Breaking Free

Chapter 8

Tuesday and Wednesday go by in the same manner with few differences. Amelia has become more direct with her death glares, and has even gone so far as to leave a hate note on my locker. It was stupid and poorly worded, and the only effect it had on me was giving me and my friends a good laugh at lunch. Which only angered her more.

On a more exciting note, I'm going to a party on Friday night. It's at some football players house, I believe his name was John or James or something with a 'J'. It's technically my first high school party, because my foster parents never let me go, and even if they would I was never invited. But at this new school? What can I say, I'm a hit! That's what having a criminal record does for you I guess.

This is why I'm out shopping with Joy, Erica, Andrea, and Sky. They have decided that it is imperative that I look, as Sky puts it, 'freaking amazing' for this party. Apparently everyone at this school is intrigued by me because I'm the 'mysterious new girl' and I need to look as such. Also, we know Amelia's going to be there, and they want me to look superior to her. I'm just going along with it because I like shopping for clothes, a luxury I didn't have throughout my pitiful childhood. Cue dramatic sigh.

"Okay, how about this," Sky asks, holding up a pink dress that is so short it looks more like a shirt.

"No," I sigh, pushing it away. "I will know when I see it."

I trail my hands over the countless beautiful dresses. They are all short, sweet, and to the point. But all of them are either too formal or too trashy.

"I'm going to look at the sale rack," I announce, hoping that I have some luck there.

Andrea crinkles her nose in disapproval. "The sales rack is just full of rejects."

"I know- just like me," I chuckle. I know that I'm not a reject anymore, but for the majority of my life, I was that foster child who no one wanted. I was quiet and kept to myself, easy to take care of. My only fluke was that I had horrible night terrors and flashbacks, waking up screaming at all hours of the night. By the time I grew out of them, I was too old and no one wants to adopt a teenager.

I waltz over to the sales rack, Joy following behind me. She holds up a blue-green sheer dress with that has sequins decorating it.

"No, Its too shiny," I sigh. A flash of green catches my eye, and I reach my hand into the rack, pulling the dress out.

It's a short, emerald green colored dress with black sequins covering the belt line. I have a pair of black strappy heels and chunky bracelets that would go with it perfectly, and I instantly know it's the one.

"I'm going to try this on," I murmur, enchanted by the dress.

I rush to a changing room, and quickly slip it on. A glance at myself in the mirror proves that my previous judgement on the dress was correct- this is the one.

"Guys," I call. "I think we have a winner."

"Let us see," Sky shouts back.

I unlock the door, and walk out of the changing room. They all examine the dress, looking it up and down.

"Oh my god, it's perfect," Erica whispers.

"Yes, definitely," Sky agrees.

Joy doesn't say a word, she just excitedly nods in approval.

"Andrea?" I ask.

"I hate to admit that something off the sales rack could look that good but- Taylor, you're gorgeous. Your going to make Amy angry, and have guys drooling over you," she chuckles.

I roll my eyes at her last statement. "I don't want guys drooling over me. I'm with Carter, remember?"

"Hey, if you've got it, flaunt it," Sky giggles.

I laugh, before going back into the room to change into my clothes.

We pay for the dress, which is a total steal at only $35, and leave the store. Joy drops everyone off at their houses, saving me for last.

"What do you think Carter's going to think of your dress," she asks.

"Honestly? I don't know," I reply.

We arrive at the house, and I thank Joy for the ride before slipping inside. Carter's sitting with his dad, watching football, and doesn't notice me come in at first. I smile, before heading up to my room to hang up my dress.

I notice in the back of my closet the green dress I wore to the gala. It seems like that night was years ago, although it was just a few months. I still have dreams about it sometimes, but they don't bother me too much. I worry about Serenity going to school with Chloe.

I should call her sometime. I really miss her. Serenity was so good to me, and I had such a blast with her.

I sigh, and sneak back downstairs, and out of the house. I walk towards the barn, and head to Flame's stall.

"Hey pretty girl," I coo, stroking her mane. We've had her for almost three months now, and no one has dared ride her yet. But that's going to change- today.

I slip a pink halter in over the Appaloosa mares head, and clip a lead to her. After a quick grooming, I tack up with a bridle, and a western saddle.

I make sure she's okay with the weight of the saddle, and lead her into the riding ring. It has jumps leaned on the sides of the fence, but none actually set up.

I walk her around the ring for a lap, before leading her to the center of the ring.

"Okay girl, I'm going to get on your back. Please be good, okay," I whisper.

I place my hands on the seat of the saddle, and press down, putting extra weight on the saddle to see how she reacts. She seems nonchalant about it, so I tentatively place my left foot in the stirrup, and swing myself up into her back. For a moment, she sits still, giving me time to take hold of the reigns.

All seems to be going well, so I lightly press my heels into her side. She breaks into a gallop, and starts bucking and rearing, trying to throw me. At first she doesn't succeed as I hang right to her. She seems to calm, and I let my guard down for a moment.

In that fleeting moment, she violently rears up, causing me to fall backward to the ground.

I'm not hurt, but I lie on the ground for a moment, my eyes fixed on the cloud. Suddenly, an Appaloosa mare's head blocks my view.

Flame has come back to check on me, and her expression seems to say 'Why'd you give up so easy? I thought we were having fun.'

I chuckle, and stand up, stroking her face.

"Let's try this again."

A/N

Thanks for reading!!!! Dress on the side!!!