Welcome to Hickstead, home to both Seven Oak Stables, and Blue Acre - two rival stables. Both offer opportunities for their clients to reach the highest level of excellence. Each stable differs from the other, so choose wisely and never forget, loyalty is everything... Meanwhile as the stables battle it out, there's trouble brewing at the university. Be careful, if you don't pick a side you may get caught in the cross-fire...
This is an chilled out rpg with a super friendly and relaxed atmosphere! Remember to sign up with your characters full name in all caps and don't forget to do your claims! Thank you and Welcome, we've been established since 10th March 2009 but unfortunately have had to close guest view of our boards due to multiple sites ripping off our hard work, such a shame! Come chat to us in Discord before joining if you like!.
Jayden was nervous - scratch that, she was anxious and nervous. She had never met parents before. She was young, and though she had been down the boyfriend route before, none of them have ever gotten serious enough for this kind of step. With her own parents missing in action for most of her teenage years, she hadn't had the same upbringing as other people her age - the whole 'meeting the parents' trope. Her aunt and uncle who had looked after her when her parents had left, did their best, but it wasn't quite the same, and her short string of boyfriends were short lived in favour of one night stands and flings that didn't need to mean anything. Jack had meant to be one of them, and then Jack and his surprising personality had weaseled his way into her head and her heart instead.
She knew the pregnancy had a little to do with it - or at least, a little to do with the speed at which they were travelling together. Their original one night had been intended as just that on both sides of the bed, but she hadn't known she was pregnant when she'd surprise bumped into him at the uni; finding out he was a student at the uni she taught was a different matter entirely, and should have sent her on her merry way - and yet, his drunk pleading had enticed her, and she'd given in. The pregnancy part had come in later and she had to admit that for all the times and ways in which Jack could show his age and be childish - he was ridiculously good at being her boyfriend; of making her feel supported, and loved and wanted, and of this child being wanted, despite the circumstances.
She had been apprehensive when Jack had mentioned meeting his family - she was aware that they knew of her, and that they knew she was pregnant, but she didn't know what reception that was going to get. She imagined a bad one, much like speaking to her boss at work - but then he had been surprisingly kind and reasonable, and holding on to that gave her hope that Jack's family wouldn't see her or think of her as some cradle snatching moron, trying to ruin Jack's life. She truly loved the boy, and she saw a life with him, she hoped his family saw it too. Blowing out a nervous breath she glanced at Jack as they approached the front door, unable to give him anything better than an anxious look as she rested her free hand on her protruding bump and the other clenched tightly in Jack's closest hand.
”And now you’re stuck with me forever” She raised an eyebrow. "Forever? That's a very long time..." and people changed. She was 21, and Jack only 18 - sure they had a baby on the way which wasn't generally the thing that happened at their age, especially just meeting. But people changed when they got older, their ideas and thoughts and dreams and hopes evolved. There was nothing wrong with it, but forever was quite a promise to make. She hoped it was true, she loved him and though she hadn't been looking for that kind of love, it had somehow found her and she couldn't imagine life without Jack in it; as infuriating as it was sometimes.
She smiled as he kissed he hair. ”Good.” She knew he would fight her if she said otherwise anyway, but she didn't feel guilty. She hadn't felt like she took advantage of him or pressured him in anyway, in fact it had been more like him chasing her, so she didn't feel the need to feel guilt over it. They hadn't done anything wrong, it was just the rules she was worried about. She headed out of the garden at his side, glad it wasn't a long walk to the car and smiling wider as he even opened the door for her. "Such a gent," She teased and slid in, buckling up. ”Right. . you have the important job of picking the tunes, don’t let me down.” Jade rolled her eyes and gave him a look as she plugged in her phone to his sound system. "Have I ever let you down before? My music taste is superior anyway."
She knew he didn't like it, didn't want to hear it but he had to, realistically they had to talk about what could happen, how other people would see them if she were found out. She let him pull her into a hug, and she cuddled into him, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her face into his chest for comfort. She knew it wasn't like that, she had never used her position to get anything from him - had never even known he was a student until she'd covered his teacher's class. It was ridiculous. But she knew this wasn't something she could bury her head in the sand about.
”You’ll never be the bad guy in my eyes. You aren’t even my teacher. It’s complete bullshit.” She half smiled at that, smiling into his t-shirt, her arms still tight around his middle, not ready to let him go just yet. ”You? Manipulated me? Into bed? If I remember correctly, I was the one making all the moves that night, I wanted to be in your bed.” Her smile widened at that, a faint blush tinging her cheeks as she thought back to the night they'd met. "And you did such a good job of it, I took you home, and now I can't get rid of you." She teased, though she'd thought him cocky at the bar she'd been tempted, and he'd won her over with his charms and good looks... and then kept winning her over.. and over and over.
