Peter's Incoming Mail

[Peter Holden]

Dear Peter,
How is Blue Ridge? I miss you so, so much, and Mum has been dying too. I know she kind of annoyed you all the time, but let me tell you, she's having to hold herself back from calling you every second. Dad's okay I suppose, but he's just absorbed with work as usual.

Osiris misses you, and you'd better be honored. I found him in your room the other day, but I took him out because I know you didn't like him in there. He definitely doesn't miss Lacey though! Poor dog, he always abused her... I miss you too. Did I mention that? School has been going fine but Mrs. Perch is still driving me nuts. I mean I have an A in the class, but she just thinks she knows everything, you know? And she dotes on me like it's her job. It's weird.

And Madeline is doing well too. We're going to a show this weekend and we should be ready for it. She's always ready for these things, and I'm rarely nervous about them, but this one is kind of important, and a bit more nerve wracking than the others. She misses being with Thimble, our friendly giant. How is she? I've also been working with Cailin, and we're doing well. I know you didn't get to know her very well before you left but she's really sweet despite her "quirky" personality. She does the weirdest stuff sometimes though.

I hope you're doing well! (Of course you are.) Training with Thimble must be so intense by what I gained from reading all of those Blue Ridge Riding Academy pamphlets that took over our house the last couple of months. Give her and Lacey kisses for me!

xoxo,
Kate

[Peter Holden]

Dear Peter,

Who's the girl you showed the photos to? I like her. Good taste in photography. I like those photos. Send me the doubles if you can spare them. I especially like the one of Madeline and I and the one with me jumping Cailin. And what about the one I took of you? Do you even keep that one with your other photos? God forbid you risk someone seeing you in a photo. You're so weird.

Speaking of girls, Olivia came over today and was asking about you. I guess it's safe to tell you how much she fancies you. It was gross. If you see her when you come back to visit, don't tell her I told you. She'd die, and then kill me. You were always too nice to her, and she always thought she had a chance. You know Olivia. Always dreaming silly things. She drives me nuts sometimes with it.

You'd better keep Lacey away from the poor guy's socks! It was always one of my fears that she'd get into mine. That dog.

xoxo,
Kate

[Peter Holden]

Dear Peter,
I don't get the Washington thing. Is it American? But she sounds nice, though you haven't told me much. You indicated not to ask questions, but I will anyways. Do you fancy her? I'll bet you do. Or maybe you just made a friend, though that's unlikely.

Bah, you know I couldn't help but tell you now that you're gone. And what boy would want Olivia? I really am horrid to her, aren't I? She's been getting on my nerves anyways. Last week I asked her to come with me and take the horses to the park. She wouldn't! It's not as if mom would have found out, and I was going to have her ride Madeline, who wouldn't have spooked at anything, unless she saw an animal, but it would have been fine. She's ridden a couple times before and I trust Madeline. I should have been the worried one, taking Cailin, since it was sort of windy and such. I can handle her though, and she needs to learn to go on adventures with me! But anyways, Olivia refused to go with me, so I snuck out by myself. I'd been planning it for weeks, see? It would have been fun with her, but it was nice by myself too. Cailin only spooked a couple of times and Dad and Mum were fast asleep when I left and came back, and they didn't even notice the horse smell in the morning before I showered. They make it so easy! You should have taken advantage of it when you were here.

I'm performing near Christmas in the hall, along with some other students of my singing teacher. I'll probably sing a couple songs, and hopefully you'l be back by then. It'll be wonderful if you can come. It'll be busy to, since the junior ballet company is putting on The Nutcracker around then too, but I'm not really worried about the singing thing. Come to the ballet too! I'm playing Clara, which I've been waiting for for years. Madame still thinks I'm a bit small for the part but I've gotten really good you know, and I'll be moving up to the real company next year. Bring your camera! It will make for good pictures.

xoxo,
Kate

[Avery Jacobs]

Peter-
Hmm... I do think I would quite like that.

See ya soon,
Avery

[Peter Holden]

Dear Peter,
I looked it up and I cannot say that I was not a bit confused on the matter. But I will leave it at that. And it is true: I am quite enjoying these letters, and though it isn't the same as speaking to you, I do get wonderful information out of them. Maybe I'll meet her. I bet I'll like her, at first at least, like I do with most people. Hopefully I'll like her for longer.

Olivia is my friend, but you know, I can just get so irritated with her. I won't get into it because you will reply with points that make me seem terrible since you will, of course, be right. And I know that she's not a very good rider, and that she'd only ridden a bit, but Madeline would have taken care of her. And of course I'll be careful. I always am. You can accuse me of getting into dangerous situations, but not of being reckless. I'm always careful when I do such things. And once Olivia said that she wasn't coming I considered bringing Madeline rather than Cailin, so at least I thought of it. But Cailin needs to learn, and besides, it was more fun with her. More adventurous. And she was fine anyways. I already told you that. And as for Poet? He would have been the best choice but even I know not to risk that. There would have been bigger consequences if I got caught with him, since he's not mine. I can't afford to lose my lease with him. But good point. I have to go on an adventure with him soon, but I'll at least stay at the yard with him. And yeah, I'll give him an apple. He deserves it. He had with great lesson today and I'm taking him to a show this weekend. Hopefully we'll place.

The pictures with the horses and ballet sounds cool. Madeline and Poet would probably be best for that, since they'll be stiller than Cailin. I could wear some of my old stuff so I don't have to worry about it getting dusty. It would be cool! Nice idea. And you think I'd refuse a chance to be a model for your photos? Especially ones with ballet and horses. Atrocious!

