bravo, jest

♘ chapter 6

Stephanie was the typical "popular" rich, bitchy girl that everyone encountered in their life. it was unfortunate that she decided to make herself such an imposter on Nadia's life because Nadia would've been so much better off without Stephanie anywhere near her. This could've been the case, but ever since the day Nadia had beat her in the rider class when they were merely 8 years old, Stephanie decided that she had to do everything she could to make Nadia's life hell so that Stephanie would come out on top and be the best. From that day onward, Stephanie manipulated, isolated, made fun of and sabotaged Nadia with every chance she could and that had a massive toll on Nadia's mental health. Although she was hurt and confused and why she was being targeted by Stephanie, she never retaliated and stayed strong throughout all of her school life &  other experiences with Stephanie, dealing with it maturely.  In saying this, Stephanie's bullying had a detrimental effect on how Nadia felt about Stephanie. Anxiety flooded her veins with the thought of having to see her again & the things that she might do to Nadia & her friends. She pushed the feeling to the side and brought her hand to her forehead.

"We'll just stay out of her way," Nadia said reluctantly to Blair as she took Jest's saddle off. "We might not like her being there, but it's what it is."

Blair nodded as she grabbed Jest's grooming bucket and handed it to Nadia. "As long as she doesn't get in your way of the prize, it'll all be okay."

"I hope so," Nadia replied, nodding her thanks as she took a brush from Blair. "I truly hope so."

♘ 

The next day Nadia groaned as she woke up. All of her muscles ached & her joints cracked as she got out of bed. The pain was accompanied by a loud knocking on the front door. 

"I'm coming!" Nadia yelled, her voice straining after the sleep she'd just awoken from. She slipped on her ugg boots and walked wearily to the front door. When she opened the door she was bombarded by the appearance of 3 of her closest friends Blair, Hannah, and Evie. "SURPRISE!" they yelled. Shocked, confused and mostly asleep Nadia simply responded with:

"Excuse me what?"

Hannah jumped forward into the arms of Nadia, making herself comfortably at home the way she always did around her.

 "GOODMORNING SLEEPYHEAD WAKEY WAKEY EGGS AND BAKEY H-E-L-L-O HOW ARE YOU"

Nadia rested her head on Hannah's shoulder. "I want to sleep."

Evie came forward and patted Nadia on the head. "We've got a surprise for you."

Nadia opened her eyes slightly and lifted her head from Hannah's shoulder. "Give me... ten minutes. No, fifteen" she said drowsily, still trying to put together the pieces in front of her.

Half an hour later Nadia was more awake in the back of Hannah's car on the way to somewhere that she didn't know. Shawn Mendes was blasting on the rainbow and all the girls were singing along, hands twirling in the warm wind that the windows let in. At a left turn at an intersection that lead to the local shopping centre, Nadia came to the realisation at what was happening. 

"Girls, you know I don't have any money to spend." she said, a small wave of sorrow washing over her.

"We know." Blair replied calmly.

"That's why we've all put together money so that you'll be ready for the show." Evie said.

"What do you mean?" questioned Nadia.

Hannah rested her head on Nadia's shoulder. "We know you don't have any clothes for shows & we know that sometimes looking your best will help you do your best. We know you'll pay us back once you win!" she said with a wink.

Nadia leant back on her chair. "I don't know what to say, thankyou."

♘ 

By the afternoon, Nadia had gotten a new pair of jodhpurs, a nice polo shirt for cross country, a coat for dressage and new riding boots. Her heart swelled with gratitude from the purchases of the new clothes made by her friends. That night the warmth she felt wasn't from the blankets that covered her but from the feeling of belonging & love that radiated from her heart.