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Many hours after unpacking boxes and putting things into place, Matteo had finally finished. His room was all put together, with tapestries and artwork on his walls, clothes in his dresser and closet, and his TV all set up. He didn't have that big of a room but it was enough, he even liked it being as small as it is, it was cozy. Matt stood in his doorframe and looked over his room, he was happy with it. He grabbed his phone from his pocket and the time read 9:34 pm. Oh, it's not even that late he thought, before setting his phone on his desk and going downstairs. He walked to his living room, checking out the place as he went. Nobody was down there, so he guessed that everybody was sleeping. As he walked through the new space, his stomach grumbled, reminding him to eat. He made his way to the kitchen and rummaged through all the cabinets, seeing what they had got unpacked. There was cereal, and some other things but Matt was feeling lazy. So he got out a bowl and spoon, poured some cereal before adding the milk, and returned to his room. After eating the bowl of cereal, Matteo got undressed and turned off his light. He was only in his boxers before hopping into his bed. He let out a big sigh and got comfortable under the blanket. He was out in a matter of minutes from being so tired.
The soft rays of sunlight crept up through his window the next morning. Once the sun was fully shining through, that's when Matt woke up, squinting his eyes from the glare of the sunlight. He fully opened his eyes once they got adjusted to the bright light. He reached over beside him on his bed for his phone, but then he remembered he had left it on his desk the previous night. He groaned as he got up and slowly made his way to his desk. Turning on his phone, the time was 8:40 am. He didn't like waking up early but he had gotten enough sleep to ensure that he wouldn't be tired later on. He quickly got dressed in some shorts and a t-shirt before making his way downstairs. "Good morning Matteo." Cassandra said as she stood in the kitchen, whipping up a quick breakfast, bacon, pancakes, and eggs. "Morning mom." Matteo replied in a raspy, deep voice. He sat down at the dining table and rubbed his eyes, his dad and sister were both already sitting down at the table. "How'd you sleep honey?" Cass asked. "I slept good actually, As soon as I got under the covers I was out." Matteo answered with a slight chuckle. "Good." She replied as she walked over with a pan of hot scrambled eggs. She put an equal amount onto everyone's plate before returning to the stove. She then made the pancakes while the bacon cooked in a separate pan to ensure that both would be done at the same time. Once the bacon and pancakes were done, she brought them over and distributed them between the family before sitting down. They all then ate their breakfast in silence, usually both Matteo and Marie would eat meals and food in their rooms but they both decided to sit at the table. "Thanks for breakfast mom, I'm going to head to the stables now." Matteo said as he got up and brought his empty plate to the sink. On his way out of the kitchen, he gave his mom and hug and kiss on the cheek. "Bye, I love you guys." Matteo quickly said before he was on his way. |
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Bodhi woke around five the next morning, showered, and dressed. He was tired and irritable, even though it was a decision he had made, and he roused his sister less than gently, stomping down to the kitchen. His parents had left even earlier, going on a business trip, so he and Rosella were alone in the big house. He amused himself while his tea heated up, and Rosella stumbled in a few minutes later, dressed, but with dark circles ringing her eyes. Bodhi frowned, and tipped her chin up.
"Did you sleep at all last night?" He asked coolly.
"A little. It doesn't really matter," she responded, grabbing a bagel. "Let's go." He sighed, but grabbed his keys, and stepped outside. It was already warm, and he relaxed into the seat, letting his sister choose the music. On the way to the stables, he stopped at her favorite coffee shop, to cheer her up a little bit, and off they went. Not many people were already at the barn given the early hour, and both young people were pleased by it. It was nicer when it wasn't too busy. Bodhi immediately went out into the pastures, searching for his young colt project. The young horse was in the far corner of the pasture, and he swore under his breath. He hadn't quite gotten this one to come to his call like Danube did, and it irritated him to have to trek through the pastures to get to him. This little stallion was his project, he was raising it for the specific purpose of being a jumper, but for now, it was simply just reaching the colt how to walk on a lead rope, come to his call, and take a bit and saddle. He had a good pedigree, and was a Dutch Warmblood, a pretty bay colour. His name was Happy Go Lucky, which matched his cheerful but stubborn personality well. Bodhi whistled when he got closer to Lucky, and the young stallion trotted over, nosing into the boy's pockets. "Nothing for you right now," he laughed, slipping the halter over the horse's face. Breakfast had already happened at the barn, and the horses turned out into the pasture for the day, and Danube nickered at him from a different pasture. He shook his head at her, and led Lucky into the crossties. He quickly brushed him down, and then put a lunge line on his halter, leading into into the indoor arena, and began to work with the young equine, calling out what he wanted the horse to do, and helping get his wiggles out before they started working harder. Time passed quicker than he expected, and before he knew it, it was almost none thirty. Still, there weren't many people there, and no one had yet bothered him in the arena. |
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The morning air enveloped Matteo like a comforting embrace as he embarked on his trek to the stables. Each step carried him closer to his destination, the rhythmic tap of his shoes against the pavement punctuating the serene stillness of the early hours. Above, the sky was mostly clear, with wispy clouds here and there. The morning air was warm, the sunlight making it even warmer, but the breeze was quite cool. Despite the tranquillity of the surroundings, Matteo's mind buzzed with a whirlwind of emotions. Anticipation bubbled within him, fueled by the prospect of reuniting with Raven, his beloved horse. Yet, beneath the surface, a knot of apprehension tightened in his stomach, a nagging reminder of the apologies he needed to extend and the tasks awaiting him at the stables.
