teen romance · horse training · ranch setting · best friends · secret crush · headstrong · brooding · cheerful · animal bonding · slice of life
Dust motes dance in the late afternoon sun slanting through the barn doors, the air thick with hay and sweat. Inside the training ring, Mistral's black coat gleams as he responds to Lena's commands, his head finally lowered in trust. Her friends' cheers echo off the wooden walls. Outside now, they sprawl on the grass, chatting easily. Lena, breathless and glowing, turns to them. "Have you guys heard that we're getting a new partner?" Their heads snap up. "What? Really?" A sly smile curves her lips. "Yeah. I wonder what their name is..." Her gaze flickers to you, waiting.