Chapter Text
Hazel sat at the back of the public bus. She'd watched almost every person who had boarded step off, only two remained sitting up near the front with the driver, a girl energetically yapping to another who listened and nodded occasionally. The smaller bubbly girl had fuzzy curls tucked behind an orange beanie, her dark chocolate skin as sweet as her brown sugar personality. Cute but talked too much. Hazel slumped down, gazing out the bus window watching tall pines fly by as the bus swiftly flew further and further into the middle of nowhere.
That girl, Poco, maybe they could be friends. The other seemed hard to talk to - big broad shoulders and two long mint brains running down her shoulder blades - silent for most of the way, other than to respond to Poco. The last thing Hazel wanted to be was alone all summer. She'd travelled all the way from Italy to go to this stupid camp, at this point all she wanted way for it to be all over already.
"Yo yo!!!! We're almost there omg omg!"
Poco squealed and pressed a finger to the window, the girl beside her nodded. If anything the tall girl looked like future competition. They were all barely adults yet over her suntanned skin Hazel could see tattoos all the way from the back of the bus, it was intimidating, no way she'd approach the quiet girl and Poco.
Looking over to where Poco has motioned there was a clearing on a distant hill with a large stable and hidden by trees she could even make out the roof of cabins. It eerily reminded her of the nunnery from home - she expected it to be similar with perhaps more noise. Ignoring the two up the front she rested her temple against the gently rattling window once more, slipping in an earbud and resuming the song on her phone. Hazel ran a hand through her fringe, anxiety buzzed in her heart, striped long sleeves layered with a graphic tee hid the rosary clutched tight against her skin hearing the thumping of her heart as the bus sped towards the camp faster and faster.
"Ooo look at all the people hell yeah, we should totally get the same cabin Sandy!!!"
Poco playful punched the girl's bicep beside him, Hazel squeezed her eyes shut and tried her hardest to let her music drown their voices. She had never felt more ready yet more insecure in her life. Hazel had trained for the Steel Ball Camp all year. This dictated her future in her career.
The bus pulled to a stop and her heart dropped from her throat down to her stomach like an jolting elevator thrusting her gravity toward the earth.
Pausing her music and standing on shaking knees she watched Poco jump onto the dirt road taking Sandy's hand in her own, waving thanks to the bus driver. Hazel prayed with each footstep down the bus until she found herself outside in the fresh air. The bus pulled away and she found herself surrounded by girls and guys her ages talking in groups making their way toward the camp on the hill.
There must have been hundreds. It was overwhelming but she kept a cold slate face and stood her ground, many were in good shape - not as good as herself - but impressive. An older man in a bottle green suit began raising his voice, mumbling voices began whispering until he spoke in a booming tone shushing every since one.
"EVERYONE."
A silence fell over the crowd of athletes, every head turned to face the man, it was unmistakable that he was THE Steven Steel. Even from such a distance his receding hair and deep smile lines were just like the photos Hazel had seen online. He had began advertisment for the camp years ago with limited positions to fill and an entire page of sponsors rooting to find the next equestrian mastermind, a camp lasting through the summer and dipping into the autumn, around half a year of training, racing, hardcore and competitive. This was the man incharge - as far as Hazel's church had informed her as.
By Steven's side stood a shy looking girl who looked to be his daughter, much to young to participate in the camp herself, the teens and young adults towering over her despite standing out from the crowd clinging to Steven's pant leg.
"Five years I, my incredible sponsors, and our incredible California riding association president, have worked tirelessly for today!!"
Steven punched the air victoriously and a deep cheer erupted from the crowd with girls whistling and shouting in excitement. Steven patted the back of the young girl beside him and he smiled warmly, looking back to the crowd and raising his voice again in announcement.
"Housekeeping wise there are maps in each cabin. Mess hall is open for breakfast between five and eleven, lunch from twelve to two and dinner will be held at our campfire beginning at seven. Understood?"
An affirmative murmur rippled through the crowd, going quiet once again as Steven cleared his throat.
"I expect individual responsibility from each and every one of you. From participants ages sixteen to twenty five as our minimum and maximum limits we urge you all to stay on good behavior - it is expected and mandatory. Though you will not be alone."
Hazel gripped the small bag of belongings to her side and bit the insides of her cheeks nervously, the last thing she wanted was to be forced to pair with people, even if being alone for so long was just as bad.
