Unbridled Beginnings

Chapter 14: Optimistic Outlook

"Hayley! You'll be late for school if you don't get up now!" I hear Alison shout from under my covers.

I get out of my warm bed and expose my half-covered body to the cool morning air, before having a quick shower. I get changed into my designated school uniform and walk downstairs where I get breakfast and put my shoes on. Then grab some change for my lunch and hope Jack and Alison don't realise that I've taken it.

I rapidly walk down the driveway and fling my bag on to my back, trying not to scuff my shoes against the pebbled ground. 

Will the other kids at school know that I ditched on Friday? I think, my mind suddenly racing at the thought.

Once I reach the bus stop, I sit alone again on the green wooden bench and wait. Although I don't have to wait very long, because soon I hear the same roaring bus come around the bend. I jump up and make my way out on the foot path where the bus driver stops for me to get on.

This time, I sit on the opposite side of the bus as I did last time, somewhere in between the front and the back seats. As more and more people crowd on, the seats fill up and dangerously and kids have to stand in the isle. 

"Excuse me? Can I sit next to you?" A girl says over all the yelling and screaming of children.

"Sure," I say, looking back out the window.

But the girl brings up conversation again.

"Your new here aren't you? My name's Hazel."

I turn back to face her.

"My name's Hayley and yes I just moved here a few weeks ago," I reply.

Our conversation stop awkwardly, as I turn back and look out the dust-covered window. Suddenly I start to see surroundings that are very familiar and I wonder where we could be passing. But soon I see the stables, arena and Janet's house and realise we must pass here every day. I don't see any activity when I squint my eyes towards the stables, but I'm sure Janet's in there cleaning again.

Does this mean that the bus home passes Mayfield Ranch as well? I think, wondering if I could go to train Nova and ride Sharki after school.

I keep thinking about it, hoping that the bus takes the same route home but soon we arrive at school and I push the thought away for now.

School goes surprisingly fast today, and I actually kind of enjoy it. 

I meet Hazel again in three of my classes and we get to know each other more at lunchtime. She has dark brunet hair and chestnut brown eyes. Hazel seems really nice and I'm glad that I've got someone to talk and sit with so I'm not alone. She says that she only moved to Mayfield school about two weeks ago and she is finding this school a lot harder than her last.

Once school is finally over, I walk with Hazel to the packed bus and stand at the front, holding on to the back of a seat. As the bus gradually empties along the way, I finally spot Mayfield Ranch in the distance.

"Can you stop at that driveway please?" I ask the driver.

"Bye Hazel!" I call, as I step outside.

"Bye!" I hear her call as the bus doors close and they speed away again.

I walk down the drive and go straight into the stable and greet Janet before opening the tack room door. I quickly get changed into my gym gear since I have nothing else suitable for a ride, and halter up Sharki.

"Hayley if you want you could take Sharki up on the hills for a trail ride?" Janet offers.

"Yes please!" I reply enthusiastically.

"I think the best track is the one around the side of the hill," she says.

Once I gear Sharki up and mount him, I walk on a loose rein towards the grassy hills. Soon after much confusion, I find the path around the side of the hill and gather up my reins. He suddenly perks up and walks much faster but I reassure him and keep him walking calmly. When the ground slopes into a slight hill I push him into a slow controlled trot, rising to the beat of his steady steps. In the distance I see a small fallen log and push him into a canter. He leaps with scope over the log and I just manage to stay on, gripping on to his thick chestnut mane.

I walk him all the way back down the hill and to the stable so he can warm down after the work out. I put him and another two horses away in their stalls for the night, and pick up my bag and walk home.

The journey takes a long forty-five minutes, but surprisingly when I get home my foster parents aren't there yet. I realise that I could go to Mayfield Ranch everyday after school if I wanted too, and get away with it before Jack and Alison get home.