Good Riddance Ranch

The morning sun lifted over the roof of the ranch, sending warm orange rays over the barn's faded blue eaves. I like watching the sunrise every morning, so I arrive here early to see it. Outside, Kobi was riding her horse, Spark, and swerving him around a barrel. You could see Spark's nostrils flaring and his eyes wild with energy. His silvery white dappled multicolored coat had a shade of pale yellow in the sunrise. The next barrel race was coming up soon and Kobi had to be ready for it. I watched Kobi begin with a light trot to the first barrel, then loping perfectly around and dashing immediately for the second barrel. Kobi yanked on Spark's reins until he whipped around the barrel, but a little too close, and the barrel fell over.

My name is Amanda, and I am not like Kobi. I do not check my nails and fix my hair every two minutes, which is very annoying, by the way. Kobi is just one of those girls who are so pretty, that her laugh is pretty, her hair is pretty, and basically anything and everything about her is pretty. She has big, dark blue eyes and thick, black hair in a long ponytail, combed to (and over) perfection. She claims to wear designer clothing, even on the ranch, which is the only time I ever see her. I tried telling her that it is silly to wear that stuff in a horse stable where it is just going to get dirty and ripped. But no, she told me specifically that her so called "stuff" made her look good, and that she would wear it anywhere, anytime. I always look terrible compared to Kobi; my hair isn't as wavy, my nails are always dirty and broken, and oh you'd better believe it, I am jealous. Anyways, those girls are also very, very mean, and of course, Kobi is as grumpy as a starving lion, in my opinion. She is spoiled, whiny, and someone I could never talk to. Ever since I got here, Hailey and Thomas have been warning me about Kobi, and every now and then Kobi would yell at me for forgetting to feed Spark, or for being too loud, or for not giving her any personal space. Once, she was so mad at me, she whipped my horse, Tenor, right in the face with her rope! I wanted to punch that girl so badly, and I would have, if Thomas hadn't stopped me.

Everyone hoots as Kobi bolted around the last barrel and charged for the finish! I clapped along with my friends. I suppose if I can't be mean, being fake is the closest I've got. Of course, Hailey was the one not to clap. Hailey is probably the most happy- go- lucky person here! She is sporty, funny, and as always she is crazy! Which is why she doesn't like Kobi. Kobi is not encouraging or funny at all.

Benjamin is my other friend that helps out at the barn! Like me, he is the polite and friendly- and that (believe it or not) makes him the odd ball. He likes to play baseball and read comics, but there's not much I know about him. But I do admit, I wish I knew more about him, maybe that would make him easier to talk to. That way I wouldn't be so nervous around him. Then again, I don't know why I'm nervous, or why I want to know everything about him. Benjamin has shaggy brown hair and deep brown eyes. I like that about him. Then there's Thomas, the quiet, shy, and cowardly one, and Kobi's brother, he is not like Benjamin at all. Benjamin isn't a coward, he's a leader, and Benjamin has brown hair, Thomas has dirty blonde hair.

"Faster, Kobi, do it again! Stay tight around the barrels, and don't forget to kick," her instructor hollered.

Kobi grabbed Spark's reigns and yanked him around like a dog for another lap. "Spark won't listen to me," Kobi whined.

"Well maybe if you went easier on your horse, he would listen," I muttered.

Benjamin looked over at me. I shrugged innocently and smiled as he locked his gaze with mine. He raised his eyebrows and squared his jaw in a warning look, but I knew even Benjamin would agree that Kobi is hard on her horse. It makes me so angry when she isn't patient with Spark, and that's all the time. She barely feeds him, hits him all the time, and even blames Spark for every mistake she makes during training.

As Kobi whipped around another barrel, I watched her moves closely. She used one arm to turn him back to the center, next she galloped to the last barrel. She kicked Spark hard, and they came into the end.