Undecided Boredom

[Ava LeForce]

So far, her day had been rather dreary. There was nothing for her to do; homework she decided she could put off for a bit longer, and as for riding the problem with that was her lack of horse. With a bit of a sigh, Ava slowly entered the pizza shop and glanced around. Although it was dim and dull outside, it took her a bit to adjust to the darker atmosphere. She slowly made her way up to the little stand.
"How many?" the man inquired her as if it pained for him to even talk.
"Just one," was her blunt response.
Rolling her eyes, Ava nevertheless followed him to her small and lonely table. The waiter simply plopped down the menu and left.
"He's so nice," she muttered under her breath in heavy sarcastic tones.

For a moment her gaze stranded out the window; a few raindrops but other than that nothing more. Adjusting herself in her seat, Ava looked down at the menu; this was a pizza place, so they had few options. Personally she wasn't crazy about pizza so just decided to order a drink and some breadsticks. After deciding what she wanted, she patiently waited for someone to come and take her order.

Her gaze drifted down to her plain attire. A simple pair of jeans with a few holes in them near the knees and below. Her top wasn't anything special; it was simply black with a few lime green designs randomly placed on both sides. As for her shoes, they were her old pair of dusty boots she had gotten two years ago before she arrived at Maybell Academy. Her choice for outfits was her own; she normally didn't dress up and couldn't see why anyone would want to dress up.

"What do you want today?" a voice asked rather harshly.
Pulling away from her thoughts Ava looked up for a moment, in more of a dumbfounded manner. It took her a few moments to register what the female waiter had said.
"Oh, sorry. I'd like an order of breadsticks and water please," Ava replied, closing her menu.
The woman merely walked away as if annoyed.
"People are rude here today..." Ava added under her breath.

Sitting in silence, Ava studied the pizza place. The walls were painted a darker red and below the middle of the wall started the green paint all the way around. Lamps hung over the booths and tables, providing the only lighting within the place; that's what made it so dull. As for the ceiling, it seemed to be rather low, lower than most pizza places at least. As her gaze wandered about, Ava looked over and saw that her breadsticks were coming.

Sitting up straighter, she took her breadsticks, giving a weak smile to the waitress. Maybe that brightened her day up, because the waitress seemed to return the smile with actual enthusiasm and her cherry voice said, "Here you are, enjoy!"
Shrugging to herself, Ava hesitantly began to pick at her breadsticks before looking around, wondering if she would recognize anyone in here.

[/center][/blockquote]

[CJ McAllen]

The third day here for the new sophomore; his schedule was out of whack, and he hadn’t been to one class. Things here were different from before, he usually would ride everyday but he didn’t even have a horse here, what a rip off. For the tuition this place seemed dull. Living across states, it had taken him awhile to get here; he had only slept last night and in a dorm. He shivered at the thought of a dorm; he wasn’t a snob but he preferred his tiny room to a large one with other guys. He shrugged as he walked into the pizzeria, he’d get used to it, besides until he got some money he’d be there, of course he needed a horse so his first priority was to get one, a nice one too.

In his opinion a nice horse wasn’t the most expansive; it was the compatible, special one. The only one you see in the auction that catches your eyes and pries them out of your skull, the one who you have to get or else you’ll be miserable wondering what if… The sophomore shook his head as he was led to a small table, that made it sound like love, but that was the nice one, always. He sat down and looked around; he knew only one person here, himself. He needed to find a friend, he hated being alone for too long.

His eyes snagged on a girl sitting a table away from him, she was receiving breadsticks, and water. Her head swiveled to take a look at everyone in here, which wasn’t exactly too much. A waiter tapped her pen against her tablet; she cleared her throat and threw CJ back into his body. “Oh, sorry. Uh, could I get a diet coke and some breadsticks with marinara sauce?” It was more of a command than a question but there hadn’t been a hint of rudeness in the lyrics; even so, the waitress turned sharply and left. Yow! What a bitch… CJ was cute with his perfect blue eyes and that lovely lighter than light brown hair, but he didn’t always work his magic on people, no for now he was looking at the girl down from him. Maybe she was new too or maybe she could show him around; CJ always felt like an idiot when he asked a guy to show him a few things around new places, so he stuck to girls, but if they weren’t interested, rare, he didn’t press the flirting. Although it had never stopped completely, he was a flirt, although he knew how to control himself.

The waitress returned with the breadsticks and marinara sauce; she forgot the diet coke. “Thanks.” He grinned at the guy and she smiled back. Her pale face was coated with blonde waves. She gave an apology and ran back for his coke; CJ picked up a breadstick and tore off the top, he dipped it in the sauce and popped it in his mouth; the warmth was invigorating. He felt renewed energy from his earlier feeling of fatigue. The waitress came and left but a small piece of paper was sticking to his coke; plucking it from his drink he read it, a number…lovely. CJ placed it on the table and took a sip of his drink; refreshing but completely unhealthy, oh well, this sufficed.

