Amelia had fallen into her bed fully-clothed, deaming of nothing. She awoke, still in a daze, and hear her phone ring. It was Lisa. Amelia picked it up gingerly and pressed the green button "hello?" she said in a quiet, croaky voice. The news of her fathers death had hit her likr a bullet, and even though she knew she needed to take care of Moon, she couldnt face going out at the moment.

Lisa:

"Hey, sorry to wake you up. How are you? Is something wrong?"

she asked while polishing her saddle.

"Is that okay I fed Moon his breakfast? He seemed to be missing you and very hungry."
She really hoped Amelia wouldn't be mad at her. She couldn't resist helping him, and he seemed hungry because usually Amelia had always been there early. But today seemed very different.

"yeah that's ok..thanks." Amelia said shakily. "something..something's happened that's all. I'm not feeling well." She said, trying to hold in a sob of sadness. "i haven't eaten anything but i don't feel like going outside." Amelias stomach was protesting greatly, but she didnt want to leave her dark room.

Heather Proudstorm | 16 | Eventing | Nightmare "Prince" | M: Open

Lisa:

"All right. Are you sure everything's okay?" She asked kindly. Amelia didn't sound quite like herself.

"Can I do anything for you? Please let me know if I can whenever you need."
Is Amelia okay? I wonder what's wrong. I should try to help her as much I can, if that's okay with her. She thought.
"Hope you feel better soon. Can we talk or text later?" She asked gently.

"just..just make sure Moon's OK." Amelia said, sounding frail. "tack him up and ride him if you like..it would help." Amelia told Lisa to call her late and collapsed aain onto the bed, lying there in thearkness for what could have been minuted or hours, she didn't care.

Jess | M: Open

She paced back and forth outside of Asteria's stall, phone in hand, waiting for the call. She was becoming impatient. They were supposed to call her at 8.00, and it was currently 8.20.
"Ugh, what are they doing!?" she vented to her mare. She had started to stroke the mares nose when her phone started ringing. Egerly she answered and put the phone up to her ear.
-
"Hey Dad! How's it going?"
-

"Hi sweetie, it's all going good, your mother and I just had to duck into town and pick up something for you, sorry for the delay, we're on your way now." her father cheerfully informed his daughter.
-

"Ok! Can't wait, drive safe and I'll see you soon!"
-

"Love you, honey."

-
"Love you too Dad."

-

And the line went silent. Jess put her phone back into her pocket and did her happy dance. Her horse was on his way here right now. She couldn't wait!
"Come on Asteria let's go for a ride, they won't be here till a few hours. Let's work on that Dressage." she grabbed the mares halter off the door and lead her to the cross ties to groom the mare down. She grabbed her dressage saddle and saddle pad, along with some polo wraps and a bridle. She lugged the tack back to her grey and dumped them on the saddle stand beside the cross ties. She gave the mare a quick brush down, her mind on Riptide and her Dad the whole time. Your mother and I just had to duck into town and pick something up for you. What was that supposed to mean? Had they gotten something for her? She placed the saddle pad onto the mares back and heaved the saddle over too. She absent mindedly did up the girth and made sure everything fit right. She reached down to grab the polo wraps but realised they were a different colour to the saddle pad.

"Ugh, hang on girl," she walked back to the tackroom and picked out a new pair of wraps that matched the saddle pad. She got back to Asteria and put them on her. Then she slid the bridle over the mares head and begun leading her to the indoor arena.

Lisa:

"Sure I can do that and call you later. Bye!" She said kindly.
Poor Amelia. I'm not sure what's going on. She thought.
She walked down the barn isle to Moon's stall.

"Hey Moon. Not sure if Amelia's gonna come today. I hope she does though. I miss her. How about you?"
He seemed sad as she brushed him, and then did some legging up.
"I might ride you later in preparation for the show Moon. See ya in a little bit. I think I'll go see if Riptide has arrived yet."

"Hey Jess! Has the special gelding arrived yet?"

Amelia awoke from a disturbed and distorted sleep, fully clothed, face wet with tears. She was still processing shock. Then she slowl walked towards the drawn curtains and opene therm a bit, eyes blinking in the harsh sunlight filtering in through the large windows. Judging by the light and sun, Amelia guessed it was around 3 PM. And she needed to see Moon. "as much as the young woman wanted to shrivel up and combust in the dark room, the need to see her horse was stronger. So she slammed on some black sweatpants and a stained grey baggy jumper, not at all what she would usually wear. Clicking open the door, Amelia slid out, blinking in the light. Drawing her hood up, She walked slowly and sadly to the yard, trying to become invisible to her friends surrounding her. Unbolting his stable door, Amelia looked at a well-grooed and fe Moon, and silently praised the lord fo Ellas help. Moon nickered with joy at seeing her and she brushed her hand on his fluttering nostrils.

Jess | M: Lisa, Open

As she was making her way to the arena so heard Lisa,

"Oh! Hey Lisa, not yet. He's on his way though! I can't wait for him to get here!" she beamed. She noticed Lisa was in Moon's stall. Isn't Moon Amelia's horse?

"Where's Amelia?" she questioned to Lisa, she didn't want to be nosey but she also hoped Amelia was ok. She usually spent most of her time with Moon or down at the barn. Thinking back, I haven't see Amelia at all this morning, I hope she's ok.