When Life Races You By

Chapter 4

It had been a few weeks after Manny’s first win and it was the weekend of my 21st birthday. It was nothing big, just a gathering in our barn. Dad had built a dance floor especially for it. He was very good to me.

Being me, I had left dress shopping to the last minute, always putting things not horses related to the side. Luckily my best friend Georgia, had agree to help me.

“Claire, Georgia’s here,” mum called from the kitchen, where she was busily preparing food for the party.

“Ok, coming,” I yelled from my bedroom upstairs, where I was studying the latest form guide.

My bedroom was simple, yet cosy. On the far wall was my double bed, with purple throws and pillows all over it. On the wall to the left of that was a large window, which over looked the paddocks. It had a sun lounge under it, where I would often spend time watching the horses graze. If I looked carefully, I could see Manny. Closest to the door was a large dresser. Most of the time it was just covered with form guides and papers, not with makeup and bags like most girls my age.

Georgia was waiting out the front in her cute, cream with black stripe, mini cooper.

“Hey, how you going?” I asked, as I hoped into the car.

I had a car myself, but it wasn’t as good as Georgia’s. I’d rather spend my money on anything horse related. Georgia wasn’t wealthy, but she worked hard to get where she is today.

“Great thanks. And you?” She replied as she started the engine. Her blonde hair flicked over her shoulder, as she checked to make sure the coast was clear.

“Yeah, good. Excited about the party!”

“It should be good. You being excited wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain boy?”

I blushed slightly. I was hoping she didn’t see, as her blue eyes were firmly on the road ahead. I had been talking to her over the past few weeks about Ben. My feelings had been growing stronger, but I would admit that to anyone, especially not Ben. We had been joking around a lot lately and having fun, but I wasn’t sure exactly how he felt about me.

“Maybe, but nothing is going to happen. We simply have a professional relationship. Nothing more.”

“Ok.” And she left it at that.

We continued to talk about the party and horses till we arrived at the shops.

Georgia wasn’t as heavily involved with horses as me, but she often came around to help with them. She was currently studying business at the same university I was studying to be a vet out. At the moment we had finished the year. Later in life we hope to combine our skills and start a racing business.

When we walked in the shops. I was instantly hit by the noise of the crowd. Even though it was only early, there was still a lot of people. I suppose for a Saturday morning, it would be busy, but it hadn’t really crossed my mind.

“Oh” I grunted quietly, under my breath. “Just what I needed.”

I didn’t really like shopping at the best of times and crowds just made it worse. I only ever came into the city shops when dad needed something special for the horses, and wasn’t available at our local shop.

“Come on!” Georgia explain. “It’s going to be fun. Cheer up a little, it’s nearly your birthday.”

Today wasn’t my actually birthday, it was during the following week, but my family and I thought it was better to have the party on the Saturday night, especially seeing as we didn’t have any horses racing the next morning.

Normally on a Saturday I would be at the races, but dad had given me the day off to go shopping. I sure know where I would rather be!

We spent the next few hours looking in every shop for a dress, stopping only briefly to pick up some coffee and boy did I need it!

I was beginning to get annoyed and tired by this stage. I was also worried about how late it was getting, as I promised mum I would help her set up.

“Let’s just forget about it Georgie,” I sighed. “I’ll just wear a dress from my wardrobe.”

“No, no,” she exclaimed. “Just try one more shop. Please?”

‘Fine,” I said with an attitude, like a teenage who wasn’t getting.

She basically dragged me into the shop.

The shop had rows and rows of dresses. I sat down in a chair near the change rooms, haven given up on finding a dress.

Georgia went through the rows, holding anything up that she thought I might like. Let’s just say there were a lot of no’s.

Eventually she held up this cute red dress.

“What about this one?” she asked.

“It’s nice,” I replied with no much emotion.

“Good,” she said, as she passed me the dress. “Go try in on. Quickly, before you change your mind!”  

I changed out of my jeans and t-shirt to try it on. I had to admit, Georgia had a good eye for fashion. The red dress was strapless with a sweet heart neck line. It came in at my waist before flaring out, finishing just above my knees. I stepped out of the dressing room to show her.

“Wow! You look gorgeous Claire! Give us a turn.”

As I turned the dress lifted slightly, revealing my thighs.

“Look at your thighs! You’ve got to buy it Claire. It’s like it was made for you.”

All those years of riding had put me in pretty good shape. I wasn’t skinny, just athletic.

“I do look pretty good, don’t I?” I couldn’t help but smile, giving another spin.

“You reckon! A certain someone is going to love it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said jokingly. “Let’s buy it and then head home. Mum’s going to be wondering where we are.”

I wonder if Ben will like it, I thought, no Claire, it’s a professional relationship only. My head said it was, but my heart said something else.

 

Author's Note: Hi again! I hope you enjoy this chapter. It hasn't been edited yet, so if there are an mistakes please let me know. Thanks!