Changing the Cliche

Chapter 1: What sort of imbecile?!

Finally, I was home. I walked into The Hills, my horse-riding school, breathing in the sweet smell of hay and horse-hair. I greeted the grooms and they replied, happy to see me back again. I checked the board for available horses, but sadly, my favourite was being used. So I chose a pretty blue-roan and tacked him up.

I hoisted myself into the saddle and tightened my reins. I rubbed my horse, Bandido's neck. Then I urged him forwards into the riding ring. I warmed him up in circles, then graduated to a canter. 

As I increased speed, the wind slapped my face and played with my hair. I thought we were now ready for jumping. I slid off, put the poles up and began to ride once again. We rode circles around, and slowly but surely, we began making smaller circles to the jumping pole. Once I was sure Bandido could do it, we cantered at a steady rhythm towards to pole. 1.. 2.. 3.. jump! 

We soared above the pole, and in that moment that I was elevated, I felt as if I was free. One single moment of suspension. Then we hit the ground with a quiet thud, continuing with our momentum. 

We made our way for another round, and as we were right before the jump, I heard a loud whinny and a crashing sound. Bandido spooked and we crashed straight into the pole, knocking it down, sending it clattering to the ground. 

Bandido went haywire, bucking and trying to throw me off. My heartbeat went a million times too fast, but I held on with all my might.

"Whoa boy." I called him softly, slowing him to a fast-paced trot. He calmed down and I let out a relieved sigh. Thank god.

I turned around, angrily searching for the source of the clamour. Then suddenly, racing out of the stables, was my favourite horse, Diablo! On his back was a boy, looking extremely terrified, yelling for help.

"What an idiot!"I muttered softly under my breath. I clambered to grab my reins once again and urged Bandido forward. We cantered towards the end of the paddock and flew over the fence. We landed on the other side of the fence and began chasing after the loose horse. We galloped at top speed, narrowing the gap between the horses every second. Diablo sped up the mountain tracks, still terrified and we followed closely behind. The boy was now stupidly trying to get off the horse. We were galloping uphill, on a dangerously steep slope.

"Stay on, dummy!" I barked, reaching for Diablo's reins. 

"Sweetheart, calm down." I crooned to him softly. At the sound of my voice, Diablo's ears pricked back and he slowed down for a split millisecond. That's all I needed to yank his reins to a halt. Both horses slowed to a walk, me still holding a tight grip of the reins.

As soon as possible, I stopped them and jumped off Bandido. I walked over to Diablo, grabbed him reins and snarled at the trembling boy, "Get. Off."

He slid off, shaking in fear and landed next to me. He was half a head taller than me, but I was not intimidated in the least.

"WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!" I slapped him in the arm for extra effect. "You could have killed me, my horse and YOURSELF!" 

He flinched. "I didn't know what was happening. One second I got on the horse, and I only screamed because I saw a wasp, and the next thing I know, he's bolting right into a jungle."

I surveyed him, obviously scared out of his mind, and my anger drained out of me. "Look. I know you didn't mean to almost kill all of us, and you're extremely lucky that I was there. But obviously, you're not an experienced rider. So here's the plan. We find our way back, and quick, because its getting late.

He smiled weakly, probably thanking his stars I was done yelling. It didn't mean I wasn't still mad though, I thought, fuming.

I helped him onto Bandido, while I climbed on Diablo, holding both reins in one hand. It was a long way back to the stables. Thankfully, I recognised where we were and knew the way back. 

As our horses walked slowly through the trees, I took in his looks. He had brownish-blonde hair and hazel eyes. Hmm. Cute enough, I guessed.

"So.. what's your name?" I asked curiously.

He looked at me, surprised. "Lucas. You?"

"Skyler. Wanna play 21 questions?"

"That was quick." He grinned.

"Well don't you think we may as well play since this is going to be an hour ride?" I smirked at him.

"Okay fine. Question 1: Is it really going to take THAT long?" 

I laughed. "Yeah, thanks to you. My turn. How old are you?" This was a crucial question, for when you're younger than 20, it is very important to know ages.

"16. You?"

"15. You're old."

"Thanks."

*****

"Finally, we're back!" I squealed with glee. Lucas looked at me funny.

"Dude, did you just squeal?"

I looked at him defiantly. "Yep. You got a problem with that?"

"No sir."

I glared while he laughed obnoxiously. "I saved your life, you know that?"

"Yeah.." He looked sideways at me, "Thanks for that, by the way." He smiled. 

Hey, nice dimples.

The stars were out my now, twinkling every which way and back. When we finally got into the stables, We put our horses away, thanking them profusely, I kissed Diablo square in the forehead and he blew out softly, neighing quietly.

I called Lucas over, digging in my pocket for something. I took out a large carrot, and broke it into a few pieces..

"Here, watch." I said, holding out a small piece of carrot to Diablo. He gently took it from my palm and ate it. "Now you try." I smiled, looking expectantly at Lucas.

He took a piece of carrot from me and went up to Bandido. "Good horsie." He put the carrot as near to Bandido as he dared. Bandido stared at him, not moving an inch. He bared his teeth, and Lucas almost fell over in fright. I laughed, taking grabbing his hand. 

"You're such a wuss." I pulled Lucas near to Bandido and opened his palm, arranging his warm fingers into a plate for Bandido. "Like this." I said. Damn his hand is sweaty. 

He held out his hand to Bandido and I swear the horse rolled his eyes while taking the carrot. 

Lucas's eyes glimmered as he faced me. "Again!" He clapped his hands like a child. 

I laughed again and passed him another piece. 

*****

"What time are you being picked up?" I asked as Lucas and I sat on the hay bales right outside the stables, looking up at the stars. It was really late, I realised.

"I'm not. I wanted to learn how to ride, so I'm staying at the hotel up the road."

"By yourself?"

"Mmmhmm." I looked at him, intrigued. He was only 16 after all.

"For how long?"

"A week or so. Its all coming out of my own money, because my family doesn't encourage it. How about you? How come you haven't left yet?"

"Well actually, every summer my parents rent out a room in the attic of the stables for me. Our family has been coming here for generations to ride, and a lot of them owned this place at some point. That Diablo has been my favourite horse to ride since I was nine."

"Wow. That's so cool! Wait, there are rooms here?"

"Yeah." My head went off like a lightbulb. BEEDO BEEDO Can you hear that? Its the sound of a good plan!

"Why don't you rent one? I can actually teach you how to not fall off!" I looked as innocent as I could. As much as Lucas was nice, he still needed to be taught a lesson.

And I knew exactly what he needed to be taught about. Can you say revenge?