[and]&&It's[just]SUMMER-open-

[Conner||Jake]

WHAT?! The 15 year old boy banged his fist aganist the car window, making a loud crack sound. His "mother" or well she was the lawyer person, looked over at him with great disgust.
Yea, that's right. You will be living here at Darlington until further notice. Swanke... Just clean up your act. The nice black Mercades, stopped infront of the barn. Timothy Swanke slammed the car door shut, and walked over the the courtyard. This was what he had been destined to?! Swanke sighed deeply, taking in the horsey air... that would be something he would have to get used to. Something aobut this place, just made him want to run away, he covered up one of his eyes with his hand. He closed his other eye and counted to three, he opened them slowly... hoping this would all go away.
d**n. Swanke yelled, as the place he hated the most was still here. The wind blew a bit, rustling his hair in all different directions. He stomped over to on of the benchs on the side of the courtyard, and plopped down onto it. This was his death sentence, and he intended to trick death.

[<<|Pylo|>>]

Wind whiped at her face, pushing her side fringe in her grey eyes. Amy whisked it back and walked on, she was in her brown jodhpurs and half chaps, heading towards the stable. She didn't know if she wanted to ride just yet, but she wanted to see how Joker was settling in. As she pushed the dorm doors open, she heard a shout. It drumed through her ears, making her pause in her walking. She raised and eybrow and picked up the pace to see what was going on. Boots scuffed into the pebbles, pushing them along the drive, sending them rolling in a mass of grey and brown.

Hand was raised to her eyes, blocking out the powerful beams of the afternoon sun. She caught sight of a rather frustrated guy, clearly with some problems. She ran a hand along her layered ponytail for a moment, before moving closer. She didn't know how to introduce herself without making it awkward, so she leaned back on the wall. She skimmed over him, he was kinda' cute, but not the sorta guy you would want to mess with. Watching him for a moment she giggled. Her laugh spun from her lips, it was likely it caught his attention.

[Conner||Jake]

Dark brown orbs scanned the perimeter of the property... Swanke couldn't lie. I mean this place was pretty nice, and on the website the dorm he wouldb e staying in looked really awesome... but he didn't wnat to live here. Pushing some black hair to the side, Swanke heard the pebbles along the drive rustling, someone was coming. He rubbed his eye with the outside of his hand, and yawned. He hadn't slept in well, a long time. But he didn't feel like going to sleep. Swanke looked over a long a wall, as he heard a "giggle" a girl? Great. He decided that he didn't want to be a jackass, so he walked over and stopped a couple feet infront of her.
Hi, I'm uh. Swanke. It's my last name... I really don't like my first name. It was always a novel when Swanke talked. Ofcourse his whole life seemed like a soap opera. But whatever, he wasn't fazed... well devestated... well totally blown up by any of the changes that had happened in his life. Swanke always tried to make the best out of any bad situation. Atleast he tried, sometimes he didn't always succeed.

[<<|Pylo|>>]

She bit her lip. Great. Now she looked like one of those prissy little 'im gonna' follow this guy all day until I piss him off' girls. She wasen't one of those girls at all. Infact, having a boyfriend wasen't even on her mind. She would rather stick with horses, she didn't need all that 'lets take drugs and have sex' bizzo at age 15. She never wanted it actualy. Sure, she liked to party and sometimes making out with randoms was fun, but nothing more. She smiled at him, grey eyes skimming across his face. Swanke? Woah! Never heard that one. It made her mind buzz and a laugh stir in her chest. But she simply raised an eye brow "Swanke, hey?" she grinned "Thats a first." she wasen't trying to be rude, simply letting her character shine.

"I'm Amy" she nodded. No handshake. Handshakes made her nervouse, made her stomach whizz and made her flighty. "You ride?" she asked, somehow she doubted it. He didn't seem like that type. He looked to...wild? She pondered on her thaughts. He was cute she had to admit and he was kinda'...likeable? I dunno' but he had personality by his hair and the way he dressed. She liked that. She hoped they could be friends. It would be fun.

