"Connorrrrrrr"  I rolled over onto my side to see Adam standing on my ladder,

"Why are you waking me up. So. Early. On. The. Weekend?" I grumbled sitting up,

"Mom and Dad are going to be here in half an hour so I figured I should tell you to get packed seeing as you haven't yet." I shoved him off the ladder. He somehow landed on both feet as I climbed down.

Of course he was right, I hadn't packed yet. Getting dressed quickly in jeans, a tee shirt and Nicks hoodie I quickly threw riding clothes into my duffel with my half chaps as well. Everything else I needed was already at our house as I didn't take all my clothes with me and my bathroom stuff I had packed the night before. 

Zipping my duffel I quickly braided my hair and pulled on my hat before lugging my bag downstairs. Adam and I were one of the last two to leave as everyone else had left the day before.

"Adam? Where you at!" I called in the silent dorm. No one answered. Shrugging I went out the front door, he was probably getting the horses set to go. Jogging over to the barn I saw a familiar trailer and truck parked in front of it. Breaking into a run I dropped my duffel besides it and launched myself onto the back of my Mom who stood watching my Dad and brother.

"Mom!" My Mom turned and gave me a large bear hug,

"Oh Connor sweetie I missed you!" I felt another pair of arms encircle us,

"Hey baby girl," I smiled even more and hugged my Dad as well. Pulling away I saw my Dad frown when he saw the sweatshirt I was wearing.

"Connor...who's sweatshirt is that," I looked at my Mom. She said she would tell him about Nick and I since he was even more overprotective than Adam. My Mom shrugged. Gee thanks Mom. I looked back at my Dad,

"ItsNicks" I spit out quickly before running over to Wind who was currently prancing around in his stall as Adam led Caesar by and not giving my Dad a chance to reply. Pressing a kiss to Winds muzzle I ran into the tack room and pulled out all his shipping things. Jogging back to Wind I slipped on his halter and strapped on his shipping boots before leading him out to the trailer. Seeing he was locked in I exited the trailer and nodded to Adam who swung up the ramp and locked the door. Jogging back into the barn I led my mom to my tack locker and grabbed Winds all purpose saddle, his usual bridle, western saddle, and polos. Giving my mom the western saddle I took the rest as we headed back to the trailer and loaded it into the storage compartment in the trailer. Smiling at my mom we swung my duffel in as well and got into the truck with the boys. 

And we were off.

...

"Connor, we're here," my eyes shot open as we pulled up to our familiar house and barn. Grinning I jumped out of the car as it pulled to a stop and ran to the trailer swinging open the door and dropping the ramp I jogged up it to my favorite boy. I dropped a kiss on his cheek before leading him out of the trailer a happy skip in my step at being home. Entering the barn I smiled as I was met with friendly knickers and a warm smell of hay and horses. Taking off Winds' boots I set him loose into his stall and said hello  to my two baby girls. Stroking both Flame and Fires muzzles at the same time I placed a kiss on each horses head and looked at Flame.

"Hey baby girl, you're gonna get a rider soon hopefully. Can you promise to be good?" I whispered to her, Flame snorted as if to say,

'We'll we'd with one last kiss on both my girls and my boy I headed back out to help unload the tack. While I loved SCRA, I loved home just as much.

Two days later

"Yeah she's coming today," I replied to Nick through the phone as I set it on speaker so I could braid my hair. We had taken to calling each other every morning and night plus I had promised to facetime him while Anna rode Flame today.

"Try to go easy on her Connor," he said through the phone a slight chuckle in his laugh. I rolled my eyes,

"When do I ever not go easy?" I could literally hear him raising his eyebrow, "but yes I will try to go easy on her,"

"That's good enough for me. I've got to go meeting up with some old friends from the stable so just text me when it's time. Love you," I grinned,

"Love you too Nick, talk to you later," with that I hung up and pulled on my equestrian hat before heading downstairs clothed in navy riding pants, a black tank top, and my hat with my boots plus half chaps in hand.

"Connor!" I walked into the kitchen just as my Mom called my name,

"That's my name!" I answered happily, my Mom smacked me with a towel and handed me alfalfa a bagel with cream cheese.

"Walk and eat Anna's arriving any moment now and you need to get Flame," I nodded and stuck my bagel in my mouth while I pulled on my boots. Ready to go I jogged out to the barn greeting each horse minus Flame who was in the paddock.

Sending out a whistle as I arrived at the paddock halter and lead rope in hand Flame cantered over to me ears perked. She skidded to a stop and thrust her nose into my pockets.

"No treats for you greedy," I said laughing.

"Now let's get going," slipping on the halter I led her into the barn and tacked her up managing to finish just as a silver Toyota highlander pulled up. I held up my hand in greeting as two people exited the car. Anna and who I'm guessing is her sister based on the fact they looked similar and her sister while older not nearly old enough to be her mom.

