I love this story! and hi, Aria and Arabian girl! I am a christian too! Love this story!
Nov 19, 2021 Rating
Love your story!!! by: Bailey The Horse Lover
Keep writing! I love it so far and I really want to know what happens next!
Dec 19, 2019 Rating
Arabian girl by: Aria
Hey Arabian girl! :) Thank you so much, it means a lot that you like my writing. I used to write under the name AHorseLovingGirl but I don't remember what stories those were haha. I write mainly on Wattpad now, but I like to share some horse-related stories on here. :)
I think if you want to write a story, you should go for it! I'd definitely love to read your writing :)
Yes! I am a Christian! I love meeting other Christians :D God bless :)
Nov 23, 2019 Rating
Great! by: Arabian girl
Please continue the story I’m really interested in it. :) you're a great writer you should really write more. Do you have any other stories on this website? If so please tell me which ones so I can read them. :) I think I might write a story soon but I feel like it would be a waste because I’m not nearly as good as you and the other writers. Thanks so much for sharing your writing. :) ;)
P.S. I hope you don’t mind me asking but are you a Christian? I am and I would like to talk more even if your not a Christian.
God bless you and I hope you have a good day!
Jul 05, 2019 Rating
Second Chances - Chapter Four by: Aria
Chapter Four
The moment Audrey stepped into that church, she wanted to leave.
What did I agree to? She thought. It was completely unfamiliar. The last time she stepped into a church was 6 years ago. It was necessarily a bad experience...just, well, uncomfortable. Audrey was not one to step out of her comfort zone, and now she was suddenly realizing her comfort zone was far behind her.
Just as she was about to turn around and get out of there, Blake stepped out in front of her with a grin.
"So you actually came! I'm surprised. You didn't seem like the kind who would consider church." He commented. And how would you know? Audrey thought, but instead replied with a shrug. "I guess I wanted to try it out. If I hate it, I'm leaving."
Blake nodded. "Fair enough." Then he led her to the youth group, where lots of teenagers were gathered; talking, laughing...comfortable. Completely at ease. Audrey suddenly felt the urge in her conscience to leave. But she knew she shouldn't. She couldn't. She had committed to do it, and here was was.
"I know you're probably really uncomfortable right now," Very! Audrey thought as Blake continued, "But you'll get used to it quick. Everyone is really nice here, and there are plenty of girls your age you can talk to. Here, let me introduce you to this group." He started to lead her over to a group of girls and boys talking.
Audrey was going to protest, but they were already over to them.
"Hey guys," Blake started, "This is Audrey, a friend of mine from Second Hope Ranch." Audrey gave a little wave, but kept her distance from the circle that they had made.
The first from the group to speak up was a short, skinny girl, looking about 17, with short brown hair.
"Hi, Audrey! My name is Jasmine. But everyone calls me Jas. I'm really glad you came tonight, it's always great to have another girl around. So you like horses?" She said.
Audrey took a second to process all that information. Finally, she nodded in reply. Just then, Blake spoke up. "She rides Chance, the Thoroughbred."
Jasmine smiled as the rest of the group continued in conversation. "Chance is a good horse." Audrey looked confused. How did she know Chance? Jasmine seemed to realize her confusion and added, "I used to volunteer there. I've been really busy lately, so I haven't been able to for a while. I'm trying to make some time for it, though."
So she understands, Audrey suddenly thought. Maybe we could be friends.
Just then, youth group was about to get started. Everyone found their seats.
The night went as follows: Worship, Sermon, Small Groups (in which Audrey was with Jasmine, and at this point had become friends of sorts), Final game.
It was nice and focused, rather than just playing around, which caught Audrey's attention. She had never experienced church anything like this. And it was boring, either!
"So...will you come back next week?" Blake asked Audrey as they exited the church together.
Audrey made a pause before replying. "Yeah, I will. It was a lot better than I imagined."