As he traversed the tree-lined street, quaint houses flanking his path on either side, Matteo couldn't help but marvel at the picturesque scene unfolding around him. The distant murmur of life in the town stirred awake, a gentle hum that added to the comforting rhythm of his footsteps. To his right, past the houses, a sprawling field stretched out, its verdant expanse tapering off into a dense forest that beckoned with untold secrets. To the left, clusters of homes and shops were dotted everywhere. Drawing closer to his destination, Matteo's heart quickened with excitement as the grand sign of Silver Creek Stables loomed into view. A surge of joy washed over him as he ascended the familiar driveway, the anticipation of seeing Raven propelling him forward with renewed vigour.
Upon reaching the barn, Matteo's gaze immediately sought out Raven, who greeted him with a soft snort of recognition. A warm smile spread across his face as he approached her stall, his fingers gently caressing her sleek coat as he whispered words of affection. "Hey beautiful girl." Opening the door, Matteo stepped inside, the comforting scent of hay and horse enveloping him like an old friend. After ensuring Raven was comfortable and well-cared for, Matteo's attention turned to the task at hand. With determined strides, he navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the barn. As he ventured towards the indoor arena, his gaze swept over the vast pasture, a peaceful oasis that stirred a sense of comfort to him. It was then that he spotted him, the boy from yesterday, his presence a jarring reminder of unresolved tension. "Hey." Matteo called out, with a friendly smile on his face. He hoped the boy would come over to him and didn't already decide to hate him. Anticipation stirred through his body as he waited for the boy to answer. |
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Bodhi swore as Lucky flinched at a loud call, and, spooked, shied away from him, ears flicking back and forth. The young man dropped his eyes, not wanting to scare the horse more, and slowly pulled the lung line tight, until the skittish horse was standing right next to him. "Easy, baby," he cooed, and after a moment, the equine relaxed slightly. Bodhi sighed with relief, patting Lucky's neck. "Good boy." His face tightened slightly as he turned around to face the other boy, his lips pursed slightly. The sun was high and bright, and he squinted, trying to keep it out of his eyes. "Hey," he said, his voice cool and easygoing, echoing the other's words. "I hope you found everything ok." His last sentence was slightly biting, a callback to his attempt to explain the day before, but he moved on without hesitation. "You startled me. Pretty much no one has been here all day, except Rosella and I." It pricked the back of his mind that he hadn't introduced himself, but he pushed it away. He didn't really see a reason to share his life story with a stranger who hadn't bothered to introduce himself either. His gaze flicked to the horse, his lips pursing for a moment. "What is she?" He asked, his manner calm and collected. "Thoroughbred? American Quarter? Definitely not a Fresian, she hasn't got the feet for it." He waited for an answer, and nodded slowly. "Paper name? Or is her full name Raven? I saw it on the card yesterday, I had feed duty yesterday. The owners, Maggie Bright and her husband, they have a couple horses who have real nice pedigrees. Worth quite a pretty penny, if you know what I mean. You probably talked to her or Don when you registered your horse." His lips quirked slightly at the mention of Maggie. She was a wonderful woman, not very tall, but feisty and fun. She was older than his mother, but ten times more matronly. She'd practically adopted him and Rosella, and more than once, they'd stayed at her house. She was well off, and was never one to turn down a good horse, no matter the price. Bodhi normally went to horse shows with her, she'd been the one to suggest that he got Happy Go Lucky, and had promised to finance the project if his parents got mad about it. He vaguely wondered why she hadn't been at the barn yet, but assumed she was probably just busy. Lucky nickered softly, not happy to be standing still, and Bodhi gave him a firm pat on the neck. "I suppose I'll take him out on the trails." He let a pregnant pause pass, and then opened his mouth again. "I suppose you could come. Unless you already have plans. My name's Bodhi, by the way." |
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Matteo's heart skipped a beat as the boy finally approached, a flicker of relief washing over him at the sight of his friendly demeanour. "Yeah, I did find everything okay," he replied, his voice tinged with a nervous chuckle. "Oh, sorry for startling you. I didn't mean to," Matteo added quickly, his gaze shifting between the boy and the young horse nearby, his chest swelling with affection for the beautiful animal. With a soft smile, Matteo nodded in agreement as the boy spoke about the horse. "She's a Mustang, and her full name is Raven," he explained. Returning his attention to the boy, Matteo met his gaze with a warm expression. "Oh yeah, for sure. Is there any more paperwork I have to fill out though?" he inquired, a hint of uncertainty lingering in his tone. His mind buzzed with the practicalities of the situation, eager to ensure that everything was in order. As the conversation continued, Matteo felt a surge of courage welling up within him, propelling him to address any tension between them "I'm Matteo or Matt," he introduced himself, a sheepish smile gracing his lips. "I'm sorry about yesterday. I was just really stressed about the whole move, but I understood everything you said," he added, his words laced with sincerity.
