Recess: Secret of Beginning

Chapter 17

"How's it coming along you two?" Spinelli shouted at the older teen who was doing a lesson with T.J. Gordy suggested that an hour of private lessons for everyone could improve their riding quicker.

"He's pretty much a natural but he still needs some work" Gordy called back."Don't lift your hands so high" Gordy corrected. T.J lowered his hands. "Like that?" he asked. "Perfect" Gordy praised. Spinelli smiled as she joined the two in the arena.

It was already Friday which meant her family from Italy were already here. Her dad's side was packed with cousins. There wasn't many in her age range, majority of them were younger. While her older cousins hung out with Joey and Vito.

Her friends were welcomed warmly but because of the language barrier they didn't talk much. Vince and Gretchen were finishing off christmas assignments while Mickey and Gus decided to play monopoly. Gretchen made her sit down yesterday and helped her and T.J with their christmas assignments.

"Okay, now let's go into a trot" Gordy said. T.J squezzed his legs and Mischief happily broke into a brisk trot. "Up and down. That looks great just get those heels lower!" Gordy commented. Spinelli smiled as she stopped to watch.

T.J was a natrual with horses although he still looked a bit funny when he trotted. But he was the second most comfortable at riding from the gang. Vince was obviously first, as he was a natrual at any sport. "Shorten those reins!" Spinelli and Gordy called at the same time. They all burst out laughing.

"Okay go back to a walk" Gordy said. T.J did as he was told. "I'm gonna get some trotting poles and you are going to try some jumps? how does that sound?" Gordy smiled. "That sounds awesome" T.J's face broke into a grin. "Wanna join Spin? I'm gonna tack up Aspen and join in as well" Gordy suggested.

"It's T.J private lesson. He should get the most out of it" Spinelli replied. "Don't be silly Spin, it will be fun" T.J encouraged. "Unless your afraid I'm quickly catching up to you and Mischief could outjump Twister. According to you he is a natural jumper" T.J's eyes gleamed. He knew he got her.

"You are so on Detweiler" Spinelli laughed as she rushed to tack up Twister.

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"There should be a prize for the winner" T.J suggested as the two sat waiting for Gordy to finish setting up the jumps. "I'm gonna win either way so what's the point" Spinelli teased. "If your so confident you'll beat me then get something out of it and settle a prize" T.J chuckled.

"You have to let me wear your hat on the first day back to school" Spinelli said. T.J's raised his eyebrows. "Okay but if I win then you have to wear a skirt to school for one week" T.J smirked. "Deal" Spinelli said as the two shook hands.

"And if I win you two have to kiss" Gordy shouted as he mounted Aspen, his dapple bay paint gelding.

"WHAT!?" T.J and Spinelli exclaimed. Gordy laughed. "Gordy you can't be serious" Spinelli said as she raised her eyebrows. "If your so confident you'll win then why does it matter" Gordy said as he joined the two. Spinelli narrowed her eyes. "Fine have it your way" Spinelli shrugged.

"T.J is going to go first and then I'm gonna put the jumps up higher for us" Gordy said. The two nodded. "I want you to trot the course T.J. Your only goal is to clear it" Gordy explained. T.J nodded.

T.J started the course trotting but even after Gordy's protests he still finished the course cantering with only one refusal. "Good boy" T.J patted Mishief's neck as they joined Gordy and Spinelli. Gordy gave T.J a stern look.

"I told you to trot it!" Gordy said. T.J grinned. "But I cantered and I didn't do pretty bad" T.J said. Gordy sighed. "Maybe not but unless me and Gordy don't clear it then you won't win" Spinelli said as Gordy put up the jumps. "I don't mind" T.J shrugged.

Spinelli raised an eyebrow. "If you don't win, your hat is on the line or your gonna have to kiss me" Spinelli said as she looked at T.J and laughed. T.J looked back at her and Spinelli's breath hitched at how intense his gaze was. "Not really a loss is it?" T.J replied. A blush covered Spinelli's face.

T.J was flirting......she didn't know how to respond to it.

She was grateful when Gordy said she could jump. She had no problem clearing the course until she got to the last jump. For some reason what T.J said popped into her mind.

"Not really a loss is it?"

Spinelli's concentration was lost and as Twister flew over the last jump she heard the thump of the wooden pole hit the ground. She nearly cleared the course....with only one fault.

"Good ride Spin shame you missed the last jump. What happened?" Gordy asked. Spinelli was confused as him. "I don't know. I guess I lost my focus" Spinelli said.

She glanced at T.J. Her blush came back as did the little wrestlers in her stomache and her heart started beating faster. She closed her eyes. She knew that feeling all too well. She had expierenced it towards Johnny V and she did such a good job at ignoring it towards her best friend for years.

But after what he said it's like the feelings came back ten times stronger. What if she knocked that jump down subconsciencly? what if she wanted to kiss T.J? the relazation hit her hard.

"Not really a loss is it?"

What if he wanted to kiss her as well.

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So it's pretty short but I'm happy with it, hope you like it as well :)

Let me know what you think

Love,

Natalia ❤