She felt his hand under her chin and she looked up, catching his gaze. ”don’t you ever feel guilty about any of this.” She gaze herself a minute and then nodded, "I don't, I don't feel guilty for a second." It was true, she didn't feel it was wrong, or weird or anything like that, she just hated the secrecy and what it would mean if people knew. She smiled at the boop, feeling better after his words. ”They’re £2.50 actually but your worth every penny” She rolled her eyes but grinned, "Oh well then even more kind of you." She joked, threading her fingers through his. ”My car’s round the corner from yours.” Jade nodded, "Okay, let's get out of here," She felt excited about their adventure, beginning to cheer up from her gloomy mood.
”Nah, I’d send letters, they’d know I was fine. . plus we could hire a baker.” Jade laughed and gave him a soft look, though there was a touch of sadness to her smile as she replied, "They'd probably think I was forcing you to write it under duress." She wrinkled her nose and gave a slight shake of her head. "I'm the bad guy in this situation, Jack. I might not be that much older than you, but because I'm a teacher, I'm the one that abused my power and manipulated you into bed." She gave a heavy sigh. "It sucks to know that." And it really did, knowing that once people knew they would look at her with anger or disappointment for what she had done - and they had a point. She was older, and should know better... but she hadn't forced him into bed, or anything of the like. It had just...happened. They hadn't even known she was his teacher until after they'd slept together.
Her worry faded just a little at his kiss. ”I’ll even throw in a ninety niner from the ice cream van.” She gasped and then grinned as she put a hand to her chest, "I am honoured you would spend so much on me," Jade moved so he could get up to throw the rubbish. "Though they're probably three times that nowadays." ”Shall we go?” She nodded and stood, brushing down her clothes and going to reach for his hand whilst they could for a moment. "Let's get out of here," She agreed.
She smiled and leaned into him and his support, trying to ignore the instinct to look and check if anyone was around - she knew they were on their own, but it was getting harder to ignore that itchy feeling in the back of her neck. She loved this man, as much as it was hard, and she wanted things to be out there, so she didn't have to hide it anymore. ”What if we change our names, move to another little countryside town and open our own bakery?” She laughed and peered up at him with a raised eyebrow. "I think that'd be fine only neither of us can really bake and your family might think I went nuts and kidnapped you," She might not be that much older than him but it was still an abuse of power in the eyes of the law with her dating him.
Jade grinned as Jack kissed her neck, the hair raising slightly - he always effected her with the slightest touch, she'd never felt anything like it before. ”Don’t tempt me. .we could go to Brighton for the day? Go to the beach without worrying about running into anyone we know?” Jade tilted her head in thought, it would take a bit of a drive and likely to busy with the good weather, but if there was a chance of spending a normal day together.. "I like it, maybe we could get chips?" She grinned, already thinking of lunch.
She shifted back onto the bench, settling in close to him all the same whilst she still could. ”I know I’m starving.” Jade smiled slightly, noticing how he didn't comment further on the plan to tell. She knew he disagreed, but she couldn't live a lie forever. Once she started to show people would have questions and then after the baby was born, he could never be seen in public with his own child? That was absurd. They would find out and then it would probably be a police investigation and all sorts. At least this way it was just in the open and she could deal with it. She tried to ignore the worst case - aside from jail, what if they forced her to stay away from Jack? What if they were never allowed to be together and he couldn't see his child? That couldn't happen, surely.
Her stomach churned but she tried to force it aside so that she could eat. She was hungry really, but the worry was gnawing at her. Instead, she took the offer of the half and smiled slightly, tucking in. ”Hazel’s on another level” She nodded in agreement. "She's got it right in life, for sure." Perhaps she should look at changing careers instead? Baking seemed like a good option. ”What do you feel like doing today?” She finished her half a little after him before going for the pastry, her stomach wasn't full just yet - she claimed it was the 'eating for two' thing. "Go back to bed?" She joked and then laughed, "Honestly, I don't mind. Did you have any ideas?"
She caught the eye roll, her eyebrows raising as she waited for his usual sarcastic response. Jack might had the energy of a golden retriever but he also had a stubborn head at times and his attitude made her want to cover his mouth - occasionally. They had always had a passionate relationship, and she knew that it meant for passionate disagreements too - but she was certain not to have one today.
