Hope & Skydancer (Book 1)

Chapter 13

Ever since Ceci beat the crap out of me, I've pretty much been in bed.

She broke me. I haven't said more than two words to anybody. Not even Hazel. I haven't gone to school either. I just lay in my bed, avoiding life so I don't get hurt.

Obviously, me being in pain hurt Faith. To her, her job was to protect me and guide me. She probably feels like she failed her one job.

Finally, my mom was fed up with my depression. Of course, she never found out exactly how I got hurt that day. She sent me to doctor after doctor. Some said it was post traumatic distress, others said it was my lack of human contact. Whatever it was, it killed me.

Then, came the day that I had to return to school. The end of the year was nearing so I needed to study and review for the final exams. Not showing up to school definently destroyed my grades. They plummeted as I failed test after test and refused to do my homework. It was all because of what was happening in my private life. Bullying.

Ceci found pleasure in my pain. She soon had other grade snobs and class clowns pulling pranks. The taunting was never ending and the name calling was nasty. I was abused both mentally and physically. Ceci made a game out of taking my crutches. I was fed up with that so I started to use my wheelchair again. That did absolutely nothing.

Ceci began to play with the locks on my chair. She would violently push and move me around. It even got to the point where she would purposely block me from moving around. It began to drive me crazy, and farther and farther into my little antisocial hole I dug when she took away that first crutch.

I stopped riding. I haven't laid eyes on Skydancer in weeks. Sometimes I'd catch a glimpse of someone riding her, or Hazel taking care of her. I didn't care anyway. I was in too much pain to care. It was hard enough for me to keep my grades up and avoid getting laughed at, let alone care for and look after a horse. And besides, Skydancer likes Hazel.
________________________

I looked out my bedroom window. It was a warm, sunny Saturday. It was great for a ride, but I couldn't force myself to move myself from it's perch. It was as if I was glues to the window seat.

There were many riders out, mounted upon our horses and the boarders. Children were laughing and horses were nickering. I wanted to go and be with my horse so bad, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

Then I saw. Riding gracefully around the arena was a little girl. She was astride my horse.

Hazel was with her, standing on the ground talking to the girl. I couldn't read her lips from afar, so I watched.

It didn't bother me that someone was riding my horse, I've seen it before. But, it was something about the girl that made me interested in Hazel's lesson.

I continued to watch intently. The girl looked discouraged. Hazel was talking to her, comforting her. I saw her nod and bring Sky into a trot around the ring. Then I saw it.

I mentally slapped myself. I can't believe I didn't notice. She was missing an arm.

She trotted around the ring, holding the reins in one hand. She concentrated hard as she did yet another lap. She tugged the reigns bringing Sky to a halt.

What was she trying to do?

An unexplainable emotion swept over me. I felt something nudge me in the back.

Faith.

She jumped up onto the window seat and dropped something in my lap.

My riding boot.

A smile plastered itself onto my face. I slipped the boot on and hobbled over to my closet. I put a comfortable tee and my riding helmet on. I steadied myself and swiftly made my way out the door and out to the ring, with Faith right at my heels.

I pulled myself up onto the fence, still unoticed. Now closer, I listened to Hazel.

"Come on Masie, you can do it. Up and down to the beat." Hazel encouraged the girl to post.

" I can't. I'll fall!" Masie sounded as if she was 8, maybe 9 years old. Her expression showed that she was nervous.

Hazel walked over to Sky and patted her.

"Don't worry, this is the most amazing horse in the world. She is owned by an amazing girl just like you." Hazel gently poked the girl as she giggled. Just then Hazel's gaze met mine. "Hey Hope."

My gaze moved to the girl atop the horse. She stared down at me. I smiled, shifting my body, revealing my leg to her.

I heard her gasp in amazment. She looked at me, as I looked at her.

"Hi" Her voice was quiet and nervous.

"Hi" I returned her quiet greeting.

Hazel guided Sky over to me. Masie slid off her back and patted her nose. Then she made her way to the fence and sat on it, Hazel followed her motions. It was my cue.

I hopped over to my horse and grabbed her reins, sliding them back over her head. I hopped even closer to my horse and stuck my left knee in the stirrup, using that to pull myself up. I straightened myself out, taking a deep breath.

"Walk on, girl." I whispered to my horse. She began a careful walk around. I urged her to a trot. Once settled, I began to post.

Up, and down. Up, and down.

I felt free. My tense body relaxed as I eased into a rhythm, and I thought nothing could break it. I toned out the cheers and voices around me as I steadily brought myself to canter.

Masie watched me in awe. As I came around the arena again, I was shocked to see Hazel gone. I slowed Sky back to a trot and surveyed my surroundings. Then I saw where she went.

Ceci.
_____________________
Yet another day, yet another bully fit. Ceci had to ruin the fun I was having with Sky. It was our moment, ruined.

I sat in my bed, curled up in a ball. Crying. The hot tears were streaming down my face and onto my pillow.

Hazel took care of Sky for the rest of the night before she went home. Since then, a she has been doing is texting, but I just turned off my phone. I wanted to be alone. Preferably forever.
_________________________
I opened my eyes, squinting at the bright sunlight coming into my bedroom. It was Monday. I dreaded the idea of going to school. I got away yesterday without saying a word to anyone, but today would be impossible... I had school.

I rolled out of bed and stood up. Then, I noticed a dark rectangle on my window. I hopped over to it. It was a drawing.

I examined the hand sketched artwork. It was a picture of a horse. The mare in the drawing had a long wavy mane and someone on her back. Then I realized that the drawing was of Skydancer and I.

I looked more closely at the sketch. In the drawing, my arms hung around Sky's neck, my face in her fur. My long brown hair hung over and our left side was visible. It was simply beautiful. Under the drawing, in elegant cursive, was our names. I was fingering the drawing when I heard something drop onto the floor. Leaning over, I picked it up. It was a note. I opened it and read it aloud.

Hope,
Don't be afraid to be who you really are. Show your stuff and be you. You, are not a coward or a broken down cripple. So, go on and seize the day! She put you down, so it's payback time. It's time for a plan!

Hazel

I read the note over and over again. Hazel was right. I shouldn't have to put up with the bullying anymore. I needed a plan.

I looked down at the white figure at my feet. And that's when I had a plan.
_________________________

A/N

Hello all!

Sorry I haven't been able to update. First I went camping, then I went on a white water rafting field trip (btw- the river was way too cold to swim in)...

Anywhoooo..... I hoped you like it... And I also hope that you are all stoked because I'm posting my school essay that people have asked about.

Hoping I can get it up ASAP!

DR