Blake grinned his signature grin before waving goodbye as they departed. Audrey drove out of the parking lot with a smile, thinking, I can't wait until next week.
***
The following Saturday, Audrey arrived at Second Hope Ranch more excited that usual. It felt like ages since she had seen Chance, when really, it had only been a week. 7 days feels a lot longer when you're waiting for something. And this something was Chance.
"Hey, Chance!" Audrey smiled and stroked Chance's long mane before she noticed Blake. "Oh, hi, Blake."
Blake laughed and came over with Chance's saddle. "You and your horse. And hi to you too."
"Thanks." Audrey said as she grabbed the saddle and placed it on Chance's back on top of the saddle pad. Today she was gonna be going a trail ride for the first time with Chance, and Audrey was excited.
Once she was finished, Audrey set out with Eve onto the trails, enjoying the weather, view, and of course, Chance.
Well, Audrey thought at the end of the day, I don't know who to thank for all of this except for You, God, if You're listening. So thank you.
>> There's Chapter 4! Hope ya'll liked it. Hopefully there will be another update soon ;) -Aria
Jun 15, 2019 Rating
Thanks! by: Aria
Thank you K Clarkson Fan! I'm glad you like it!
I don't know when I'll be able to update next, but hopefully it'll be soon! Just so you all know. :)
May 26, 2019 Rating
;) by: K Clarkson Fan
That was awesome! Soo good!!!
May 16, 2019 Rating
Second Chances - Chapter 3 by: Aria
Thanks SpiritGirl! You're great at writing, too; I love your story Priceless Joy and Autumn (I love historical fiction)!
Here's part 3!
Chapter Three
And so Audrey continued her sessions at Second Hope Ranch. It boosted her confidence and helped her regain trust. Chance and her had an amazing relationship, and she even gained a friend that had two legs, not four: Blake.
Audrey never really had any friends. At one point she did, but then they moved away. Then she moved away, and neither tried to contact each other. Audrey had a hard time trusting people. She didn't see herself as who she was, but who she though she was.
But, of course, none of that mattered to Chance.
Blake, on the other hand, had a similar experience. His parents fought all the time. Blake thought it was his fault when they got divorced. He thought he could've done something about it. Maybe could've been a better kid (although, he was probably the nicest kid you'd ever have met). So, he went to live with his mom. Of course, he really missed his dad. He had lots of guilt. His mom had no idea, but Blake had also gotten into the wrong crowd at school at age 14. That year, it went downhill.
And that's when his mom finally noticed. All the detentions, suspensions, and late nights finally opened her eyes to realization.
So then she brought him here, to Second Hope Ranch. And that's where his healing began.
Blake started to go to church, ride horses (a lot), serve, and trust, despite the hurt from his past.
"So we're not so different." Audrey said at last, after Blake had told her his story one day after her session.
Blake shrugged. "Except one major detail. I trust God."
Audrey sighed. She wanted to trust Him. She wanted Him to take her guilt and hurt away. But it was just hard.
"You know what, there's a Bring a Friend night at my church on Wednesday night. Do you want to come?" Blake offered.
Audrey thought about it. It couldn't hurt, and her mom would definitely allow it...
"Sure, I guess I'll go." She shrugged. Blake grinned and gave her all the information: where, when, time.
"All right. Thanks. I'll see you then." Audrey turned to Chance. "And I'll see you next week."
Audrey waved to Blake as she walked back toward her car. "It feels so nice to be able to drive everywhere myself..." Audrey thought as she got in and buckled. "Well, let's hope I made the right decision to agree to this youth group thing."
May 08, 2019 Rating
Awesome story! by: SpiritGirl
Hey! This is an awesome story, please keep going! You are a great writer, I really enjoyed it.
May 01, 2019 Rating
Second Chances: Chapter 2 by: Aria
Here's chapter two :)
Chapter Two
At the next visit, Audrey wanted to ride Chance. It would be her first time (other than a pony ride at the fair, perhaps) on a horse by herself.
