The corridor was practically deserted, and the early evening light was streaming through the big bay windows at the front of the manor. What I found really cool was that the second-floor windows could be reached by a wide balcony that ran right around the walls from the dorm landing. Between the two windows was a stone replica of the academy's logo, a horse head nestled in a slim crescent moon, and a bronze plaque beneath it which read, Opening doors through equestrianism. I didn't find the motto very catchy, but supposed it was true.

"Should we ride the horses there?" Flynn suggested slyly and I rolled my eyes. "Right, because that's a great idea. I'm sure Robin would be thrilled."

"Well, at least Silver would want to go and not be boring."

"If Silver wants to be ridden again after being out all day, he must be stupid. A bit like his owner."

"Hey!" Flynn gave me an injured look he had probably practiced many times. I looked away.

Nickers greeted us as we walked through the yard and we patted several noses as they poked out over doors. They were probably waiting for their food, although it was still a bit early.

It was slightly darker under the trees, and the dappled shadows made it hard to spot a rock or tree root. Flynn stumbled once, and I thought I heard the thump of something hitting the ground, but decided it was nothing but his pride as he resumed walking with an embarrassed air.

Eventually I saw a brief glint of metal through a bush and waded in to retrieve the bridles. I held them up triumphantly, making Flynn laugh, and we began to head back.

We fed the horses on the way, with me promising a disgruntled Robin that we would get back into a routine soon, before joining the steady stream of students making their way to the dining hall.

"You guys get on ok?" Brin eyed us as we made our way over to our usual table. We nodded.

"Well, Flynn almost faceplanted but that was just a minor incident--"

I broke off as he elbowed me roughly. "Shhh, we don't talk about that," he muttered as the others giggled. I just laughed and began to eat.

***

Flynn had us in a frenzy later that night. He couldn't find his phone.

"I swear I had it!" he cried for the hundredth time as we tossed aside clothes and random items in the room he shared with Archer. We had already searched Brin and Mika's room, as well as the corridors and the dining hall.

"Maybe you dropped it when you were out," Archer suggested wearily and suddenly something clicked. Maybe the thump I had heard wasn't just Flynn's pride after all.

"I think I know where it is," I said to him as I dragged him out the room. "Everyone else, keep looking in case I'm wrong."

I avoided the hopeful gaze as we jogged back to the forest once again. It was almost completely dark now and we slowed to a walk as we entered beneath the thick, leafy canopy. I turned on my phone torch.

"Why did you only realise you lost it now?" I groaned. "It's past ten o'clock."

"I know, I know," Flynn replied in a subdued tone. "Hopefully we can get it and get straight back to the dorms." An owl swooped silently above our heads as he spoke and he clutched my hand like a frightened child.

"You do know I'm going to tell everyone about that, right?" I teased.

"No, don't, please! I'm fine, I just... got a bit of a shock, that's all."

"Mm." I halted the conversation as something glinted from the ground.

"My phone!" Flynn cried and grabbed it. It was a bit dusty, but otherwise fine.

"Great, now can we go?" I shivered. "I'd rather not get eaten by a werewolf." I stayed just long enough to see the look of horror on his face before I took off laughing. My torch beam bounced on the ground just ahead, illuminating anything which might trip me. I could hear Flynn crashing along behind.

We burst out of the forest onto the short track leading to the yard, and he caught me just as we passed between stable block five and the wash bay. We were laughing uncontrollably as two figures stepped in front of us and blocked the way.

Our laughter died. "Who are you?" I said harshly and the taller figure laughed. "A bit angry, aren't we?"

I would recognise that condescending voice anywhere. "What do you want, Varsity?" I growled through gritted teeth.

"What are you doing out here, having fun with your boyfriend?" she sneered, ignoring my question. "Shame you have such cheap taste."

"At least I can actually get a guy to like me," I fumed, leaving out that Flynn and I were just friends. "And what are you doing out here? Looking at what horse Mummy can buy you next since your own one hates you?" I felt a bit bad saying this, but I was filled with hot rage and couldn't stop my words.

