I looked at Dancers gleaming coat. She nickered at me and pushed her muzzle forward as I tried to pull off her bridle. She wouldn't let go of the bit. I put her bridle back on and (un gracefully) clambered onto her, bare back. I trotted out of the barn and into the ring. I nudged her into an extended canter. She chomped the bit once and I loosened my reigns. She sped up and we were soon in a full gallop. She was amazing. Together we flew around the ring. I closed my eyes and let my long blonde hair flow out behind me.
I felt as if I had wings. I let her choose what she wanted to do because I knew, I don't know how but I knew, that she was not going to try any tricks. She knew that at any moment, I could regain control if I wanted to. Being as happy as I was, I didn't even realize that the person I loathed most was standing at the side of the ring. Jasmine Gray. I slowed Dancer to a stop beside her.
Jasmine boarded her horse, Libby, at our barn. We ran a small stable and gave lessons to people. Cherry Wood was also a place to board horses for those who couldn't keep them at home. She looked at me sourly.
"Yes Jasmine?" I asked her.
"Why is Libby not cared for?! She's a mess! I have specific orders to have her clean, fed, watered, groomed, and tacked so I could ride when I got here!" she yelled.
"I've told you a thousand times. We DO NOT take care of your horse. We give her shelter and provide food. Both that you pay for when you pay you monthly fee for her to stay here and get her food. You, her rider, must take care of, and provide for, your own horse." I replied curtly.
My dad walked over. "What's wrong Clara?" He asked me.
"Jasmines mad because Libby isn't cared for. She's a mess and she doesn't have any feed or water. I told her AGAIN that she has to take care of Libby herself." I answered.
"She's right Jasmine. You need to take care of your own horse. If you don't like her condition, I suggest that you go fix it yourself." He walked away brusquely.
I opened up the gate and rode into the barn. I was mucking out Dancers stall when I heard Jasmine crying. I couldn't tell why though. I slipped to the side of Libby's stall and saw her hugging Libby's neck. Libby had wrapped her head around her back. A horses hug. I poked my head back and listened. "Oh Libby. I'm so sorry. I'm not around enough, your probably mad at me. I miss daddy. I wish he walked into the barn right now to tell me things were okay. I won't ever hear his voice again and it's all her fault. If she hadn't been afraid of water, he would be here." She cried into Libby's soft mane. I acted like I hadn't heard a thing and walked by pretending to be surprised and stopping in my tracks.
"Jasmine, are you okay?" I asked softly.
"Why do you care? You hate me." She said before turning to her Arabian cross and sobbing into her mane again.
"I don't hate you. I thought you hated me. Come on. Follow me." I answered.
I led her through the pasture and out to a part of the creek, hidden from the world. "Now, tell me what's going on." I said gently.
She looked at me in shock before taking a deep breath and saying, "I never hated you either. I was just jealous. Of you." She said shyly.
"Tell me what's wrong." I gently said again. She took another deep breath and reluctantly began her story.
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Hey guys. I'm uber sorry about not being able to update. I just wanted you to know that I haven't forgotten you. I also wanted to dedicate this chapter to dogCat4ever for never giving up on me. Thanks to everyone reading. Oh! before I forget, if you'd like to become a character in the story, send me a message with the characters name, the horses name, the horses breed, how tall the horse is, and the age of the character. The character must be between 6-18. alrighty guys. I gotta go now. Until then.