[Conner||Jake]

Swanke listened to he as she talked, analyzing her. Taking a mental note of her face, and voice and storing it away in the back of his head. Once she said Swanke was a first... he kinda bobbed his head up and down.
I get that alot, He smiled, though you can call me by my middle name. It's Jake, Swanke had never really shared that with anyone. But anyways, He often got a laugh whe nhe told someone his last name... well it's unique. Just like him.
Nice to meet you Amy, Swanke sighed deeply and closed his eyes for a moment, well 2 or 3 seconds. Opening them back up, he listened as she asked him if he rode or not. Swanke kinda chuckled at that.
Well, I don't. I kinda got into some trouble back home. And I have to work here, and yea. It sucks. He ran a hand through his hair, and sighed. Sighing was kinda of a habit for him, his whole life was filled with sighs and 'i've got that before' head bobs! Face it kid, your life is screwed up. Swanke prolly gave off the impression of being well too out of control to be doing anything horse related. Wearing tight dark washed jeans, black/white/and red skate shoes, and a black/white/and read shirt that said RAWR six times, then it said, "Ima big scary BABY CAKE!". Swanke knew he made a kind of weirdi mpression. But whatever. He had made friends with this impression loads of times... so why would this time be any different?

[<<|Pylo|>>]

Amy, admiring his confidence. He wasen't like tjose guys that got awkward around girls. The ones that always rubbed at the back of their necks and coughed all the time, looking around for something to talk about. This was fun, it was interesting. He was polite to. His reply made her smile, she could already feel something between them. Friendship ofcoarse. Nothing more, nothing less. She looked down for a moment, nodding and listening. Okay, he didn't ride. But that was okay, she could show him. Yes, show him. That would be good. Jake...so much more...easy? She smiled "Jake." pausing for a moment, she gave off the impression she was thinking "Yeah, Id like that." she laughed slightly and put her fingers in her pockets.

Okay, now what. Show him around? Possibly. "Do you want me to show you around. Its really not that bad here, you'll make friends. The horses are nice, too. Most of them like anybody that feeds them, you should be doing alot of that. Oh yeah. They like clean stalls too." she nudged him and laughed. "I'm guessing thats your duty?" she raised an eye brow and signalled him to follow. "Horses are beautiful. You can have the closest relationships with them. Closer than humans. I find that alot. Horses are always my best friends." she saw the entrance to the barn, but she changed direction to walk around it. "I'll show you my boyfriend" she smiled. She knew he would get the wrong idea, but a bit of games would be fun.

[Conner||Jake]

She seems nice, The thought suddenly ran through his head, without him having to think about it. Yea, he would prolly get called 'Jake' by her now. SInce it was more easy then Swanke. Atleast that's what he got told by his mother. His mother? Oh how he missed her. Swanke had gotten removed from his house, his normal life that day... That terrible night changed his life forever, it was sometihng that would be with him forever. It sucked big time. So getting off that subject.... this girl, seemed well pretty down to earth. And alot like him. Maybe they could be friends, like bestfriends. That would certainly help Swanke out, big time. Having someone there for him, when he got pissed off.
Good, cause' it's either Swanke or Jake, He did that whole guy 'side smile' thing. That adorable little smile taht was just to die for. Would he mind to be shown around? He hesitated for a moment, and realized he couldn't say no to her.
Alright? Swanke was a bit uncertain but followed her anyways. Have more bond with a horse then a human? Haha. Swanke chuckled, that was funny. She had a boyfriend?
Ah. You have a boyfriend? Swanke grinned, d**n, He tried to sound dispointed.

[<<|Pylo|>>]

She walked beside him, looking around at each horse. She didn't know all the horses herself, infact she only knew about 3 including Joker. She glanced back to him everynow and then, just watching him in time to catch his smile. Aw. She felt herself melt slightly. God, he was cute. She smiled back at him, her eyes trailed along the ground, a jolt of excitement ran through her body, she clenched her jaw. This was fun already. She heard his words, he had got the idea she hoped he would get. But it was his last word 'd**n' that made her cheeks flush. It tugged at her heart strings and made her slightly uneasy.

She didn't reply to that, simply looked up and gave an almost teasing smile. As they waked towards the paddocks, she looked up, the sun catching the corner of her eye. She glanced down again, squinting. Although she was reasonably new here to, she already felt welcomed, she liked it here. She caught sight of a horse with a cotton combo. Grazing beside another horse, his ears flicked to the side. She smiled, she could only tell it was Joker by the thick white blaze that ran down his face, along with his fiery red coat. Although only his face was visible. She clicked her tongue, both of the horses raised their heads. but Joker showed interest. He let out a low neigh ans trotted over to the fence. In hope of getting a treat. She put her arms over the gate and ran her hand down his face. He raised his head to lip at her hand. She kissed his nose. "This is my boyfriend" she giggled and looked across to Jake, smiling and grinning.

