Spring Briar Stables discussion

After being assigned her room, Aspen personalized it to the max.

She hung up three posters of French athletes. One soccer poster over her bed frame. One lacrosse poster by the window. She hung the last poster up next to the soccer player. This poster is older and of a jockey. All these posters have something in common - they are all related to her. The soccer and lacrosse player is her brother, and the jockey is her father before he retired to support his family. Aspen also placed photos of her earlier life in France on the window sill. Two of them are her and her brother, one of them riding and another on his graduation day. The third is the whole family on her brother's graduation day.

Aspen put her magenta comforter and sheets on the bed, perfectly blending with the baby blue walls. The pillows are spotted white and magenta. Aspen has a red knitted blanket at the end of her bed, the only thing left of her family. She made it as a secondary school project with her brother. Bright red with a scene of horses running across a field, this blanket means the world to Aspen. She has identical little horse figurines on top of her dresser where she quickly stored all her clothes.

The small trunk at the end of her bed is full of little trinkets from her past along with different riding equipment. She has her show breeches and helmet in her trunk along with a crop and Bonnie's show bridle. She also keeps anything she wants hidden inside her trunk. If she catches anyone searching in it, they may not have long to live.

Aspen grabbed hold of the knob and twisted, opening it to get inside. As she walked inside her room, she smiled at the perfection she had set up earlier. She went over to her dresser and took out a small notebook and her iPod. She walked over and hopped on her bed, marveling at the posters and her old life. She still loved her parents, but had lost all respect and loyalty towards them. She pulled a pen out of her smaller pillow and clicked it open. She put in her headphones and picked a song by Taylor Swift on her iPod. Opening her journal, she began to write.

Journal Entry #1
Spring Briar Stables

Today was an okay day. I met this girl. She's a little too peppy for me, goes by the name of Rhine something-or-another. I hope my roommate wants nothing to do with me. I wish they had single dorms, but whatever.
Bonnie had some issues today. She didn't want to behave. I was very disappointed, but we can improve. I know we did better at the Poles than that Rhine girl! I was proud of Bonnie for that. :)
I'm really missing Natia and Oliver. I wish Oliver would email me back like Natia does. I'll check my email on my iPod later. Hopefully I won't have another lesson with this Rhine girl. I really want to improve. Maybe I can talk Riley into giving me some private lessons.

Aspen closed her journal just as Rhine walked into the room. She looked up and narrowed her eyes. She looked taken aback. How did she get in here? It had to be a mistake. She has the wrong dorm. Stupid girl...
"What are YOU doing here?"

"Actually, you didn't ask me," Aspen retorted. She slammed her journal closed and stood up off the side of the bed. She could faintly hear the music from her iPod. She kept her gave locked on Rhine as she cleaned up her things and put them in the top drawer of her dresser. "So, be polite, will you. What are you doing here?"

Aspen rolled her eyes. "Great. You are my roommate." She went over to her trunk at the foot of her bed and opened it. She looked inside, making sure everything was placed accordingly.

Aspen sat there, reorganizing her trunk. She moved and folded things to where her show uniform and Bonnie's fancy show pads were on the bottom and her helmet was on the top. This was all on one side of a cardboard divider. "I never requested a goody-goody for my roommate, now did I?" She replied smartly, glaring at Rhine as she shifted over to organize the other side of her trunk.

She stood up, slamming the trunk as she went. "Bad? Pfft, whatever. I'd like to see you try," Aspen said, making it sound like a challenge.

"A jump-off? What are you, a child?" Aspen retorted, trying to one-up her. She knew Bonnie was still working on jumping. She was much better at vaulting. Bonnie flipped at the sight of jump if it was over two feet. Looking at Rhine, Aspen could tell she would be a bit more experienced in that area of expertise.

Aspen rolled her eyes. "I can too jump. Why the heck would I be here if I couldn't jump?" She walked over to her duffle bag that was hidden under her bed and pulled out one last picture. It was of her, age ten, jumping over a three-foot-six-inch jump with her old horse from France. "I'm just getting used to Bonnie, get it? I used to jump a lot in France, but that's behind me. Oaken was amazing, and Bonnie is gonna be just as fantastic." She set the picture on top of her dresser amongst her horse figurines.

Aspen smirked, not showing any interest in her little game. "What's your problem, anyway?" she asked in a snarky tone.

Aspen's expression went from offensive to defensive. "You don't know me." She looked crossly at Rhine and turned her back on her. "Vous ne comprendrez jamais. Vous ne me connaissez..."

Aspen whipped around, moving across the room to be in Rhine's face. "Stop it, okay? Stop being a jerk and leave me alone. You don't understand. You will never understand. I don't have any problems, you do. Don't try me, sister, or you'll regret it." She then turned back around and went back to her side of the room.

Aspen reached into the top of her dresser. She plopped down on her bed. Finally, she glanced over at Rhine. "If you haven't noticed, you don't have to try to be a jerk." She leaned back against her pillows and pulled up her email on her iPod.

Aspen had three new emails: Natia, Oliver, and facebook. She deleted the facebook and opened the email from Oliver. Aspen started to tear up.

