Horse Academy (1)

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

"Well?" Hailey pushes.

"Sorry Hailey..." I say trailing off, I felt a sick feeling set in my stomach.

"I don't care if your sorry just don't do it again, at least put on a helmet next time" she says sighing. I look at her sheepishly.

"Next time? Your not telling my mum?" I ask with hope.

"Well how about a deal..?" she asks.

"Maybe if you go feed the horses and start mucking out the stalls I might just forget about mentioning it to your parents" she bargains with a straight face, but I could tell she was about to smile.

You know how there's always that one person you meet in life and they're like a cool Aunty figure that always looks out for you and has your back? I think that would be Hailey in my case. Let me tell you, I'm not exactly the most greatest person around, I've had my moments where I have made a few mistakes not even Hailey or my closest friends know about. Emily always knew though, she was the one who got me into everything in the first place. I always look back on them as a stupid petty things I shouldn't of done and absolutely regret since someone could've been seriously hurt. Others I wish I had spoken up and told the truth to Hailey, then so many relationships could have been saved.

Flashback

"Tiffany, your up" Hailey calls as I leave the arena and take place next to Emily, there were only us three in the group today so we could talk freely. We made sure to stay quite though so Hailey and Tiffany wouldn't hear us. It was mid summer and I was in year 7.

"This is going to be good" Emily whispers smugly.

"Why's that?" I ask after a long pause.

"I loosened his girth just before she got on" she says grinning. I queasy feeling comes into my stomach.

"Why would you do that?!? She could get really hurt" I snap.

"Get over yourself, you know she deserves worse so you better not open your mouth" she snips before turning to look back at Tiffany.

Flashback over

That was the last time I ever saw Emily be malicious to someone. On Tiffany's second jumping round her saddle slid so bad she fell off underneath Max and got trampled. Tiffany's dad sued Bluestone that year for failing to meet safety precautions. What Emily did was down right stupid and I knew she always regretted it.

Luckily Bluestone had won by providing a document signed by her parents stating they understood the risks associated with horses and that they couldn't sue. The lawsuit caused a strain in her parents relationship. Two months after everything settled, they divorced and her mum became her full time legal guardian. Her dad left town and since then Tiffany had become worse.

I always felt a strong guilt and for a few months Emily and I weren't close with one another. Finally we had discussed it and she apologised about putting me in that position, but since then we never mentioned it. In a way I knew it was partially my fault as well because if I warned Tiffany when Emily went back out for her turn then none of that ever would've happened. Maybe her parents would've never gotten divorced and she wouldn't be so angry at everyone.

"So is that a yes?" Hailey asks.

"Sure thing" I respond coming back to reality sending her a smile, guilt swept over me once again.

"I might be a little slow though..." I said.

"Take your time, and let me know when ever your going riding so I can cover for you okay?" She says as she goes walking down the isle.

"Okay thanks a heap" I mutter back as I get up from my hiding spot giving a pet goodbye to Storm before starting on giving the feed out to all the horses.

I was on my way to the 13th horse I needed feed when I lost grip of bucket and it tumbles to the ground. You have GOT to be kidding me. I probably shouldn't be using my fractured arm to be carrying it but hey, these things happen.

After cleaning up the mess, I remake the feed and continue on with my day. The feeding doesn't take to long to do for I move onto mucking out. After an hour into all this work the girls reemerge from arena, both of the horse look tired.

"Hey do you want us to help? We can ride Storm afterwards" Mia asks thoughtfully.

"That would be great guys, thanks so much, we just need to muck out the stables then we're done" I said.

10:34am

Finally, we're done with everything. After finishing mucking out about an hour ago Scarlett and Mia had their turns at exercising Storm for an hour. Scarlett spent her 30 minutes jumping Storm at 1m while Allison spent her remaining 30 minutes doing dressage. My phone buzzes and a message appears on my screen.

10:35am
Mum: Roads are clear, want me to pick you up now?

"Are we all done here?" I ask as I sit down on a hay bale exhausted.

"Yup" Mia says tiredly, both the girls plop down next to me and we all sit there as I respond to my mum.

"Remind me why we were mucking out stalls in the first place" Scarlett muttered in an annoyed tone.

"Oh wait that's right, your coach is crazy and can see through walls" she continued rolling hers eye. I turn and look at her.

"Careful, she's got bat hearing as well, she might even hear us right now" I said lowering my voice jokingly.

"I see you girls are done, thanks for all your help, see you later ladies" our heads snap to the tack room doorway a couple metres away to see Hailey standing there. As soon as she disappears Scarlett and I start laughing, Mia didn't looked amused at all. More slightly freaked out.

Going off that topic, we chatted between ourselves about classes at EFA. We eventually got up when mum messaged me that she was outside in the car.

The car ride home was amusing, Scarlett and Mia were debating what tv series was best, both had complete opposite opinions.

When we got back I took notice that my dad had left, for work I suppose. When I asked mum she went silent and shrugged. And let me tell you, when I say my parents have been acting strange lately I don't mean good strange, I mean bad strange.