"Long time not see Anna," I said with a grin. She was around my height with Dark Auburn hair and light green eyes that looked like they held some sort of secret and almost daring anyone who looked to try and find that secrecy. I really did make weird observations about people...

"Sorry if I don't remember you well," she said with a small sheepish smile. I waved my hand,

"Eh it's fine, I mean I may or may not have forgotten about you until my Mom reminded me," Anna laughed,

"Now as fun talking to me may be we have a horse for you to ride!" I said happily leading her to the barn. Looking at her out fit I realised she was dressed for whatever. Jeans, paddock boots, half chaps, a t-shirt and a helmet in her hand but a black ball cap on her head while her hair was pulled back in a knot. I liked her even more already.

"Now then the lady of the our...Dancing in the Flames!" I said happily revealing Flame who stood in the cross ties. Anna approached her slowly offering her hand for Flame to sniff. Flame rubbed her nose on the palm of her hand and immediately went to sniffing her pockets. I nearly slapped head. That mare loved her treats way to much. Luckily Anna just laughed and pulled a treat out of her pocket and after getting nod from me fed it to the little mare.

"Now then how about we see you go around on her," I said with a grin. Anna nodded and handed her hat to her sister and buckled her helmet before taking Flames reins. Showing her to the paddock I have her a leg up and jogged to the fence pulling up face time on my phone.

"My boyfriend wants to see you ride if that's all right he's pretty good at judging a rider and horse together," I said as Anna circled Flame around the arena a quick walk to warm her up. A curt nod had me dialing Nick.

"Hey, she here?" I nodded and heard noise in the background but couldn't see why a yell told me why,

"Hey Nick hope your girlfriend knows the mess she's gotten herself into!" I heard laughter as Nick yelled back at his friends,

"Oh bug off Jason!" Chuckling I flipped the camera around onto Anna and Flame who were now trotting smoothly around the arena. I had set up a few cross rails for them night before and figured it was now or never.

"Alright Anna taker over the cross rails!" I called over to her. I saw a small smile sneak onto her face before she had Flame in a canter headed towards the cross rails. My jaw nearly dropped as they went over them. They were perfect. Even when Flame let out a buck in between them Anna had ridden smoothly and got Flame over safely. This girl was going to be a great addition to SCRA. I flipped the camera back around and saw Nick had the same expression almost as I did.

"They almost looked like you and Wind just softer," I nodded and turned to her sister who had stood by quietly a proud smile on her face,

"I think they're a perfect match," the sisters smile grew,

"You have no idea how happy this will make her," I nodded,

"I think...I think I do," grinning I waved Anna over.

"So Anna," I started as she stopped Flame in front of me, "I hear you're gonna be pretty big competition at SCRA," Anna's smile grew as she realised what I was saying.

"You missy, just got yourself a horse for the academy," Anna looked like she was holding back a shout,

" thank you, thank you, thank you! I promise we won't let you down!" I laughed as Anna hopped off flame and gave me a big hug before hugging Flame and placing a big kiss on her muzzle.

"So I have to go back to school next week but you are welcome to come and ride her when you can. You can even set up certain times with my Mom," I said as Anna stroked Flames neck and nodded,

"Sounds good, although I have a job at the stable I used to ride at so I can't come out here more than three times a week," I nodded,

"Thats fine, besides the summer is coming up and when I'm back I can help you and Flame get ready. Although I do need to warn you, team captains and trainers and going to be scouting on all the new advanced team members so be prepared," Anna nodded,

"Don't worry, we will be," I grinned I was liking this girl more and more.

"Connor! Can I say hi now?" I let out a laugh and looked down at my phone realising Nick was still there,

"Sorry," holding up my phone I introduced them through the screen, "Nick this Anna as you know and Anna this is my boyfriend Nick, he wanted to see you ride as he's better at stadium show jumping then i am even though he's on the cross country team," Anna smiled shyly,

"Nice to meet you," 

"Nice to meet you too, now I gotta run my friends are about to attack me, bye Connor," I heard a few shouts and before we could say anything else he had hung up. Chuckling I looked at Anna,

"Hes a doofus sometimes," Anna smiled,

"You two seem good together and that's just what i saw when he was on the phone," I smiled broadly,

"That means a lot, now before she gets to bored do you want to untack her?" Anna nodded and I led her to the barn noticing that every few moments her hand would go to Flames neck as if making sure she was real.

I smiled as I talked to her and she groomed Flame. They were a good fit, hope fully that would be enough at SCRA.

Ohmygoodness...I haven't updated in so long and I'm so sorry! Anyways I hope you guys enjoyed!and i want your opinion should I post a sneak peek of book two or make you guys wait?

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-M