They Knew Us Once

Chapter 1. Oh Colorado, how I hate you.

I was driving into school thinking about how I had to tell my best friend that I was moving halfway across the country. I didn't want to of course, but my mom got a new job in Colorado and wouldn't let me stay behind. I just couldn't tell her until now. The day before we left. I pulled into the parking lot just as the bell rang and I had to run to class.
I walked into class and everyone turned to look at me. I had no idea why. Until I looked at Eva. She had her head down on her desk and it looked like she was crying. I walked over to her, ignoring all the stares coming from my classmates, and tapped on her shoulder,causing her to look up at me. Her eyes were filled with tears and she looked angry. At me? What had I done? I hadn't talked to her all weekend, so I couldn't have said anything to make her mad. I was still contemplating this when she stood up, grabbed my hand, and pulled me out of the classroom.
Once she pulled me fully out of the room and shut the door she turned to me and said

"Why didn't you tell me you were moving?"

Oh no, how had she found out?

"How did you-"

"Your mom called my dad last night to ask him to help move stuff out of the barn." she interrupted.

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell my mom that I hadn't told Eva yet. That is my fault. Mom had mentioned that she was going to ask him but I completely forgot.

"I was going to tell you." I began but she cut me off again.

"I thought we were best friends?"

I started to get angry.

"Of course we are!"

"Then why couldn't you tell me?"

She wouldn't understand. She never did. She never understands when things are hard for me, or when I'm upset about something she did. Like making my boyfriend cheat on me at my sixteenth birthday party. She thought that it was okay because we weren't "serious" yet. She ignored me for a week, until I had to apologize to her for overreacting.
But I wouldn't be the one to apologize this time. I turned and walked away. I heard her calling after me so I turned to look at her.

"Until you apologize, I won't be speaking to you. That includes the time that I'm in Colorado."

She looked stunned. She didn't expect me to stand up for myself. That's the problem. I never do. But hey, times change.

"Good, I didn't want to talk to you anyway!" she yelled at me as i walked away. I ignored her and walked out to the parking lot, pulling out my phone. I dialed my moms number and she didn't pick up. I texted her saying I was coming home to help with moving boxes and packing the barn then got in my truck and drove home.
I drove through the front gate and parked by the barn. I stepped out to see Jo, the farrier, shoeing my moms horse, Gunny. I waved to him and walked into the barn to get Flash and Cisco out of their stalls. They nuzzled my shoulder as I walked them to the paddocks and let them out. I went back to get my things from the tack room. Once I packed my stuff away in boxes and loaded them into my truck, I walked to the house to talk to my mom. I walked in the house and my dog slipped into his spot by my legs as I walked through the house. My mom was sitting at the table smiling slightly.

"Good to know you changed your mind."

She smiled at me. I had argued with her all night saying I didn't want to miss my last day of school.

"So did you pack all your things? The shipping truck is going to be here early tomorrow morning." she asked.

I nodded, grabbing the halter off the wall and walking to the small stall at the back of the house. A tiny pony peeked his nose out of the stall door.

"Hey cruise." I mumbled as I rubbed his tiny snout.

The naughty pony nipped at me as I clipped his halter on, leading him out the front door to the paddock to run with the boys for a while before the long ride to the airport.
After letting him go, I walked back inside to get my riding gear from my room, the last few items I needed to pack in the car. The next morning, my mom called to me as I heard the shipping truck and horse trailer pull into the drive. I ran outside and whistled for the boys to come to the fence. They ran to me happily, swishing their tails. A kind older woman hopped out of the transporter for the horses with three fluffy halters, handing them to me. I switched out the halters and handed her Cruise's leadrope before leading Flash and Cisco to the trailer. The boys loaded onto the trailer calmly and I turned to go get my last horse.
She was an older mare, who I've had for years. I led her out of the barn and the transporters gapped at her. She was a large saddlebred mare named La Jefa, or Bossy. She was known around town for being the darkest black horse in our county. She's my best show horse and loves her job, so even though she's old for a show horse, she hasn't retired yet. She happily trotted up the ramp and settled into her spot. A few minutes later, all four of my horses were on their way to Colorado.