Chapter 11 Horses and That

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"May say's you are quite good with the rock?" Uncle Liam stated after a couple of minutes of his two girls arguing back and forth. At some point, Aunt Anna joined in the conversation defending her horses, she has only ever had one goal ever since sitting in a saddle.

"I guess, coach Kenny was gonna bump me up to the second string for my sophomore year," I told him remembering the only man who was a father figure for me since I was 8. I had coaches before but they cared more about teaching you skills than actually building relationships. 

Those who got attention from my coaches were the early bloomers who picked things up quickly. If you were tall at an early age got even more attention as they naturally assumed that they would go far. I on the other hand had average height for my age with my ability to pick up techniques quickly as my saving grace. 

Coach K was the first coach to see my talent and force me to take the game seriously. He would always say 'Son your quick on the uptake but your fundamentals suck,' before proceeding to send me to do wind sprints. With Mum always being busy with work, I would stay late at the rec after our lessons. So instead of letting me wait, he would make me do extra training whether I liked it or not. 

"Oh, that's great you will fit right in with our mustangs," He said, enthusiastically as he started talking about his day with the school team. Like most boys, he played various sports in school until setting for basketball after getting a scolding from his mother when he tried to play Football. Despite her Husband's being an exbronco rider she had no plans letting any of her children play. 

"God knows that team needs all the help it can get," Grandpa Jack gave his two cents, grumbling about how they get to use the gym he sponsored for his granddaughter's team.

He and two buddies have granddaughters in the team thus the team gets gear sponsored when needed. It also helps that the team is actually doing great with both the JV and varsity doing great. "Coach said that team's gonna need something close to a miracle if we want to win state," I told them with a wire smile remembering the conversation with him when I told him which school I would attend. 

"Sounds about right, they are bringing in a new coach for the boy's team so hopefully he'll work some magic," Grandma Mary said catching me by surprise since it was the first time she said anything that wasn't simple pleasantry since I got here. I could tell she didn't know how to behave around me which was mutual for me. 

"I think he's from the West Coast," Aunt Anna chipped in mentioning a few facts she had overheard from her friends at the school. Their last coach was fired after a miserable season which left parents, players and boosters frustrated. 

"Yeah, hopefully," I mumbled already regretting my decision to move here as this complicates my journey to the promised land. Division 6 is a whole different ball game compared to Division 3. Unless I regularly lead my team to state doing great in the division won do me any favours. 

After all the best players in the country will be playing from division 3 and up. Looks like I will have to work extra hard this summer and become an immediate impact. I just hope the team isn't totally useless and I don't actually have to take the AAU route. 

"You still talk to your coach huh," Jess asked in an attempt to steer the conversation from the depressing direction it was taking. "Yeah, he sends us optional training programs for us to do over the summer," I responded remembering how much he loves the game and the boys in his program. Even when I got injured in my past life he was a constant presence during my rehab. 

"Oh that's cool our coach just tells us not to slack off," she said but I could tell that she was thankful for the free time they had. She probably would rather spend her vacation having fun with her friends instead of training. 

"He hosts workout caps for the kids at the REC," Mom said telling everyone around the table about the different programs Coach K hosts. Maybe I'll get to play for him in college if he takes up a job at the next level. 

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[July 12th 14:20]

"See it's not that hard," Jess said as she led the thoroughbred I was sitting on around the pen. The mare was quite gentle despite being quite taller than average listening quite easily to directions. 

"I didn't say it's hard just shaky, (whoah)," I responded almost losing my balance as I Instinctively turned my head towards her. Lucky for me my sense of balance helped me steady myself and Melady remained calm. 

Oh yeah, Melady is her name a 16-year-old retired jumper that mum helped raise while she still lived here. For a competition horse having good composure is practically a work requirement. Anyway, I've spent the past hour or two getting to know her and learning to ride. 

"haha you are just too nervous, stay calm and keep your head on a swivel, it's just like basketball," She said with a light chuckle as I almost lost my balance again but good thing the stirrups did their job. "This ain't nothing like that and you know it," I retorted dreading how haywire my sixth sense skill is now that I'm so nervous.

Taking a deep breath I tried my best to focus which helped ease my anxiety a little. Deciding to focus more on the horse than the actual fear of falling things became much easier. I wouldn't quite say that I'll be a pro anytime soon but I'll get by as long as I don't go racing. 

"I think you are ready," she told me after a while of just going in circles which honestly got boring after a while. Before I knew it she had unhooked the lead line putting Melady fully under my control. Let me tell you that I've never been so nervous in my life but luckily she remained calm. 

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Along a hillside trail, two silhouettes on top of horses can be seen trotting along the path. Both figures were admiring the scenery around them with a sense of wonder. Hakim one of the figures on top of the horse was trying his best to remain composed. 

"Not bad for a city boy," Jess teased, her laughter echoing in the quiet, wooded trail. "You're picking this up faster than I thought."

"Yeah, well, don't get too excited," I said, trying to hide my nerves behind a smirk but from the looks of it didn't work. Continuing on the trail I tried closing my eyes a few times to take in the moment but that got me even more shaky. "I'm still not convinced this is my thing," I told her feeling like I was letting Melady down since she didn't panic ever since I started riding her. 

Jess glanced over at me, her eyes twinkling in amusement, she was enjoying every bit of my suffering. Weird how our roles reversed and now I am the one following in her footsteps to learn from her."Oh, come on, admit it. You're having fun."

I couldn't help but chuckle. Despite my initial apprehension, there was something exhilarating about being out here, the rhythmic gait of the horse beneath me, the fresh, clean air filling my lungs. "Okay, maybe a little."

"That's the spirit," she said, nudging her horse ahead a bit. "Come on, let's see if you can keep up."

We rode in silence for a while, the sound of hooves crunching on the dirt trail the only noise. The scenery was breathtaking – towering pines, the distant shimmer of a lake, and the occasional wildlife darting through the underbrush. Mostly just rabbits smaller and similar-sized animals but we did spot a deer drinking by the lake.

It was a far cry from the concrete jungle I was used to back in the ATL and I can't say I mind it. Maybe growing up in this environment will be good for me, lord knows I need some peace in my life. Let's just hope I get to improve my skills as fast as possible.

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Check out my other 2 novels if you want more of my writing Master of Flow will take you on a rollercoaster ride of the glam and shadows of the Rap world. Basketball King follows the rise of a you prospect in trying to achieve his dreams and so much more. 

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To Be Continued...