Beginning of Something New (Open)

[Michael Lurgone]

Michael pulled into the cafe in his Tundra, easily finding a parking spot. Quickly hoping out of the truck, he headed into the cafe. It seemed like a nice place and he had only heard of it from some people talking earlier about it. As he opened the door, a little bell rang. Looking around he didn't find the place to be too crowded. Slipping into a booth, he sat down, placing his cell phone and wallet on the side of the table and grabbed the menu. As the waiter came up, he looked at him and nodded. I'll get the chicken sandwitch, grilled, with a coke. Thanks. Michael put the menu back and leaned back into the booth's seat. He let out a sigh, and looked around the place observing the pictures around the cafe. It hadn't been the best past two weeks, and he was really hoping that this move was really a good choice. Duke was staying at a near by friend's house, and Joker was should be arriving soon. Michael figured it was goign to be too much of a hassle to haul Joker down, so he had a special company do it that an old friend told him about. Sighing, Michael rubbed his forehead trying to clear his mind. He had a lot of stress on him right now to take care of things, and a lot of personal things he still needed to take care of. Shaking his head he just put his head in his hands, waiting for his food to come.

((it's a bit short, sorry))

[Maggie]

Annie opened the door of her white Cherokee jeep, the car made a beeping noise as she took out the keys from the ignition it stopped. She grabbed her purse from the passengers seat and hopped out of the car shutting the door behind her then locking it. She tucked up her black north face closer to her face feeling the cold morning air come in. The stables were all set and ready for afternoon lessons and such and it was her time for a break. So far it had been a little over two weeks since she'd had some alone time, with Christmas and all it got really hectic at Greenridge.

Annie pushed opened the door the wind blew her golden blonde curled hair back, her scarf ruffled and she patted it down before walking in to the sound of a little bell. There wasn't too much going on but after living here for around 4 years now you knew when the right time was to come. Annie unraveled her scarf a little, as it was getting tight around her neck. The guy at the counter a little younger than Annie turned around his eyes scanned her before he looked down and played with loose strings on his apron. Annie smiled her blue eyes danced over the young kid before looking away at the menu to see what she wanted although she knew exactly what she wanted.

"Hi, I'll have a fresh brewed Cappuccino and a thin slice of coffee cake please?" She asked as she smiled kindly to the kid before he nodded his head and without a word rambled with a rag clumsily and made his way over to the cappuccino maker grabbing a mini sized coffee mug and filling it to the top where he put whip cream over it. He brought it back quickly then grabbed a small plate matching the mini mug and took a slice of coffee cake returning it to Annie when he was done. He grumbled a little then his voice came to him. "$8.25 please." He said looking down and Annie nodded her head plopping her purse up on the counter and grabbing her wallet at the bottom. She counted out the dollars throwing in a extra two dollars for tip. "Thank you." She said as she gathered the mug and plate. He put his hand out to hand her the money but she pushed it back to him. "You can have it." She said then walked over to the sitting area.

A guy maybe around Annie's age sat in a booth while others sat either on chairs or at the tables. Annie spotted a comfy place near the computer section and traveled over to it, setting the drink and plate down on the small coffee table then tacking a seat setting her purse and taking off her scarf will setting it next to her on the ground. She hadn't thought to grab her lap top but thought better of it noticing she'd look like some computer geek or business person that never talked to anyone and only cared about work like half the people in the small cafe.

A christmas song played from the speakers in the backround giving it a warm feeling to it, the fireplace was lit as well giving it a even cozier atmosphere to it. Annie sat back in her chair exterminating her light blue jeans with rips running up the legs in places. They were her favorite jeans, ask anyone who knew her and they'd tell you she always wore them. They were from back in 11th grade a couple years ago and she still fit into them. Amazing right?

[Michael Lurgone]

Michael raised his head as the waiter brought back his food and nodded. He didn't expect it to come so fast. Hey better now than later right? As Michael at his food, he heard the small bell ring, and soon glanced over his shoulder and saw a girl around his age come in. He looked at her for a little bit, taking not that she was quite pretty. Minding his own business, he continued eating his food. For a decently small place, it was pretty good, and from what he could tell looking at the menu, cheap also. He could already see himself coming here a bit more often. Michael figured that girl that had walked in was sitting near by him since he heard a gentle voice.

