Saddling Up {thewattys2015}

Chapter 16

My brain tried to process the information I had just received. I knocked on the oak door lightly. Her secretary opened the door. "I'm so sorry Miss.Hastings." My tear-leaking eyes teared up more as I nodded curtly.

I walked into her office. My mom sat in a chair, sobbing. I walked in camly, despite the over-whelming situation.

*Flashback*

I was sleeping soundly in my bed, Brittany was snoring lightly. Out of no where, came the loud sound of a vintage telephone ringing. I tried to ignore, but realized, quickly, It was my own phone. I fumbled quickly, trying to unhook it from the charger cable, still half-a-sleep.

I looked at the time before answering it, 4:30 am on Monday morning. I quickly answered it. "Hello?" I asked groggily. "Sweetie! It's Mom here. I just wanted to tell you it's happened. Cancer finally won. I'm very sorry sweetie, Your Daddy gave up at exactly 4 am this morning. He said before he left that he wanted me to tell you that he love you so much, his heart ached. He also said for you to take the equestrian world by storm. He knows you can do a lot of things, You don't even know about.

The whole floor woke up to my sobbing that night.

*End of flashback*

I sat with my mom, holding her hand tightly. Ms.Parks, the school's founder and headmistress, sat in front of us. She cleared the scilence with a cough. "Mrs.Hastings, I can't tell you enough how sorry I am for your loss. I lost my husband and Father to the war in Afghanistan. The pain dulls, but never goes away. Now, Would you like to take Eleanor away from school for a week or two? Or would you like to completely withdraw her scholarship?"

My mom stated firmly "Withdraw the scholarship completely please. I need help at home to manage the family business. Eleanor will be perfectly fine riding at her old stable back home." "But Mom! You can't, Even Miss.Briarwood said I can't learn anything new at my old stable! I'm too advanced for it! Mom please, I beg you!" I began to whine and plead as I got down on my knees.

The principal looked in a state of shock. "Mrs.Hastings, I beg you to not do that. Eleanor is one of our top students and Mr.Rossi says that Eleanor is one of our top riders! Once you withdraw this scholarship, Eleanor Will probably never get another offer." Ms.Park said sternly. Mom's glare softened as she hear what Ms.Parks had to say.

Mom said firmly, once again "Withdraw the scholarship. I'm sure that Eleanor will be fine at her old stable. Eleanor dear, Meet me in the parking lot in half an hour with all your stuff. I brought the trailer too." I nodded slowly as I left the room, I could hear Ms.Parks typing away and before I turned the corner, I heard her say "There. It's Done. Eleanor Hastings is no longer a student a Windsor Preparatory."

I turned the corner and ran all the way to my dorm, crying my heart out. I burst into the dorm room. Brittnay looked in suprise as I started throwing things into my duffel bags. Brittnay gasped "What's wrong? Eleanor, What's going on?" "Mom is withdrawing my scholarship, She's taking me home! " I cried softly. Brittnay drew in a shocked gasp "No! She can't do that!" "Oh Yes, She can and She did!" I replied angrily.

Half an hour later, after tearful goodbyes to Brittnay, Paige and Nicole, I met my mom out in the parking a lot. "Hello." I said stiffly. "Hi honey. I'm sorry I had to do that." Mom apologized. I glared at her and got into the car. Mom checked to make sure the horse trailer was locked and Elle was ok. She placed my tack trunk in the back of the car.

Mom started the car after she buckled her seatbelt. She drove out of the parking lot as I cried silently,looking out the window as miles of pastures stretched around me.

Mom presses on the gas. The car ride home was in stoney silence.