Follow Your Dreams

Chapter 10: Bath Time

Jake grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the barn. "It's best if we leave her alone now." He explained once we were outside. I nodded in agreement. She would have gone full on drama queen if she had caught us watching her anyways. I walked over to the pasture and saw Hershey rolling around.

"We need to be able to catch that horse soon...he is getting way too muddy." I sighed. It has rained a couple times since Hershey came here and he just loves to roll around in the mud. Jake nodded in agreement and then ran in the direction of the house, leaving me alone. I climbed onto the fence and jumped down into the pasture before starting to walk in Hershey's direction.

"What makes you think you are going to get close to that horse without these?" Jake called from behind me. I turned around and saw him holding four carrots. I laughed and took them from his hand before walking in the direction of Hershey again. When I was a couple feet away, I sat down and held out one of the carrots. "I'll be right back!" Jake called and I heard him run away again. Hershey stood up once he heard Jake and looked around. His eyes landed on the carrot in my palm and he stood there quietly.

"It's alright Hershey. You love carrots, remember?" I whispered gently. Hershey took a step forward, waiting to see what I would do. When I didn't move or make a sound, he walked forward and lowered his head to take the carrot from my hand. I haven't been this close to Hershey since he spooked and bruised my arm. Luckily, the bruise was gone already. Hershey finished chewing and sniffed around my hand, searching for more carrots. I took out the second one and held it in the palm of my hand. Hershey ate the carrot quickly and I heard a soft thump. I looked over to see Jake with a green halter and matching lead line in his hand. He motioned his hand towards Hershey and I stood up while pulling out another carrot. Hershey lifted his head to the carrots level and I took a step back. Hershey followed without hesitation, surprising me. I continued to back away from him, leading him to where Jake was.

"This is the craziest thing I have ever done..." I heard Jake mutter under his breath. I smiled and stopped when I was next to Jake. Hershey hesitated and turned his head to stare at Jake, beginning to show his lack of trust. I reached my hand down and grabbed the halter and lead line from him while handing him the carrot. Jake held out the carrot and Hershey took a cautious step forward, not bothering to worry about me. As he lowered his head towards the carrot, I snuck the halter in front of his head and it slipped on. Hershey was shocked and yanked his head upward, but the lead line was already clipped to the halter. Jake held out the carrot and Hershey eyed us.

"Don't worry Hershey; we aren't going to hurt you." I whispered. The horse slowly lowered his head and grabbed the carrot, munching loudly. I grinned and gave a little tug on the lead line while handing Jake the last carrot. Jake began walking to the pasture gate with Hershey following at my side. "Good boy..." I smiled as we exited the pasture. We led him over to the wash stalls and tied his lead line to the ring inside. Once he was tied up, Jake let him have the carrot. "I cannot believe that worked..." I sighed.

"You and me both," Jake responded. I smiled and turned on the hose, filling up a bucket with soap and water. The last of the soap ended up getting used, and we would probably need more. "I'll go grab the extra soap." Jake said and jogged off. Hershey turned his head to watch Jake and then stared at me. When the bucket was full, I took the hose and ran it over Hershey's back. He tensed up once he felt it, but relaxed as he realized that it wasn't going to hurt him. Any loose mud slid to the ground as I continued to wet him down. Jake returned and dunked two sponges into the soapy water inside of the bucket. I took one from him and we each worked on scrubbing off all of the dirt and mud. I felt something wet start being dumped on my head and took a deep breath. Jake had just dumped the bucket of water on me.

"I am going to kill you." I said seriously. Jake backed away from Hershey, laughing so hard that he had to clutch his stomach. Hershey turned his head and watched us curiously, not used to this behavior. I took the hose and began to spray Jake with it. He ran away from me while laughing. Both of us were soaked now, and Hershey was still covered in soap. I took the hose and began rinsing all of the soap off of him, revealing a clean, bay Dutch Warmblood.

"I can't believe Hershey didn't misbehave for us. He must be in one of his good moods." Jake said beside me. I glared at him but laughed. I rinsed off the sponges and placed them in the bucket along with the soap. I grabbed a towel and began drying off Hershey as best as I could as well. The scars that he had had when I first saw him were healed and no longer in sight. His fear and distrust was the only remaining scar. Although, Jake and I have gotten closer to Hershey than anybody else has.

"He only behaved because we bribed him with carrots. Besides, he must have gotten used to me because I've tried getting close multiple times." I grinned. Jake nodded in agreement and we returned Hershey back to the pasture. I took off his halter and put it away in the tack room. Jake and I sat next to each other on the paddock fence, watching as Hershey ran around the pasture. "My mom is going to kill me whenever she sees me..."

*Author's Note* Okay, I was laughing so much as I began writing the water fight. xD This was a fun chapter to write.

Kate: It's all fun and games 'til my mom kills me. >-<

Jake: She isn't going to kill you...

Kate: You don't know that. You never will either because I have plans to kill you before I die!

Me: o-o.....okaaaaaay...let's just end this author's note before you two start fighting like Emilie and Kate always do.

Emilie and Kate: WE DO NOT ALWAYS FIGHT! *looks at each other* STOP COPYING ME!

Me: Okay. Thanks for reading everybody! I hope you enjoyed! Comment what you thought or any grammar errors. Okay? Bye! ~AyakaTheNightfury