Varsity was quiet for a few moments, probably fighting the urge to slap me, before she continued talking in a sickly sweet voice. "As a matter of fact, I was in the outdoor school setting up jumps with Cass so we can practice first thing in the morning without the best arena being taken by the scholarship kids."

I ignored her emphasis on the last two words and forced myself to study Cass. From what I could see in the torchlight, she was quite tall, with slightly wild shoulder-length brown hair and warm yet nervous brown eyes. She didn't look very comfortable.

"Hey, Cass," I said brightly, completely disregarding Varsity. "I'm Autumn, and this is Flynn. Were here on scholarship, which Varsity doesn't like, but we're not as bad as she makes us out to be." I could see the hint of a smile on the other girl's face, but Varsity re-entered the conversation quickly. "Don't even talk to her, Cass," she snapped. "She's not worth it."

I watched with a smirk as Varsity grabbed the other girl's wrist and stalked off. Cass looked back at me and smiled slightly; she seemed to be telling me that our conversation wasn't over. I grinned back.

"Well," I said to Flynn, "I think that went pretty well." I turned to see him staring at me in shock. I waved my hand in front of his face.

"I can't process what just happened," he said slowly as we began to walk back to the dorms. "So much just happened."

"I think it's too late for your brain to function," I laughed. The warm light of the manor suddenly made my body feel heavy with sleep.

Flynn sent a text on his phone. "The others have said they're having a sleepover in my room. You want to come?"

"Well, obviously. I'm not going to be alone in my own dorm." My body sagged a little as we walked through the door. The promise of sleep was sweet.

"Grab your stuff and meet us there." Flynn went up the left-hand staircase to his own room, number thirty-two, and I went in the opposite direction to grab my stuff.

I had to be quiet as I crept past the first room of both corridors, since that was where the student managers were. They would surely tell me off for being out of bed past lights-out, not to mention the fact that I was headed to the boys' dorms.

I could see the others tense as I opened the door, but they quickly relaxed as I slipped inside and resumed the game of truth or dare they had been playing.

We played until after midnight, and eventually we got tired and ran out of questions and dares. Me and the other girls rolled ourselves up in the blankets and duvets we had brought, and the guys decided to sleep on the floor too, so they weren't any comfier than we were. It was kind of sweet when I thought about it.

I managed to drift off to sleep quite quickly, but sometime in the early morning I was smacked in the face by a tanned arm.

Flynn was thrashing about in a nightmare. His face was scrunched up and he was whimpering. I shook him roughly until he woke up, dazed and confused.

"I'm so sorry," he mumbled as he realised what had happened. "I do this a lot when I'm away from home. It's hard for me to get used to somewhere, even if I've been there before." He looked so miserable that I couldn't help but hug him.

"Sometimes I sleep in Silver's stable. It really helps."

"If this happens again, you can always text me and I'll meet you. Marcy won't hear my phone, she's basically dead when she sleeps." I tried to smile, but it didn't hide the concern in my eyes.

"I used to have a bear to sleep with, but I thought I didn't need it anymore." His cheeks burned with embarrassment and I was surprised he was even telling me this at all.

"Maybe it's better if you sleep with something," I said. "We'll work something out in the morning. Are you okay to go back to sleep?"

He nodded. As I was drifting off, I felt him hug my arm to his chest. He seemed to do that a lot when he was anxious; maybe it was just something to hold on to.

He didn't have any more nightmares that night.

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Hey guys!

Barely managed to make my upload schedule thing in time 😂 at least it's done though.

A little bit more about Flynn this time! And what do you guys think of this romance between him and Autumn? Yay or nay?

Also, things should start to pick up the pace a bit in the next few chapters since there's a few more horsey events happening at the academy.

As usual, please vote, comment and tell me what you think!

Until next time.

Chloe :)