[Ava LeForce]

Ava continued eating in silence, paying attention to nothing in particular really. She was more in a daydream at the moment; her thoughts lingered about the horse she had just gotten. Yiska, her first horse, and perhaps not the best first horse. He was a wild mustang, being abused in the past, but she was confident that her and the beautiful stallion would work out well together; their personalities weren't that far apart. The auction had gone well for her; she was the only bidder on the stallion, which made things easier. She put her cell phone back in her jeans pocket; still smiling at the good call she received about Yiska.

Snapping back into reality, Ava sat up and looked around, jumping at the sound of a loud clatter made from plates in the back kitchen of the restaurant. Taking in a few deep breaths, she looked around the place before seeing someone she hadn't seen in her recent glances around the place. She was unsure of his age or grade (but what did that matter really) but he looked fairly young, maybe a junior, sophomore? Near her age at least, she could tell that much.

It looked as if he was eating bread-sticks as well. Nice choice. Shifting herself in her booth, she felt suddenly compelled to go and maybe talk to him or something. But in truth she was slightly scared. Boys were one of her fears after all, having an abusive father. Everyone had to face their fears someday...right? And although she had talked to boys before, she never approached them, it was them who ended up approaching her.

Taking in a deep breath, she finished off the last of her bread-sticks and decided that it was now or never. Besides, she didn't have any friends here really, there was no one she knew, this school was new to her and Ava still really didn't feel like she truly belonged. A new start. With that mindset, she slowly and hesitantly got up from her booth and walked nervously over to his table. Standing there a moment in silence, she looked at him before regaining her confidence. Now there was really no turning back.
"Hi," she said weakly, "mind if I sit here?"
Flirting? Certainly not; Ava knew she had to get out of her comfort zone some day and today was the day she guessed. Besides, she wouldn't start off flirting with a random guy; in her opinion, that was belittling, or so it felt like that to her. Pushing her thoughts slightly away, she cleared her mind for a moment.

No, she wasn't the social butterfly, nor was she really smooth in her actions. This took guts though, and soon her nerves were pushed aside and Ava became more casual, less nervous looking. "You go to the academy don't you?" With a slight inclination of her head, she waited him to allow her to sit at his table. After all, she wouldn't like it if he thought she was rude. Noticing his bread-sticks again, she glanced back over to her empty table, seeing a busboy clean it off quickly. Taking her focus off of her previous booth, she looked back over at CJ.
"Oh, I'm Ava by the way; who are you?"

[CJ McAllen]

CJ grabbed another of the six serving breadsticks; having already devoured two he had four left, and this current one would make only three left soon. Swiveling his head around again to scour the room, he saw a girl perhaps around his age, a few couples, and another guy on his own eating some food. Wow…big crowd. This was the first official day CJ had been here and already he missed his little sister and his mother. What was he; a wuss? No; simply homesick, although it hadn’t even really been twenty-four hours, how sad. Lightly shaking his head, CJ dipped the tip of the bread in the marina sauce and devoured it slowly.

Movement caught him from the corner of his eye; someone was coming up to him. He barely moved his head to see, but after completely swallowing his breadstick, he looked up. A beautiful sight materialized before him and he was mildly surprised, sure he had been approached at home, but he was knew here, surely it only took pure guts to come up to the new guy…or did it? CJ was an egomaniac but he was slightly pleased that it was he that had been approached. Her soft voice sounded melodically beside him; his eyes ventured to her angelic face with a hint of attitude. He smiled; her two questions came right after one another.

“Of course, you can sit.” He smiled and sipped his diet coke before answering the second and now third questions. “Yes, I am new at the academy, this is the first official day I’ve been here, you?” HE watched her and then looked at his three breadsticks, he wanted to be polite but he had seen her eating earlier… “Would you like some breadsticks, Ava? I’m CJ, nice to meet you.” His blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, finally some company for the poor boy. Being new was hard for CJ but with someone he was at least acquainted with was better than nothing; perhaps they would become good friends soon. Even though the girl was pretty, CJ wasn’t sure if he really wanted a commitment so soon, but who knew, maybe he would change his mind; it wasn’t as if the girl came over to be his girlfriend anyway, so it didn’t matter.

