The Irreversible Reaction

Back in the Saddle

I woke up that morning very excited to jump back in to the saddle and get riding but Nathan soon door stopped me. I went rushing downstairs and I ran straight into him. 

"And, Where do you think your going?" Nathan looked at me with a stern look in his eyes.

"Back in the saddle." I replied as Nathan started shaking his head.

"I don't think so. You are back in school today so get changed."

"Nathan, I don't feel too well I really wanted to stay home today." I pleaded back to him.

"If you are well enough to ride then you are well enough for school. Hop it"

"Fine."

I climbed upstairs and changed into my uniform. I climbed back downstairs then we set off for school. The day became long and grulling. I just wanted to go home but I knew that Nathan would never make it that easy. He wanted me fit and well again and I understood that but he also wanted me to do well in school. When I was on sick he often went to work and picked up my work from my teachers so I could do it in a relaxing enviroment but if I was in so much pain that I couldn't move then Nathan stayed home to look after me. He didn't wnat me to miss anything as my exams were getting so so close.

Mr Parker said he was pleased with my work

Mr George was happy with my maths work, in fact my teachers had high hopes for my exams, even Nathan.

We got home that night and I got set on my work. Nathan helped me with science then he let me go and sort Bex out. I was happy just to walk out and feel her fur on my skin was amazing. Nathan looked out of the window then he saw me try and lift the saddle.

"Aj, no riding yet please. You have your exams starting next week and you still need to recover a little."

"Nathan Pleaseeeee."

"Come on, its getting cold. I don't need you off with a cold when it comes to exams."

"Okay" I kissed Bex's nose and headed back inside for revision. The week was long and grulling and the weekend was even worse. By Monday I felt my head wanted to explode from exam pressure. 

I walked in to that hall time and time again. I answered every question I could and I felt after each exam the pressure lift a little. When it came to the science ones I felt like I didn't want to let Nathan down. Once the last exam was over the relief was unbelieveable. I walked out of school to see Nathan packing the car. He looked over and felt the relief. He smiled at me as we headed home. 

We walked in and I heard the phone start to ring. 

"Hello Aj speaking."

"Hey Aj it's Kim from Rosewood Stables."

"Hey Kim how is everyone?"

"Good thanks, how are you and Nath doing?"

"We are doing well thank you."

"Good. I need your help with something"

"What do you need help with?"

"We need someone who would like to train as a riding teacher. Someone who knows the horses well and someone who knows what to do so we don't need to look for someone new. Are you interested?"

"I would love too."

"Great. Are you busy tomorrow?"

"No I don't think so but can you run it through Nathan first other wise he will bite my head off if I try and ride Bex out."

"Sure, put him on"

"Nath, Kim is on the phone for ya." I shouted up the stairs as I heard a simple responce of "I'm coming" and then the constant thud as he came running down and grabbing the phone from my hand.

"Hi Kim."

I headed out to Bex to see her happily munching in the grass. I grabbed her grooming kit and brought her up to the stable. I took her coat off and got her groomed ready for tomorrow. I felt myself being lifted up in the air as a very excited Nathan was shouting yipee at me.

"I am so proud of you." Nathan called out once he put me back on the ground.

"What did I do?"

"Are you going to do the thing at Rosewood's then?"

"Oh that, if it's okay with you then I can repay you for everything you have done for me."

"You don't need to thank me, and ofcourse it's okay. I wouldn't want to stop you but are you fit enough to get back on her?"

"Yep"

"Okay"

Nathan put on her saddle as I put her bridal on. Then Nathan put on my riding safety wear on and made sure it was tight. He was very protective lately and I was just glad I was safe with him. I jumped up on to Bex and I felt amazing as we galloped round the place. Nathan stood their laughing as we started prancing about. I stopped Bex and got Nathan to jump on the back with me. We started to prance about and the giggling from us two showed we were having fun. Maybe a little too much fun as we noticed Jay come up the road. We decided to race him. I gave the signal to Bex and she bolted it down the road. Jay looked over to the side to see we had all been out riding and he decided to push the peddle. As he carried on down the road I turned Bex in a differnt direction.

"What are you doing?" Nathan shouted to me.

"You want to beat Jay right?"

"Yeah."

"Nathan, don't question me and Bex we know where we are going but you will have to hold on tight. Have you ever been on a jumping horse?"

"No can't say I have"

"Well their is a first time for everything"

I galloped Bex straight infront of a fence. Nathan must have seen as I felt him grasp on tighter. Bex took the lead and jumped right on que. We landed spot on as we galloped closer to home. The cottage was only a small distance away. We soon made it and we jumped down and got Bex on the cool down walk. 

Nath ran in to the house and made three cups of tea and a carrot for Bex. He gave Bex the carrot as I placed her in the stable and we both sat down in the sun shine. We saw Jay pull up and we just looked at each other and burst out laughing. 

Jay-"Okay, you both win. Nice one Bex."

Nath-"Welcome Jay Tea there for you. What brings you here."

Jay-"Well the trail is next week and I just thought I would check up on Aj"

Aj-"Jay, what will happen at the trial."

Jay-"Well you will be asked some questions but don't worry you will be fine. He will not be able to touch you anymore"

Aj-"Okay"

We sat and drank our tea as Nathan and Jay talked about times for next week. I was just glad that this nightmare will soon be over.