As Matteo waited for Bodhi's response, he couldn't help but feel a surge of hope mingled with apprehension. He had hoped that this conversation and their shared love for horses would pave the way for a potential friendship. Being new in town was daunting enough, but the thought of navigating the stables without anyone to confide in felt downright isolating. Matteo straightened his posture, a determined glint in his eyes as he mentally resolved to make the most of this opportunity. The young stallion met his gaze with a knowing expression as if sensing the significance of the moment. A soft smile graced Matteo's lips before he redirected his focus to the conversation at hand. As the morning sunlight filtered through the barn windows, casting warm pools of light on the arena floor, Matteo felt a sense of serenity wash over him. Despite the lingering tension from yesterday's encounter, he found solace in the quiet camaraderie of the stables, where the gentle presence of horses served as a comforting constant amidst the whirlwind of new beginnings. With a deep breath, Matteo waited for Bodhi's response, his heart pounding with anticipation. Whether their interaction would lead to friendship or simply a civil understanding, Matteo remained hopeful for the connections that awaited him in this new chapter of his life. |
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The young man paused, and then dropped his eyes, staring at the ground for a moment. "It's fine," he said. "Tensions we're just running high for everyone yesterday. It makes perfect sense that we had an altercation, but it's alright now." Lucky was starting to prance in place, nosing at Bodhi's shoulder, clearly anxious to be moving again. The young man couldn't help but smile at the young stallion's antics, and he turned his body to face the horse, patting his neck. "Calm down, baby," he murmured, his fingers carding through the pretty horse's mane. "You're too excitable." The equine just stamped his hooves, flicking his head around. Bodhi gently tightened his grip on the lead rope, and pressed a hand to the horse's nose, shaking his head. "You, young man, are a goose and a nuisance." He sighed, and collected his thoughts, and didn't smile, but offered the boy a less irritated face then he normally did, and brushed his dirty hands on his pants. He listened as the boy talked about paperwork, and his brow furrowed. "Here, follow me. I'll show you the paperwork you needed to have filled out, and just make sure you did, because you can't legally ride until everything is filled out." Bodhi quickly walked to the walls of the barn, and loosely tied Lucky's lead to a ring on the wall, and headed down to Maggie's office. He pulled the key that he wasn't technically supposed to have out of his back pocket, and opened the door, nudging a cat out of the way, and walked behind her desk, opening a few drawers, and finally pulled out a stack of papers. "Just go through these and make sure you signed them all. In black pen," he clarified. While the other boy leafed through the papers, Bodhi examined the paperwork that had already been on Maggie's desk, and he grinned, seeing that she was bringing in a brood mare. He loved it when there were baby horses at Silver Creek. Once they had verified that Matteo had signed everything necessary, Bodhi moved another cat out of the office, and closed and locked the door behind them. "Hey, I'm gonna take Lucky out for a ride on the trails. Wanna come? I can give you the rundown on anything else you want to know about the barn that the website didn't say. I do have to throw a saddle on him though." Suddenly, Bodhi got a hot flash of deja vu, and his face paled even further. "Umm, I'm going to go grab him. Just...meet me by the indoor arena if you want to go." He quickly hurried off, finding Lucky, and buried his warm, scared face in the horse's warm neck. After a few moments, he pulled himself together, and saddled the equine, waiting at the entrance to the indoor arena. |
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Matteo exhaled with a profound sense of relief, his chest feeling lighter now that he had finally mustered the courage to express his apology. As the words left his lips, a weight seemed to lift from his shoulders, and he felt grateful for the opportunity to clear the air between himself and Bodhi. With a nod of acknowledgment, Matteo listened intently to Bodhi, absorbing every detail with a focused mind. Matteo had been dreading the bureaucratic process, but now that it was within reach, he felt a sense of liberation knowing that once the paperwork was complete, he wouldn't have to worry about it looming over him any longer. Determined to get it over with, Matteo followed closely behind Bodhi, his steps quickening with each stride. Arriving at their destination, Matteo made a conscious effort to pay close attention to Bodhi's instructions. "Got it," he affirmed, his voice steady with determination as he reached for the pen and began to sift through the stack of papers. Though he was a proficient reader, the sheer volume of paperwork was daunting. Nonetheless, Matteo forged ahead, his focus unwavering as he scanned each document with precision. Minutes ticked by as Matteo meticulously reviewed each page, his brow furrowed in concentration. Finally, he looked up at Bodhi, a sense of accomplishment evident in his expression. "Yeah, I'll be there in a couple of minutes," he confirmed, his voice tinged with a hint of satisfaction at the progress he had made. With a newfound sense of purpose, Matteo returned his attention to the paperwork, eager to complete the task at hand. When Bodhi left, Matteo went through the paperwork a second time to make sure he didn't miss anything. He grabbed the signed stack of papers and straightened them up before setting them back down on the table. Bodhi did not tell him where to put it when he was done, so he just left it on the table.
