Flying Changes
Chapter
5.
I
woke up early the next morning to the smell of pancakes. I
smiled. The Coach knew they were my favorite. I looked over at my
clock. It read 6:04. Wow, I thought to myself. It was pretty
early, but I was used to it. Before summer began, I woke up at
5:30 every morning to get ready for school. And last summer, I
woke up at the same time every morning to go train with Sugar for
upcoming summer horse shows.
I hopped out of my bed that I had stayed up decorating with pink
and green and blue throw pillows and blankets. I looked at the
grey sweatshirt lying on top of my dresser and smiled as I
recapped what happened last night.
First, I met the most awesome and perfect guy in the whole world,
Max Lovington. He was the same age as me, but had an early
birthday and would be turning fifteen next month, July. We would
be going to the same school, HC Summit High School. He liked
lacrosse, and if he hadn’t told me already, I probably
could have figured that out by looking at the sweatshirt sitting
on my dresser. After hopping into the truck with it on and the
Coach asking about it, I told him all about my new friend here,
not about my secret crush of course!
I pulled a hoodie over my tank top and brushed off my pajama
shorts. I then headed downstairs and into the kitchen. I found
the Coach laying pancakes on a paper plate.
“Mornin’ squirt!” the Coach said cheerfully. He
was definitely in a good mood. “Want some
pancakes?”
“Yes sir!” I said taking the plate he offered and
pouring a pool of syrup on top of the stack. I grabbed a fork and
started on my pancake mountain. I never ever turned down the
Coach’s pancakes.
“Today, I was thinking you could take a lesson here, see
how you like it,” the Coach said. I looked up to meet his
eyes. This was only day two of Mountain Creek Farm, and he wanted
me to jump right into riding. But I agreed. I could never seem to
turn down a chance to ride.
“All right, Coach,” I answered.
“Good! Finish up your pancakes and put on your riding
clothes, so we can head out.”
“Yes, sir.” And with that I stuffed the last two
bites of pancake into my mouth and dashed upstairs. I looked
around my room. It was a great size. I walked over to my dresser
and pulled out my favorite faded jeans as well as a simple
button-down shirt. I opened the next drawer and pulled out my
favorite worn, brown half-chaps. I smiled. I loved those
things.
I then looked in my closet where my short paddock boots lay on
the floor. I picked them up and placed them beside my bed. I ran
off to the bathroom to get changed.
Within five minutes, the Coach was driving me, Cowboy, and my
saddle to the main barn. I brushed off my GPA which I got for my
thirteenth birthday. The blonde hairnets inside were new and they
didn’t smell like Herbal Essences shampoo like my old ones.
I glanced out my window and watched as barns and arenas passed
me. I smiled, wondering what kind of horse I would get to
ride.
The Coach and I walked into the main barn. We walked into the
office. It was extremely nice. There was a kitchen area complete
with a fridge, microwave, toaster, blender, and other kitchen
appliances, not to mention the huge cabinets towering over the
stove and counters. There was a TV area which had two massive,
cozy couches which lay in front of a giant plasma screen. There
was a talk bookshelf with books about anything horse-related you
could think of. There were desks with file cabinets, probably
containing registration papers and health records. This sure was
one impressive office.
“Hey Jim!” the Coach called from across the giant
room. I looked up to see Jim Lovington, owner of Mountain Creek
Farm and father of the one and only Max Lovington, coming our
way. He shook the Coach’s hand once he reached us.
“This is my daughter, Kayleigh,” the Coach introduced
me. Mr. Lovington smiled happily.
“Hello! I have heard so much about you! How old are
you?” Mr. Lovington asked politely.
“I will be fifteen in October,” I stated with a
smile.
“My son, Max, will be fifteen at the end of this month!
Have you met him yet? He’s probably around here
somewhere,” Mr. Lovington said.
“Yes sir, I met him yesterday. We are going to the same
school,” I replied. Max. And me. Going to the same school!
The thought made me smile even brighter.
“That’s great!” Mr. Lovington said. “So,
Ted, do you need me to do anything for you?” He looked at
the Coach. He seemed sincere too.
“Kayleigh has a lesson with Mary Caroline this morning. Do
you mind telling me who she is?” the Coach asked
kindly.
“Not a problem!” Mr. Lovington said. He scanned the
room. His eyes rested on a brunette ponytail shuffling through
papers at a desk area. “Ah, there she is! Mary
Caroline!” he called. The brunette lady stood up and made
her way over to us. She was on the shorter side and looked young,
maybe in her twenties. “This is Ted Daniels and his
daughter, Kayleigh,” Mr. Lovington stated. Mary
Caroline’s eyes brightened up a bit.
“Of course! Are we still on for the lesson at eight?”
she asked excitedly.
“Definitely!” the Coach replied. I looked over at the
microwave. It read “7:27.”
“Awesome! I’ll show you what horse you will be
riding, Kayleigh!” Mary Caroline said happily. She turned
and walked out of the office. I smiled to the Coach and then
followed. This was going to be a good day.
