Jay's Journey

Chapter 2

Ashley, Mason, Brynn and I were sitting on the couch and the two chairs in the living room. We were getting to know each other.

Ashley had been riding for 10 years. She lives in Saskatchewan, and her parents own a small grocery store in town. She also loves hockey, just like I do.

Brynn had been riding for 9 years, owning her own horse she grew up on a ranch in Texas. She loves eventing, but her horse also takes care of her at western shows.

Mason grew up on a farm alike to the one we're at right now, which is why she's been riding her whole life. Her dad owns a really famous architectural business. She told us she has a barn a little bigger than the one you pull up to at the front.

"You guys should come out to my farm next week! It would be so great to actually have people my age to hang out with all day." Mason offers.
"That would be great!" Brynn smiles.

When I look at Ashley, she nods her head once. If the others are okay with it, I don't see any reason why my parents won't let me go too. I'm sure they'll be happy I've met new people here, even though I won't be attending if I can't win that scholarship.

"That sounds like a lot of fun. How would we get there?" I ask hesitantly. As much as my parents would be happy I've met new people, they don't have the money to pay for me to fly to meet them.
"My dad will arrange a flight for you guys." Mason says, looking out at the three of us, "We have so many horses that have to get exercised every day that he'll let his riders have a day off and we'll take their place!"
"That sounds epic! Now I can't wait for next week!" Brynn exclaims, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

I glance at Ashley and she seems to be focused on Mason and what she's saying. Her eyes are zeroed in on Mason's face. It seems Brynn and I aren't the only ones to be excited.

I smile at the three girls that surround me, then take my time admiring the beautiful new kitchen that comes with this apartment. I wonder what we do for diner today. I could cook for everyone, I suppose. It really wouldn't be a burden, as I love to cook.

Ashley must notice me staring at the kitchen longingly because she pipes up to interrupt Mason and Brynn's excited chatter, "Do you want to work that new kitchen in, Jay?"
I smile sheepishly at Ashley's perceptiveness, "Yea. I love to cook."
Mason had made her way over to a wall plug where her phone was plugged in, but at the talk of food she snaps to attention, "You love to cook?"

I nod my head.

"Then what are you waiting for?! Get to work!" Brynn laughs.

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I had found a beautiful hunk of bone-in ham just calling to me in the fridge. I put it's glaze on -honey mustard with a few blueberries for extra flavour-  and had placed it carefully in the oven. Turning to my pot on the stove, I take a pinch of salt and splash it onto my potatoes cooking on low heat, before doing the same to my peas and corn in another pot.

The school had gone grocery shopping in bulk for all the students that would be here all week. I was surprised to find a full fresh chicken in the freezer as well as two large duck breasts. There was also five beautiful stacks of tofu for the vegetarians.

"I could never do all of this cooking. It's so hard to know what to do when." Brynn mutters to Ashley.
She nods her head in agreement, "I agree. But hey, if we have a roommate willing to cook for us the whole week, it'll be the healthiest week I'll live through."