Stepping out of Maggie's office, Matteo breathed in the crisp air, feeling a renewed sense of purpose coursing through him. With determined strides, he made his way toward the barn. As he entered he made his way to the tack room. He reached for Raven's bridle, deciding against fetching her saddle, Matteo instead opted to lead Raven to the tack room where he could prepare her for their upcoming ride. Unlocking her stall door with practiced ease, he greeted her with a gentle pat before swiftly slipping the bridle over her head. The familiar routine of grooming and tacking up brought a sense of calm to Matteo, the rhythmic motions helping to clear his mind of lingering worries. With Raven saddled and ready to go, Matteo set off towards the designated meeting spot, his steps purposeful. Spotting Bodhi outside the indoor arena, he quickened his pace, eager to get started. "Okay, I'm ready," Matteo announced as he approached, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation. Coming to a stop, he stroked Raven's neck affectionately. He exchanged a brief glance with Bodhi, a silent understanding passing between them. With a sense of readiness settling over him, Matteo awaited further instruction, his gaze switching from his horse to the boy in front of him. |
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Lucky was anxious to be off again, and Bodhi was glad that he had chosen a bare back pad over a real leather saddle, his mind already dancing to the trails that he might want to take. There were quite a few on Silver Creek's many acres of land, but he already knew which one he was going to take. Memory Trail, named for the dream catchers hung from many trees, and alongside the path, memorials for horses, and anything else people wanted to put. It connected to another trail, that he could take to get down to the river. His lips quirked, and he urged the gelding into a loping canter, making his way down the trail. The mobiles glinted in the sun, the dream catchers spun in the breeze, and he relaxed into the horse's smooth gait. A quick turn had him making his way down a connecting trail. This one slowly changed from grassy to gravel, and he slowed Lucky, not wanting the equine to hurt his hooves on the small sharp rocks. His mind was occupied thinking about other things as they went around a curve, and he realised that they had reached the lake. His face brightened, and he let the gelding splash down into the cool water, lazily dragging his fingers through the liquid. The sun was warm, and the sky was bright. He relaxed, and patted Lucky's neck, easing him away from the deeper parts of the lake, enjoying the serene peace of the lake and surrounding area. |
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Matteo was quick to get up on Raven's saddle and follow Bodhi. He made Raven almost match Bodhi and Lucky's speed, being just behind them. He looked around, admiring everything around them. But one thing caught Matteo's eyes, the dreamcatchers, he thought they were so beautiful. He smiled throughout the whole way, looking at almost every single one. He continued to follow Bodhi, matching the speed so they would follow closely behind. Matt looked into the distance as they rode around a curve, his eyes widened at the body of water. He smiled slightly, preparing himself to maybe get wet. "Oh my god, this is beautiful! Are we going to cross to the other side?" Matteo asked as he slowly walked Raven deeper into the water until they were standing beside Bodhi and Lucky. Matt loved this and was in slight awe. The weather was amazing, and so was the lake scenery that surrounded them. He slightly leaned his body down to feel the water, it was cool. Since the air was warm, the water was refreshing but not too cold. Thoughts raced through his mind, how deep the water was, what animals lived in the forest, and where they would go from here. He leaned back up and focused his attention to Bodhi, smiling. |
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Fall 
Night 
Hurricane Moon: 
