Born A Rider

Born A Rider ~1~

Chapter 1

Flare's P.O.V

Running, feeling the wind flow through my hair. Feeling the power of Shadow's muscles as we fly through the meadow. Laughing so freely, so happy with the sun shinning down on us-

I jumped as I heard my Daddy yell up the stairs,"Breakfast is ready Flare! Jake!" I shook my head to clear the thoughts of my former life with my dead horse. Two years ago, I was racing with my 13 year old horse Shadow while I was 15. In our town, you can start racing at age 13. Well, I had been coming in second place, close to first for the past two years. I had been training since I first got Shadow at age 5. Well, this year I promised I would come in first. I promised that to myself and to Shadow. But, that year, something went terrible wrong.

***Flash Back***

I tensed in anticipation, waiting for when the gates would open. We had gotten gate 7, which is actually really good. As I heard the blare and the gates opened, we were off. We stayed behind a little, waiting and saving our energy for the last turn. Wind whipped at our faces and the power and speed of Shadow launched us forward. My heart was racing wildly like it does every time I ride or race. Dust was flying up but nothing would stop us. As we turned the last corner, I yelled,"Go Shadow!" and she knew that was her cue. She flew forward, ahead of everyone else and I knew, with all my heart, that this would be our year in the Championship. Well, I was half way right. As we flew past the finish line, we had won first place. But as she slowed down, we ran into a mud spot. Shadow ca run well in mud, but she had been running on dry land all day and she wasn't expecting it so as we ran into the mud spot, she lost her balance. It didn't help that another horse ran into us. We had still been going extremely fast so as she fell, I flew off. We both screamed and screech in pain. Her head and neck had fell into my ribs, breaking at least three. My arm was numb as it twisted in a weird angle. My head bounced onto the ground and I looked at Shadow. Her eyes were like a mirror of mine. Terrified and in complete agony.

I whispered,"Hold on Shadow. Fight against whatever injuries you have. I love you girl." The last thing I heard was people calling my name, and the last thing I saw, was my best friend's fearful eyes with a spark of love for me. Then, I passed out.

***End Of Flashback***

I was snapped out of my thoughts again by my brother Jake yelling,"Hurry up Flare! Breakfast is getting cold!" Like I care. So, after I woke up in the hospital a week later, I had some head injuries, 3 broken ribs, a broken arm, and I was told I could have died. I found out Shadow had broken two legs and while I was unconscious, that had to put her down. After that, I swore off riding and horses. I feel like it's my fault. If I could have only seen that mud spot and steer her away, If I could only have done something to save her. Shadow was my best friend. She still had half her life to go. I miss her so much. I'm not the same. Even if I didn't swear off riding and horses, I don't think I could go back to racing. I'm afraid now. I have a fear that it could happen again. That I may loose another horse, or even my own life. My father doesn't approve. He loved it when I race, but he also hated that I raced. When I got hurt, it hurt him too. But, now that he sees how I've changed, he tries to convince me to race again. I always close the subject or leave before he says anymore. I won't race again. I just can't.

I finally snapped out of my thoughts when my brother walked in carrying my plate of breakfast. I love him and Daddy, but I can't be around them. I usually wait till they leave before I go and eat the cold breakfast, but alot of times also, Jake'll heat up the breakfast and bring it to me. They both worry about me but I'm not who I use to be anymore. He set it on my bedside table and said,"We'll be out in the barn if you need anything, love you." I mumbled,"Thanks, and love you too." He sighs and walks out. I ate the pancakes and bacon breakfast before going to stare back out the window. That's what I usually do. That or write in my notebook. I love writing, mostly about horses, me, and Shadow. My Daddy and Jake don't know it though. Nobody knows about me anymore.

I looked across the yard, as our house was on the corner of our egnormous property next to the ranch next door, and saw the neighbors. We had gotten new ones about a week ago. Today, their horses are coming in and Daddy's suppose to be buying a new 3 year old horse. Apparently the horse's name is Streak because he's supposedly as fast as a lightning streak. I don't care anymore but at night, you can hear them talking about these kind of things in the family room.

I got up, stretched, and got my journal. I started writing and continued for the rest of the day, only stopping when it was close to dinner time. As soon as I put my journal away in the back of my closet, Jake came in. He told me,"Hey, we're having the neighbors over tonight for dinner, just to warn you." I nodded and he looked at me worriedly before leaving. I didn't talk that much anymore, unless it was thank you or love you too. I sometimes think out loud to myself to keep my voice in shape. I shook my head to clear my mind before walking over to my dresser and getting some clothes. I walked out the hall and into the bathroom to take a shower. I took a quick 10 minute shower before getting out. I dried off and changed into a pair of worn out sweat pants and a white tank top. I still had about an hour till dinner so I went back to my room. I didn't realize I had that much time. I closed my eyes, thinking of my best friend Shadow, when I fell into a deep sleep.

I was awoken by Jake. He was gently shaking me while whispering,"Come on M. Time for dinner. The neighbors are here." M is his old nickname for me. He barely uses it because when he does, it'll make me cry because he use to call Shadow and me M&M. We were like twins even though she was a horse. I nodded and whispered back,"I'll be down in a minute, just let me throw my hair in a bun." He nodded. I saw a faint weak smile on his face because that was the longest sentence I've said to him and Daddy in a awhile. He replied back,"Here, I'll just wait outside you door." I shrugged as he walked out. I brushed my hair before pulling it into a sloppy pony tail. I still wore the sweat and tank top. It's my house, why should I be uncomfortable for people I won't social with anyways? I had no shoes on and I don't care who doesn't like it. I walked out and started down the stairs with Jake following closely behind me.

As we walked into the kitchen, I barely glanced at the people next to me. There was a friendly looking woman who seemed like a motherly type, but also like a mom who could be your best friend. There was a man, who I'm guessing is the woman's husband, who also looked nice. He seemed like a jolly guy. Then there was a guy around my age who I'm guessing is there son. He looked hot, but I'm not into dating right now and besides, I don't care about looks, my mother always said it was about personality. I pushed down the emotions that wanted to come up at the mention of my mother's name. Not yet, I can't think about her. We sat down and that's when I quickly scanned over the boy. He had black hair, sky blue eyes, and just looked freaking hot. I looked at the food after looking back over the woman and her husband. My dad came in bring the food and sitting it on the table. After he got it all on the table, he said,"Well, let's eat. Oh, John, Jessie, this is my daughter Flare, Flare, this is our neighbors John and Jessie. Also, this is there son Colt." I nodded at there son and slowly shook John and Jessie's hand. Jessie was then gushing, about me,"Oh! Your just so beautiful! Even if you look like you just woke up, I look like that most of the time too."

I responded back,"Um, thanks." She smiled brightly at me ad everyone began eating. Soon, everyone was talking but me. My daddy, John, and Jessie were talking about that horse named Streak while Jake talked with that guy Colt. Colt would steal glances at me every once in awhile. Why? I have no clue. I just sat there and ate. I didn't want to be here. I wanted to be in my bed, asleep, where my dreams could take my away to my once former life.

Author's Note: So, hope you like'd it. It showed you some parts about Flare and introduced Colt :) Colt is played by Alex Evans. But, like when he looks around 17. I'll post a pic of him in the next chapter or maybe this one... So hope you vote, fan, and comment!