++.BECAUSE.WE.ARE.++

[sabrina mcgetton]

It was an easy victory, really. As I perched on the edge of the fountain, clutching my laptop in one hand and a latte in the other, I couldn't help but notice that. In front of me, the official website for Green Orchid stables stretched across the screen, primitive in design and texture. But it wasn't the layout I was staring at. It was the picture of my beautiful grey appaloosa-arabian, Dusky.

I'd clicked through the 'Competitions' page to see the details of the latest dressage championship in York. I remembered the sights, the smells - everything about that moonlit arena was enchanting. When I felt the delicate weight of the blue ribbon on my tailored nylon riding jacket, I felt as if I could leave the world behind and just stay there all my life.

The picture portrayed me, sat proud and beaming on Dusky's back as he lifted one hoof to pose. My eyes were bright with delight - as I sat there, content and only too willing to be the champion, I felt the crowd reel in shock, then applaud my easy victory. After all, it was Dusky I was riding - and he couldn't be beaten.

I slowly read the caption, savouring each syllable. Young Sabrina McGetton, of Starlight Academy, takes appaloosa-arabian Dusky to the championships and wins the blue ribbon. It was simple but satisfying, and I found myself staring at it as the sun pooled in the flowing water around me.

In my pocket, something vibrated. It was from a fellow Elite - a young one, at that, but one who'd earnt the respect of her elders and was quickly rising to the top of the food chain. Flipping it open, I saw the text glow with her message: IT in 10 mins, wanna skive? As I read it, I felt my fingers slowly circling on the letters, deciding what to push.

Skiving - as a smart student, I tended to avoid it, but it was tempting at times. Still, I had to stay focused on my studies so that if ever I needed the explicit help of a teacher, it would be easy to reach. I quickly tapped back: nah, ill meet u by the lockrs aftr tho. That seemed sufficient enough - the young Elite would be easy to please, and after a quick smile, wave and a waft of acceptance she would soon be bouncing away.

I shoved my phone away, and tapped 'funny signs' into Google. It wasn't ideal, but it would keep me amused until IT.

[elizabeth keighle]

x.Elizabeth Keighle

Look who it is!

I was walking confidently towards the fountain, okay, I wasn't the oldest person in the school - in fact, I was probably one of the youngest. I was short for my age, but people said I was really pretty, which I wasn't sure I believed, but you know, it was flattering. Ha!

I flicked my long blonde hair behind me. I was wearing jeans and a white t-shirt. Going plain. I wasn't a slut, but I couldn't say I was normal either. I was just an elite. Just an elite what was I saying?! I laughed out loud, and thankfully, nobody was there, so I hurried on. I was wearing some black mascara and eye liner, and I wore some pink lipgloss.

I arrived at the fountain, and saw someone sat there. I knew who that was! It was another elite, Sabrina! She was a bit older than me, she was a year 10/junior, and I was a year 8/freshman.

"Sabrina!" I called over to her.

I ran over and sat down next to her, I knew she wasn't a big fan of younger people, like myself, but you know. Tough luck.

[sabrina mcgetton]

I felt the weight of a body beside me. Judging by the strength of the tone she'd used to call my name, and the way she was so determinedly cheery in her own mixed-up way, I guessed she was younger than me. Let's hope she's an Elite, I joked inwardly, or she's in for a hell of a shock.

I looked up, and saw Elizabeth Keighle. Short but pretty - she had the makings of a great Elite. Still, I couldn't let my defences down. I knew how the game worked - I say one thing out of character, and the next thing I know it's been uploaded onto the internet with twelve thousand comments each month. It hadn't happened to me, but to an Elite friend - one who'd immediately been shunned by me, of course, for her lack of loyaly to the Elite way of life.

"Lizzie - Year Eight, right?" I knew the answer to the question, but perhaps it would remind her that they were two years apart in age and in different rankings of the school. She was an Elite - a pretty one for her age - but she still wasn't a Year Ten, making her unacceptable into her private world.

I exited the page she was on, and quickly tapped in Facebook. As I halfheartedly flicked through the pages of distant friends, smirking with dry humour as I saw their revealing drunk photos and bizarre wall posts, I felt the heat of the Year Eight beside me. I glanced at the time - eight minutes until IT. Well, there's no point in being hostile with this young'un, I thought, suddenly feeling old and wise. She'd better know who she's sat next to before she begins a dry, uninteresting conversation of some sort.

I quickly clicked on my Profile page, and opened an album of various photos of me and Dusky, pictured grinning with blue ribbons. I clicked on the latest one, of yesterday's victory, and pointed at the blue ribbon. "I've sent it home now," I said casually, "instead of keeping it here. Too many boys snoop around my room for it to be safe." I smirked as my humour floated through the air, a special joke aimed at Elites only.

