Breyer Brook Stables Book One, The Best Summer Ever!

Chapter 9: Going Back Home to Face the Music and Some Surprisingly Odd Choices

We loaded up and headed back on the dirt road towards home.

...

Back at the stables, I hopped out of the car before anyone could stop me, ignoring the calls that followed.

I ran all the way to the stalls and crashed on a big pile of hay outside. As I began crying my eyes out; I saw Ponyboy in the stalls a little while later.

"He must have been looking for me," I thought to myself, still I just had to ask the question. "So... what are you doing back here?" I question, looking up at him obviously knowing the answer.

"I was, well-- you know-- looking for you" he stuttered,

"Called it" I muttered.

"Hey," he said suddenly, bending down. "Have you been crying?"

"Well-I-umm... I--uh" I didn't know what to say to him, "Well--I--uh... yes, yes I have" I finally squeaked.

"You have? Why??" he asked, stroking my hair.

"Well... I've just been thinking about the conversation we had earlier... you know, with the auctioneer?" he nodded.

"... and that kind of forced all those horrible memories that I had back before summer began to come rushing back-- it-it was almost like I was kind of relive them again"

"Oh Alex, I'm so sorry" he cooed,

"It's okay" I sighed "it's just school" I shrugged, there was simply just no point in caring anymore; still some of those words stung worst than a million bee stings.

"Hey" he sighed, "look on the bright side"

"What could possibly be the bright side in this?"

"You'll probably be out of school before you know it"

"Yeah right," I scoffed,

"Hey, don't start with me," he said, "Now, you better clean up your act here little Missy-- Mrs. Miller just bought you a beautiful horse and three gorgeous donkeys; now, unless you want me to tell him that you've changed your mind about ownership of those animals you'll quit sulking and help up out" I blinked surprised at his tone,

"Oh, umm--sorry" I whispered sadly under my breath, lowering my head.

"Oh..." he sighed, "I guess I'm the bad guy now" he smirked,

"What gave you that idea?"

"I-I hurt you, didn't I"

"Umm, duh..." I spat,

"Oh, why don't you come on-- help us unload your precious animals"

"Oh, don't pretend like you care cuz it's clear you don't" I stood, thundering my feet down the lines of stalls.

"Alex! Stop!" Pony commanded, I obeyed but I didn't dare turn around to look at him.

"What?"

"What was your plan for that horse?"

"What?"

"You know-- your plan, in other words; what career did you have in mind for him? What are you going to use him for?"

"Well... I've... kinda... always wanted to be... a Jockey"

"A Jockey?" he inquired, "Interesting career choice"

"Well... I also have considered being an author"

"An author hmm..." he smirked, "me too"