Breaking Free

Chapter 9

An hour later, and I've barely made any progress with Flame, although I'm not discouraged. She has stopped bucking and rearing, for the most part, although every time I get her to do what I want, she breaks off into a gallop, and takes sharp turns to try and make me fall. I hold on tightly, trying to tire her out.

" Flame, woah girl, woah," I grunt, pulling back on the reigns. She reluctantly slows to relieve the pressure of the bit, and after she's calmed for a minute, I loosen the reigns.

I decide to call it a day- I'm in no rush to train her, and we've made a little progress today. I wrestle with the reigns to halt her, and quickly dismount before she has the chance to rush off. Both of us are breathing heavily, and covered with sweat.

"Do you really think riding one of the craziest horses here is the best thing for you to do while recovering," Carter chuckles from the railing, startling me. I didn't notice him come out, and wonder how long he's been here, though I don't ask.

"Oh, hush up. I'm nearly eighteen, I can do what I want," I huff, leading Flame to the cross ties. "Why'd you come out here anyway?"

"I was going to try lunging Queeny," he replies, following me to the barn.

I remove Flame's tack, and take brush the saddle marks off of her. She's still very sweaty, so I go to rinse her of with the hose. Glancing at the round ring, I notice that Carter has taken out Queen of Hearts to lunge, although he's not having much success. She's bucking around like crazy, and charging at Carter. He is successfully evading being trampled, although it's making me a little uneasy.

"Okay, we may not have had the best rude today Flame, but thank you for not acting like that," I chuckle, using a sweat scraper to remove the excess water from her coat. I look her over, and can't help admire the black and white Appaloosa in front of me. If I can ever manage to train her, she could definitely become a show horse.

I put her in her stall, and walk over to Ezhno's stall. I wish I could have ridden him today, but the vet said to take it slow and I can't risk hurting him.

"Hey pretty boy," I coo, stroking his mane. He snorts, and turns his head. "Oh I'm sorry, handsome boy."

After I've seen Ezhno, I go to pet Charcoal. The grey on his face is spreading to his mane and tail, making me face the fact that he's a very old horse. He was twenty when I got him as a child, meaning he's in his mid thirties now. I sigh, and kiss his face, before heading into the house the sky is getting dark, and I have school tomorrow- not to mention, a party.


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"What do you mean you're not going?" I whine. Carter has just decided that he's not going to the party with me this evening, after I told everyone at school, today he would. "You're supposed to be my ride, and I have to leave in like an hour!"

"Taylor, I can't stand these parties. Trust me, it's just a bunch if teenagers blaring loud music and acting stupid."

I groan, and stomp up to my room to change. I slip on the dress, and a pair of black Capri leggings due the sudden drop in temperature last. Plus, I'm not sure if I'm comfortable wearing a dress that shirt if Carter's not going to be there with me. I hurriedly pull on my black chunky bracelets, black strappy heels, and a thick black headband.

I do smokey eye makeup, and apply a bit of light pink lipgloss. I do my hair into big, loose curls with my curling iron, and use hairspray to make it stay in place.

Reluctantly, I pick up my phone to call Joy.

"Hello," she answers.

"It's Taylor. Do you mind swinging by my place to take me to the party?" I ask.

"I thought Carter was driving you."

"Change of plans- he's not going. Apparently 'he doesn't like parties,'" I mumble, obviously ticked off.

"Okay, I'll be there in fifteen," she agrees. "I got to go."

"Thanks a ton Joy. See you the."

The line goes dead, and I head back down the stairs. Carter's in the kitchen, and his jaw drops when he sees me.

"Taylor you look gorgeous," he complements.

"I try," I snap, before exiting the house. I'm still angry that he's not going with me, especially since this is my first party and I made it clear how important it was to me.

I head to the stable, and look into each of the stalls, checking up on all of the horses. I make my way to Charcoals stall, and gasp.

He has stretched out in his stall, sweat covering his body. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what is wrong.

I don't even bother trying to stop the tears from bursting out of my eyes.

I run back to the house, but trip on my heels when I hit the porch step, letting out a yelp. Carter rushes out of the house to investigate the noise

"What the- Taylor what's wrong?" He asks, as soon as he sees the tears flowing down my face.

"Call the vet," I choke out. "Its Charcoal- colic." That's all I can mange to get out before the tears overwhelm me again. As Carter's face pales, I can tell he's not far behind me.

A\N

Ugh this chapter is making me Sad!!!

Also, I hate to leave it like this, but I'm about to have exam week and I don't know when I'll be able to update again.