CJ grabbed another warm breadstick and slowly tore it in half and then dipped one half in to the sauce. He eyed the girl casually and smiled again, he felt like a girl, all smiley and happy. Of course he did just learn the name of a pretty girl, and hopefully she wouldn’t just be another pretty face he saw in his lifetime. He needed a friend to confide and hang out with; especially if they knew their way around because he was so clueless. “So what grade are you in?” She looked at least around his age, but not in his grade, maybe that wouldn’t matter, even if they weren’t completely attracted enough to one another they could be close friends, like brother and sister; something like that at least would suit CJ’s need for a companion of some sort, he didn’t even have a horse yet, although the auction that had gone on had two amazing horses, a mustang and paint, but both were already sold so he settled for a needy arab. He was waiting for the call any time now.

OOC//: Sorry, that wasn't fabulous but I was dieing on muse. =[

[Ava LeForce]

Ava sat down at the booth and looked around a bit before turning back to him. Maybe she shouldn't have disturbed him while he was still eating. Truth be told, she hadn't even thought of that. Pushing her thoughts aside though, she heard his other reply. First day at the academy? It wasn't her first day, rather first week, so there was a bit of a difference, not like it mattered. But she was glad she knew where everything was, in general at least. "Oh. I came here last week or so, just to kind of get settled in before classes really started," she replied. "But this is my first year here.."

Hearing him offer her breadsticks, she shook her head. "No thank you. And it's nice to meet you too." She offered a slight smile. Normally she wasn't this..talkative to say the least. But then again, normally she wouldn't have approached a complete stranger. An odd day for her; one though that she was enjoying though. As silence came about, she tried to think of a subject.

Her thoughts eventually drifted off to the past auction, which she was very pleased with the outcome. A soft smile spread across her features, thinking about her new horse. Of course! Horses, he'd like them, otherwise he would have no place at this academy truthfully. Before she could answer the question, however, she heard him inquire what grade she was in.
"I'm in tenth, a sophomore, even though this is my first year at Maybell," she replied. "You?"

Ava paused for a minute. Adjusting herself, she relaxed a bit more, feeling more casual around CJ. He seemed nice enough, not like one of those stuck-up jerks. Normally, someone as good looking as him would be more conceited, or so one would assume. But she liked his personality so far -- he hadn't done anything, or said anything offensive or rude.
"Do you have a horse?" she inquired shortly after her pause. If he did, perhaps they could go riding or something; she needed a friend -- as of now, Ava didn't have any friends at this school. Despite this, she was glad to be at the academy; it gave her a free feeling to do whatever she pleased, a life that revolved around horses which were her passion other than the few other hobbies she had.
"I just got a horse the other day at the auction...he's rather...wild," she added with a slight laugh. Yiska, she had named him, liking the sound of it and it was a fun name to say nevertheless. If they did go riding together though, Ava knew she had to work with her horse so that he wouldn't try to start up a fight with CJ's horse. If that happened, well she would feel terrible about that, and decided not to risk it now, but perhaps mention the subject and explain her horse's behavior. With a small involuntary shrug, Ava looked at him, waiting for his replies.

[No problem; that happens to me very often. ^^]

[CJ McAllen]

Her answers comforted CJ a bit; he didn’t feel awkward and Ava seemed even comfortable just chatting, even though they were still complete strangers to each other. CJ smiled faintly at the confidence of the two; he really didn’t have problems talking to strangers but he could be at loss of words from time to time, it was nice to strike up an easy conversation now. He straightened in his chair and finished the whole breadstick. He nodded to the first answer. “Yea, isn’t the school just opening? Or was it here before?” CJ felt stupid for not knowing but then again, he had never heard of the academy before.

CJ had also seen a beautifully mare that was completely a disaster at that auction. Her tobiano overo coat was still fresh in his mind. It was like the feeling he got when he first saw Whisper, his appy at home. He had wanted to bring her but she was fifteen and pregnant, not much she could do really; except cost him money, and he hated thinking of her that way so he left her in care of his little sister and uncle, even his mom who had grown to love Whisper. CJ wondered how the mare was taking her new pregnancy attention; it wasn’t much more than normal but still…CJ missed the mare and her affection for him. He smiled out of no where; thinking of how Whisper demanded to be the only woman in his life, when ever a girl came to the barn, Whisper scared them off so easily. The antics the mare used was pinning her ears and stomping her hind hooves; something CJ was not afraid of but the girls were… That only proved they couldn’t be with CJ without complications.

CJ heard Ava’s voice again and flew back to Earth; her voice had a stirring sensation about it, almost demanding his attention but without having any real sound of that demand in it. He smiled and nodded; she was a sophomore like him, she was new but somewhat knowledgeable, and she was into horse, or she had to be, to go to the academy really. “Wow, that’s cool, I am a sophomore too.” Her questions made conversations easy and fun; learning about someone was intriguing, if they were infact intriguing. He ate the last breadstick and downed some diet cola.