”Hopefully. .people have probaly gotten away with way worse. .” She wasn't sure about that, this infringed on more than just university rules - but at least they had a plan now, whatever happened. It made her feel a little ill, but she wanted to have steps on what they should do, at least now they would have their answers. "I hope so, but it'll be better than getting found out." She said, hearing the rustle of the bag as Jack pulled out the food. ”Let’s eat and enjoy today.” She nodded, "I'd almost forgotten," She laughed, her mood lifting a little and she made to slide off Jack's lap.
”Yeah but you’ll be pregnant. .I don’t want you getting into an accident.. .plus you’ll have to disclose that you’re pregnant and they may not give you a job cause you’ll have to go on maternity” Both surprisingly valid points - not that Jackson wasn't smart, but Jade had known some incredibly dumb things to come out of his pretty mouth, and though he was being responsible by sticking with her, she sometimes worried he didn't think about the world enough. She didn't mean to sound unfair, and she already knew she was falling for the moron, which made her the moron, but he could be sweet, and thoughtful, and funny, and he was good at cheering her up - normally - and many other wonderful things. "I'll figure those parts out when we get to them, but I could get hit crossing the road," She shrugged - being worried about her driving was a silly excuse to use.
She saw the frown and then felt guilty. She was ruining their day, she knew that, and she'd been having such a lovely morning with him. But it was hard to deny the truth every time they stepped outside and had to act like they didn't know each other. It hurt to pretend. She leaned into the sweet kiss. ”Okay. .then we’ll talk to the university tomorrow. . You’re not even my teacher and I’m eighteen. .maybe it won’t be a big deal.” She nodded, but she had known it was the only thing to do now they'd gotten to this part. It was either give him up, or get caught otherwise - they could keep it a secret only so long, but once the baby arrived how could the pretend? People would ask, did she lie? What did she put on the birth certificate? Would he have to walk past her and the pram and act like she didn't know her? No, that was absurd. "At last if we go to them, they might be more understanding." She said quietly, knowing it was a false hope and she was going to be in huge shit. She sighed and tucked her head under his chin, resting against his solid chest.
She frowned as he shook his head, as if he could stop her. "No Jayden, you aren't commuting back and forth to the next town everyday when you can drive five/ten minutes to work instead." Jade sighed, "I can commute to the next town, it's not that far. I've been lucky with this uni, but most people regularly commute further." If that was all Jack was worried about it was silly, she had a car -for this exact purpose. It was no sacrifice if it meant her and Jack could just be a normal every day couple. This would all come to a head at some point, her pregnancy would begin to show, and people would ask questions.
"Yes we can." Her brow furrowed in confusion, wondering what he could possibly mean. "If you suggest getting a fake mustache and a wig, I swear to God-" He cut her off by grabbing her hand and leading her to the lower gardens, and enclosed space that he then barricaded by jamming the gate. "There, our own private park." It was very sweet, and she liked the idea behind it, letting him tug her into his lap as they perched on the bench. "We're being a normal couple for the day, our problems can wait." One side of her lips tilted up, but it didn't ease the worry line between her eyes. "But it's always got to be in secret," she said sadly.
She wandered along at his side, letting the fresh air roll over her and lighten her mood. She let out another long breath, feeling better for being out in the sunshine. She was more of a summer person than winter, though she was good at being optimistic, even February started to become a struggle for her. ”it is indeed” She followed Jack down toward the park, unable to stop herself from scanning the faces they passed and then hating herself for it - she shouldn't have to care or worry who might be looking at them. Sometimes it scared her when someone watched too closely, in case it was something she should know and didn't recognise.
”I know but we know what would happen if certain people found out. .” She sighed, her shoulders felt like they had the weight of several worlds on them. "I know... this is really screwed up." She ran her spare hand through her hair, feeling stressed. ”No absolutely not, you’re not quitting. . if anything I’ll drop out and transfer to a different uni” Jade shook her head. "you can't do that Jack, this is your education." She wouldn't let him ruin it for her. "I can quit easier, without too many questions, and I'll see if I can pick up the experience. I think the uni in the next town is looking." She frowned when he kissed her head. ”We’ll figure something out Jade. . let’s just have today.” She couldn't help herself and she glanced up at him and then away. "But we can't have the day, can we. I'm checking every face to make sure they're not someone we know."
She gave a small laugh as he grinned at her in response - he had such a cheeky smile it was impossible to be mad at him. Or at least, she couldn't stay mad at him when he grinned like that. She watched the woman selecting their chosen treats and bagging them in those white paper bags that always made you lose half of your icing. It caught her by surprise when he pecked her cheek but she smiled, easily pleased by such a small, sweet gesture.