The apples sound nice, though I'd get bored of them. But of course, you're fine with them. Send me pictures of a couple. I'm sure they're gorgeous. As usual. I wanted to paint part of a wall in my room with that chalkboard paint, but Mum said no. I'll see what I can do, and keep you updated.

xoxo,
Kate

[Peter Holden]

Peter,
I'm really sorry to hear about Lacey, though I'll enjoy her company here and I promise I'll take very good care of her. I know how hard this must be for you, but it's probably best for both of you.

Avery is a very pretty name! Why can't I have a name like that? We're stuck with boring names. Peter and Katherine. I actually hate my name so much, but thank goodness everyone calls me Kate. Or Kitty in your case I guess. Avery sounds lovely though. But of course I snickered about the picnic! It is very Peter though, and I hope she appreciated it. I'll bet you overdid it too. Was it like a date? Did you guys kiss? Being able to ask these questions without you killing me is really wonderful. Unfortunately, I can't see your blush, which is certainly a pity. I'll bet you'll look like a strawberry reading this! By the way, remember Emma Gellert? Ha! Of course you do. You were obsessed with her for ages. Well, at school today, I heard that she and John Harris are dating. Big news, you know, with his being the star footballer and her being so, you know, bookish. She'd awfully pretty though, so it's not that shocking. I just thought I'd let you know, which makes me feel horrid, but I've been hoping that you're not still pining over her. Hopefully not with this new Avery girl in the picture.

Cailin is actually doing wonderful. I took a fall off of her last weekend but it wasn't bad, and it was only because I got left behind over an oxer, so it's my fault anyways. She still has that attitude I'm sure you remember, but she's definitely coming along and getting neater, which is what we want. I do have time for them, but I think I'm going to lease Madeline out. Remember that woman at the yard with the huge overo warmblood who did dressage? Her daughter is nine and she's interested in leasing Madeline for her. It's for a couple of reasons, but it'll be for the best. I don't use her that much anyways with Cailin and Poet and I'm getting tall for her.

I'll be careful with Poet if I do anything with him. Of course I know the risks, and he is rather valuable. His owner doesn't like me much. You remember the lady. She's horrid, but I have to be decent to her so I can keep Poet. I want to buy him eventually. I know you'll roll your eyes because he'd be my third horse, but I really do like him and I have my reasons. The show went rather well. We got reserve, but I was hoping for champion. We would have won had it not been for me losing focus at the final fence. I was already picturing myself putting the ribbon on the wall. It's annoying, you know, but there will be other shows, and Poet is consistent.

As far as art goes I've been mostly sketching, but I painted something a couple weeks ago. It turned out really weird but it was pretty good overall. I haven't had much inspiration for it lately so I haven't really done much. I'd rather be dancing or something. And yes, Mum has started the Christmas stuff. The house will be overflowing with cookies. You'd better come sooner and start helping us eat them. I brought some to Madame yesterday and her face was priceless. God forbid any of her students eat any carbs. I don't think she can imagine how much I eat and I'm still one of her tinier students. It's a gift I guess. But it's very festive here. Christmas lights and trees and presents and whatnot. I've been doing to the studio for an extra day each week to rehearse for the ballet. It's pretty hard work, especially with everything else going on.

xoxo,
Kate

[Peter Holden]

Peter-
HA! You guys were totally snogging. You're transparent even through letters! (To me at least, but that was pretty obvious to anyone.) And it does quite satisfy me. Now I'm, expecting her to be amazing though, to have captured your heart in such a short time period. What's her trick? Chances are I'll be meeting her soon enough, and it'd better be worth it.

Yeah, Cailin will be mainly a hunter, though she'll be able to do jumpers to. So a Hunter/Jumper I guess. Versatile enough for me. I'm glad to hear that you approve of the Madeline situation as well. And yes Poet! That lady is getting on my nerves, being so controlling about him and all. I'll just be able to make the decisions. And yes, I've got Cailin for Hunters and Jumpers, but Poet is so good and he's an amazing eq horse! I showed him in an equitation class recently too and we placed really well. I could use him for that too, and focus on Hunters and Eq, with a couple Jumpers scattered in probably.

I supposed to practice violin everyday but I rarely do. Maybe once or twice a week. I get so fed up with it, you know? You were actually very good at piano though. Do you ever play at Blue Ridge?

I know you miss me the most. Which is why I'm so excited with this big news. I was going to tell you when you got home for Christmas break, but I can't wait. Ready?
.
.
.
I'm coming to Blue Ridge! You'd probably guessed, but it's official. I applied a couple months ago and made my decision rather recently. I'm going to be starting school there in the new year, so I'll be coming back with you. I'm going to be in the Red Ribbon House with you, and Mum and Dad are just finishing up all the formalities and paperwork. No more uniforms! Do you know how exciting that is? And classes with horses each day! I'm so very excited!

It's a lot of preparations, as you know, so I've already started with a lot of it, but Mum doesn't want it getting in the way of the holidays too much. I'm really nervous, but mostly excited. It's going to be perfect! And we can ride together again, and I can meet this Avery!

I'm definitely bringing Cailin with me, because she's turning out really well and is probably the best for me. Plus, Mum and Dad bought her to be competitive and whatnot, so this is a very good opportunity for us. Madeline will be staying here with the girl who is leasing her, though I'll be getting an update on her from the girl and her mother every two weeks which makes me feel a lot better about leaving her here. The big decision is whether or not I'll bring Poet. I really do love him a lot and I can't imagine leaving him here with that awful lady (Even though he is hers). I'll figure it out, but it will have to be soon. I talked to Mum and Dad about it, and Dad isn't very keen on the idea, but I've gotten Mum convinced that I'll only be successful if I get him. So basically if I decide I want him, he's mine. See how awfully bratty I am? It's true.

xoxo (and can't wait to see you soon!),
Kate

[Avery Jacobs]

Redcoat-
Want to meet in the cafeteria tomorrow? I'll be there around four.

Avery <3