J.O.P Stable: The Twin Saga (Book 2: Vortex)

Chapter 15:

" So, you excited? "

I jumped, nearly losing the clump of Onyx's mane that i had been about to pull. From his forelock to around the middle of his neck was nice, even hairs, while the rest had sloppily grown out since the Summer Finale.

I turned, seeing Jewel standing in front of Shadow's stall. The black gelding poked his head out and nibbled on pigtail braids.

Felix had gone to bed a while ago, after prepping Rio, but I had told him that I wanted just a bit more time to prep Onyx. In reality I had been here for almost an hour now, and Onyx's mane may become a mohawk if I continued to pull it over and over.

" Excited definitely... " I let my voice drag.

" And also nervous right? " My twin read my tone.

I hung my head. " Ya, how embarrassing is that "

Jewel laughed. " Your sometimes too hard on yourself, remember when we first tried jumping with Alby? "

I smiled. " How could I forget "

Honestly, I couldn't. Back when we were first learning how to ride, we both shared Alby before Jewel moved on to Wes. Jewel had jumped the tiny cross-rail and vertical perfectly and I felt pressured to do better. So when it was my turn, I tried to push Alby to go faster than he needed to, to get bigger jump scope. He did jump higher, but I went flying off him in the progress. It had been so embarrassing, but of course I made up for it when we first started jumping cross-country.

I shook my head. " What're you getting at with that memory? "

Jewel smiled as she walked over and took the mane comb from me, throwing it back into my grooming box.

" I'm saying that you were hard on yourself then and you are now, even though you don't have to be " She stroked Onyx's neck. " Your a great rider and I know that your stubborn enough to not go down without a fight "

I smiled at her. " You really think I can beat Icky Vicky and Nate? "

" I think that if your planning to do what I think your going to do... "

I froze. " ...So you know? "

Jewel nodded.

" And you planning to go rat me out to mom and dad...or Felix? "

This time she didn't do anything.

" Well...as long as you promise to think twice about it...and talk to Felix about it...then I won't say anything about your plans to jump the Vortex " She replied before walking away.

I sighed and leaned against Onyx's shoulder. He turned, straining against the cross-ties and sniffed my arm. I smiled as I unclipped him and brought him back to his stall. Rio had been moved to the stall next to him and she happily snoozed in the corner, draped in a hunter green stable blanket with her legs wrapped for protection. She definitely looked happier than when she first arrived and it was mostly thanks to me, so I felt a connection with the mare.

I put on Onyx's black stable blanket, checking his own leg wraps before giving his nose a kiss and leaving the barn, making sure to close the door tightly behind me to keep out the cold, even if the barn had an automatic heater.

I shivered against the wind and tugged my turtleneck higher.

I was going to tell Felix about my plans to jump the Vortex....

...Just at a time when he can't stop me....