Free rein

5: Holloway

I get up feeling grumpy, feet dragging across the floor. Let's just say the last couple of nights wasn't pretty for me. Long story short, there was a lot of crying and no sleeping. I think I got a solid two hours of sleep. It's nights like these where your thoughts drift off and all you can think about things that make you 30 times sadder than you originally were. I'd rather not go in detail about what happened. So I wake up and there I see my phone going off, neigh neigh neigh, yes my ringtone is a bunch of horses neighing. "Argh, who is it?" I look at the name Pin. I sigh thinking about how much of a life changing decision this is. If I answer there are two possible outcomes:
1) We will talk and there is a chance that we could be friends again
or
2) We will end up just arguing on the phone and I will dislike him even more

But if I leave the phone ringing:
1) He will hate me for ignoring him, which will then grow the tension between us and there is a possible chance that our relationship will never be repaired.

While deciding the phone stops neighing. Oh no. No no no no no. Danmit. I left it ringing. He thinks that I hate him right now. How am I supposed to face him today? I can't show myself at the stable today.

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Many moments after contemplating what I should do today, I decided to go just sightseeing. I've been so focused on Apollo that I haven't had much time to expand my area of the island. 

After breakfast, I grab my coat and bag and leave the house. I walk down the long road. I see a sign that boldly states: Bright Field Stables I look at the sign and see Pin not so far behind it. He notices me and I run. "Sarah?" He calls. I can't face him now. I'm too embarrassed. I know it's stupid but I really just want to avoid him right now. I can't run any further. I stand in front of a big, grand gate that leads to a big building with a massive garden and big acreage. A boy with light brown hair and hazel eyes dressed sharply in a uniform me with a grey coloured horse. "Hey, you look lost." I stare at him blankly still puffed from running. "Well, are you going to answer me?" "Water," I say puffed. "I need water," I say looking at him. He looks at me confused but then gestures for me to follow him. Walking in I see lots of horses with their riders going over jumps and looking very professional. "Um, where am I?" I ask. The boy looks back at me "Why, Holloway stables of course. I can't believe you haven't heard of us." He is either really full of himself or has a strange obsession with this stable. "Why are you wearing a uniform? Is this a riding school? But I thought you said this was a stable." I say confused at what I just said. I guess it's the adrenaline talking. "You ask too many questions." The boy says and does a gesture. A man in a different uniform runs up to the boy and takes the horse. 

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After an exaggerated long walk, we enter through the doors of the building, from bricks to complete modern. "Woah, this place is amazing," I say in awe. this place is like Mia's house just better. "Naturally. Holloway can only provide the best for our riders." He says with such overpowering pride. "Cool," I say unsure how to respond. The boy stops in a room which is like a living room. This room is small but the decor makes it feel cozy and at home. 

"I'm Callum," He says to me. "I'm Sarah, It's nice to meet you." I say in a friendly tone. "You're not from around here are you?" Callum asks handing me a glass of water. "Well, I'm from Australia.  I've only been here for a week and I'm here to stay for a year." He nods his head "Well I've been here with Holloway my entire life. We have great horses and trainers here." I smile and try to continue the conversation for as long as I can. "So, do you ride Sarah?" I try to stay modest. "Well, I've been taking lessons since I've come here. I've also been to riding camps when I was younger. You could say I am a novice rider." I say smiling because I know I am more than that. I think he realises my intentions because he said: "Well, I don't usually let outsiders ride our horses, but I guess you could be an exception." I raise my eyebrows, this was unexpected but I guess it's what I wanted. We walk to the stables where there are so many horses. "Wow, there are so many horses." Callum smiles and walks me to a stable where there was a tall bay coloured horse who immediately greeted us. "This was my horse, Ace. I had to stop riding him because I have a new horse now." He says. Wow rich people problems, can't relate. Callum calls a stable hand over but I stop him. "I want to tack him up." Callum looks at me confused but then shrugs it off. "I just want to get to know Ace before I ride him. I believe to get the best out of a horse, they should have a connection with their rider." I smile a Callum and pick up a brush. Shock Callum walks away "I'll meet you out there when you're finished," he hesitates "bonding." After tacking up Ace I lead him outside, where I am then greeted by the boy who welcomed me here. "So Callum, I don't have a helmet with me." He smiles then chucks me a helmet which fits perfectly. I softly chuckle. "Thank you. So, where are we going to ride?" I ask. "Just this way." He replies. Moments after following Callum we arrive at a large paddock that has jumps inside it. I see this is like a cross country course. 

"Ok show me what you've got Sarah."

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