He looked Ava over again; she seemed very interested in knowing him; perhaps he should bring up Whisper and his history… CJ hated to hog the words though; perhaps he would just say a snippet of things. “I actually own a pregnant mare back at home. She couldn’t come, seeing she was pregnant and fifteen; she was spunky though, I do miss her.” He didn’t have to ask if she had one, immediately she explained her horse situation; the auction she referred to was the same one he had been to, and the stallion she had bought was the one he had seen and liked. Amazing, they had almost the same horse taste. “I think that’s one of the horses I looked at, in that same auction.” CJ laughed very amused and shook his head. That horse had been infact very wild, but CJ hadn’t been afraid and apparently neither was Ava. “What do you plan to train him in?”

[Ava LeForce]

Ava heard his question, but didn't answer right away. Truthfully, she didn't know if the school had just opened; word hadn't gotten around to her about it if this was it's first year. Come to think of it, the place did look rather new. Shrugging, she looked at him. "I don't know to be really honest.. The place does look rather new, so this might be its first year open," she replied. Whatever the answer was, Ava did not really care; she was here and that was good enough for her at the moment.

Ava began to think once again about her horse. This was her first horse, a wild one at that. And even though she had ridden before, she knew well that she could use some help with the project of taming the mustang. Maybe CJ would want to help; she was unsure of this, however, but made a mental thought to ask him later on. Though, she was sure she and him would get along well; he seemed nice, and was polite; she already liked him -- what was there not to like about him? This made things much more easier.

Hearing his reply, she slightly stirred, not expecting to hear him talk so soon. Nodding, she realized that both of them were in the same grade, which was a good thing. "That's great," she replied with a light smile, "maybe we'll end up having some classes together then." Now she would have a friend in a few of her classes, if he was in them of course, which Ava dearly hoped he was.

She noticed that CJ tended to be more reserved when talking; he didn't exactly elaborate on things, but he wasn't necessarily blunt either. A bit in between. Soon he revealed that he did have a horse, just not with him. "Oh. Too bad you couldn't bring her, but it was for the best that she stayed at your house. Anyhow, will you receive pictures of the foal? I'm sure it'll be pretty, and I'd love to see pictures of Whisper too," she added enthusiastically. How she would have loved owning her own horse at home. She recalled a bit of her memories and frowned upon them. Pushing her thoughts away quickly, she returned to her normal self and heard about CJ looking at the same mustang, her Yiska, as well. "Really? Well, you have good horse taste then," she responded.

Training him, that reminded her of the question she had meant to ask him. Now would be the best time. "Oh, I plan to train him in show jumping, maybe cross country later on." Pausing for a moment, she glanced around, seeing a waitress tend to a nearby table before looking back at CJ.
"Are you good with horses? Well, I mean, do you know how to exactly... handle a wild one?" Ava knew how to handle them, sort of, but wasn't too sure on training techniques and such. But she fell in love with Yiska at first site -- being headstrong, having his own mind -- and decided to purchase him, even if it wasn't the best first horse. "He's kind of my first horse and I need some help taming him first."

[CJ McAllen]

Ava’s reply to the school thing wasn’t too enthusiastic, but hey, CJ didn’t care. He wasn’t really that interested in the school age either, he was just making a conversation, trying to keep their meeting going. He smiled and pushed his tray away; downing his soda, he pushed the cup to the side too. He looked back at Ava she seemed to look around a lot, as if unsure of exactly what to say; CJ didn’t blame her, he was at loss of words a lot of times too, it was hard talking to someone you didn’t know, but it was getting easier between them; CJ could tell. The waitress came and cleared the table leaving them to talk without so much as a look at CJ; his smile hadn’t meant anything, it was just friendly.

Cj glanced around as well; some people had left and new people had come in. Just having applied to a dorm, CJ was curious of his new roommates, all he had seen on the list though was one other person, maybe another would come along before too long. CJ twisted his mouth in thought; then, Ava spoke once more, she talked about possible classes together. CJ had geometry, regular English, chemistry and anatomy, French, US History, government, and horsemanship. He hoped Ava had some of those classes.

“Well, I hope so, I have regular English, geometry, and French for starters; what about you?” He smiled enthusiastically; she was proving to be a great potential friend, and he found it easier and easier to talk with her about stuff. He really didn’t like to talk about his past with strangers but talking about Whisper to her was nice, he felt like he could trust her with stuff other athletes might make fun of him for. He listened to her voice drop in tone with the sympathy and then raise with the hope of pictures. He did have pictures on his laptop; maybe later she could see them.

