Just Ride

The Request

Sweat poured down my forehead as I woke up with a jolt.

I panted softly. Fumbling with the crisp white sheets and tossing them to the floor. I sit up on my knees hastily and pull back the curtains. As if to see the lifeless body of my horse right in my backyard. Thankfully what meets my eyes is only blooming peonies in the late summer. Also, the neighbors cat digging up a tulip from my mother's garden, was enough proof to tell myself that it was just a nightmare.

But at the same time it wasn't.

Ever since my horse, Martin Luther King Jr had died tragically, (due to a heart attack and critical injuries,) I hadn't been the same since. Sure I had continued to win the USEF finals, and a couple national eq jumping competitions, and sure I still lived up to my name as Athena Davies, the rider who won everything, (sometimes,) but I had never grown a bond with a horse long enough to call it my own.

I rolled over on my side. A tear falling on the soft pillow. Thinking about Marty's death was painful. It was my fault after all. Not listening to Andy and all that. I sighed. Realizing it's 10:00 in the morning, I force myself to get up on a foggy Saturday in Sonoma. Hastily tucking in the sheets, I checked my phone. Already their was 5,346 likes on the picture I had posted on Instagram. It was a old one, but memorable all the same. It was my horse that I had leased out for a year, Dutch, a chestnut thoroughbred, jumping a 4'3 oxer.

I smile and plug in my headphones. Jamming out to music as I tidied up my room. Mom had said that a guest was coming anyway, so better to clean everything now then later. I took off my headphones and synced my bluetooth. Putting it on low volume. I brushed my wavy dark hair, so it neatly fell in pretty curls beyond my shoulder, I picked out a black bow and pinned it neatly in the back. As I danced all the way into the closet, I dress into a casual outfit. A simple grey sweater and black leggings. So far so good. Looking into the mirror, I nodded approvingly. Pulling on some electric blue vans, and grabbing my phone, (thankfully remembering to turn off the music,) I headed downstairs.

The smell of bacon and scrambled eggs wafted from the kitchen. Heavily accented with a heavenly scent of jasmine perfume. Obviously my mom. "Thank you mother." I sigh deeply. Sinking into the wooden chairs that my parents think are "antique". "Your welcome honey. Just for you." She says tiredly. Brushing back dark hair from her sleepy grey eyes. After a few moments of talking about college, a sharp rap at the door could be heard in the front. "I got it mom." I say clearing my plate and letting loose a large burp. There's an awkward silence. Then she exclaims, "Better out than in, as I always say." Quoting our favorite Dreamworks movie. I choke down a giggle.

"Whatever!" I try, and fail, to put on a stern face. Opening the door, and feeling the cool breeze on my face, I put on a easy smile. "Hi, come right in-ANDY!?" I shriek shocked. He had dyed his hair a dark brown. The color of chocolate. He had a new leather jacket, and he seemed younger than ever. But the real question was, what the heck was he doing here?

But then I realize what was going on. Narrowing my eyes at Andy, I took in his new look. He had put on his, everything-is-great smile and even the cologne I had given him for his birthday. (Two years ago.) I took note of the fancy manila envelope in his gloved hand. The red wax seal glowing in the warm light of our house. On the front, fine golden print read in neat handwriting, Athena Davies. I rubbed my face tiredly with my fingers. Now I knew who the guest was. Andy nervously brushed off a small flake of dust off his shoulder. His smile stretching into an even wider smile. I turned my back to him. Storming back into the kitchen.

"Mom, why the heck is Andy here!?" I yelled at her. Annoyance boiling inside my stomach. "Can't you just call him Andy rather than special guest!? Huh!?" I ask sarcastically. My words getting louder with each sentence. My dark haired look alike just sighs. "Athena. Please let him in." Is all she says and I throw my hands up in the air. "I give up!" I exclaim and stomp back to the entrance. Andy stands their awkwardly. I just glare at him suspiciously. "Whatever." I mutter. Slamming the door behind him.