Post by Alex on Mar 22, 2009 12:47:47 GMT -6
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AFTER ROLLING OVER ON HER stomach and releasing a barely audible groan into her pillow, Sonja's eyes squinted against the red glare of her digital alarm clock. "Oh, what the hell." Sonja said with a sigh. It read 7:34, approximately an hour later than she would have liked to be up. She forced herself into an upright position, her mouth stretching open into a wide yawn before rubbing her eyes sleepily and feeling for the floor with her wiggling toes. She shuffled down the hallway of her apartment and into the bathroom, where she had run cold water over her face in hopes of ridding the dark circles beneath her eyes, partly caused by excess makeup. So she had forgotten to take it off before heading to bed. And by the looks of it, she had forgotten to change out of her jeans, too. It wasn't all makeup, though, lack of sleep was the culprit behind her forgetfulness. As it always was. Sonja was fairly new to Ravenhook, and her anxiety was beginning to creep up on her now. She had met Mikey on the Honeyoak Trail a day or two prior -- he was her first acquaintance and without a doubt her only friend besides Flynn himself. Yes, Flynn, the gelding she had owned the last year or so and the only horse she felt the strongest connection with. Sure, Sonja had ridden quite a few school horses in her day (leased one or two as well), but Flynn was the one gelding she instantly felt attached to. And it went both ways; anyone watching the gelding and the nineteen year old girl together could spot their connection instantly.
It wasn't long before eight o' clock crept around. Sonja was fresh out of the shower, a light coat of foundation now swept across her features as well as some mascara coating her lashes. Her eyes looked too bare without at least something, you know. Usually Sonja would wear eyeliner, too, but today didn't seem to call for that. Her eyes still appeared a bit sleepy, anyway, and eyeliner always tended to highlight how tired she was. Sonja gulped down some chocolate milk (something she was craving at the given time) and tapped her foot against the cold linoleum as she waited inpatiently for her toast to pop out of the toaster. Her feet were now dressed in paddock boots, half chaps extending up her calves and stopping right at her knee. Sonja had tiredly slipped into some fawn colored breeches, some that had a permanent nail polish stain on one thigh (she couldn't remember which). It wasn't noticeable unless you were within a few feet, but Sonja could care less if it was across her entire ass, to be honest. Today was not a day where she spent thirty minutes on her makeup and hair, no. Instead, she had thrown up her dark waves in a loose, messy bun, still wet from the shower. It was sure to be wild and curly whenever she let it down after it dried. And then there was her slightly bare face, though Sonja had to admit she didn't look so bad without makeup in the first place. Her dad had always complimented her natural beauty. The thought brought a smile to Sonja's formerly solemn face.
With a startling clang! the toast popped out of the toaster and Sonja was back into high gear. She grabbed the two slices of bread and tossed them on a Styrofoam plate, grabbing her helmet from the counter and heading out the door in record time. After locking the door behind her, Sonja was down the stairs and standing next to her rust-colored Saturn, a piece of toast hanging from her mouth as she unlocked the car and ducked her head as she eased herself behind the wheel.
Luckily, Southern Blues Stables was no more than ten minutes away, a quick drive, considering. The next twenty minutes was spent fetching Flynn from one of the paddocks and grooming him hurriedly in the cross ties. Of course, the playful gelding had lipped at her shirt once or twice, causing a few grass stains to streak across her school hoodie. It was already starting to warm up -- Sonja reminded herself repeatedly to take it off before mounting. Of course, swinging into the saddle moments later, she cursed under her breath as she realized that she had, indeed, forgotten to remove the thick article of clothing. It had previously been so cool, but the sun was now starting to peak above the trees, a light layer of fog swirling at their branches. Flynn's nostrils fluttered as he released an anticipating sigh, tossing his mane as the entrance to Bowing Creek Trail came into sight. "This isn't quite as leisurely as Honeyoak Trail, boy." Sonja said with a laugh. Which was true, this trail's purpose was more so meant for endurance riding. The path looked worn and beaten, surely taken by hundreds of horses prior. A wave of excitement rose through Sonja then, for she had only taken a course like this once before and the idea of running it again was thrilling. Flynn picked up on her excitement and released a rumbling whinny, pressing forward as the first obstacle came into sight. Sonja eased the gelding into a slow, rocking canter, the small warm up log coming up fast. She slid her hands up his neck, bending over his mane as he arched over the obstacle and landed just seconds later. "Good boy." Sonja said, her voice carried off by the sudden breeze. She kept the eager gelding going at the canter, half halting every so often as his pace quickened with anticipation for the next jump. So far, they were advancing down a slight incline, Flynn's hooves eating up the soft dirt hungrily. Sonja's face broke into a grin. This is what they loved to do.
The next few jumps flew by. Sonja was feeling confident about her position and Flynn's sides were darkening slightly as he began to work up a sweat. The course was a workout, all right, but the gelding was certainly enjoying it nonetheless. Sonja gave his neck a pat as she slowed him to a walk and let him rest for a few minutes. They seemed to be the only two out here, despite waking up so late. Though, she didn't mind being alone... usually company tended to distract her from what she set out to do in the first place. Sonja shifted her weight in the saddle as she caught her own breath. She always seemed to hold her breath at the canter for whatever reason. As soon as she was ready, Sonja would give the horse his head and they'd continue up the trail at their easygoing pace.
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