“I do have pictures on my laptop, but that’s back at the dorms right now, and I hope they send emails of the foal every month. If not, they know they’re going to get a bad phone call.” CJ laughed at his little joke, he wouldn’t lay a hand on anyone without a perfectly good reason, and with his family he wouldn’t raise his voice at all, unless his pesky sister broke something valuable to him, which was very rare. “You’d love Whisper, she’s wild for a fifteen year old, and she’s spunky… Do you ride western or anything?” CJ knew that he was mainly a relaxed pleasure guy but sometimes you could persuade him to try hunter at least, it was like an English version of pleasure. He smiled wider and watched Ava.

“Yea, I don’t really go out on a limb unless I know it’s the horse I should get. You know like you feel it?” CJ held back in his explanation, almost expecting Ava to laugh in his face and ruin what could have been, he was so used to it by now that without even giving a fair chance he paused for a laugh to erupt. Ava was speaking again and it was very friendly. CJ listened to the training plans, they sounded pretty cool for a mustang. “I think he will be one cool breed for jumping. He may take to cross country better though, since he will have distance to run, although it also depends on his history…” Cj trailed off, a rueful smile crossed his face. “I’m no expert but my Uncle did get a few mustangs in a couple of times, some buyers did want jumpers, it’s more of knowing the mustang’s temperament.”

Her next words were a request; something that worked with CJ. He loved horses and he would enjoy messing with a mustang, just like at home. He thought about it for a minute, he was no expert but he could also get in touch with his Uncle and get some tips. Really, CJ only helped train, he did the ridding and join up sometimes; mainly just the teaching of tough and breaking, his uncle did a lot of the decisions. “Like I said, I’m no expert, but I’d love to help. My uncle taught me a few things, and I usually was the first rider but other than that… Well after the trusting is over, I can’t help too much with the jumping, but I can assist in any way possible.” That was his final decision on the topic; it was up to her know, although it seemed with the question she had put her mind to him helping her, if he agreed, which he did.

[Ava LeForce]

Ava watched as the waitress came and watched as she cleared the table. Not the talkative one was she? Well, technically, she herself didn't usually talk much, but Ava sort of expected the waitress to at least act nice. Rolling her eyes slightly, she clenched her jaw. One of her pet peeves -- rude people. It took everything in her not to make a smart-elic comment. Taking in a deep breath, her cherry face returned, warm instead of cold now. Hearing CJ speak, she thought for a moment. Her classes...what were they again? Finally remembered them, she nodded. "I have...English Modern Literature, Geometry, and then Anatomy. So we'll have at least one class together," she replied somewhat enthusiastically. Hey, she knew someone that was going to be in one of her classes, that was a big deal for her. Friends didn't come easy to her, she wasn't great at making new friends to be truthful; however, it seemed as if CJ was easier to approach or something. Not knowing the answer, and not exactly curious to find out, Ava shoved her current thoughts away and listened to CJ.

"Great! I'd love to see them sometime; and I hope they send pictures of the foal...for their sake," she added with a light laugh. She'd hate for them to get a nasty phone call from their son. "She sounds like my kind of horse; wild, spunky and all."
From the way he described her, Whisper seemed a lot like her current horse, one she was still slightly day dreaming over and such. It was more like a dream than anything else. "I've rode Western, and English. Right now I'm leaning more towards English with show jumping and all, but I like Western too," she replied.

Hearing him speak once more about getting a horse and having a feeling towards it, she nodded. She knew well what he was saying. "Yeah, I know what you mean." Adjusting her seat slightly, she leaned against the back of the booth and folded her arms in a relaxed, carefree manner, in no ways intending for her body language to be rude. "That's true; I was just thinking train him in jumping so that he wouldn't be scared of the jumps and such," she added. Cross Country though, she would really think about; a mustang would have great endurance so that was an awesome plus.

Hearing him reply to her question about Yiska and helping her with him, she carefully listened and watched him. He wasn't an expert, but neither was she; and she'd never broken a mustang before, but at least he had experience. "Sounds good to me then; I don't need an expert really, just someone with...experience I guess," she replied happily.

Not having much else to say, Ava fell quiet for a few moments. "Any plans for today?" she asked casually, simply out of curiosity and lack of subject to talk about.

[CJ McAllen]

CJ sat up straighter, he was trying to be pleasant looking in his body language; He would slouch and that was also bad for his back, having his last fall had stressed it a little so the rest over a three week period of easy riding (when he had been at home) had done some good, but still sometimes it would hurt. He paid no attention to his thoughts and focused on Ava, she had the floor and the spotlight shined on her in his mind. Actually, they had two classes together. “I did take Anatomy, and chemistry I think… But the English, math, and foreign jumped to my mind first.” CJ smiled at least now he had a friend in the classes that he was sure to be bored out of his mind in.

