44. TIME TO CELEBRATE

The Oak Barrel bar welcomed the residents of Chestnut Ridge for a festive dinner for the Winterfest.

A lot of people showed up. Everyone had a great time with live country music playing. The whole Grove family was there. New families at town The Atsidi and Lavaud (by @yagatha) also arrived. Sofia and Ollie came too. You just couldn’t miss an event like that.

Sienna was passionately arguing with Don about how he should run his business. Marissa and Dani listened patiently to Jupiter’s long speeches about growing grapevines. Plenty of other locals showed up as well, eager to entertain with their music.

Olimpia: You could put in a good word or two with Don. All I do is clean stalls and manure. I should be practicing jumps or barrel runs with the horses.

Wren: I told you, you’ve gotta earn Don’s trust. He’s not just gonna let you handle his beloved horses right away. But you’re doing great!

Olimpia: I feel like I’m wasting my potential. I wanna start teaching lessons already or do something, like… you know!

Wren: Something more ambitious?

Olimpia: Exactly! Like, how long can I keep scooping horse poop?

Wren: I did that for quite a while before Don trusted me. Be patient. You’ll see, it’ll work out.

Jupiter: Wren, why don’t you show Ollie how to dance a real cowboy dance? What do you say, kids, hitting the dance floor?

Olimpia: That sounds epic!

Marissa: Yes! Let’s all go! I love cowboy dancing!

Almost everyone went dancing. Olimpia really loved this way of celebrating, this sense of community, like everyone was one big family. Her boss Don was dancing like he was a teenager, not almost a hundred. Even her mom loosened up a bit and gave it a try. Good, she deserved some time to relax.

Clayton: Taking a break already?

Sofia: I needed to take a breath and something to drink. I haven’t had this much fun in ages.

Clayton: You were doing pretty great out there. I didn’t know you knew cowboy dancing so well.

Sofia: I am from around here, after all. I moved to the city for college, but you don’t forget things like that. I guess it stays in you… that whole cowboy spirit. But you weren’t bad yourself. So you can dance. Is there anything you can’t do?

Clayton: What can I say? I’m a man of many talents.

Clayton: You know, there’s a country music festival coming up in Chestnut Ridge soon. The whole town will be there, another chance to have some fun.

Sofia: Is that another date invitation?

Clayton: Let’s call it a friendly hangout.

It was nice seeing her mom so happy and relaxed. She should spend more time with her friends. Ollie herself was already missing her friends Elena and Diego. They texted a lot, but it wasn’t the same. Still, they’d see each other soon. Bastian and Laura’s wedding was coming up.

Sofia: We should get going.

Clayton: What about the festival?

Sofia: I’ll think about it.

Clayton: Look, a mistletoe.

Sofia: Oh wow, what a coincidence. Guess we have to stick to tradition. See you, Clayton.

Over the next few days, Ollie kept practicing jumps and barrel runs with Moo, her mom's horse. The goal was to enter beginner competitions. At work, she gave it 200% to prove she could be trusted.

Well… almost 200%.

Wren: Have you ever seen anything like that?!

Olimpia: What...

Wren: Haha, your face! I can’t believe you fell for that.

Olimpia: Oh it’s on, you’re so getting payback!

Don let them get away with those antics and little breaks, after all, you’re only a teen once, and life isn’t just about work. Plus, the horses loved their goofy energy, and it quickly rubbed off on them.

Sneaking in short moments with Cayenne, Ollie quickly bonded with the foal. It often followed her everywhere, demanding attention and playtime.

Wren: I think your promotion might be coming soon.

Olimpia: You serious?

Wren: Don told me today you’re doing really well. And if he says you’ve got it handled, then you really do!

By the way, at home Ollie had been handling a lot too. She could even repair the radio now. She learned plenty working at the stables, including some handiness skills.

The evaluation day came. Olimpia’s hard work was fully recognized, and Don promoted her to Horse Caretaker. With that, Ollie finally overcame her biggest fear of failure, which had followed her ever since she got expelled from school. Maybe the future really did have brighter colors ahead.

Olimpia: Guess who got promoted today.

Sofia: You got promoted? That’s wonderful, sweetheart! I know how hard you worked for this.

Olimpia: Don’s finally gonna let me handle the horses and run beginner training sessions.

Sofia: I’m really proud of you.

Olimpia: You’ll see, I’m gonna be a famous horse trainer someday.

Finally, Ollie also entered beginner competitions, barrel racing and endurance riding. She got a silver medal in the first and an honorable first place with a gold medal in the second. Not bad for a newbie! She carefully saved the prize money for later ;)

Before they knew it, the end of the year arrived. This time, the town celebrated at the Rusty Horseshoe bar.

Everyone had an amazing time, young and old alike. And Wren seemed to have a crush on the Atsidi family’s daughter, Ninovan… and it looked mutual.

Olimpia: You gonna introduce me or what?

Wren: Oh, where are my manners! Ollie, this is Ninovan, we know each other from school. She recently moved to Chestnut Ridge with her family. Ninovan, this is my best friend, Ollie.

Ninovan: Nice to meet you, Ollie. Wren has told me a lot about you. You should meet my brother, Aranck. Hey, maybe the four of us could go to the country festival together?

Wren: Great idea. We’ll all get to know each other better.

Later, when everyone was singing Froodage Lang Syne together, Ollie really listened to the lyrics, like for the first time really understanding this song about cherishing old friendships, nostalgia for the past, and reminiscing about shared adventures.

And after New Year’s, preparations for the Country Music Festival kicked into full swing. The whole town got involved. They were raising money for charity, all funds would go toward rescuing horses. Everyone was planning to go.

Only Sofia was still debating, whether to go or not. And if she did, whether it would be a date with Clayton… or not.

Olimpia: So, Mom, are we going?

Sofia: Hm? Sorry, I zoned out.

Olimpia: Shopping, Mom! For a cute outfit for the festival.

Sofia: Shopping… yeah, I think we can do that.

Olimpia: Let’s gooo!

Sofia: And where did this sudden urge to refresh your wardrobe come from? You’ve never cared about fashion. At least not since you were ten.

Olimpia: Oh, just like that. We’re going as a group, and I thought I’d like to look good.

Sofia: So it’s you, Wren, and…?

Olimpia: The Atsidi siblings too, Ninovan and Aranck.

Sofia: Ollie, if this is about boys...

Olimpia: Ugh, Mom, no. It’s really not about that.

Sofia: Alright, but if you ever want to talk or ask about anything, you know you can, right?

Olimpia: Oh my god, Mom, yeah, I know. I know you’re like the expert on this stuff, but seriously, not yet.

Sofia: Eh, I’m no expert, my love life hasn’t exactly been great. But if you’re gonna learn things from the Simternet, I’d rather explain it myself. When you’re ready.

Olimpia: Thanks, Mom.

Sofia: So… shopping tomorrow?

Olimpia: Yup!

Olimpia: Mom… speaking of love life… I think you should give Clayton a chance.

Sofia: Oh yeah?

Olimpia: I know you like him. And, you know, he’s actually pretty cool. Dad’s with Laura now. I just want you to be happy too.

Sofia: I am happy!

Olimpia: You know what I mean…

Sofia: I do… Thank you, sweetheart. 

It’s not like she made the decision only after Ollie said that. In fact, she had already made it, she just needed reasons to justify it. That conversation meant a lot to her, and she felt a certain weight lift off her shoulders.

In that case… she need to go shopping before the festival too.

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