Sipping his coke, his looked at his phone feeling the table vibrate. Seeing it was his mother, well technically it was his foster/step mother, he picked up, hearing her familiar voice. Yeah, I'm good, can I call you back later? I'm kind of busy right now. With that said, she had soon hung up. Right now he needed to relax and take a break from the world, or atleast try too, but that never seemed possible. Looking at the time, he knew he still had about another hour and a half before going to his friends house to check in on Duke. Michael was still trying to explore the town area, and stables, but didn't know if he would have much luck today. Maybe he could find something fun and interesting to do tonight. Oh well, he always found something to do. Eating his last fry, Michael looked around, and was in fact right that the girl who had walked in was sitting just a few booths away. Well, she seems like somehow who isn't new here. Speaking up, he spoke directing his attention to her, Excuse me miss? You look like someone who knows this place. Is there any good hang out spots or anything fun to do at night? he asked with a smile.

Yes sometimes he was a bit too forward and friendly with people, but that was how he has always been. People, and meeting new people, never seemed to be an obstacle to him. Even if people cursed him off for asking simple questions, he still didn't care. Take a chance right?

[Maggie]

Annie heard her phone vibrate in her purse. She looked around as people looked towards her and gave an apologetic smile before grabbing it out of her purse and flipping it open, "hello?" She asked in a low voice that only some people could just hear if they wanted to. On the other line it was Layla Livaland her younger cousin who lived with her at her farm. "I'm going for a ride but I wasn't sure if you would mind me taking Apollo."[/b] She asked and Annie bit her bottom lip. She had been planning on taking Apollo out for a ride later on but she looked down at her nails. I'll train Fancy instead. "Sure, can you get Fancy ready I'm going to do some training with her when I get back to the farm and it'd be a big help." She said before turning her eyes upwards to the guy who had been sitting at the booth. Excuse me miss? You look like someone who knows this place. Is there any good hang out spots or anything fun to do at night? Annie stopped for a minute looking up then Layla replied in a thank. "I've gotta go, thanks." She said as she flipped the phone shut then looked up before placing the phone back in her purse.

"Yeah they're are some nice places to go at night. What do you have in mind?" She asked as she referred to what he liked to do. There was a small dance club that mostly college students and some older high school students went to around 8:00am and they're was the mall, the movies, and the bar where mostly the cowboys went to all day to get wasted. She chipped a peice off her coffee cake and placed in her mouth savoring the delicous flavour, now I know why I love it here so much. She thought as she looked back up at the guy. He could be the same age as her, thought she couldn't really tell he looked older but Annie could tell when someone was younger or older than her. She looked young but she actually wasn't, she was already through her second year of college. She couldn't tell if he liked animals or not or horses for that matter but then again Whispering Sycamores was a small county full of horse people so it could be a possiblity.[/size][/font]

[Michael Lurgone]

Michael didn't even realize that she was on the phone and wasn't sure if she had heard him or not, but was proven wrong. Hearing her speak he nodded. Atleast she was nice and responded. She didn't seem shy, but it was way to early to even jugde that completely. He had a tendoncy to do that, judge people a little bit too early, sometimes in a good way and sometimes in the bad way. It had gotten him in trouble plenty of times and he knew he shouldn't, but he sometimes couldn't help it. It's not like he would judge them on how they look or anything, more like how they acted. Ok, we need to stop this now.

He looked at her again, Well, right now pretty much anything he said with a laugh. That answer was probably not going to help her much, and went into a bit more detail. I like having fun, and with my horse arriving in a couple of days, I have more free time than I normally would. A lot of people, atleast that Michael knew, took it as a surprise that he even worked with horses. For some reason people didn't associate horses and Michael. Maybe if it wasn't for the fact of his uncle's friend, he wouldn't have liked horses. Ever since then, he's enjoyed them greatly and has come to realize it's a passion of his and it makes the stress of his real life go away. Actually, what do you like do to, then it might be easier for me to pick No, he wasn't really trying to make any moves or anything, he figured by hearing her and what she likes to do, it might help. Oh heck, maybe he really was.