[elizabeth keighle]

x.Elizabeth Keighle

I like horses...

I laughed too. I was lucky today, as she wasn't very hostile towards me and being mean. Just because I was young... She was once my age herself which was kind of annoying. It's like adults hating children... Why? It was just them though wasn't it. Retards.

"Yeah I am Lizzy," I said, in a kind tone, "You've got so many ribbons, you must be great with your horse. I just have my cat, Tabby."

I slapped my legs twice and a tiny silver tabby jumped up and purred sweetly. Her sparkling blue eyes glittered as she nudged the other elite beside me. I smiled lovingly at my best animal friends.

"I think she likes you." I half-laughed.

I hoped Sabrina liked cats or I was in trouble. I glanced at the fountain behind me. It wasn't the best place to be on a laptop really. If someone pushed Sabrina back, she would fall in along with the laptop, or if she lost her balance the same thing would happen.

Well really... Not my problem.

[sabrina mcgetton]

I laughed unintentionally. As the cat's muzzle rubbed my wrist, I felt a sudden pang for Dusky and Seth, my two pets. As I thought of them, I realised that I'd intended to buy Seth some cat milk from the school shop that break. Stifling a gasp, I quickly tapped a few buttons and turned my laptop off, leaping up from where I'd been sitting.

I tucked my laptop away, and, straightening my outfit, I began to hurry away. As I left the Year Eight Elite behind, a sudden thought crossed my mind. But she's so much younger... I protested fruitlessly as I spun around, casting my gaze on Elizabeth.

"I need to get some milk for Seth," I said, glancing down at her cat's affectionate actions. "If you'd like to join me, then you can." I kept my tone cool, only registering in my expressions that I had acknowledged her. She's still a Year Eight, I reminded myself, no matter how experienced an Elite she is.

I didn't bother to look back - if she appreciated my company, and was willing to learn through sight, then she'd most likely tag along. I rushed off into the complex network of paths, and dashed towards the pet shop.

[elizabeth keighle]

x.Elizabeth Keighle

Quick, Tabby!

I decided to accept, since I had nothing better to do. I jumped up and lightly put Tabby on my shoulder. I knew she'd cling on. She's smart that way. Petting her once, I began to run, with a light weight on my left shoulder. I couldn't shake the nightmare of Tabby falling off and hurting herself, but that's never happened, since I keep my hands on her back and over her backside. I hardly ever leave Tabby, I can't trust other people (especially boys) not to step on her while I'm gone. So if she's out, I'm out, but if I have to go to class or somewhere where animals aren't allowed, I lock her in my room and keep key in my front pocket, so I know someone hasn't stole it.

I easily caught up with Sabrina. I had short legs but that didn't mean I wasn't fast. I had great balance, quick reactions and a healthy heart, so... That really helps me live a good life.

"What species is Seth?" I asked, not gasping for breath. I tried to make conversation. Sabrina seemed so hard to please, it was unbelievable. If you say one thing wrong it'll stay with her probably for the rest of her life. I could kind of tell that she was struggling with me, though. See, she doesn't like people of my age, or younger and if she broke that then it would probably get posted around the world. I couldn't help but smile about that. I hope she didn't notice...

The pet shop didn't seem far away from here now, I had some spare money on me so maybe I could get Tabby a toy or some treats or something. That would probably make her happy, and me too. It would give her something else to do rather than bug me all the time.

[jay macburren]

Jay MacBurren
You think you can beat me? I'm Irish.
Plus, I got the best damn horse you'll ever see.

Jay put on regular clothes for once, tired of the jockey gettup. He wasn't even going training today. What was the point? To show off? Not likely. As he was running along to the pet store, Appy and Aura needed more food, along with Chocolate. As he was running he saw two girls, jogging along the way he was. Both Elites. Hello, He thought. Maybe he did want to show off today.

He sprinted to catch up to the girls, smiling at the younger girl, but then scowling as he saw her friend. "You know, the only reason I didn't win that race was because I couldn't race. Rythm could have beat that mutt of a horse by a mile." he said, his accent shining through. And Rythm is the best horse around. He thoguht, still scowling at the girl. He didn't even know her name. He should have one that race. Stupid, stupid wrist. He couldn't race because he broke his bloody wrist. That didn't mean he skipped going to it. He glared at the girl, almost forgetting Appy was there.