Aspen read over the email one more time, confirming it's truth.
Hey, Aspen-girl. :) This isn't easy to say, but I have to quit sports. Due to being hit square in the knee with a soccerball, I have had to have my lower leg removed. I am soon getting a prosthetic leg for it. I'm thinking of taking up track and feild in the paralympics when I'm better. I know this may seem grim, but at least it isn't the end to my athletic carreer. Here is your answer to my late emails and missed calls. I am sorry this had to happen. I love you, sissy! - Oliver
Aspen took a deep breath, forcing herself to stop crying. "At least he's okay..."

Aspen looked up and sighed in frusteration. "Stop trying to weasel your way into my life! I don't need you or your stupid sympathy." She looked back at her iPod and hit the 'reply ' button to respond to Oliver's email.

"I'm not, genius! I'm telling you to buzz off! I don't want your pathetic sympathy. You're not my friend, so stop trying act like it," Aspen said back with a tone full of warning. She turned back to her iPod and typer furiously on her digital keyboard.
Hey, Oliver!! It is so good to hear from you. So much has changed. I'm going to be in the olympics for horseback riding! I miss you so much. I wish this hadn't had happened to you. I'm so sorry. But you're right, at least you can stull do sports. I can't wait to see you. Thanks for the update. Stay well. I love you, big bro!! -Aspen

Aspen gave a frusterated look at Rhine. What was her problem, anyway? Aspen back-spaced on her iPod to the email home screen. She opened the email from Natia. Hopefully this email would make her smile.

"Whatever," Aspen mumbled. She sat up and decided to go see Bonnie to try and take in Oliver's injury before reading what Natia had to sat, just case she has bad new too. She got up and stuffed her iPod in her pocket before heading out of the room

Aspen sighed. Why can't she just understand? She headed to the door to leave the lodge and head to the pasture.

Aspen was almost to the end of the hall when her iPod buzzed. She pulled it out and saw she had gotten an email. It was from Riley and read:
Aspen and Rhine:
Meet in my dorm during lunch. We need to talk.
Aspen rolled her eyes and turned to face Rhine, her eyes narrow in accusation. "What did you do this time?"

Aspen rolled her eyes. "As if! I highly doubt that is the truth." She walked in Rhine's general direction, shouldering past her to reach the door on her way to the cafeteria.

Aspen opened the door to leave the cabin, heading straight in the direction of the cafeteria. What is Rhine's problem, anyway? I'm gonna spill out my life story like she wants me to. It's private. She doesn't understand and never will. She just needs to get that in her head. She will NEVER understand...

Aspen walked in and plopped down on her bed. She was hot and sweaty, but she didn't care. She took a deep breath and shook her head. This was when she needed a single dorm, so she could let it all out by herself. I know I'm insecure and a little stubborn, but I am also human and I have feelings. I am not patient and I wish I could have a better attitude, but I don't. She turned over and then realized she had her iPod with her.

Aspen rolled her eyes and opened up her email on her iPod. She noticed it was from Natia, her best friend from transfer school. She had written the email in email in french, of course. Aspen read the email.
Hey, Aspen!
I have fantastic news! The best news you will ever here in the world! I know you will just love it. It is the most wonderful news you will ever here!
And I forgot to mention...it's a surprise for a while. :) I will tell you as time draws closer. I can't wait!
I miss you, sweet girl! You are the most awesome person ever!! My best friend is the best, of course. I hate it here in Indiana, but the college is going great. I here you made the olympics? That's great! Let me know everything as it happens!!
Love you bunches, Nepsa!!!!!!!!!!!! - Natia

Aspen gave a wide smile to the email. It made her day to hear from Natia. She decided she would reply in the morning to give her a night to sleep on everything and put this day behind her.

Aspen wasn't going to let Rhine get her down. She walked over to her dresser, storing her iPod in the top drawer. She pulled out her old flip phone. It was an ordinary phone that a kid who had never had one before would get as a first-time-er. She opened it and looked at her missed calls. Natia. Natia. Sarah. Natia. Oliver. Aspen's eyes widened. Oliver?! She looked at the number. It wasn't any she was affiliated with. She had the number from before when he was touring in America for soccer. She had never heard from him since. It had been a year. How could he have all of a sudden used it now?

Aspen finished collecting her pajamas and toiletries. She walked into the other bathroom and set out her things. She would need to write in her journal after this. It was the only thing that kept her sane. She could rant in it as much as she wanted. She started the hot water and took a deep breath before removing her shirt to look at the damage that had been done to her side.

Aspen looked horrified at the sight of her side. Blue splotches ran from just under her under arm down to her hip bone. A large black spot was right above the left side of her rib cage. She look a deep breath. They were just bruises; nothing more, nothing less. Aspen stepped into the shower after she finished undressing.

Aspen finished showering and changed into a pink tank top and black nike shorts. She sighed and took a towel to her insanely curly red hair. After brushing it out a lot, Aspen set her things in the cabinets bellow the sink. She walked out of her bathroom and headed for her phone which was sitting on the dresser.