[Maggie]

Annie smiled as she sat back a little and pointed to the chair across from her. It was rude to her to be standing while someone else wasn't, she just felt like it was better to talk face to face than face to stomache. Well, right now pretty much anything. He had said with a laugh, and she smiled with a slight chuckle herself. I like having fun, and with my horse arriving in a couple of days, I have more free time than I normally would This made her grow interested, she raised an eyebrow as he spoke a couple days cool. "You ride? So do I," she said perkily as she gave a slight laugh feeling stupid for saying so.

She had a day off today thank god, it was felt like a relief but she still loved going for a ride on her day off at her own farm. I mean you feel a little guilty sometimes if you know what I mean. What do you like do to, then it might be easier for me to pick. Annie put her hand up on her knee and put her head in her hand playfully as if she was thinking as she looked up then back at him. "Well, I usually go for a ride but most people around here go to the club later or the mall. There's always the movies too and I hear they've got some good ones playing." She said as she took away her thinking pose and started to really think. "I love this place and you started your day out pretty good if you came here too." She said with a laugh as she took up her mug and took a sip of it its warmness overwhelming her bodice.

[Michael Lurgone]

Michael glanced at her casually as he finished speaking. She seemed very observant, and cool and collect. If she might have not already could tell, well if she did she might think he was looking at her too much, that he really was very interested in his surroundings. Yes that did include people. Sometimes when he was waiting for friends somewhere, he liked watching people. Many times, he found a very funny scene unfolding before him. Shaking his head slightly, and making a small laugh at himself, he looked up and smiled when she said she also rode. Yeah sure do. A lot of people look at me in disbelief when I tell them I do. Of course he knew men rode, maybe you wouldn't see them as often, but they were out there. Guess it would be a surprise if you knew Michael personally. You look like a rider though definatly he said with a smile.

Michael listened as she spoke about what there was to do around here, adding in what she also likes to do. He nodded slightly as she told him about the movies. Guess I'll have to check that area out sometime. A small chuckle came with that. It was the typical stuff you would imagine towns have around. There were those towns though that usually had a mall that was the size of a house, and with a movie theatre that only played 1 movie for 5 months. It was a good thing this town wasn't like that, and he never imaged it would have been. He laughed at her last statement and looked up at her again. You talking about the town, or this place? he said in a joking tone. This girl was quite nice and friendly so far. Oh, I'm rude. he said shaking his head and laughing. I'm Michael by the way, Michael Lurgone and smiled at her.

[Maggie]

Annie smiled up at him, she hadn't really noticed him staring at her a little to much as she didn't really care what people thought of her. She wasn't a follower she was a leader and most people knew it too. She let nothing stand in her way but took it with ease and one step at a time, it was one of her great features to her. Another one was her patiences she could sit there for hours on end waiting for someone but since she believed everyone had a purpose for something she'd wait there and end up start talking to someone else or she would find something else to do. Most people though that did know her would never be late to meet her or to the barn to do their morning chores and such because when it interupted something that she had to do that was important she would always let you know about it.

Yeah sure do. A lot of people look at me in disbelief when I tell them I do. Annie gave a little chuckle and shook her head, "well now I can picture it. Trust me some guys that come to the farm for lessons look more like they would be interested in ballet or something so I like your style way better." She joked referring to the men who had come for lessons and such, although some also looked like cowboys and horse people because you can tell by their voice which would either be gruff or had a twane to it like her closets friend Keith who owned a two year old racer and boarded at the farm. Unfortunetly there aren't many thoroughbred farms in this area but with the many acres at Greenridge and being friends with Anne he had accepted it.

You look like a rider though definatly. She smiled many people told her that, maybe because of how petite she looked I guess or you could tell because of everything she had was horses, horses, horses. "Thanks, I get that alot." She joked and gave in her own set of laughter. He was nice and enjoyable to speak with, so far she liked this conversation. She turned around though to see that people were staring when she laughed and she stopped only giving a little giggle of embarcement. You talking about the town, or this place? He joked and Annie gave a smaller laugh so that the others couldn't visably hear her this time. "Both," she said teasingly as she took another peice off her coffee cake and put it in her mouth. Oh, I'm rude. I'm Michael by the way, Michael Lurgone. Oh fancy last name.

