October Story Contest

Winona and Jupe
By: ging
Age: 12

The sun woke me up as it streamed through my bedroom window. Well, my bedroom at dads farm. Mum and dad got divorced 2 years ago when I was 12. It changed my life. During the week I stay at mums and during the weekends I mooch around at dads place.

Same old routine. I threw my legs over the side of my bed, cursing as my feet hit the stone cold floor. I forgot my slippers at mums place. My hand reached out and grabbed my robe.

'Morning Winona' Dad grunted over his newspaper. I nodded and poured myself some orange juice.
'So Win, I was wondering if you want to take old Jupe out
for an early morning ride' I rolled my eyes 'Dad you know I hate horses, I took lessons for like a year when I was ten and then quit 'cause that girl Danna kept telling me to keep my heels down or something'

'But you were so good Win,you had a real talent. Go on a half hour ride, you'll feel fresh afterwards' 'Fine!Half an hour dad! If you promise me you'll let me go see a movie tomorrow?'

'Yeh sure. You remember how to put the tack on right?'
'Yeah yeah'
'Have fun!'
'Like thats possible!'
'I love you'

OMG. The stink was worse than I remeberd! I walked down to the barn  and Joey a guy from my school who worked here for extra cash on the weekends smiled at me 'I havent seen you around here before Winona' I just shrugged and walked past.

A fly from a nearby pile of horse droppings buzzed and flew against my cheek 'Eeewww gross!' I yelled and ran inside. The semll of hay filled my nose. lovely. Wait, who am I kidding? I hate horses! I hate riding! No I dont.

I shook my head and walked up the row of stalls till I reached Jupe's stall. He already had his gear on. Joey must have tacked him up. Ever since I turned thirteen Joey has had a crush on me. Hes like 15? And hes pretty cute too. 

I unlatched Jupes stall and Jupe suck is head out and got horse slobber all
over my jeans. 'Jupe! look what you've done! These jeans are only a couple
weeks old!' I cursed him under my breath.

Jupe's hooves drummed on the cement floor of the barn. It was a reassuring
sound. I pulled on my helmet and mounted once we reached the mounting block.
Joey was walking towards me. 'Winona'
'Hey'
'So where are you going?'
'Dunno just around'
'its weird seeing you around horses, you like never come down to the barn'
'No wonder, Jupe ruined my jeans!'
'Oh come on'

I rolled my eyes. Joey looked at me with his green eyes. He actually is pretty cute. I smiled at him and was glad I wore my red tank top.
'Well see ya Joey, I gotta go ride otherwise dad'll kill me'

'yeah I'd better get back to work otherwise he'll kill me too, man I'll be happy when school starts again' I waved and nudged Jupe with my heels. Okay maybe I do like him. Hes only a year older than me.....

Jupe tossed his head. It felt weird riding  again, but a good weird. I missed riding but I'd never tell dad that. I kicked Jupe and he trotted on down the driveway, past the cow field and the chicken coops. The wind messed up my hair as I rode into the woods. It was cold, I should have brought my jacket but Jupe would have ruined it like he did with my jeans.

I didnt go much further, just along the main trails. I was familiar with them. My watch said I had to be back in five minutes. I turned Jupe and decided to risk ruined hair (I would have time to style it when we got back) and cantered Jupe back.

I dismounted and led Jupe to the washing racks. I unbuckled his girth and the smell of horse sweat. Over whelemed me. I took two steps back and bumped
into Joey. 'Joey you scared the hell outta me!' He smiled and took the saddle from me and put it on the fence post.

I watched as he untacked Jupe. When he was done, he turned him loose in the
paddock with two other horses, Kella and Dandylion. I leant on the fence and
watched them. Joey watched me. Then I broke the silence.
'You're fifteen right?'
Yeah' He replied 'you?'
'Fourteen'
'neat'
'Joey I gotta go but .. I ..I'll see you round ok?'
'Yeah sure, what about a ride tomorrow morning? Jupe and Fraser? Then if you
dont wanna hang around here,we could go catch a movie or something?'
My heart leapt 'Its a date'

OMG. Joey just asked me out! Well I do like him.. alot. Then I realized
horses werent that bad and Jupe is actually fun to ride and if I ride lots
I'll see Joey and we could ride together....

Dad looked up when I walked into the kitchen 'Feel fresh?' I smiled 'Yeah
dad alot, and Im gonna go riding tomorrow ok? On Jupe? And a movie after'
'Sure Winona'
'Thanks dad!'

I ran upstairs to my room and looked in my mirror. my hair was a mess, my eyeliner was a bit smudged, my lipgloss wasnt glossy anymore and my jeans were dirty but I still felt amazing! Today was amazing! Even though I thought it would totally stink at first!

Th@nx$ 4 reading guys! :D