Mounting up

Chapter 6

I looked up. A boy with jet black hair and green eyes was squatted down beside me. "I'm fine." I lied. He shook his head, the rain droplets that stuck to his hair flying everywhere. "You're not fine. If you were fine, you wouldn't be sitting here crying." He replied honestly. I sighed. "I'm a new student here again, and I just arrived like three hours ago. My roommate hates me and offered me a cigarette. And it's my dad Birthday today." "Why are you sad if its you dad's birthday?" He raised an eyebrow. "He died, a month ago from lung cancer." A saddened look came upon my face.

"Oh I'm so sorry." The boy examined my face, looking saddened by this news. I made no response but just shook my head. He extended his hand and I shook it. "I'm Kayden Reynolds. I'm BrownOak dorm hall." "I'm Eleanor Hastings. I'm in Blossomwell dormhall. " I said politely.

"Say, you wanna continue this class conversation at the sip'n'chat coffee shop?" He asked nicely. I liked this Kayden. He was very kind. "Sure." I agreed. We walked side by side to the coffees shop. He grabbed us a table while I ordered us hot chocolate and some sugar cookies. I came back to the table and slid a hot chocolate across the table at him. He caught it. "Nice catch." I commented. "Nice throw." He echoed back, flashing his swoon-worthy teeth.

I scolded myself. I couldn't let myself fall in love with a guy I just met. He bite into a marshmallow. "So what's your story?" He asked. "Well, I got a scholarship here in January of last year. So in September, I came here and everything was going great. Until mom told me my dad had lung cancer. When he died she pulled me out of Windsor. On Christmas Day, she got an email saying that Windsor was looking for new students. So I sent an application in and here I am." I said.

He took a sip of his hot chocolate. "Well. My dad is a jockey. My mom is a teacher. I used to ride for Green Leaf training stables. They wanted me to get a good education and continue my riding career so last year, I sent in an application and here I am. I've been here for 2 years and I love it. I have a dapple grey thoroughbred stallion. His name is "Fast and Furious" or "Speedy" for short." "Oh cool, you ride? I do too! I own a chestnut thoroughbred mare named "Purely Elegance" or "Elle." I imputed.

"That's cool." He commented. I ate a sugar cookie and smiled. "So what should I do about Rose?" The name felt sour in my mouth. "Request a room transfer?" suggested Kayden. "Hey! That's a good idea!" I high fived him. We quickly drowned the hot chocolates and ate the rest of the sugar and cookies. We left the shop and Kayden walked with me to the main office. I faced the secretarys. "Name, dormhall and reason for being here." A secretary demanded boredly.

"Eleanor Hastings. Blossomwell hall and roommate transfer." I spoke clearly. The lady smirked "problems already? Wait here. Our counsellor in charge of rooming options will see you shortly." I nodded and sat down on a hard plastic chair.

Kayden sat down beside me. "So whoever makes varsity this season, they are holding a dance specifically for them only. It's in early February." He said. "That's cool." I replied. The guidance counsellor appeared. "Hello! I'm Mrs.Watkins. Please come with me."

Kayden followed us. "You don't have to be here." I hissed. "Anything to support a friend." He flashed another swoon-worthy smile. "Thank you." I supplied a response. Mrs.Watkins told us to sit down in front of her desk. She smiled. "Roommates name." She asked. "Rose Tyler." I supplied the information. "Great. Problems?" She raised an eyebrow. "She offered me a cigarette and she doesen't like me." "Ugh. Great. We have one room available rooming with Paige Heffley in Parker Hall. Is that good?" She asked. Paige's name hit me like a brick, a ton of happiness flooding me at once. "That's excellent! Thanks so much!" I exclaimed. "Your welcome. Now goodbye and good day." She waved us good bye.

Kayden paused outside the main office. He hugged me awkwardly. "I'm glad you got your problem fixed." He whispered, sending shivers down my spine. "Oh uh, your welcome." I replied, my face turning a bright red. He chuckled "your welcome. See you tomorrow hopefully!" He waved goodbye and trudged off towards Blackwell.

A smile appeared on my face. Just maybe, just maybe I could have the best of both worlds; boys and riding success.