Imagine you are a horse rider, riding at full speed towards a looming, ominous jump, enveloped in barbed wire with deep, muddy ditches either side. Now try and jump that. Hard, isn't it? At the moment, I'm at the phase where I'm halfway over this jump. The thing that tortures me is the speed at which it is all happening. I'm being carried slowly through the thick, treacle-like air by this formidably slow horse, who I swear was fantastically fast before the jump. I've only just managed to clear the dreaded thing, my super-tight padded riding trousers slowly tearing as a particularly long metal barb rips its way through my leg. That’s how close it is.
My A-level results hit me with a bang. I was standing outside one of the art huts of our school on a comfortably warm summer’s day, envelope in sweaty hand. I ripped the brown paper open and fumbled with the immaculately folded paper before I whipped it open with a slight crack. BCB - I have to arrange the grades in that order so that no one gets confused with those famous advert-free broadcasting channels we have here in England. In any case, its two grades out. The University has accepted me provided I do a lower level degree. That’s how close I was. The barb drew blood.
But I'm happy because I’m going to make it and I can see the other side. It is one hell of a big jump, and I hope the ground on the other side is familiar enough. Sure, there will be a few ruts and loose stones but I don't think I will fall. My horse is sturdy enough, even if he is pathetically slow.
It’s the waiting that gets me now. I'm four weeks away from starting and there is nothing I can do. I've sent off all the papers and replied to everything I need to. I am helpless; a fish out of water; a bird in a cage.
I also feel a little peckish. I wonder if those hob-nobs have been completely scavenged yet...
A contest entry
- Your feelings. by Springs.
240 points, ended September 12, 2007, 14 entries
• next story in this contest, remove from contest
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Comments
1 - 6 of 6
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Awesome metaphor.
"The barb drew blood." Particularly chilling.
Cracker?
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Wow I am almost 2 months too late to write this comment, but stuff it I like this story too much. First off, grats on those ace A-Level results. Secondly, you clearly put so much effort and emotion into this, it makes it a beautiful piece of writing. That last line made me giggle and made it that bit more real. Love it.
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yeah matt this really captured my attention strtching the coundries of my heart wrenched pain like movement ... lol made no sense did i ... it was exxelento
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I liked your beggining. Involving the reader.
Easily immagined -you put enough detail into it for that.
Nice comparisment of the two things.
Lol. I liked the ending. Made me all =]! Random but mehhh, random is always good.
Thanx for entering. Good luckkk -
Great piece. I love the metaphor of the horse jumping. It is something easy to imagine for a reader. Sometimes, slow and steady is the best way to win the race. Remember the hare and the tortoise?
Best of luck with your 'jump' and the contest!
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Bob! I hope you are feeling better... I'm not sure if I completely took things in my own context. I AM preparing for a big jump, too.. but sadly, I don't know WHEN it'll happen... so I envy you you-who-have-four-weeks until your big jump ^_^ You have four weeks, and it won't really come out and surprise you, unlike me, who has to wait
I love your take in this contest
You likened it to something so tangible and something we can all imagine ^_^ 
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