Adrenaline -- editing

Chapter 35 {Switch}

Holly woke the the annoying sound of her new alarm clock. She slammed her fist on it - but not as hard as she wanted to - she got out of bed and stared at the sudden new pile of clothes by her closet. Picking it up, she looked at breeches and riding boots, a jockey jacket and a jockey helmet.

She ran down the stairs, staring blankly at Julia and Piper who looked at her back the same way, confused. She held up the clothes, and Piper's face brightened up. "Congrats!" He nearly yelled and ran to hug her.

"I thought men were chill," she dropped it as he squeezed her.

"Allisa promoted you as a jockey. She thought it would be nice for you to ride in the competition." Julia smiled widely.

"But—"

"Morning guys," Sam came in yawning, glancing at the clothes on the floor. He suddenly was wide awake, picking it up and looking closely at it. "Guys! Thank you soo much, but . . . don't you think this is a little small?"

"It's for me," Holly took it from his hands, clutching it to her chest.

Sam glared slightly at her, "When is my grounding over?"

"When the academy closes," Piper pat his back and went toward the door to open it, "I'm going to IrishBee and exercise him for a bit."

Julia nodded and clapped her hands together, inhaling more air than usual. Holly walked back up to her room, clothes in hand. She set it on her bed and got dressed for the day.

Holly strode towards Troll's stall, he whinnied as she came up with a apple in her hand. "Hey there buddy," she cooed as he licked the treat up with his lips. Holly put his halter on and put him on the cross ties to tack him up for his morning workout.

"Holly! Holly!" A boy who was round and had square glasses on ran up to her, eyes wide.

"Yes . . . What's your name?"

"Donald! Anyway, I just heard Allisa talking about . . . ooh, what was it? She was talking about the race!"

"Well, what was it?"

"U-uh . . . There was also a new girl and they were also talking about her filly, Columbus Sail, and painting I think."

"The new girl might be assigned to paint Comlumbus for her or something. I don't think it's a big deal—"

"Holly," Donald clutched onto her arm, "they mentioned you and Troll Soul."

"I'm sure it's nothing—"

"Please, they're up to something!"

"Aye Colly!" Allisa jogged up to them.

Holly wasn't sure if she had given Donald a glare or not, it was too swift. She smiled and said, "What are you up to?"

Donald slowly left as Allisa started to answer, "I was just gonna tell yeh that we're gonna leave soon."

"Oh, I guess we'll do a little warmup then before he get into the trailer." She smiled and took Troll out of his stall, walking Troll to the mounting block bareback with a halter.

"Bareback?" Allisa suddenly shivered.

"Just for a little bit."

"Oh, I'm just sayin' you don't get up dat way," she went over to show her how to do it. Holly nodded and did the same when she was finished, trying as hard as possible not to slam on his back. She smiled, thanking her and clicking her tongue and used her legs to lead him toward the pastures.

Troll nickered and trotted with no command. "Woah buddy, don't take control now." He slowed back down to a walk and Holly opened the gate without getting off, and asked him to trot by the rail. Allisa walked over, leaning on the rail watching the two of them.

Will I have time? She thought.

"Ally!" The girl called.

"Aye Bridget!"

The girl named Bridget leaned to her ear, "I'm painting the real Troll Soul now!"

Allisa suddenly jumped with joy, staring at Columbus Sail who was painted as Troll. "Can I see him?"

"Totally," Bridget lead her to her trailer, opened the door and there was half painted Troll Soul . . . Or Columbus.

"He looks just like meh filly!" She laughed sort of evilly.

"Your lucky I got up at two am. Holly gets up at four and it takes me two hours to paint a horse like these two."

They giggled until they heard hoofbeats follow into the Academy trailer. "Hurry up, we don' have much time!"

"Gotcha," Bridget nodded and picked up the paint brush, looking at a picture of Columbus and started to paint the detail on Troll Soul.

He gave a loud and fearful neigh, messing her up.

"Dumb horse, shut up!" She hit his unpainted shoulder with a whip that was by her side.

Allisa walked out, staring at painted Columbus Sail load into the trailer, Holly carrying her jockey clothes. It's all coming together. With this, they won't be able to rise back up.