Appy growled at the two Elites, and then he saw a ball. "Oh no..." he said, before the large dog went chasing the ball and pulling Jay. Jay sped up slightly to keep up with the dog, to try to get it under control. Jay let go of the leash, not wanting to break his wrist again. With a few vain attepts to stay on his feet, Jay slipped and fell, face-first onto the sidewalk, landing hard on his knee. The blood was already coming out on the sidewalk. He stayed there for a while, cursing his luck, before turning around and sitting up. He tore off part of his sleeve, and wrapped his knee up. He looked up at the two elites, hoping they weren't laughing.

[elizabeth keighle]

x.Elizabeth

Oh my God!

I was jogging, waiting for my reply, thinking nothing was going to happen when it did. A jock from our school came running past, I'm not the show off kind of girl, really, I didn't need to show off, I was gorgeous, if I do say so myself. He smiled at me, which was kind, and then snapped something about his horse to Sabrina, insulting her and her horse. Bad idea, Jay!

So, he was running along when his dog started growling at us. I held Tabby even tighter over my shoulder, me and Tabby both were trembling, I didn't exactly get on with dogs, they hated my cat. I wasn't exactly sure whether the dog was barking at me or Tabby, but it wasn't helping.

The dog then ran forwards, and I was relieved. But Jay was hooked on, and he seemed to be losing his balance. I was now holding my breath, fearing for Jay's safety. He let go of the lead, only to land flat on his face. Fail! I placed Tabby on the floor, and ran towards Jay, who was bleeding onto the path. Tabby was close behind me of course. I crouched down on the floor next to the fallen jock, and twisted his knee around slightly so I could look. It was quite a nasty cut, and it was bleeding a lot. In my bag was a cheap scarf, I dragged it out along with a bottle of water. I dumped loads of water on the cut to wash it out, and then wiped it with the scarf. I wrapped the scarf around his knee tightly to stop the bleeding and sighed.

"Are you okay?" I asked, softly, "Call yourself a jock, you couldn't hold your balance to save your life." I was saying this as a joke of course.

Tabby was sat next to me, like a good little cat. Staring at Jay, the fallen jock. I stroked her once and turned back to him.

[jay macburren]

"Ha-ha." Jay rolled his eyes. "Appy..." he said. "That dog... Go for a slight jog, he growls at your cat, sees a tennis ball and runs, now I won't be able to race for another week! And I'm not afraid of your friend. She's so vain, and my horse is better. Her's isn't even a pure-bred. And it's a appaloosa. Mine's a thoroughbred. She's a beauty, too. You ought to see her. You could come with me to the stables sometime if you'd like." he said, "And thank you. I'll be fine, excluding the race I'll have to miss. Too many more injuries and I won't be able to go to finals cause I'll have missed too many races. Plus, thats another too missed games for footba- ... you call it soccer here, right?" he said. Jay stood up, grunting softly, and put his hand out to help the pretty blonde up.

A few seconds later, Appy came racing back, ball in his mouth, and Jay knew what was going to happed. "Oh no..." He said ansd squinted, Appy jumpping up - he was taller than jay when he was standing up - and came down, knocking Jay off of his feet, and, despite the jock's slightly laughing, agravated grunts, the dog surrounded his owner's face with wet, sloppy licks. He hefted the dog off of him, bitterly realizing that the dog was taller than him. He couldn't get the dog off of him, so he squirmed out. "That one I couldn't help," he went along with Elizabeth's joke. "It's hard keeping your balence with a 214 pound dog jumping on you."

[elizabeth keighle]

x.Elizabeth

Oh yeah, I know the feeling of a 214 pound dog jumping on me... Not. ;D

I laughed when he fell over again, not in a bullying way, but in a friendly way. I got up by myself then, not risking falling over, embarrassing myself in public. Not my style. Maybe I could go to the stables sometimes? Sure! I love animals, even dogs, I have to admit, but I was a bit scared of them. I had no experience with horses but it would be fun to learn about them.

"Jay, I'd love to come to the stables with you sometime, and yes, they do call it soccer here, but I'm from England, so I call it football anyway. Oh, by the way, this is my 1 year old tabby kitten, Tabby. She's really kind, she doesn't bite or scratch, but she easily gets attached to you. Want to hold her?"

I picked up the fluffy kitten and held her like a baby - she was my baby, and nobody could do anything to take away the feeling. This cat was my best friend, no doubt about it and I would never let her go. I noticed that Sabrina's being quiet, maybe she's thinking about a comeback to snap at Jay. This would be fun, I suppose. I was glad I came along as such a lucky girl.

