isn't really that important of an announcement but it will be significant to the story.
Here it is: I will be making a separate story for all the holidays and breaks that will be taking place in this story. I hope you all don't mind this happening!:)
Thank you PoniesLover, hawtjuicyaddict, and Guest for your wonderful reviews! Please remember that Criticism is accepted!
Please review! :):)
Thanks for reading!
~WLUF