Aspen reached her phone and flopped over on her bed. She needed to talk to Oliver, but it would be 5 in the morning in France. Whatever. I can at least leave a voice mail, she thought to herself. She picked up the phone and dialed up Oliver. She held it to her ear, waiting for someone to pick up. She gasped when she heard his voice.
"Bon jour?"

Aspen smiled and replied as she conversation went on. This couldn't have been a better end to her otherwise awful day.
"Oliver?"
Aspen? Is that you?
"Yes, yes it's me."
Did you get my email?
"Sadly, I did. I'm sorry to hear about your injury. I wish I was there to help."
No need, no need. Mom is being a big enough help already!
Aspen gave a slight laugh. "Sounds like it. How is everything?"
Everything? Well, where do I start?
"I don't know. How's college going? Do you have to put a hold up on school?"
No, I just have to video call myself in for presentations and do everything online.
"That doesn't sound too bad. I'm glad to here your doing well. What have they done to you so far?"
The surgery is tomorrow. I've just been sitting around doing school work for the past few days.
"I'm sorry to hear that, but at least your getting along good."
True, true, sis. How's it been so far with you?
"I am at the ranch now, training for the Olympics. I'm super excited. I wish you were here."
I do too.
Aspen was totally absorbed in the conversation, not noticing Rhine. She continued to talk to her brother.

Aspen was enjoying herself. She hadn't heard her brother's voice for over a year. She sat up and looked at the posters behind her bedpost.
"How's Delilah?"
She's good. She's obsessively worrying about me, of course. How's life been at the ranch?
"It's been fine. You know, normal first day jitters. Oliver, how long until you can come to see me?"
She heard a sigh from the other end of the phone.
I can't soon, Aspen. You know that. I was going to be near the States on our next match in Canada, but it didn't work out because of the incident.
"I know, I know. I just thought..."
I understand, Aspen. Listen, I need to go because the doctor is coming in to check on me. I'll email you back by tomorrow night and maybe talk to you next weekend.
"No, don't go! Please. There is so much I need to tell you, Oliver."
I wish I could stay, Aspen, but I have to go. Good night! I promise I'll call you later.
"I get it. Well, I can't wait to talk to you again. I love you."
I love you too, little sis. I promise I'll call you again as soon as I get the chance.
Aspen nodded, forcing a smile. "Okay. Bye, Oliver. I miss you-"
She heard the line fall silent as he hung up on her. At least he had a good reason.

Aspen sighed and closed her eyes. She didn't understand why this was happening. "Why did this have to happen to him?" she mumbled to herself.

Aspen sat up, sure that Natia could cheer her up. She wouldn't call her though. She pulled out her phone again and pulled up a text box to Natia. She text Natia, short and simple.
Hey Nattyyyy~ :) How's everything been??

Aspen closed her phone and sighed. Indiana was an hour ahead of them. She would have to wait a couple of days for a reply from Natia. She sighed, "You don't even bother to ask me about my life." She was talking to Rhine, but didn't care to hear a response.

"I don't have it easy you know. You seem to think that just because I can talk on the phone to one person and text my best friend, that I actually have a life outside of riding," Aspen replied with tone, still not looking at Rhine.

"That's just it. You can't help. I can't help. I can't help Natia because she is in Indiana. I can't help Oliver because he is in France!" Aspen argued. She did make a point, anyway. The two most important people in her life and she couldn't help them even if she wanted to.

"At least your parents didn't disown you!" Aspen closed her eyes, still lying on her back. At least you have parents who care. At least you have a family to be thankful for...

Aspen rolled her eyes. "They sent me away, okay. They sent me to the stupid States." She didn't want to talk about it anymore. She wouldn't say why and she wasn't about to tell her anymore than that.

"I don't care. It doesn't matter. What's done is done. There is too much pain behind it!" Aspen shut her eyes and shook her head. Too much pain...

Aspen ignored her. Rhine didn't understand. It was complicated. She got up and walked over to her dresser. She pulled out her notebook. Returning to her, Aspen pulled a pen out from under her pillow. She sat down on the bed, leaning against the headboard.

Aspen opened her notebook back to the first page. She continued her recent entry. She started a new paragraph.

So much for those private lessons! Instead we are switching horses! This day has just gone from bad to worse.
First, Rhine ends up being my roommate. Yuck! She's even more a pest now that I have to live with her. She's trying to understand my life. So, I told her a little bit about myself, hoping to maybe intimidate her. It didn't work. She has a mind of her own, unlike most girls here.
Second, Oliver is now disabled. He was hit by a soccer ball and now has to have his lover left leg removed. He wants to continue to do sports by running, but I don't know how that'll work out for him. I hope he doesn't lose hope like I did.
Third, There is this guy...he bumped in to me earlier. Like that hasn't happened before, but for the first time a guy actually seemed flustered around me. It was interesting. I don't know if I caught his name, but we'll see.
FINALLY - AHHH NATIA. She says she has good news, but she won't tell me what it is!! Gosh, I miss her. She is like amazing and I need to see her again. I can't wait to find out what she has to tell me!!

Aspen put up her notebook when she finished. Crawling back into bed, she closed her eyes and fell asleep not minutes later. Her phone started vibrating: a call from Oliver. She was too fast asleep to answer though.