The New Girl with History **Free Rein Fanfic**

"Just Breathe"

           

I pulled the reins over the dapple greys neck. He gave a snort as I swung my leg over mounting the horse.
"Easy" I said softly patting his neck. A hand grabbed my thigh and squeezed it. I looked down to Pin,
"Just breathe" he said calmly. I relaxed my shoulders and closed my eyes, I took a deep breath blocking out the sound of the crowd and the feeling of Pin's hand. I focused on Krieger's deep breaths.
The speakers overhead rang out.
"Next up, we have Brooklyn Harris on Krieger".
I lead Krieger towards the open ring. The jumps looked as if they had grown 3 extra metres high. I took another deep breath. I ignored the crowd and focused on Krieger, the Hanoverian horse held his head high.
"Let's go" I whispered to him leaning forward in the saddle and laying a kiss on his neck. He circled the jumps in a trot his gait slowly turned into a soft canter. As we galloped towards the first jump I kept my eye on the time watching it wait for us to land the jump. Krieger's hooves hit the ground and the race began, his gait fastened, and we circled to the next jump. After a long minute that felt like an hour we finally reached the water jump, the final jump of the day. I had to bring home that gold medal. I just had too. The jump closened and Krieger was ready, he lowered his head and I glared the jump down through the small gap in between his ears. As he launched over the jump I held my breath, my heart beat fastened in my chest as his hooves hit the ground and he slowed to a trot. I looked to the judges, two of them tried to keep a straight face while the female judge had a bright smile on her face. I looked to Pin, and he smiled as well. I ran my head down Krieger's neck.
"Good boy" I smiled.
The horse gave a snort and we walked out of the arena, Pin greeted the horse with a pat and gave me a hug.
"You did great" he said with a small smile.
"Thank you" I said wrapping my arms around his neck, his hands fell to my waist.
"Brooklyn!" My mother cried from behind me, making Pin and I drop our hands from each other.
"Mom" I stayed with a roll of my eyes.
"You could have done a sharper turn towards that water jump and cut down the time" she frowned.
"So Pin, you leave next week, don't you?" She asked unable to hide the smile spread across her face.
"I do" he nodded looking down at the ground. Pin and I had decided that we were just a summer fling, he would go home and I would stay in a London but it didn't stop me from thinking about how much I would miss him.
"How unfortunate" my mother faked a sigh as she took Krieger's reigns from my hand and lead him to his stall.
Pin and I stood in an uncomfortable silence for what felt like eternity.

"Can we have all under 19 riders to the show ring!" An announcer called over the speakers.
"Good luck" Pin forced a smile.
"Thanks" I gave him a tight lipped smile back before following the rest of the riders to the ring. We stood in front of the large crowd. After moments of going through the appreciation speeches 4th snd 3rd place had been called.
"In second place we have Lilly Collins" the announcer stated, the crowd broke out in applause as I fiddled with my hands. I took a deep breath my anxiety began to appear as the announcer took what felt like 5 years to announce first place.
"In first place we have" he started.
"Brooklyn Harris" he called. I couldn't help but smile as the riders congratulated me and gave me small hugs. The judges appeared with a gold medal and a electric blue horse blanket.
London junior champion 2018
I shook the judges hands and thanked them before heading backwards to Pin and Krieger. My mother was off bragging about my win to some of the other riders moms, her usual task after a win. I lead a untucked and exhausted Krieger to the horse float waiting for him. He snorted at the trailer and waited calmly for me to lead him in.
"Let's go Brooklyn!" My mother called from the drivers seat.
"I'll see you later" Pin smiled at me planting a kiss on my cheek.

1 week later
Pin was leaving today, he was heading home while I remained in London competing and training. We stood outside the stables where his SUV was parked.
"It's been fun" he said questioning whether that was the right thing to say or not.
"It has" I nodded. Pin and I shared one last longing kiss before he started his long drive to the ferry.
"Get back to practice!" My mother called from across the yard. I pulled my helmet back on and headed back to the indoor arena where my coach and Krieger stood waiting for me. I tried to block out the thoughts of Pin but after a long and exhausting training session, he was still all I thought about. Pin left a mark on my heart, he was one in a million and now he was gone.

Christmas Day
After a 5 minute FaceTime call with my dad I went back to training. My dad was in LA, working like usual. He wasn't able to fly home for Christmas or my birthday but we talked every once in a while, I guess that was something.
I let Krieger out into the field. The gelding kicked and bucked as he ran to the far end in search for other horses to play with.
The stables were quiet, everybody had gone home for Christmas while my mother went out for drinks with her friends and I spent the day with Krieger, training hard to forget that while everyone else was in their warm homes I was out watching my horse play in the snowy fields.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I quickly answered the unknown number.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Is this Brooklyn Harris?" The lady asked.
"Yes, who is this?" I asked.
"My names Amanda Frasier, I work at Holloway Riding school" she explained.
"We have reviewed your application to enroll at our academy and after a long decision process we have decided that you would be a perfect fit for our team" the lady said cheerfully.
Brooklyn was wracking her brain trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
"Miss Harris are you still there?" The lady asked.
"Yeah sorry, it's just a big news" I lied.
"We'll be in touch soon Miss Harris, have a merry Christmas" The lady said softly.
"And you" Brooklyn said hanging up the phone.
Brooklyn headed back inside the stables as the snow began to fall harder. She dialed her mother's number and after a few rings it went to voice mail. Of course she wouldn't pick up I thought. My anger was building up. I had no idea what my mother had planned but I didn't want to leave, I loved London and so did Krieger.