Horse Whisperer (Hiatus)

Chapter 5

"So, school starts in a week and we need to know your decision." Sam said after cleaning up the dishes from breakfast. I looked at my new family for a few seconds and then took a deep breath.

"I've decided that I will give it a shot. But if I don't like it then I will like to switch at the end of the semester." I looked at Sally and Sam who had big grins on their faces. They both jumped up and came over to me to give me a hug.

"FAMILY HUG!" Marcus yelled and ran over to us to join in. We all laughed at him.

"Well, you should start packing. I'll call Headmistress Stice and let her know your decision." Sally said walking towards the living room. I nodded and ran up the stairs. I grabbed my suitcases out of my closet and started packing. After hours of packing I finally finished. All I had to do was pack up my riding equipment but I won't do that until the day before we leave. After I put the suitcases in a little corner in my room I got dressed into black, white and pink jodphurs and a t-shirt. I threw on my matching black and pink riding socks and grabbed my paddock boots. I grabbed an apple from the fridge and headed towards the barn.

"Rocky. Let's go for a quick trail ride." I said opening her stall door to clip the lead rope on her halter. After clipping her up to a set of cross-ties I walked into the tack room. I grabbed my metal grooming box and walked back out to Rocky. After grooming Rocky I walked back into the tack room and grabbed a black riding blanket, Rocky's saddle, and her bridle. When I walked out I saw Marcus running out of the house and towards the barn. I ignored what I saw and started tacking up Rocky. I put the saddle blanket and was about to put the saddle on when I saw Marcus still running.

"If your coming in here you better walk mister!" I yelled and sat the saddle on Rocky's back. I looked over to Marcus and saw him walking slowly towards me and Rocky. I closed the girth and put the bridle on and Marcus just watched me in awe. I glanced over at him and smiled at his face. His mouth was in an 'o' shape and he was watching every little detail on how to put on a bridle.

"Okay Marcus. Close your mouth, you'll catch flies." He closed his mouth fast and I giggled at him. I put on my helmet and grabbed Rocky's reins. I walked Rocky out and saw that Marcus was still watching me.

"Okay. I give up. What do you want?" I asked turning around.

"I wanted to see you ride. Mom said that you should practice dressage and jumping today. So that when you do your test you will be good. But I think that you're a good rider anyway." he rushed.

"Okay. Meet me in the indoor riding arena." I said and turned Rocky around and headed to the arena. Marcus made sure that he was far enough to run to the arena. I giggled and shook my head. This boy is weird but I love him. When I got to the middle of the arena I mounted Rocky and started her at a walk. I walked her out towards the wall and walked around the arena twice. I started Rocky at a trot and started to make figurines. After I knew that Rocky was warmed up I slowed her back down to a walk. I walked Rocky over to where Marcus was seated.

"What dressage pattern should I do? Any ideas?" I saw Marcus get a small confused look on his face.

"What level?" at this Marcus's confused face turned into a smile.

"Um, what about the medium test?" I gave him an understanding nod and started Rocky into a collected canter and started the test. When I finished the test Marcus gave an applaud. I saluted to him like he was a judge and looked at the clock.

"Okay Marcus. That's all I'm doing today." I said letting Rocky walk with long reins. He nodded and left the arena. I patted Rocky's neck and let her walk around for five minutes. I stopped Rocky and dismounted and walked her back to the barn. I took all the tack off and stuck it on the table in the tack room. I groomed Rocky and walked her to the closest pasture from the barn. After letting Rocky go and closed the gate I headed back to the tack room. I grabbed a sponge, the saddle soap and a bucket of water and started to clean the tack. I wanted to make sure that everything was nice and clean because I wanted to make a good impression for my first day. When I was done I mucked out the stalls filled up the food and water and brought Rocky back in. After everything was in place I headed back to the house.

I stopped to look at the horse trailer and inspected it. It was clean and the tires weren't flat. I nodded in approval and jogged to the house. I took off my paddock boots and walked into the kitchen. I made myself some macaroni and cheese and downed it. I went upstairs and showered and changed into an over sized shirt and some sweats. I grabbed the handbook and sat on my bed. I reread the section on the riding part two times before heading downstairs. I went into the game room and saw Marcus playing Xbox.

"Can I join?" I asked grabbing a controller.

"No. But thanks for asking. I'm playing against my friends." he said not taking his eyes off the tv screen. I gave him a weak smile and set the controller down and walked out with a frown. I went into the living room and sat down on the couch next to Sally. She was watching X Factor and she muted it when I sad down.

"Can we talk?" she asked and I gave her a nod. She smiled and then continued. "I want to talk about what is going to happen." I turned towards her and she did the same.

"Like me living with a girl I don't even know the whole year?" I said waving my left hand around.

"Yes. But please be nice to her. In fact be nice to everyone. They don't know what happened and if they say something just, well you know what to say." she said sighing at the end.

"I know that I have to be nice. Its just that if they ask about my parents I'll just talk about you guys. But once me and my roommate are closer then I think that I'll tell her. You are basically my parents now." I said and looked at Sally, her eyes were watering. she gave a small smile before answering.

"Okay. That clears that part up. Now if you need anything remember that you can call us. Also, we'll come up every family day and if you have any boy problems or any crushes talk to your friends and call me. Understand?" she said with a fake serious face.

"Yes." I said and we both giggled. "Is that all? I want to look at the schools website." I said standing up. Sally gave me a nod and unmuted the TV.  I rushed up the stairs and almost face planted into the floor on the last step. When I got to my room I got on my laptop and went to the schools website. I clicked on the photos and my mouth dropped open. It was beautiful. The school buildings were huge, the dorms were huge. The barn, arenas, and the trails were amazing. I couldn't wait to go. I turned off my computer and laid on my bed and looking up at my ceiling.

This year is going to be different. I just know it.