"You have each been assigned a number and cabin, four of you to a cabin, in partners."
She fought back a groan of annoyance. Sleeping alongside three other strangers.
"Now your participation number should have been emailed to you now, go on get out your phones, it should have all four of your groups numbers, yes yes...is that correct Lucy..?? BAHAHHA I really am terrible with technology."
The older man heartily laughed, the girl beside him - this 'Lucy' - awkwardly smiled and nodded tucked a loose strand of soft blonde hair behind her ear. Hazel rummaged through her pocket and retrieved her phone looking for the email. She heard Steven discussing the numbered saddlecloths with a girl, Hazel heard the familiar squeak or Poco's voice and looked up to see her arms around Sandy's shoulders. They must have gotten good luck sharing a cabin.
The email appeared in her inbox and there they were;
Cabin 73:
636
939
001
Her fellow bunkmates for the next few months. Scanning through the crowd she noticed people making their way along the dirt path alone or with friends to the cabins - those alone probably in hope of regrouping. Following suit Hazel begrudgingly made her way to the cabins.
They were organized in three long rows of at least a hundred or so cabins each, the mess hall gigantic, though not nearly as big as the stables she had seen from the bus window in passing. She walked by a massive gym and two bathrooms, the 'Steel Ball Camp' sure looked like it took years to prepare, the cabins were...snug.
Oh God...Lord please don't make me sleep so close to these nasty teenagers.
Groups formed around doors and some even had entire groups coming together excitedly and entering as if it was a goddamn sleepover. Cabin 73 was hadn't tired her out - thankfully - having to catch her breath on the first day would be embarrassing though her knees aches slightly but the nerves definitely affected that. The sun had fallen in the cloudless sky so slightly, nobody had arrived at the cabin just yet. Poco and Sandy walked past down to Cabin 77, Hazel received a small wave from Poco which she echoed back halfheartedly. Exhaling slowly she pulled out her phone and scrolled through the official website information page lazily, her back pressed against the timber wall.
"Ahem."
A sharp arrogant voice snapped her out of her lazy trance, glancing up to the most piercing set of turquoise eyes with veins running through them like tourmaline, cutting into Hazel's grey irises like an attack. Hazel slipped her phone into her pocket and adjusted her bag on her shoulder, taking in the appearance of the person infront of her.
Knee-high riding boots and beige jodhpurs synched in at the wait by a matching leather belt. A cyan harlequin patterned polo shirt that paired with those sea green eyes, golden curls spilled down over the years nose and neck, ruffled and messy yes more suave like a model, the stranger arched a dark eyebrows and scowled.
"Rider 001 by the way. You'd probably know me as Dio though."
And a voice like syrup. Thick, strong and assaulting on the senses. She was androgynous though that cat-like feisty behavior and the way she rested her hand on her hip gave it away. Of course they wouldn't force her to sleep beside men, what a relief...or maybe not at the attitude of this one.
"I'm just H.P. I don't think the others have arrived yet."
Dio rolled her eyes and raised her boot to kick on the door, it was louder than expected at she knocked, either the wood was weak as hell or Dio was ridiculously strong as the panel splintered upon her fourth impact. Footsteps could be heard inside, Hazel stood back and saw Dio wince slightly at the accident. The door flung open and a pissed off looking girl held up by a crutch met Dio's eyes with hatred flying into a rage.
"Diane Brando?!?!?"
Dio grimaced and seethingly replied.
"Jojo...?? Ew bloody hell why YOU."
This 'Jojo' girl limped forward a step into the dull afternoon sun, blonde pigtails hung below a light blue star-spangled beanie, she looked like she had been inside for a while, in socks, jeans and a lop-sided camp shirt.
"I'm tellin' Steven you broke the door on the first damn day, ain't you also late as hell? Gyro and I have been here for an hour."
Hazel spoke up in a monotone voice.
"...I've been outside for, like, ages."
Dio and Jojo looked up at her with blank faces as if they forgot she was there, it made her chest hurt with embarrassment interrupting their squabble.
"Oh."
JoJo slowly opened the door fully with a creak letting her inside, Hazel awkwardly stepped inside and removed her shoes, Dio and Jojo loudly continued shouting outside.