She smiled and shook her head no as in he wasn't rude she had been for not mentioning her name at all. "No I'm the rude one, gabbing away." She said with a laugh before smiling. "Anne Bennet," she said as she put out her hand to shake his before bringing it back to her side. "A pleasure to meet you Michael Lurgone." She said with a laugh before grasping onto her mug and taking a sip before it had disapeared. Warning Cappinchino's go quickly.

[Michael Lurgone]

Michael turned around for a second to take another sip of his coke. He still had just a little bit more to go though. Grabbing the small fry that he had left on his plate, he popped it into his mouth. As he was turning around he spotted a man that had walked into the cafe and paused for a moment. It looked almost exactly like an old friend he used to know and was tempted to go say hi and find out if it really was him, but as the man came closer, Michael instantly knew it wasn't him because this guy had freckles all over his face, and his friend didn't. Getting the reminder of his friend he made a note to try and get in touch with him. It definately had been awhile and although they had trouble with each other, they were still extremely good friends back in the day.

Michael couldn't help but laugh at her comment about the men coming and wanting to take lessons. Well I'm glad to know atleast you like my style he said laughing. I am serious though, if you really did know me, horses would be the last thing I would even go near he said in honestly but with a hint of laughter in his voice. After that he realized she said something about a farm, and wondered if she had her own or not. I'm going to take a shot and guess that you have your own farm? was said in curiousty. Maybe she would be able to tell him about the stables around here for boarding and stuff. Having someone who knows whats around is usually a good thing.

He smiled as she said thank you and nodded. Maybe it was just the way she looked or just had that ora about her saying she was a horse person. Either way he knew she was obviously one anyways. Thinking about it, people always thought with horses women, not horses and men. He never knew why, probably more of a sterotypical type of thing. It didn't bother him, but just made it even more fun to do.

Smiling he looked at her. I think we both have in a way. He reached for her hand giving it his firm grip before shaking it and pulling back. And same to you Ms. Bennet. He noticed that her plate was pretty much empty and figured that they would probably soon be saying goodbye or something. He didn't have a whole lot to do, but knew that probably there was. Everyone ahd their own scheduales.

[Maggie]

Annie watched Michael turn his head towards a guy around their age walk in. She studied his face as his eyes shown hope then lost it as he probally noticed it wasn't him. She looked away towards her drink and bread only staring blankly for a moment her minding say you are sooo fat her mind seemed to taunt her as she looked down at the swirly bread.
Well I'm glad to know atleast you like my style; I am serious though, if you really did know me, horses would be the last thing I would even go near. She flicked an eyebrow up quizically but more sarcastically and humorous than quizical. "I hardly think thats true." She said with a bit of laughter in her tone.

Annie lifted up the small little mug pursing it to her lips and taking a quick sip before looking down at it and noticing the only thing left was a smear of whip cream and a drop of the cappinchno. Crap. She stood up putting a finger up to say wait a second. "I'll be back in a sec I'm dying for another coffee." She said with a girlish giggle before getting up and running over to the counter where a younger girl was instead of the boy who had been there before. "Can I have a hazelnut coffee extra-extra please?" She asked as she fingered through her pocket and found a couple dollars and loose change rolling it onto the counter as the girl gave the total then went off to make it. She stood with her legs crossed and her back to the other customers. The girl came back holding the mug in her hand and handed it over to Annie, she smiled in reply then walked back to the table.

"Sorry you were saying?" She asked as she sat back down in the chair and cupped the mug in both hands loving the warmth. She blew on it before bringing her lips down and taking a small sip feeling the burning of the hot coffee on the tip of her tounge she pulled back a little squinting her eyes before placing it back down. I'm going to take a shot and guess that you have your own farm?. She nodded her head as she looked up at Michael. "Yup, Greenridge Acres." She said with a sigh as she sat back in the chair feeling more comfortable. One of the employees went over to the fire place and picked up the poker poking at the burning log and watching it raise in height.

