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

"We're in charge!"

I looked around at our finalised team, we were all mounted on our horses. Sitting in a paddock that overlooked Holloway. Becky was our dressage rider. Pin and Mia were the show jumpers. Gabby, Callum and Ryder were doing the cross country course. While Zoe was our reserve. And King and I were doing eventing. 'Where's Alex?' You ask. Alex left Holloway. His dad got a business opportunity in Ireland. He wasn't gone forever, just a few months while they set up the business and then he was coming back. His spot was being held by Ryder. But when Alex came back, Ryder was gone.

"Nationals here we come!" Everyone cheered. Holloway was quiet, James had left to mail our name list to the nationals board.
"Now I'm thinking of knitting some bright colourful sweaters for nationals" Becky beamed.
"Bob loves colours!" She smiled.
"We've already planned our nationals jackets" Callum said.
"Come on guys it would be fun to have our own twist on it" Zoe shrugged sticking up for her friend.
"Look you guys are guests on our team. We won regionals and we're going to nationals, we're in charge!" I snapped. I squeezed my knees and King moved to a trot and then a canter as we rode back towards Holloway. I know I was a little harsh but they needed to be put in their place, so I put them in their place.

After grooming King and placing a cotton blanket over him I headed towards my SUV. As I slipped into the car I watched everyone dismount and lead their horses into the stable. I rolled my eyes and started the car. Elliot's car was in the driveway beside my moms car. When I got out of the car, Elliot was leaving to go pick Mia up.
"How was practice?" My mom asked.
"Peachy" I rolled my eyes moving past her and heading upstairs.
"Brooklyn!" She gasped at my attitude but she didn't follow after me, she apologised to Elliot about my attitude and she saw him out.

King and I spent the first few days getting to know each other. The way we worked and the way we thought. To help us along James suggested we start on dressage, but that meant working with Becky as well. After a long conversation with Becky she finally gave in and agreed to ride Porter, a black Fresian.
King trotted into the small dressage arena. We cantered a figure 8 before I pulled him up to stop, which he happily did. James approached with a thin dressage whip in his hands. He tapped Kings right front hoof with the ship to which King placed it next to the right one, fixing his mistake.
"Alright take a break, we'll continue this afternoon" James told me. I nodded and passed Becky on my way out. I avoided eye contact and continued to look straight while King walked past Porter.
"How was practice?" Callum asked.
"Let's just say I remember why I hate dressage" I forced a smile before dismounting.
"You're going to do great" he encouraged.
"Jumping and cross country is easy for me but dressage is so complicated, and I don't think King's getting the hang of it either" I sighed giving him a pat and looking at the gelding who stood quietly.
"I've got a break until practice, want to go grab some lunch?" I asked.
"Are you asking me out on a date?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, I'm asking a friend if they want to go grab lunch, completely innocent" I shrugged.
"I'll go grab lunch with you princess" Ryder winked leaning over King's stall door.
"I think I just lost my appetite" I rolled my eyes as I finished untacking King.
"Well I can't make lunch, I promised I'd help James with something" Callum said.
"Just you and me princess" Ryder chuckled.
"I'd rather starve!" I snapped back.
"I'll meet you in my car" he called disappearing before I could argue my way out of it.
"Come on Brooklyn, whats the worst that could happen?" He asked.
"I could murder him" I shrugged. He only chuckled.
"How about we make a deal?" He asked.
"I'm listening" I nodded as I hung King's tack in the tack room.
"If you go to lunch with Ryder for let's say 2 hours, I'll take you out on Saturday for 4 hours" he offered.
"Are you asking me out on a date?" I asked raising an eyebrow at him.
"Yes, this is me asking you out on a date" he nodded.
"Fine" I sighed.