[Conner||Jake]

Jake kinda strutted along, proud of the fact he could make this girl melt. Or atleast not say anything to any of his comments. He felt at ease now, he had nothing to worry about. Jake had this girl, and well about a million horses... seeings "you could have a better relationship with a horse, then a human." Well we will see about that one. He looked to both sides of him, registering each one of the horses face in the back of his head, in his memory. Getting outside, he breathed out rather loudly. It was the sun, he hated the fact that it was so bright. But still even with the rays of the sun ebating down on him, she trudged onward to this fenced in area.
Watching Amy whistle, he looked over the gate at the two horses. Both of them looked up, but only one seemed totally interested in her. Jake figured that was her horse. Yea, he was right! Ha.
Oh, Jake ran a hand through his hair again, He's quite gorgous, He ran a hand down the horses muzzle, then shoved his hand into his pocket. It was one thing he didn't want to do... get his hand bit off by a horse. That was would kinda suck. Since he needed his hand for the work he would have to do.
So telle me about yourself. Jake leaned aganist the fence, eyes moving from looking around the property to her.

[<<|Pylo|>>]

The gelding snorted at the touch to his muzzle. He let out a squeal and spun around, jerking his head away from them and pacing back to the other horse. He let out a playful buck and bit at the horses rump, in this case it was a grey horse. She had never seen him before, but he caught her eye. She watched the two trot around kicking at eachother and then turned back to Jake. "Yeah, hes a sweety. I love him" she smiled when he asked about her. Looking at the ground, she tapped at the gate, thinking for a moment. "Not much to tell...but okay." she looked up at him "When I was three, my dad left my mum, hes still alive, he writes to me on my birthday, but other than that he never replys to my letters. Well thats because he dosen't give an adress. I can't really remember him, but my older sister can. I started riding before I can remember. My aunt owns a stable where my mum and I keep our horses. I have owned more horses than I can remember. I have an old cremello mare back at home, I got her when i was...10 or 8 I think." she smiled at the thaught of the aged mare.

"My mums name is Kirsty, shes awesome. My dog Sassy, shes a Kelpie, just had 8 puppies to our Husky, Toscoe, hes getting neutered now, though. We have a few sheep at the stable and a few cows, I raised a calf a year back. Her name is Jess, shes back at home. I adore animals. Big or small. Love insects, they fascinate me. I have fish, frogs you name it. My mum loves them too, we share most of them." she smiled, relaxing in his pressence, she liked him. A sudden pull to the back of her head made her jump, she spun around, her pony tail now falling loose. The chestnut gelding stood behind her, looking innocent. "Oh how could I forget. His name is Joker. I think you can see how he got his name" she rubbed the back of her head. "Ouch!" she tapped at his nose. The warmblood tossed his head and reached out to nip her arm. She tossed her hands at him "Get out of it!" the gelding soun around yet again and cantering off across the paddock. "Hes such a loon." she shook her head, letting her hair down. It draped over her shoulders, a rather thin mass of jetten threads.

[Conner||Jake]

Jake paid attention, like full attention. He was always the gentleman type guy, unless there was a really hot girl... then he would get to be kinda like a guy guy. But anywho:) Interesting life she had, quite better well... in a way it was better then his. Jake was never really the one to share his life story, to just anyone. But if she asked, then he would tell her. This girl, there was something about her, that he liked. Jake couldn't excatly put his finger on it, but there was something... and hey it's the thought that counts right? Right. Once she finished her first few sentences about her dad, Jake did the apologetic head nod. Then hearing about the whole owning horses, her aunt owns a stable thing. He smiled, she apperently was wayyy more interested in these animals then he ever would be. Which didn't faze him at all. He figured they would eventually grow on him, so he wasn't to freaked.
Jake began to think of his own life, then when she began talking about her mom... and he interests he turned all his attention on her once again. Bugs? Oh god, yuck. Jake shrugged it off, he could work around bugs. He felt this sense of, calmness between them. Like a whole 'I like you but O'm not going to tell you' tension in the air. Jake was known to beable to read every situation like that.
That, is a very interesting life, Jake grinned as she finished. Seeing the horse come up behind her, and pull he ponytail... he held back a laugh.
He's Mr. Personailty, huh? Jake watched as the two had one of those heart-to-heart horse&&rider moments. Things that he only saw on the 'Saddle Club'... yea he watched that show before coming here... haha funny funny. Jake sighed gently, and looked up at Amy, she was quite gorgous with he hair down.

