Fern Creek Academy Book 1

Chapter 10: First Enemy

"Welcome all students and staff, young and old, experienced and new. Another year awaits us with even more shows, events and rides."

She cleared her throat.

"I am pleased to announce that we have a new vaulting program, if you would like to join, there is an admission form in the courtyard, please write you name on it and participants will be picked the week after. That is all I have to say for now. You may begin eating."

The Principal took her seat and the food was brought in.

The rabble of noise continued throughout dinner. Hilary was interested in applying for the vaulting, she had always loved how smooth and balanced it looked.

Emma broke in.

"Are you going to try the vaulting?," she asked.

It was as though she had read Hilary's thoughts."I am anyway."

Hilary smiled,"Yes I am, actually, I've been thinking about it."

The rest of dinner passed by quickly, after dessert, the school left the dining hall. Outside it was dark, Emma showed Hilary the way back to their dormitory.

In bed, Hilary thought of how wonderful it was to go to such a school. She had already made a friend. A few minutes later she was fast asleep.

                                             ----------------------------------------------------------

Hilary was woken by a ringing bell, to her surprise, Emma was already out of her bed and getting dressed.

"That's the wake up bell," she heard Emma call from the bathroom.

It sure was good to have someone like her around. Hilary hurriedly got dressed in the school uniform, cream jodhpurs and a blue and black shirt with paddock boots. Hilary was excited, she didn't know what the day would hold for her. They both made their way downstairs, pushed along by the steady the stream of girls. At the door, Jo was there handing out timetables. Hilary got hers and looked at it. Her first lesson of the day was History, then double Maths, Science, double Riding and free time. Emma showed Hilary where the History buildings were, around the stable and next to the office. Girls were already sitting down or chatting. Their teacher walked in, Emma explained that she was Miss Peters. Miss Peters did the roll call and started the lesson.

Hilary actually found History interesting, especially as FCA included all the horses and horse related facts as well. After an enjoyable lesson, the two girls went to maths which seemed to last forever to Hilary. She found out that Emma was very smart, when Hilary was stuck, Emma helped her and made each question look so simple, Hilary was grateful that she had Emma.

Maths finally finished and all the girls tumbled out into the bright sunshine, a bell rang, Emma explained that it was the Recess bell. The whole school was sitting in the dining hall and eating, to Hilary, the food felt refreshing after a grueling morning. The next lesson was what Hilary had come here for. The riding.

When Recess finished  the different grades went to their lessons.

"Our riding teacher is Mrs O'Connell," said Emma "She's the only teacher in the school whose lessons are fun".

Hilary grinned, coming from Emma, the lessons were going to be really fun. At the arena, the class of 11 girls sat down in the grandstand seats. A tall, young woman came through the door.

"Hello and welcome, class," Miss O'Connell said ,"I'm looking forward to a new year of riding and learning. So, let's start, you may all go and get you horses, that includes tacking up, Daisy." Her eyes were aimed at a young girl who blushed. The class walked out of the arena to the stable block.

The various horses peered at the girls coming in. Hilary walked up to Rilby and patted him

"We've made it, Rilby," she said," I'm going to have my first lesson on you here today."

Hilary stepped back to admire her horse.

"Hey, watch where your going."

The curt remark came from behind. Hilary spun round. A girl her age was giving Hilary a furious look, she was holding the lead rope of a beautiful black stallion, Hilary was nearly touching his flank

"Oh, sorry," said Hilary apologetically,"I didn't mean to-".

"Well, you better hadn't," the girl said threateningly. Hilary was taken aback, she had never been spoken to so rudely, the girl walked away with her horse.

Hilary brushed away the conversation, she had other things to do. She led Rilby out of his stall and tacked him up, when she was done Hilary wasn't sure what to do, as if by magic, Emma appeared at her side.

"Come with me,  I'm done as well. And, by the way, if your wondering who that girl was you bumped into, she's Amanda Hawkins," Emma mockingly imitated Amanda's voice," the snobbiest girl in the school," Hilary giggled," don't let her bother you, she's done that to me a thousand times."

Hilary followed Emma and her large quarter horse outside and back into the arena where most of the class was lined up.

-amanda-