"It couldn't be that bad." Audrey commented to her mother as they pulled into Second Hope Ranch. Her mother smiled and prayed a pray of thanks in her head.
"Hi, Audrey and Mrs. Clayton." Eve welcomed them as they entered the office.
"Hello, Miss Price." Audrey's mother replied. Audrey nodded her hello. "Audrey said she wanted to ride Chance today, if that's all right?"
Eve grinned. "Really? That's great, Audrey! Sure, as long as it's okay with your mother to do it so soon." Mrs. Clayton nodded.
"All right then! Let's go get Chance." Eve smiled and walked with Audrey to the barn. Audrey gazed around the property. Horses were grazing, riding lessons were going on, therapeutic sessions, horses being groomed--lots was happening.
Audrey loved this place already. It gave her a chance to be normal, forget her past and everything that went with it, and put her trust in something beyond herself.
Blake showed up in the barn with Chance saddled up. He grinned when he saw Audrey.
"I'm glad you came back." He said.
Audrey was confused. "Why wouldn't I?"
Eve replied for Blake, "A lot of people don't always come back, especially not so soon here. Horses can be intimidating for a lot of people, which is why we try to start out slow." Eve paused and smiled. "But it looks like you're ready to ride already, so let's go!"
Audrey smiled and grabbed the reins from Blake. She walked the big bay down to the large round pen, where they would begin lessons.
Audrey enjoyed learning to ride Chance. He seemed to know there was a new rider on his back and didn't give her any trouble. By the end of the lesson, Audrey was leading the horse on her own in a walk around the round pen.
Eve decided to ask a few questions. "Audrey, why do you think you like Chance so much?"
Audrey stopped and thought for a moment. Why did she like this horse? She'd never been around them before. She also thought they smelled bad. But then why did she like him?
"I guess it's because I don't feel like I have to explain anything to him. He's just there for me, you know?" Audrey smiled. Now she knew exactly why. "He doesn't care about my past, or any of my problems. He doesn't ask questions. He listens to my every word. He's also a good friend."
Eve smiled. "You know, Audrey, there's Someone who's always there for you. He doesn't focus on your past, He doesn't question you, and He always knows what you're going through. He's also a very good friend."
"You're talking about God."
Eve nodded. "Yes, I am talking about God. Look, Audrey, He doesn't want to see you hurting. But He does allow it to make us stronger and more trusting in Him. He's the only sure thing in this world."
Audrey went quiet. She knew all this. She used to call herself a Christian, even. But after all that happened. she felt abandoned. She had questions about life. But even after all that, what Eve said seemed to make sense.
"Thanks, Eve. I'll think about it." Audrey smiled. "Can I groom Chance?"
"Sure, go ahead. Blake will show you where the supplies is while I go and report to your mother on your progress." Eve waved as the two separated.
Audrey led Chance to the barn and tied him up. Blake came over and showed her how to untack Chance.
"There, now the saddle is a bit heavy since it's a Western saddle, so be careful." Blake said as Audrey pulled the saddle off. She made a face when she felt the warmth underneath the saddle pad. After it was off, she brought it to the tack room along with the bridle.
"Now, time to groom." She said and grabbed the supplies she needed. Blake carried and hoof pick.
"How do you do that?" Audrey pointed to the hoof pick and asked.
Blake walked over to Chance and asked him to raise his hoof. The Thoroughbred stubbornly kept his foot on the ground as Blake tried to get it up.
"We're still working on this, as you can see." Blake commented and continued to lift until Chance's hoof was off the ground. "There. Now you see that? That is the frog, so we'll avoid that, but the part surrounding it is full of dirt and other stuff. So you take it like this--yeah, just that like--" Audrey replaced Blake's spot, "and there. Done."
"That was satisfying." Audrey commented.
Blake laughed. "It really is."
Once Chance was groomed, Audrey led him to his stall and gave him a treat.