[<<|Pylo|>>]

Amy smiled, grey eyes catching his. Ugh. She hated moments like those, awkward moments. But it didn't seem that way now. It was welcoming, warm. It was...friendly. She wrapped the band around her wrist and blushed slightly as he commented on her life. "hah. I guess so." she laughed under her breath to herself. My, he was quite the gentleman. It wasen't long before yet another speech filtered through her ears. She turned to watch the two horses racing about, untill the grey stopped and Joker crashed into him. She laughed, he could be clumsy sometimes. "Yeah, hes anything but boring" she sighed "He keeps me busy." she watched the gelding snort and soon start grazing again. "He can be quite the handful. But we do everything together. Show wise, i mean. He's an amazing performance horse, I dont know how my mum could afford him." she suddenly felt like she was bragging and bit at her lip, hoping he didn't think that of her. "He was worth every cent though, not something you regret." there was a moment of silence "How about you. Anything interesting going on in your life? Girl friends? Parents?" she asked the girlfriend question on purpose. For some reason she found herself dreading the reply.

[Conner||Jake]

Jake chuckled at her statement. He guessed nobody thought their lives were perfect. Or even close... except those snobby rich girls that thought they were perfect. Oh how they despised them. Jake glanced at the two horses running around like complete fools in the fenced in area... he believed this area was called a pasture... or maybe a paddock. Well something along those lines. He listened again as she began talking about her horse, he wondered if everybody here was this horse crazy, he wouldn't doubt it. I mean he was at an equestrian school. Oh gosh, sometimes Jake is one of the slower kids. Then the spotlight turned to him, anything interesting in his life, girlfriends, or parents.
Well, I just got the news that my mother, whom I loved ever so dearly had a stroke. My father is somewhere in California. I got moved here to be a stablehand... and I have no idea where my life is headed. Girlfriends? Well let's just say I haven't been out much. And friends well... I've moved aorund to much to have friends. At that point Amy might be thinking he should be despressed, but in reality Jake looked to the light of the situation, But on the plus side... I met you. Jake kinda threw that in there. It wasn't a lie either, it was the whole truth.

[<<|Pylo|>>]

By this time, she knew she had it easy. His life seemed so...sad. So different. And his mum...she felt a lump in her throat, it could have been guilt, maybe it was tears. She didn't cry though, she wasen't that soft. She didn't cry very easy at all, unless somebody or something she knew well had died. Even then, it would take a strong relationship to make her cry. She looked to the ground, feeling sorry for him. But she didn't have the right to feel that way, unless he felt sorry for himself, too. He would pull through, she was sure of it. He actually appeared to be fine. Scuffing her boot in the grass, she swollowed that lump.

His last words jerked at her heart, made her bite her tongue. She wanted to leap on him and wrap her arms around him, hold his hand and tell him she was there for him. But she had a feeling that would only make things worse, not they where bad. She held her gaze to him, the lump was back and her heart was racing in her chest, her stomach churned and bubbled. She didn't know how she felt, only that she was...well...confused? No that wasen't it. His words left her speechless, all she could do was manage an awkward smile. She fiddled with her shirt, pulling it down further over her hips. She soon looked up "I'm sorry about your mum" her words where soft, hesitant in a way.

[Conner||Jake]

Jake saw the hurt in her eyes, that hurt him a great deal.
Do you need a hug? Jake asked sincerly, and ushered her over to him. He felt bad for her, and not himself. It was kinda weird though, how Jake always put other people ahead of himself. But that didn't mean that he was never sad about his own life.. because he was. And quite often at that. Jake was never relaly the one to show his emotions, unless something very drastic happened, and plowed him so suddenly that it all just poured out.

Cause' I need a hug... Jake gave her that smile again, the one that made her melt. Just to maybe lgihten things up a bit. He didn't want to see her sad, since she was his first friend... and the fact he kinda liked... maybe loved her. How quickly things worked out, and how quickly fate seemed to make itself known in life. He never expected this place to bring on so many new things. But he was kinda thankful that he met Amy.

She was so nice, and lady like. And with him being so gentleman like. It was perfect. But she didn't seem to like him like that? Or maybe Jake wasn't looking through her good enough. He couldn't quite tell. Now with this situation heading somewhere that he didn't know. Everything now just seemed to fade away... it faded so quickly that he didn't even have time to catch it. Poor kid.