The Diaries of a Soul Rider

Chapter 2 - A Change of Plans?

I look at my father and say "What is it? Is Juno alright?" My mother then says "Natalie. Calm down." My mother glares at me. "We just need to talk to you about your summer plans." A feeling of relief comes over me.

I then say "What is there to talk about? I'm obviously going to continue dancing, hanging out with friends and caring for Juno. Just something any teenager would do I guess." My father looks at my mother and they exchange looks, then they both look back at me.

My father says "Well, Natalie, plans have changed."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"We're sending you to a place called Jorvik, it's a little island north of here. A beautiful place, we just think you need some time away, that's all."

My mother butts in and says "Yes. It's a type of horse camp, you'll get to have your own horse, your own room, train, and have fun with friends."

My face was just blank. I couldn't believe this. Nope. No way. I can't leave, don't they understand that? My friends are here. My horse is here, I train Juno here. What are they getting at by sending me to a tiny little island that I've never heard of?

My mother looks at me and says "And if you ride good enough, you'll get accepted to the Jorvik Equine Institute and which, knowing you, you'll be the perfectionist that you are, and train nonstop to make sure you get in."

I still sat there, just thinking, and there it is, my parents want me to get into that Equine Institute. That's why they're sending me. I know I've always told them I wanted to go to riding school, but not this way, not now, not here. Honestly, they're probably just sick of me. This isn't the first time they tried to send me away.

My father looks at me "Natalie?" He says.

A wave of anger came over me "So that's it? Your going to send me away? To some island that no one has ever even heard of? And you just expect me to sit there, and let you control me, right? Not this time. I am sick and tired of you two thinking they can control me." I snapped at them.

My father and mother just looked shocked, they didn't know what to say. I'd never snapped at them like that before. I'd always been their perfect little angel, too afraid to speak for myself.

"And what about Juno? What is he going to do? There's no one to take care of him, neither of you have time for him. I can't believe this." I say.

My mother chuckles and says "Juno is an old horse. You've had him since you were what? Six? He's becoming too old to train and he'll probably be sold soon anyway."

"Excuse me?" I say. "Juno is my horse. You can't sell him." I raise my voice.

My mother looks appalled. "Young lady, do not use that tone with me. I will not be treated like this."

My father looks at me and says "You'll leave Saturday. Next week."

At this point, I was more angry than ever. "What!?" I say "Don't you know what Saturday is!? Saturday is my dance competition! It's nationals, dad, I can't miss it! And then there's this new girl, and she'll probably replace me! I can't be replaced!"

I didn't even bother to wait for them to respond, I just ran upstairs to my room, and slammed the door. I lay on my bed and look at the ceiling, trying to deal with my anger in the least destructive way possible.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see a picture of my sister and I as children. I walk over to my dresser, pick the photo up, and sit back down. I remember all of the good memories Noella and I have together. Thinking about this causes a tear to fall down my face. "Why did you have to leave so early? Why couldn't you have stayed here with me, I need your advice, you'd know what to do. You always did." I whisper to the photo of my sister as if someone would actually respond. I then set the photo down, and lay in my bed, sobbing. I miss her so much. I don't understand why someone so young had to die so suddenly like that.

Everyone at school thinks I have the perfect life. My parents are wealthy, I have a horse, and I'm a great dancer. But what people don't see is the pain. My parents? They're always busy. Truthfully, I don't think there is or ever was any love in my family. My parents are married only for money, and they reproduced to carry on the family name, but they ended up with two girls. That's why Noella and I were so close. I just wished she could be here to comfort me, she always was, but, now, It was just me.