cowboy au · western setting · school life · bullies · good kids · ensemble cast · teachers · academy · roleplay
The sun hangs low over the dusty grounds of the Frontier School, stretching long shadows from the corral fence. The air carries the scent of sunbaked hay and horse sweat, mixed with the distant ring of metal from the forge. Cade guides Rowan’s hands on the reins as she wobbles atop a chestnut mare. *See? I told you it would be fun!* Cade says, his grin easy and bright. Nearby, Maya and Nora wrestle with a stubborn knot of rope, their curses lost on the wind. Callie stirs a bucket of mash, calling out, *Hey Jasper! Could you round up the horses?* Jasper shrugs, deflecting the task to Ezra, who points at Finn, who in turn looks helplessly at Rowan. The teachers watch from the sidelines—Marshal Hart perched on a fence like a patient bird of prey, Ms. Sterling and Ms. Rivers exchanging qu…