“Maybe we should get together again later and I can show you…” The only thing in the way was how to get the pictures without really taking out his laptop…he hated doing that. CJ wasn’t the guy to lug stuff around; especially stuff that could stay where they were! He smiled; Ava’s kind of horse was the type he loved, so crazy you just can’t pass them up, but they are so sane when you create the bond. “Yea, she’s a crazy girl, but age has barely tweak that insanity that I understand.” He smiled remembering the mustang mix thing, as they called her. Her leopard coat was dazzling; and her foal was bound to be somewhat spotted, he daddy was a paint mix. The crossbreeds were great western horses so really it was just who was compatible as far as no family relations. “I did hunt seat once, not my thing really, western pleasure, barrels, and reigning, sometimes, is awesome.” CJ smiled and thought about jumping; he wouldn’t show in it but maybe for laughs he would try a lesson or something.

CJ relaxed when Ava confirmed the same knowledge of the feeling. He smiled more and let out a big breath silently. “I think your stallion would do wonders in the show jumping business, but he has to want it like you. I find mustangs to be very intelligent, like those American Saddlebreds.” CJ let off the talking stool so he didn’t sound like he was a –know-it-all- like guy; he wasn’t but that was his opinions. He looked at Ava as if studying her for the first time; he was really beginning to like this girl, they were completely compatible. “Maybe you should turn him out into a large round pen or smaller jumping arena with the jumps set; and then let him roam it for a while, gfet to know the jumps before you ride them. Oh but after you gain his trust.” CJ laughed a little; he was thinking way ahead on the training. Ideas were good though; brainstorming helped a lot, although this would take time. “I guess some experience is a little better than none. We can start tomorrow, or when you are comfortable.” CJ didn’t want to sound extremely eager but this sounded like so much fun to him.

“Actually, I have no plans at all… I mean besides possibly touring the school a little, nothing but hang out in town. You?” He was way curious and he didn’t want to drive Ava away, but you asked first and returning the question was just his way of elongating the conversation, especially since he had no clue what he would do afterwards.

[Ava LeForce]

Ava heard that he was also taking Anatomy, so that meant two classes together. This thrilled her; a friend in two classes. "Great!" she replied enthusiastically. "Glad to hear you're in two of my classes instead of one."

Hearing him say that they should get together so that he could show her the pictures of his horse, she nodded. Pictures -- she loved looking at pictures, seeing the angle and other aspects of the photo that was taken. Photography was her other hobby, or one of them out of three or four other things that she enjoyed to do. "Ok, that sounds good," she replied. She couldn't wait to see what his horse looked like; the mare sounded like a horse she would like, wild, frisky, and all the characteristics that makes an all over good horse.

"You've done hunt seat?" she repeated in inquiry. "I've always wanted to try that.." With a bit of a shrug, she heard that he did barrels, western pleasure, and sometimes reigning. So he was pretty much a western type rider; she wondered if Yiska would be good at western pleasure; she'd just have to figure that out once she started working with him. "I love to watch barrel racing," she added. "I've never done it myself though..."

Ava highly doubted she could do barrel racing; the horses went around the barrel so fast and sharp, she highly doubted she could even stay on -- it would be rather amusing to watch her try and even attempt to stay on. Since she did like to watch it, and since she now knew someone who actually did barrel racing, Ava considered giving it a try, although doubted her abilities of staying on. Perhaps in the future she would end up giving it a try; after she knew her horse well enough and such.

Hearing CJ once again, Ava turned and looked at him, nodding at what he said. That was true, she needed to make sure that Yiska liked it; she was leaning towards the fact that he would like it, but one could never be positive about these things. He sounded like he knew a lot about horses; sure, she knew some things, and quite a bit of information only taking riding lessons once before, but by the way he talked, it sounded like he knew much more.
"I hope he likes it," she added.

"It sounds like you know exactly what you're talking about," she stated, not sarcastically but truthfully. "Yeah, after I gain his trust, and I have a feeling that will take quite awhile. But I'm patient; he deserves someone that's patient with him for once." Giving a small shrug, she continued to look at him; it sounded like he was somewhat eager to start, but she wasn't necessarily sure. Any way she looked at it CJ seemed to be rather excited, and she was glad of that; it lifted her spirits up that she had someone who was willing to help. And the more she talked to him and got to know him, even though this was her first time ever meeting him, the more she began to like him. She was beyond sure he would turn out to be a fantastic friend.

"Plans? Well, right now the only plans I have is to work with Yiska; I need to work with him as much as I can.."

