The Course That Started It All

Chapter 5

It All Changes

      The next day at the barn was just like any normal day. Some kids had lessons and others rode their horses. I rode Opal in the field. Logan and Cassidy also come along on Harmony and Waylon. Amber let me ride Infinity again because he needed the exercise. After I rode him my mom came and picked me up and we headed home.

     The next morning felt like any other morning. My mom and dad made breakfast while I took a shower and got ready to go to the barn. Once I was ready my mom took me to the barn, little did I know my life was about to change. When we got there Amber said that somebody wanted to speak to me and my mom about something.

     I was confused but also worried. I had never seen Amber look so happy and pleased, but also look hurt and sad. When we got In Amber's office a strange woman was standing in there studying old pictures of me on Amber's walls. When the door closed she turned around. Amber told the women that I was here. Now I was really confused why would some strange woman want to see me and my mom?

     My question was quickly answered after Amber sits down in her chair to listen. The woman said her name was Sasha Lambert and she was here from Chamber Heights Equestrian Center. I said, hey nice to meet you my name is Isabelle. I also asked her where Chamber Heights Equestrian Center was and that I had never heard of it. She told me that the barn was in England and that it was a school for only the most elite and high achieving riders. My mom asked her why she was here. She said that she was at a show at a barn called Canter Creek Equestrian Center and saw me riding and that the school was looking for new riders. I was shocked. That's why she wanted to speak to me and my mom. She wanted me to come to England and become a professional rider. My dream was to become a professional rider, but I don't know if I could go to England.

      When I looked at my mom she was staring at Sasha with her jaw dropped and a crazy expression on her face. When she could speak she told Sasha that there was no way that she and my dad could send me across the ocean without them. Sasha said that if that would be an issue then the school could pay for a house in England for my entire family and also pay to move all of our stuff.

     My mom was about to ask another question when Amber stepped in. She told us to at least think about it. That it would be an amazing opportunity for me. Although she said all of us here would miss you, your dream has always been to become a professional rider and if you've got the chance to accomplish that then I think you should take it. I didn't know what to say with Amber telling me to take the scholarship and complete my dream.

      Before we left Amber's office Sasha gave me and my mom some pamphlets and papers on the school and told us that they even had a website. All we have to do to pull up the website was look up the name of the stables. I decided not to ride today and go home to think about everything that just happened. Amber said she was fine with that and she completely understood.

     All the way home neither I nor my mom said a word. Only an awkward silence filled the car. I heard my phone ring in my bag and when I got it out I had a text from Cassidy in a group chat Cassidy made which included me and Logan.

Cassidy-Why wasn't you at the barn today Izz?

Isabelle-I was down there but I left

Logan- Why......?

Isabelle-What

Logan-Oh I got down there at about 11:15 and I didn't see you down there...What time did you come?

Cassidy- I'm confused...

Isabelle-I went down there about 10:30 but I didn't stay long

Logon-didn't you ride

Isabelle-No

Cassidy-why not

Isabelle-something came up

Cassidy-you can tell us

Isabelle-I will but not yet I don't even know what will happen

Cassidy- can't you just tell us Izz

Isabelle- I will but not right now

Cassidy- whatever it can't be that bad...just tell me, please

Isabelle-Please I will tell you later

Cassidy- but at least promise me it isn't bad

I didn't know what to say I was nervous if I said the wrong thing I would upset Cassidy and I didn't want to do that.

Isabelle- I just don't want to tell you guys over the phone

Cassidy-So It Is Bad...? :(

Logan- what can't you tell us over the phone

Isabelle- it's complicated and I promise I will tell you guys when the time is right for me

Logan- ok just wondering... but I get it

Cassidy- ok Izz if that's how you feel I just don't understand what you can't tell me right now because whatever it is I will be there for you.

Logan-She will tell us when she is ready Cas stop pressuring her

Cassidy- I'm NOT trying to pressure her. I'm just confused as to what she can't tell me now

Logan-Ok but even if you are confused she will tell you when she is ready.. there is a good reason why she isn't telling us right now.

Cassidy-k Logan, I know that...Izz whenever you need me you know I'm here for you right.

Isabelle- Yes Cas I know that and I will never forget it. No matter what happens we will be there for each other.

Logan- HEY.....WHAT ABOUT ME

Isabelle-Oh yeah..nobody could forget you, Logan.

Cassidy- the three of us no matter what.

Isabelle-I have to go I just got home.

Cassidy-k bye text me later.

Logan- Bye talk to you later.

     I felt so bad I had upset Cassidy, by not telling her what was going on. I would have told them but there was one problem, I don't know what is going on. When we got into the house my mom sit down at the kitchen table and asked me what I thought about everything that happened. I said that I didn't want to leave my friends, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I may never get another one. That was one thing my mom and I agreed on. I also told her that I could become a professional rider which she knew was like the only true dream I had.

     My mom told me that if this was something I wanted we would make it happen. We wouldn't have to worry about the money since it would be a full scholarship, and if we all went that the house would be paid for and so would shipping our stuff. My mom asked my dad if he could come in there so we could talk. When he got downstairs he asked what was wrong. My mom told him that there was nothing wrong, but there was something that the three of us needed to talk about.

     He sits down at the table beside my mom and looked at both of us. My mom was the first to speak. She told my dad that I was offered a full scholarship to a stable called Chamber Heights Equestrian Center for four years or whenever I was ready to come back. My dad just stared at me. He finally asked me what I thought about it all and I told him the same thing I told my mom. He agreed with everything and looked at some of the pamphlets on the table. He asked if I wanted to go. I thought for a few minutes before I finally said...