"Hey man"
Hazel flung her head round to hear where the voice had come from, a muscular tall woman leaned up again the wall of one of the two bunk beds, a wide brimmed hat dipping over her eyes, long blonde hair falling to her hips, she grinned down at Hazel with a wide crazy smile.
"Uhh hey."
The girl almost interrupted her immediately.
"You have soundcloud?"
"No..?"
"You should get it."
Hazel squinted her eyes confused.
"Okay..??"
Gyro pressed a hand to large her chest and proudly spoke.
"I'm actually like a really good soundcloud rapper, my artist name is JuliaZ but you can totally just call me Gyro...unless you're a fan."
"..."
Hazel decided not to reply and just figure out which bunk was hers. Top bunk opposite Gyro. Jojo's things were clearly dispersed everywhere, shirts and socks all over her bed and Gyro's. Hazel climbed up to the top bunk where the muffled shouting of Dio and Jojo overwhelmed the silence between her and Gyro.
"So...You know Jojo well?"
Gyro laughed and fiddled with an odd green ball, rolling it over her fingers as she spoke.
"Nyo-ho~, Johanna and I met this morning."
Hazel blinked in surprise, from the mess it looked as if they were good friends excited to share a cabin together.
"Wow really? So how about Jojo and, what was her name..."
She looked down over the bunk to the two arguing at the door.
"Ahhh Diane Brando?"
Gyro raised an amused eyebrow.
"From what I've heard they knew eachother as kids or something, I don't know, Diane is some fancy-ass British racer and Jojo is from down south."
Hazel curiously nodded, what odd partners to have. That was when the realization set it. Diane was HER partner.
"...is there ANY way to change partners."
She spoke through clenched teeth to Gyro. Jojo slammed the door closed behind her and Diane as the room went silent. Gyro smiled widely, her green eyes making nefarious eye contact with Hazel, she knew her answer.
Jojo sat down on the lower bunk, eyebrow knotted in frustration. Diane on the other hand had a smirk plastered across her face. Hazel must have missed an interesting argument. The four of them each faces inwards at eachother, having known each other in the past, close friends so soon or complete strangers. Unfortunately Gyro was the first to speak.
"Can we do ice breakers? Okay okay everybody say an adjective that describes you and then your name; I'm gorgeous Gyro."
Jojo and Diane shot a cringing scowl at her, Diane sitting on the bunk below Hazel and unpacking her bag, resting her clothes in neat piles. Gyro talked to the room as they sat listening in displeasure to her ideas of games of truth or dare and sharing desserts at lunch, the tension in the room was so thick it could stop a bullet.
"Hey it's almost seven, Gyro come on, I'm hungry let's head out."
Ignoring Diane, Jojo stood up again with an arm over her crutch, most likely she just wanted to go to dinner to talk with Gyro alone about sharing a Cabin with Diane but whatever made the silence feel less loud was helpful. The two soon left as if joined at the hip. Hazel made her way down the bunk ladder to begin unpacking and sorting her few clothes and belongings into the chest of draws beside her shared bunk. Diane was kneeling on her bed with gluetack in one hand and a poster in the other. After she unrolled it Hazel noticed a few other small posters stuck up along her wall. Most of herself on her horse or with medals and trophies hoister above her head, a few smaller ones of unexpected things.
"Is that a dinosaur?"
Hazel hadn't noticed she had spoken it aloud until Diane turned her head to face her his narrow reptilian eyes.
"It's an utahraptor."
She spoke with each syllable punctuated, turning back to stick in to the wall.
"I don't know much about dinosaurs."
"Yeah I can tell."
Diane looked Hazel up and down in a judging manner, her eyes lingering in an uncomfortable manner, staring too hard as if there was something wrong with the way she looked.
"...you..are my partner."
Hazel spoke slowly, sparking the tension between them into the beginning of an altercation that would last a long time. They just weren't compatible. Diane's indifferent expression twitched with anger.
"Yeah."
She whipped her head to look at Hazel and dropped the last poster rolled up in her hand lunging toward the girl as if to spook her. Hazel stood still as the stared eachother down - eye to eye - Diane's hot breath warming her face between her sharp clenched teeth.
"And you should know bloody well that I ain't going to let you slow me down even by a neck. Keep my pace."
...
Anyway that's how they met; day 1 was uncomfortable but Diane and Hazel listened to Jojo and Gyro yap all night.