[CJ McAllen]

CJ nodded smiling; he liked that he would have some classes with her, the more the merrier. “I just hope it isn’t like they have assign seats, ‘cause then it would be a waste to have a class together and not even get to talk.” He laughed, he was beginning to look like a talk-a-holic, but really he wasn’t. For some odd reason, Ava made him put more details into his words, she would be a really cool friend, and she was really connecting with him; well, like a compatible friendship way. CJ’s eyes went unfocused and he thought about how boring it would be with classes coming up, he ached for the call to come that he had gotten the mare so he could run off to the barn; even though he did really like talking with Ava.

With her approval of the later get together, CJ smiled again, he was happy to finally be able to share Whisper’s amazing coat with someone who appreciated the wild things he did. It was crazy to believe in something like love at first sight, or meeting, but CJ actually thought he was going to die with Ava ever became an enemy or avoided him. He blinked twice and returned his attention to the amazing wonder in front of him, he was so glad he had met Ava. It was funny how when you met someone you couldn’t imagine them never being in your life.

At her inquiry of hunt seat experience, CJ smiled and laughed a little. “Yea, just a couple of times though, it really isn’t my style. They said it’s like western but English tack, it was so different from that though!” He laughed more and then shook his head. “I think it’s like hunter/jumper but without the jumping; but I am probably wrong on that.” He shrugged; the only jumping he ahd done was when the youngsters got a little scared on their first ride and jumped over, or at, small things, like a hose outside of the corral. “I bet you’d be good in barrel racing, once you got the hang of it. If I ever get Whisper down here, not likely but maybe, she could teach you.” He grinned showing his nice manly smile, he was still so young though; although it seems western boys grow up faster than the city boys.

“Really?” He gave a small laugh. “A lot of times when I talk, I think I just babble and seem really stupid on the topics I talk about. But thanks, that makes me feel smart, at least.” He laughed a little more but withheld a little, not wanting to look like some ol’ hick that people hated, he wasn’t one but he could be really country sometimes, in his humor. CJ listened to Ava’s plans and twisted his mouth to the left in thought. “Well, how long as he been at the barn? Depending on that is when I would decide the first workout.” He shrugged, “Although, as soon as possible is really good. Maybe for the first workout you should let him out in a round pen and watch him; you know, no eye contact but watch as a herd member, let him get used to your presence. Was he tamed already or no?” CJ thought on his own advise; he was really sounding like his uncle. Although, the many times his uncle trained mixed abused and wild horses, CJ had been right there watching and learning. CJ smiled at the remembrance of his first join up, he had used Whisper and his uncle wasn’t there guiding him, it hadn’t been a complete success, but Whisper had managed to understand partially.

[Ava LeForce]

That was true; she hadn't thought about assign seats. "That would really suck," she replied with a light laugh. Ava hoped it weren't so; she hated assign seats, the seats she always got were never really...great to say the least. Unfortunately, school was going to start school, and although Ava did like the escape from her 'home' she didn't exactly want to start the learning process and all. But then again, did anyone really like school? Of course there were horses involved in the school year, but there were all of those horribly boring classes that proved themselves never to be used again during their short life span. In her mind, school was a complete waste of time.

"Really?" she inquired, hearing about his description of hunt-seat. Sounded very interesting, but at the current moment, she was more interested in jumping and possibly cross-country. Nodding, she soon heard him talk about her barrel racing. A smirk of humor spread across her features, obviously amused at the picture of her barrel racing. "I highly doubt I could even hang on," she replied with a laugh. "But, if you do get Whisper down here, then I'd definetly try with her." After all, once she mastered Yiska, which she assumed she would by the time Whisper came down, she should have a head start on the mare herself. "I'd rather her teach me than any other horse; by the way you've described her, it seems like we'd get along just fine."

"No problem; glad to make you feel smart," she responded in a laugh; he sure did know what he was talking about, and she had meant every word she said previously.

Focusing back on Yiska, she had to think for a moment. This was his..second day..? After a pause, she nodded confirming her thought. "Yeah, he's only been at the barn for a day, this being his second," she replied. "The only thing is, he's in a stall; I haven't exactly been able to go in, so I don't see how I'd get him out..."
She had been visiting him on a regular bases, not doing anything, just sitting outside his stall, sometimes reading a book, either aloud or silently, while other times looking at different pictures she had taken. "He's not tame...at all," she added before realizing she was late.

Jumping up from the table, she looked down at the clock on her cell phone. "Oh, I'm late; I go to his stall this time and then again at six... I'm currently just trying to earn his trust and appear at the exact time every day until he will let me in..." she explained quickly. "You're welcome to come along, if you like." Offering a smile, she waited for his reply.