[jay macburren]

Jay looked at the kitten, and then back to Elizabeth. "She's beautiful." he said, not sure if he was talking about the cat or not. "You'd love Rythm. She's so pretty. You could ride her if you like." He said, then looking at the cat again, "Will she claw me? If not, I'd love to hold her." he said, smiling a very cute Irish-boy-next-door smile. "Would you like to walk with me to the pet store? I need to get Appy more food and also Aura and Chocolate need more food too." he said, then looked slightly distant. "I wouldn't mind buying a bird, either."

[elizabeth keighle]

x.Elizabeth Keighle

Oh, really? =)

I stood, staring at Jay, my eyes beaming happily. Ride a horse? Yeah! That would be so divine! I didn't have much experience but hey, it would be quite hilarious if I fell or something! Now, I must have completely forgotten about Sabrina and all my attention was on the jock in front of me. 'I wouldn't mind buying a bird either'? Was that a cheesy and cheap chat up line, or was he actually being serious? I dared not to ask, as I might embarrass myself badly. Then I remembered Tabby, and his question.

"No, Tabby won't bite or claw any living thing. Not even a mouse." I cooed.

I handed my precious over to the year 10 guy and waited to see what he would say. Tabby was purring already. It felt good to be able to talk to someone like this but something didn't feel right... Oh yeah - the age gap. He was a year 10 slash junior and I was a year 8 slash freshman, I mean, how awkward could it be? I decided not to say anything as I didn't want to break the moment, but I couldn't shake the feeling.

Was this actually meant to happen?

ooc ;;

i decided to copy Fog where you colour what they're saying. =)

[jay macburren]

Jay took the kitten gently out of Elizabeth's hands, stroking the kitten with the tips of his middle fingers. He looked down at Tabby, a warm smile pulling at his lips. "She's vastly adorable." he said, handing her back to her owner.

Jay bent over, stressing his knee slightly, and picked up the leash that was laying on the floor next to Appy. Once Jay had the leash, Appy got up and walked over to Elizabeth. He sniffed her, and Jay pulled the large dog away. "Appy, Don't be rude. She's holding a cat. It may get frightened and claw her." he scowled the dog. Appy sat down next to Jay's legs and started growling slightly at Sabrina. Jay just laughed a bit. He might have let go of the leash if Elizabeth had not been there.

"Maybe I will buy a bird. Small 'keet or something." he said. He may be a jock, but he was slightly nerdy. But only slightly. He was a kluts and collected pets. But lots of times girls liked him. And he didn't even collect pets. That would be sick. Appy had been a dog who was beaten in a shealter. Aura had been a starved stray at his door. Chocolate was the only survivor out of a batch of bunnies that the mother didn't eat. Rythem was half-starved, and she was the best horse he'd ever seen now. But he didn't tell anyone. They might think he was soft. If he did buy the bird, it would be his only animal aquired... normally.

[elizabeth keighle]

x.Elizabeth

...

I looked stupid for a minute, I just stood there, being silent, but then I caught up with everything again. The last things I half-heard Jay say was about how adorable my cat was, scolding his dog for maybe scaring Tabby and he might buy a small 'keet or something which was to do with birds. I don't know much about birds, well, actually, I know nothing about birds, not names, not looks... All I knew was that they could fly, they had feathers and wings, they live in nests in trees, and all the other bird basics. What was a 'keet, or... A 'small 'keet' to be exact?

I smiled and looked at Tabby. Her eyes were wide, but she wouldn't hiss, scratch or bite. I know my cat, my beautiful irresistible cat... Aww. I'm so lucky to have her. I noticed Sabrina was very, very quite. Too quiet. What was going on? My eyes shifted from side to side, flicking from Jay, to Sabrina, to Tabby, and to the dog. I did that three times and then stopped so I didn't look weird. If I make one wrong move the school press would be all over me, as for Sabrina and the other elites, and the jocks, I suppose, but they'd be interviewed by the wannabe lesbian freak. Of course, they won't really be lesbians, I just like to call them that because I hate them. You can't act like an elite, you have to be an elite. Why can't they get that into their thick skull?!

"Tabby doesn't bite or scratch," I reminded him, finally speaking.

I looked up, I could see the big town clock from here, the hand was shifting up to the hour. I was going to be late if I didn't turn back now I had to go.

"Oh my God, I'm gonna be late! It's been nice talking to you, Jay. I hope we can talk again sometime, but now I gotta go!" I turned around to Sabrina, "Bye, Sabrina, see you later!"

I dashed off in the other direction, praying to be let off. I felt bad about leaving the others, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Charries: Jay and Sabrina
Status: Finished
Now Posting With: Darkee
In: Corridors

Gonna post with Darkee now!