Soaring Higher

Chapter 12

Boy, I'm tired.

I just changed into my white baggy T-shirt that hangs over my stripy shorts.

I settle down on my bunk and dig my phone out of my bag.

I have five notifications. I open the ones from my mom first, just saying goodnight. I reply saying goodnight, then move onto the next notification from my friend Laurie. I realize her name is the same as Laura May's nickname.

I chuckle, remembering I've only known Laura May for a few days, though it seems like much more than that. I guess I have authority to feel that, since I literally convinced someone to take in a wild horse.

Laurie: How's camp? It's boring back here, ugh.
Me: yeah... it's been crazy so far..

I don't get an immediate response, but Laurie's like that. If she's even scrolling through things on her phone she won't notice a text.

I swipe away my other notifications, they're mostly just from some apps.

I plop my phone back into my bag, and instead pull out my book.

I read a few pages, until I find myself repeating and repeating each paragraph.

This is useless, I think.
I should just go to sleep.

I rest my head on the pillow, and close my eyes.

I try to block all my thoughts out, but the wild horse keeps coming back to me.

What will we do with her? How will we handle the foal? What if something goes wrong? What if she hurts someone? What if it's all my fault?

The thoughts don't leave once I'm dreaming.