Horse Academy (2)

Chpater 34

Chapter 34

The lesson was finally over and once Mr Reynolds left, I flung myself out of the saddle. I left so quickly, that even Ebony didn't beat me to the exit. Never have I untacked a horse so quickly.

Storm seems almost confused when I put him back in his stall and leave straight away, without a treat or hug.

It wasn't his fault, but I knew that at any moment I would burst out crying.

As I dump his saddle in the tack room, I could feel tears beginning to fall down my face. It wasn't until this afternoon that I felt the full affect of my stress. My breaths were shaky and vision was blury. I felt like an idiot, allowing myself to be in such hysterics.

I untuck my EFA equestrian polo, pulling off my riding gloves and throwing them aside with my helmet. After attempting to wipe away the tears, I rest my hands on my hips, taking deep breaths. It seems to calm me slightly, but I knew I needed to go back to my dorm before anyone saw me like this. Especially Ebony, she would love to see me in this state.

Ever since day one, she's hated me.

Poking my head out of the tack room door, I don't spot any students loitering around. Immediately, I slide out of the room and speedily leave the barn. There seemed to be more riders outside, enjoying the afternoon sun and exercising their horses. They all seemed to distracted to notice me as I sneaked past. Luckily as I got closer to the dorms, there were less people around, mostly because they were engaged in after school sports or activities.

Wellington Hall was mostly vacant, with the occasional student wondering around. As I reach my door, I glance down the hall. Scarlett and Mia's door was not far down, so it was a good thing they were still out riding.

Moving into my room, I found Kit sitting cross legged on her bed.

When she looks up to greet me, her face changes immediately. "Are you okay?"

I can still feel my eyes tear up and I shake my head. "I just had the worst lesson Kit, I think I'm going to lose my scholarship"

She frowns, sitting up straighter. "That can't be true"

I nod miserably. "It is, I haven't been riding well enough and I'm so far behind everyone else. I'm going to lose the scholarship if I don't pull it together"

Kit jumps off her bed and hugs me. "You won't lose your scholarship, you're just having a bad day" 

Once again tears fall down my face and I try to laugh it off.

"When I'm riding, I get so tense and distracted. With everything going on, I don't know if I'll be ready for the show" I ramble.

Kit pats me on the back and beckons me to sit.

"No you won't! You and Storm are a team, you'll work through it. This is just a slight bump in the road" Kit starts.

"Try a cliff. A giant cliff separating the roads" I mutter.

Kit shakes her head. "Don't be silly, you'll work through this..."

"-plus, I suddenly have all this spare time on my hands, so I can always help" she adds.

As I'm about to thank her, my phone dings.

Stephanie: Are you still at the barn? I need to speak with you about something

It dings again.

Stephanie: I should have told you this morning, but it's about Kirra and Erin.

As I begin to respond, a third message comes through.

Stephanie: I know they're up to something, can we meet at the dorms?

"Who's that?" Kit asks.

I hesitate but deside to tell her. "It's Stephanie, she wants to talk to me about something"

Kit rolls her eyes. "Yeah, so she can get you in trouble most likely"

Pausing, I begin to type a response, asking where I should meet her. 

"No, I don't think so. Its about these girls at the barn, I overheard them a while ago planning something. Stephanie thinks she knows what it is" I said, trying to defend her.

Kit raises her eye brows at me. "Seriously? Steph doesn't do anything unless it benefits herself"

"I spoke to her this morning and I seriously think she's being genuine" I stated.

My roommate gives me a look and sighs in resignation. "Fine, don't listen to me, get involved in her issues... It just means less time to practice before the show"

She was right, was this something I had enough time for?

I hesitantly respond to her texts.

Taylor: Sorry, I can't. Studying

Clicking send, I shove my phone back into my pocket.

I glance at my roomate. "You're right, I can't afford the distraction"

"Good, and seriously, everything will go back to normal soon enough" Kit reassures me, returning to her own studies.

Looking at my cluttered desk, I begin dragging my feet towards it. There was a lot of homework and studying I needed to do. Whether I liked it or not, school had to come first.

My phone stays silent as I take a seat and begin digging into all the work I'd been putting off.

As time passed by, the piles of work seem to decrease at a painstakingly slow pace. Kit leaves briefly to get us food and I take a study break. My head was pounding and my eyes were exceptionally sore. Jumping onto my feet, I stretch out my arching muscles. We'd been studying for hours and I was almost ready to call it a night.

Looking at the time, I decide to have a quick shower while waiting for Kit to return with our dinner. The hot water seemed to sooth my muscles, but it was cut short as my phone begins to go off. At first I ignore it, but after a minute of constant messages I hastily get out of the shower.

When I open my phone, it almost slips from my hands.

There was a post on social media, all about me and my "long lost sibling". My stomach knots and a wave of nausea hits me yet again. Instantly I feel a horrible cold sweat overcome me. Our parents were tagged and as well as many other people. It was out. The whole story was out on social media for everyone to see.

Winded, I lean against the wall and slide to the ground. The secret my parents kept so well hidden for so long, was now out in the open. What did this mean for us now? By tomorrow, everyone in the school will know my families business.

That also meant, now my parents know that I know...