I think we both have in a way. And same to you Ms. Bennet. She smirked pulling back her hand as well. "So you said you have a horse, what style riding do you do?" She asked as she leaned forward to grasp on to the coffee cake and took a chunk placing it into her mouth then after gulping it down took up the coffee and put it near her face though she didn't go to sip it quite yet.

[Michael Lurgone]

As Michael waited to hear her response he looked over her again. She was a very pretty girl and being a horse rider, she seemed like she was in good shape. Annie definately had a nice body, from what he could tell. Laughing slightly, he shook his head and smiled. Believe what you want, I'm speaking the truth he said playfully. It was true though. He wasn't going to explain why and what his past was like because he wasn't like that. Maybe one day if they were close she might find out. Time can only tell, they say. It was nice to know she believed differently.

Michael ran fingers across the stiching on the chair he was sitting on for the booth. He nodded as he heard her saying she was going to get another drink. Ok he spoke with a smile. Well this conversation wasn't going to end as soon as he though, which he was happy about. Might as well get another coke too. Turning around, he saw his waiter and flagged him to come over. Can I get a refill on the coke please? The waiter nodded, walking away. Michael couldn't hellp but glance over at Annie again, but stopped soon afterwards. Pulling out his wallet, he put the money he owed for his meal so the guy could take it.

Seeing Annie walk back to her booth he smiled and just as she sat down, the guy brought his drinks. Thanks he spoke to him. Taking a long sip, he grabbed the cup, stood up and then turned around to face her fully. Figured it'd be less painful and more convinient this way. he said with a laugh still standing. Mind if I sit? was asked politely. It really didn't bother him though turning around to talk.

Green ridge huh? He hadn't heard of it yet, and in fact Michael hadn't seen a whole lot of farms yet. Then again, he was just starting ot search. Do you guys board by any chance? I still haven't found a good boarding stable yet Why not take up and ask now. Taking another sip he smiled as she asked about his riding. Well, I've done a bit of everything, since my mom has her own lesson riding stable. Technically not his real mom, but that's what he knows her by and is gratefull for everything she has done for him. But I've realized that I have a big interest in eventing recently. My horse and I have been doing jumping and dressage currently. He's a beautiful mover, but is stubborn with dressage. He enjoys the freedom more with jumping. Michael laughed just thinking of Joker and all the training and work they have ben doing to improve their dressage. Joker just was so diffiuclt with it. Lately though, he has been improving some what. To be honest though, my passion is dressage. he said with a smile. What about you?

[Maggie]

Annie watched as the waiter came over and handed him a coke. She smiled up at the kid before looking back towards Michael. "You like it the easy way." She said playfully with a humerous laugh before looking down at her coffee and taking a sthingy stirring the hazel colored coffee to stir up the settled suger. If she got to much of it trust me she was a different person, even more wired than she is now. Think about that for a while. Believe what you want, I'm speaking the truth. Michael had said and Annie smirked still stirring the coffee. "Well everyones got another side to them. Mine, well lets just say I'm wild." She said with another giggle as she took out the silver sthingy and tapped it on the side before placing it down on the napkin and looking up again. Figured it'd be less painful and more convinient this way. Mind if I sit? He asked and Annie nodded as he moved over into the seat. "Sure, go right on ahead." She said before picking up the coffee and bringing it to her lips again. Much better.

Green ridge huh? Do you guys board by any chance? I still haven't found a good boarding stable yet. Annie looked towards him again her eyes staggered over towards his eyes as she finished her sip then brought it back to the table before replying. "Yeah, its an eventing farm. I give lessons, board, train all that good stuff." She said sarcastically refferring to the training part. The youngsters at the farm were deffinately not the funnest part of the job but it was great to watch a scrawny legged two year old turn into one of the next great competiters in the eventing world or dressages, or even hunter/jumper for that matter happen with her help. Some of her own horses had grown up to go to the biggest of the shows and events and it really struck Annie that she wasn't just a girl anymore she was turning into her father, she admired him and missed him. If only it hadn't been for that crash...

