just because [pin hawthorne] 𝐢

chapter nineteen

The following morning, Olivia walked through Bright Fields, her ankle wrapped in a brace. She was leaning on a cane, which made her feel incredibly like one of her favourite book characters. She didn't need the cane so much, but she felt better carrying it around if she ever ended up needing it. It had been hard to convince her aunt to let her back at the stables for the show after she'd deliberately done something she'd been told not to, but she'd managed, swearing that it was only so she could support her friends and that there wouldn't even be an opportunity for her to ride.

Most of the riders were already there, preparing for the county show, and the buses they'd be using to head to the county show had arrived. Olivia was currently helping Becky to settle Bob into the transportation crates. She then headed back into the stables to get the last haystack for Becky.

"Hey, need any help?" Pin asked, falling into step with her.

"Sure," Olivia simply answered, not bothering to acknowledge him further. Pin helped her carry out the haystack in silence.

"Thanks for the help," she said politely once the task was completed. She headed towards the fence where she'd left her cane and, when she turned back around, saw Zoe had just arrived, wearing her county show uniform.

"What?" She asked, self-consciously when she noticed everyone staring at her. Pin approached her to talk, and the rest of the team resumed closing up the crates, Olivia helping them out. She reached on her tiptoes to close the top hatch stumbling backward slightly, happy that Marcus had been walking by so he could keep her from falling. Olivia then gestured to Zoe, letting her know they were boarding. Zoe jogged towards the buses, and Pin turned around to wave, looking at Olivia. The latter waved back despite herself. Getting over Pin by ignoring him clearly wasn't going very well. Olivia climbed into the bus, sitting at the back with Zoe, Jade, and Becky.

"Hey, guys!" She said settling down in a seat next to Becky, propping her legs up.

"Hey," greeted Jade. They were all in their riding uniform, save for Oliva of course, who'd decided on wearing a peach pink vintage summer dress, and of course the stables' hoodie to show her support. "So, there are different classes throughout the day," Jade explained to Zoe. "Such as tack and turnout, dressage—" she listed off.

"Featuring me and Bob," Becky cut in.

"Right, but the big thing is team show jumping," concluded Jade.

"That's your event," Becky added in.

"I think she knows that, Becky," laughed Olivia.

"And everyone's counting on you," Becky added.

"Yeah, knew that too," Zoe chuckled.

"Well, show jumping is the event with the most points so, yeah, kind of important," Jade said matter of factly.

"Are you nervous?" Becky asked Zoe.

"No, I'm not nervous," Zoe answered reassuringly.

"You look nervous," Becky said anyways.

"What do I have to be nervous for?" Zoe said. Having to perform in front of hundreds. Olivia shuddered at the thought, she hated big competitions.

"Can you make her stop?" Zoe asked as Becky listed off numerous reasons for Zoe to be nervous.

"No, but... I can give you this," Jade said, taking out a horseshoe. "Some people believe horseshoes bring good luck," she added.

"Well clearly those people have never had one land on their heads," Becky said, Olivia giggling.

"It's one of Raven's, I thought it might help," Jade explained. Zoe smiled at her and took the shoe. Soon after that, the bus immobilized itself.