[CJ McAllen]

Time was ticking away and CJ didn’t really notice until the ideas of conversations began to fade. As he looked around the store, he noted that they had been there a while apparently, or people were just really busy and ate quickly then left. CJ considered this for a moment; it was possible but more likely that they ate at a moderate pace and left, and that CJ and Ava were busy talking while this happened. CJ nodded half absentmindedly to the fact that it would suck if assigned seats were a part of their classes, but hopefully they wouldn’t be treated like junior high kids.

When Ava smirked at the barrel racing comment, CJ smiled widely. “You could hang on, but it would take a couple of slow times for you to really understand everything that goes into racing the barrels. I promise if, when, I get Whisper down, even for a month, I will teach you.” CJ watched Ava; he wasn’t wanting to be to forward but she seemed a ting interested in barrel racing so he made a promise that would hold true to his word unless she changed her mind. “The only problem you and Whisper might have is the feminine thing. She chases off girls I bring to the barn, I mean like my previous girlfriends…but since you know horses well enough, she might accept you, plus your mustang will teach you a lot about learning to trust, maybe just a join up session with Whisper would have you two a nice starting bond. By the way, what was your stallion’s name?” CJ drew his brows together as he questioned her; it had been cute to some girls, and they thought it was something he did on purpose, but it was really just something he did since he was little and was not conscious about it.

CJ listened intently on Ava’s description of how long the stallion had been in the barn, and her stall entrance trouble. He had forgotten that here they didn’t really use corrals as stalls like at home in Nevada. “Oh, that’s right! I forgot that here they don’t automatically go to a round pen or corral…” He paused in thought; she could try to open the stall door and have a group of people herd the stallion to a pen…depending on the length of the open ground before the round pen. “We could always herd him to the pen but, since I haven’t really checked out the yard between the barn and pens, well I suppose sitting outside of his stall would work. You can’t show aggression this early, so I assume that the best way for here, would be what you are doing…and maybe within three or four weeks he will accept you in his stall.” CJ titled his head and looked slightly above her head; his thoughts consumed him on a way to best start the trust stage.

At Ava’s offer to join her, after her abrupt movement of exasperation, CJ hesitated. He really felt that the stallion should be only around Ava for now, to gain her trust, and focus on her. “Well, I really think that for now you should go and be alone with him, so he isn’t as stressed with a strange scent. You may see me today or tomorrow, so this isn’t goodbye forever!” He smiled and laughed a little, his humor was coming up with a soon smart-ass comment, and he had to try to resist, because he could blow the friendship thing. “Sorry, you can’t get rid of me that easily.” He grinned at that and flashed anger passively to himself. He just couldn’t contain the smart-ass in him; he let his top teeth run of her bottom lip slightly and continued his grin. If she decided he wasn’t so cool after all he would have to take out some anger on the pillow of his bed, but if she hung in there, he would praise the lord.

[Ava LeForce]

"Alright; if you do bring Whisper down, I'll give barrel racing a shot," she replied. Sure, she'd probably end up making a fool of herself, and even when he mentioned taking the turns slow, well, Ava highly doubted even then that she'd be able to hang on. These were thoughts however, and she knew well that she would at least have to try it before really and truly knowing if she would fall off or stay on. "Well, I hope she'll accept me; she sounds like one extraordinary horse," Ava added quickly. Just her type of horse really; she loved the ones that were intimidating, and hearing that Whisper also chased off other girls made her even more interested, and somewhat determined to be different.

"My stallion's name? His registered name is The Night has Passed, but I call him Yiska, which means the same thing in Indian."
Ava glanced around a bit; she had nearly five minutes to reach the stable, not too much time, but just enough so Yiska could start to at least depend on her, even if he had yet to trust her. She was rather excited about going to see him today; maybe he would be different and more calm. Yet in reality, she knew that wasn't very likely at all.

"Yeah, unfortunately he's in a stall; I wish he were already in a round pin -- it would make things much more easier." Giving a slight shrug, she figured a stall would have to do; once she could she would start working with him in the round pin.
"It'll take awhile until his trust builds, he's already hinted that much to me," she added. Ava was hoping though that maybe he would accept her sooner; but, she would continue being patient. Yiska deserved someone that was actually patient with him for once, and she would be sure enough to give him the attention he truly needed. Once she gained his trust, she knew well it would be hard to break it really.

"Yeah, you're right." Looking around quickly, she glanced down at the clock on her phone. Two minutes until she was late, and she couldn't be late. She knew this wasn't the last time she would see CJ, and nodded with a light laugh. "Hopefully. Anyhow, see you later."

With that said, she gave a small wave before making her way quickly towards the cashier and paid for the bread-sticks and such. After doing that, Ava quickly scurried out the door, hoping that this time she wasn't late.