Annie's facial features drooped a little down into a small trinklet of a frown but she dismissed it imediately not wanting to speak about the crash that had taken her fathers life and the familys beloved companion. Well, I've done a bit of everything, since my mom has her own lesson riding stable. But I've realized that I have a big interest in eventing recently. My horse and I have been doing jumping and dressage currently. He's a beautiful mover, but is stubborn with dressage. He enjoys the freedom more with jumping. Annie nodded her head, understanding how the young horses diddn't really enjoy dressage sometimes. Apollo her recent addition didn't like to be square and also didn't enjoy the pirrouttes and other fancy movements all that much like the other horses. He was obedient and all but he could be just as stubborn as a yearling.

"I understand the stubborn part. I love eventing." She said glad they had that in common. To be honest though, my passion is dressage. What about you?. Annie nodded although she was pretty gifted in dressage her mother was amazing until she stopped riding and had taught everything Annie knew but she didn't share the same passion for it. She could do it, but it just wasn't her favorite. "Eventing as well, although I love cross country the thrill gets to me every time." She looked up at the ceiling for a minute before looking back at Michael's face. He wasn't all that bad looking, in a way he was pretty handsome.

[Michael Lurgone]

Hearing her comment, he shook his head laughing slightly. Hey he was right there. he said truthfully. Why go up and ask when the waiter was right there. I can promise you I'm really not that lazy though. Only somtimes he said with a laugh. I think everyone got lazy in their lives plenty of times. She knew how to joke around so that was a good thing. Appeared to seem like she liked having fun, who doesn't? He sipped his coke again, watching her stirr her coffee and smiled at her comment at her being wild. Oh, we Ms. Annie here is a wild girl huh? he said in a joking tone. Maybe this was a good thing. We might have something in common then he said with a wink. He wasn't sure what exactly she meant by her wild side, everyone was different. I might say that I definately do also. Partying wise, well I guess in general. Michael laughed because it was true in a way. Michael went ahead and sat down as she said it was ok, getting comforable and putting his coke down on the table. Thanks and smiled.

Michael placed his hands on the table, folding them as he listened to her speak. Ah so they did board. Maybe he'd have to check this place out. Could be an advantage he already met the owner, probably not though. Nodding he looked back up at her. I see now. I'll have to go check it out. Might have a new customer Giving on lessons on eventing too would be good. He could use a touch up and learn more about eventing. Leave that for later though. Hey you never know also, I might show up being one of those "men" who are all dorky and looking for lessons. He laughed whole heartedly and smiled, knowing that she knew he was joking. That would be a funny thinng to see. Michael knew he wasn't the best rider in the world, or trainer for that, but he did his best. He liked getting advice from the professionals in that area, and figured that maybe Annie could help him once in awhile with Joker. He like doing it on his own, but had to admit sometimes he needed help and advice.

Michael noticed her face seemed a bit sad, but he looked out the window, not wanting to intrude. He's learned his lesson about asking new people if something was wrong, or similar thigns. He learned that although all he was trying to do was help, sometimes people didn't like that right away. He just stayed quiet letting her, think, or do whatever it was she was thinking about to herself.

He looked back as she spoke again, referring to his comment about Joker. Yeah, he is 7, just a pain sometime. Stallions I tell you. he smiled thinking about him. And to think they wanted to geld him. Michael could have understaned why, but with some work, he was right, and turned Joker into an amazing horse. He was thinking about breeding him later on, knowing he'd produce some nice foals in the future, but that was for the future, not right now. He smiled and could tell she really did love eventing. You could tell by the way she talked about it and how she looked when she talked about it. Seems like it. I don't know much about it, and if I did, I would need to take lessons or something to prepare for it if I decide I want to compete in that and what not. he said looking at Annie.


((sorry for the wait. i've been sick and the past few days haven't been the greatest.))

[Maggie]

I'm so sorry i totally forgot i hadn't replied to this! I promise I will soon though cause I have to get off now but if I don't reply in the next couple of days jsut slap me off the head hha