The Eventer's Club 2: Junior Year

Chapter 16:

Ashleigh's pov

"We'll call you again this evening, but I want you to start packing right away. Saturday is when we'll pick you up" my mom says over the phone.

"Okay mom, bye" I sigh as I pinch the bridge of my nose.

Clicking the end button I throw my phone on my bed. Looking around my designated room, the beribboned walls no longer held good memories. It was more the memories of Beauty, and the fact he may never be coming back.

One week was all it took. One week before the world seemed to forget he was gone. People were to worried about the other horses to care. And maybe that was selfish of me to say that? Darla promised he would be back within a week. But he's not. He could be out of Canada by now. The geldings value had increased a lot since his summer campaign. Someone could've easily sold him in America for a fortune.

My parents words rung through my thoughts.

"Come with us to Portland, it's a start fresh and I'm sure we can find a nice place to board Venus. It'll be much safer for you both" mom had said.

I had refused immediately. I was happy my parents aren't going through the divorce straight away. And I was definitely happy that they would give their marriage another shot, but Portland meant we would be in America. Not to mention it was a city, and in the few months I've been at Holloway, I've adjusted to the peace and quiet. I also loved being able to see and ride Venus when ever I felt like it. All these things would be taken away from me if I went to Portland.

Even with Holloway in shambles, I didn't want to leave them when they were in the middle of a crisis.

But I didn't have much of a choice.

"Hunny, I don't ask much of you but to get decent grades. I want our family to work. I want your sister to come home, but it won't happen without you. This isn't me asking Ashleigh" my mother had said over the phone with her 'final decision' voice.

I grit my teeth in annoyance and let out a long furious exhale. I was so sick of fighting that I went along with it. Maybe mom is right, and I'll see it once we move. The new house they've bought looked more decent then our old one. The school sounded okay, I guess...

I push down the frame which held a picture of Beauty and I, hating that their were so many reminders of him here.

Trying to distract myself, I start pulling down some of my decorations and shoving clothes in my suitcases. My heart was being tugged in two directions. I loved Holloway, but I don't love the drama that comes with it. I loved my family, but yet again, I don't love the drama that comes from them. My heart tells me to stay, but my mind tells me to leave. It was a frustrating feeling.

Unknowingly, I start piling all Beauty's things into a box. Ribbons, trophies, any pictures and equipment laying around. Finally I collect the last ribbon Beauty won before putting it in the box. I discard it in the corner and continue packing until there was almost nothing left.

Emerging from my bathroom with most of my toiletries in hands, Eve appears looking confused.

"Um... hey... what's going on?" she asks slowly, closing my door behind her.

My anger had faded and now I was trying to keep myself together, meaning I most likely held a blank face.

"...I'm leaving..." I said slowly.

Turning to face my suitcases again, I wasn't quick enough to avoid the devastated look of Eve's face. Even though we hadn't known each other for long, we were best friends. I felt like I was stabbing her in the back by leaving. But I had no choice. My parents held a lot of power over what I can and cannot do. If I wasn't so upset about Beauty then maybe I would've been more defiant.