Jake took the package once it was all ready to go. "Shall we go back to the flat or take a walk and find somewhere nice to eat?" She didn't even need to think about it. "Let's take a walk," She took a lungful of the fresh mid morning air, "It's a beautiful day," She knew they'd wind up back at the flat at some point, unable to help themselves - she swore she'd never been into a guy as much as she was Jack, it was mad - but she wanted to try and soak up some rays and pretend they could be normal. She sighed and chewed the inside of her cheek before she said it, not wanting to ruin the moment. "I hate this Jack, not getting to be normal with you." She glanced up at him. "I don't want to keep looking over our shoulders." She hesitated, "I think I should tell the uni... or quit." She didn't want to quit, she wanted to be a teacher, but.. she loved Jack more, and she wanted a normal life.
She grinned back at him, a cheeky glint to her eyes, she couldn't help but want all of it - even worse that she was hungry - she wondered what would happen to her once the cravings hit. That was a terrifying thought and she wasn't sure she was ready to face it, but she knew that some people wanted weird things when they were pregnant. She stepped up beside him as he ordered, letting him take point and wondering what'd he'd chosen. "Two coffees, two pain au chocolat, one iced danish and a round of toast please." She grinned, good choice, and went to get her phone out to pay but he beat her to it. "Jack, you should have let me," She protested, it was sweet of him, but she was the one with the full paying job, she didn't want him to think he needed to splash cash; it wasn't much, sure, but it would add up eventually. God knew what would happen when the baby arrived. "But thank you," her smile softened as she looked up at him.
”well there’s always later. .” She laughed and gave his sleeve a gentle tug, but she knew they would probably be falling into bed together again this evening; she just couldn't get enough of him, and she tried not to think about it too hard. She peered up at the blue skies and smiled softly as the warmth of the sun touched her face, reveling in the heat. She couldn't wait until Summer - it had been too long since long summer days. She linked her fingers through Jack's and ducked her chin slightly as he kissed her hand, enjoying the simplicity of dating - Jack could be surprisingly sweet when he wanted to be.
She entered the bakery before him, hit with the scent of freshly baked goods, she licked her lips. Damn she was hungry, her eyes were drawn to the lit up glass counter, displaying the many tasty options. ”it all looks amazing. .what do you fancy?” She shook her head in wonder, still deliberating between about five different options. "All of it?" She joked but then pointed towards one of the pastries, "Pain au chocolat?" She asked, they looked glorious, and she could already taste the melted chocoalte.
”well we did work up an appetite last night. .” Heat curled in Jade's stomach as he reminded her of their evening, and her expression darkened slightly. "Shame we don't have time this morning," She wasn't exactly old but in comparison to the older guys she'd dated, Jack had a hell of a load more energy and stamina - it was partly him but she was pretty sure his age came into play a fair bit too. She felt him pull her back when she kissed him, melting against him for a moment as she put her feelings into the kiss. Damn it that they had to leave right then.
”okay now I’m ready.” She felt flushed as she pulled back and stepped out of their bubble into the real world, locking the door behind them. "I don't think I am." She teased, slipping her hand into his as they headed to the elevator and down to the ground floor. It was risky every time they stepped out the flat, and she knew she was playing with her life just by holding his hand, but she didn't want to walk down the street like a stranger. It was unlikely they'd run into someone but not impossible, she felt like she couldn't relax, but being with Jack would lull her into that false sense of security.
She caught Jack's grin and tried to ignore the swooping in her stomach, and failed. She'd never felt this before, this all consuming, confusing mix of heat and sweetness - passion and affection. She'd never had so much fire with someone, Jack was flirty and charming and sexy and she couldn't get enough of him... but he was also sweet and caring and he looked after her, and it caught her by surprise, and she knew this sweet feeling was something way beyond sexual attraction; it was terrifying. She finishing getting dressed and applied a little make-up; not much as they were just heading out for breakfast, but she wanted to make some kind of effort, this felt a little like some kind of breakfast date.
"I know. .I mean we could deliver from somewhere else but hazel's croissants are just" She laughed at his gesture and nodded, he was right - Hazel's was made fresh every day and by a local, there was something she put in the baking that just made it that much better than mass produced. "shall we walk? doesn't seem that cold out" Jade nodded, glancing out the window to check the weather before she agreed. "Sure," She grabbed a coat from the hook on the back of her door and pulled it on. "Ready to go? I'm starving!" She grinned, rising onto her tip toes to kiss his nose. She knew they would need to be careful once they left the safety and privacy of her flat, which sucked - time to soak up all the affection now whilst she could.
