Heart of a Dove: Ydris x Reader

Chapter Four: Welcome to Hell

I awoke with my alarm clock screeching at me to wake up. I groaned and threw my pillow over my face, screaming into it before slapping my alarm into silence and slowly rolling out of bed. I really wasn't looking forward to what today had in store for me. I grudgingly put on my riding clothes and brushed my hair, which was sticking up in odd places. I hadn't exactly slept the greatest last night. I was too busy tossing and turning with worry. At one point it got so bad I had thought I was going to puke. I silently poured myself some cereal and downed a quick cup of coffee before heading out to greet (h/n) for the day. I normally enjoyed attending riding school in Jorvik, but today was different... Why did I have to kiss him?!I'm so stupid! I thought to myself as I groomed (h/n) and put on his/her tack. (H/n) nickered gently and nudged my shoulder with his/her muzzle comfortingly, as if he/she could sense that I was upset. 

I smiled weakly at the gesture and mounted him/her before trotting off to riding class. I had a hard time concentrating in class and my riding instructor, Miss Jenna, yelled at me more than once as Loretta and her friends snickered rudely. After about thirty or forty minutes of being unable to focus, Miss Jenna told me to dismount and pulled me aside. "(Y/n), what's up with you today? You're usually the best rider in the class! You need to get your head out of the clouds and focus!" She whispered to me. All the while I could feel Loretta's burning gaze boring into the back of my skull. "I don't know.." I said, reluctant to admit what was really bothering me. I didn't want to start anything else with Loretta, not now. "Maybe you should go back to your dorm and take a moment to get your priorities straightened out." She said, putting a hand on my shoulder in what she meant as a comforting gesture. All it did, though, was make me feel like a child being put in time out. "You're not in trouble, I just can't have the whole class being held up. Maybe you could go see if Maya needs help in the stable?" She added, giving my shoulder a small pat. 

I nodded silently and led (h/n) back to the stables. I could hear Loretta and her friends snickering behind their hands as I left. I stood outside the barn for a minute, glancing around in vain for a glimpse of Maya's unmistakable red hair. Just as I was about to go look her elsewhere, she rounded the corner and saw me standing dejectedly with (h/n). She dropped the empty grain bucket she was holding and rushed up to me. "(Y/n)! What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in class?" Maya asked, her brow wrinkled in a open display of concern. "I got kicked out of class. I've been so upset today I guess I was holding everyone up.." I said nervously. "Oh, (y/n), I'm so sorry!" Maya said, frowning. "It's alright. I didn't really want to be around Loretta anyways." I said with a small shrug. "Do you need any help?" I added, looking around for something to do. "Well, actually, I am finished for the day." She said, looking a little apologetic. "Wait, really?! You normally don't get done until much later!" I said, incredulous. 

"Yeah, but that's when I'm doing chores for the other riding students. No one hired me today so I'm done." Maya said with a small shrug. She wrinkled her nose for a minute in thought before grinning. I could practically see the lightbulb turn on over her head. "Tell you what, I'll take you up to Fort Pinta and we can get some ice cream on the beach. My treat!" I was about to object but she held up her hands to silence me. "No buts. This is what friends are for." She said, flinging an arm around my shoulders and grinning at me. I smiled, forgetting my troubles for a moment. Maya always seemed to have that effect on me and I was glad to call her my friend. "Okay, fine. You win." I said in surrender. We spent several hours on the beach that day, basking in the sun and and the waves. It was a good distraction but despite Maya's enthusiasm anxiety still tugged at the back of my mind. The sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon when we finally rode back to Moorland together, tinting the sky in beautiful shades of orange and pink. After we stabled our horses we bid each other good night and went our separate ways. I trudged to my dorm, exhausted and definitely sunburnt.

As I fumbled in my pocket for my keys, a figure in the shadows of my peripheral vision shifted and moved towards me. Loretta. She must have been waiting for me. "Why weren't you at group practice?" Loretta asked cooly, her arms folded across her chest. "Um, I thought I wasn't invited." I retorted. Loretta's scowl deepened and I wondered how she didn't have wrinkles yet from frowning so much. "Whether either of us like it or not, you are part of the team and, therefore, you are required to come to practice." Loretta said, her eyes narrowing as she spoke. Her tone was as icy as her gaze. "I don't want to deal with this right now." I said, trying to move past her. She quickly moved in front of me, blocking my way to my dorm.

"That's too bad," Loretta said mockingly, "but that's not my number one concern right now. I'm worried about your behavioral problems.. Someone who skips out on practice, sluts around with everyone in town, acts like a smart ass, and holds back the class shouldn't be allowed to attend this school anymore, don't you think? I could upload the video right now if I wanted to. Just think of how disappointed poor Mr. Moorland would be if he found out about your little escapade with the circus man.." She said, sticking out her bottom lip in mock sadness. "Why are you doing this to me?" I asked, bitting my tongue to hold myself back from saying something I would regret later. "Because you tried to steal my man, so I'm stealing your life. Welcome to hell, (y/n)!" She said with a high, cruel laugh. I clenched my fists, anger welling up within me, though I was relieved to know that the video hadn't been uploaded to the internet - at least, not yet. "Now, are we going to have any more problems from you?" Loretta asked. "No.." I answered, lowering my head. "Good." She said, her voice a low hiss, reminding me of a venomous snake. 

She stepped aside and stalked off into the night. I let out a sigh of relief as I stripped off my clothes and hopped in the tub, letting my body relax in the warm water. I thought about what Loretta had said. I was thankful that she hadn't put the video on the internet yet, but I knew that it was only a matter of time until I upset her enough. As I got in my pajamas and curled up in bed, I knew that I had to do something about that video or I would never be free.