The door swung open and Hilary entered the small, cosy room. It had pale blue highlights and the windows looked out onto paddocks and the stable area. Hilary loved it at first sight.
Jo appeared at the door,"Put your bags down and I'll leave you to say goodbye," she waved and smiled before walking off down the corridor.
Only then did the entire reality of what the new school meant, come crashing down on Hilary. She'd have to say goodbye to her parents and familiar home for a long time. Hilary's parents walked into the room
"Do you like the place?" asked Sam hopefully.
"Like it," said Hilary,"I LOVE it, Dad, will you make sure to come at the end of the term?"
"Of course," said Sam, smiling,"We'd never forget you."
Hilary jumped up and hugged him,"Oh dad, you're the best." Sam smiled.
Hilary's mother came up behind her and gave Hilary a hug. "We'll miss you, darling," said Kate,"Make sure to write letters home.".
"Of course I will," said Hilary.
A few minutes after, the adults left and Hilary was left alone in her room. She examined the Rules list. It read like this:
FCA Rules
*No walking around the premises after 8 o'clock.
* No sharing goodies or sweets at any time.
*No arguing or being rude to any member of staff or teacher.
*No handling any horse beside your own, unless permitted.
*Students must always wear a helmet and riding boots around horses and in any Equine lesson.
They seemed simple enough to Hilary. She wondered what Equine lessons she'd be having.
Just then a knock sounded on the door and a girl walked in. She had dimples and pale brown hair tied messily on her head.
When she saw Hilary, she smiled,"Hi, I see you're new here, I'm Emma," she held out her hand, Hilary shook it warmly
" I'm Hilary," she said, smiling,"Nice to meet you."
She was liking this girl Emma more and more.
"Oh well," sighed Emma,"I see you haven't unpacked yet, let's do it together. They spent the next few minutes getting to know each other. Apparently, Emma had a quarter horse that she boarded at FCA. She'd been going to FCA for three years now and she had one younger brother called Sammy.
When they were done, Emma showed Hilary their timetable and led her around the premises, through the science labs, and into the history room, she told Hilary about all the class pranks they'd done in that room. They went round the back to the arena where some riders were already exercising their horses, Hilary and Emma watched, transfixed, as a dressage rider did a passage, one of the trickiest of all the dressage moves.
Suddenly, a loud bell sounded, jolting them back to the ground.
"That's the dinner bell," said Emma. She seemed to know everything and everyone, thought Hilary.
Emma led Hilary towards the dining hall, where the whole school had gathered at the long tables and benches. A lady clapped a few times and all the talking stopped. She cleared her throat as though she was going to make a speech.
"That's the principal, Miss Smith," whispered Emma into Hilary's ear. A teacher standing by shot them a stern look.
The principal started to speak.
-emma-
YOU ARE READING
Fern Creek Academy Book 1
Narrativa generaleHilary's dreams come true when she's accepted into Fern Creek Academy, the most prestigious academy for you horse lovers around. It's the experience and adventure of a life time, one that's riddled with adventure and mystery.
