Behind Her Eyes

8

I took a deep breath and nudged Nickel forward into the school's property. I knew that once they saw Nickel, everyone who follows the rodeo, would recognize him. Then they would wonder why I stopped rodeoing, which means lots of questions and people being close to me causing anything but good to happen.

The more I thought about it the more I could feel the panic rising within me. Nickel stopped sensing the panic. I need to calm down before I have a breakdown in front of a bunch of people. Taking a couple of deep breaths, I managed to calm my racing heart.

"Okay, buddy." I patted his neck. "It's okay. Let's go."

He took a deep breath and kept walking. I put my black Stetson cowboy hat lower on my forehead and lowered my head so the brim was hiding my face.

As soon as Nickel and I entered the school grounds, I immediately felt eyes on us. I dismounted once we reached the stables; the voices around me made me want to roll my eyes.

"Is that the famous Cassidy Chandler?"

"Her horse is so beautiful up close."

" I can't believe she is going to our school."

"Didn't she live in Texas?"

"What made her move north?"

"Do you think she's going to be competing this weekend?" one asked.

"If she is then we are all screwed."

"I wonder why she stopped rodeoing."

I sighed at their commentary. I skipped two years of rodeo because he wouldn't let me leave the house. It got to the point that he thought that people would steal me from him if I kept going out, leaving me to be at the house so he could do whatever he wanted, and if I refused the punishments would only get worse.

Luckily, nobody saw what was happening behind closed doors. He kept his mouth shut because he knew the cops would be after him once the word got out.

"Cassidy!" a voice called out. I turned to see Shy leading her large strawberry roan towards Nickel and I.

I stopped and waited for her.

"Hey." She greeted me once she caught up.

"Hello."

"Nice horse." She complimented, looking at Nickel before turning her attention back to me. "Do you have a stall?"

I shook my head. "No. I was going to put him in the back."

"Are you sure? You could put him next to her stall." She offered nodding towards her horse.

"Does anyone occupy it?" I didn't want to kick anyone out for a month.

She shook her head.

"Okay."

Once we put our horses in their stalls, we made sure they were comfortable and that the trough was full before walking out. I kept the saddle on Nickel, but took the bridle off so he wouldn't have the bit in his mouth for the day. Fortunately they had a hook where you could put the bridles on while the student was at school.

"Are you competing this weekend?" Shy asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I nodded and took my hat off as we walked inside. "Are you?"

She shook her head. "Nah. Rodeo isn't my thing. Besides, Red isn't a barrel horse. She's better when we are herding cattle."

I nodded in understanding. "Are you going to watch the rodeo?" I offered.

She shrugged. "I'm not sure. I have chores this weekend."

"Okay." I shrugged. "Who knows, maybe they'll let you come for the day."

"Maybe."

We walked to our classes. Her answer and the way she said it made me wonder what she was going through at home.

I wanted her to trust and tell me so I could help. But I know, from experience, that it takes time to trust.