Breaking Free

Chapter 18

"It was nice getting to see you again," Serenity says, hugging me goodbye.

"You too- even if it was only for a few days," I agree. It's Saturday now, and we need to get back to Oakville.

"Taylor- just," Corrine starts. "just stay in touch."

"I will," I assure, pulling her tightly into a hug.

"You ready?" Carter asks.

"Yeah, is the car packed? Do you have Beau?" I question.

"Yes Taylor," he chuckles.

"Okay- goodbye you guys," I say.

We had a good visit- trail rides every day, we even built a campfire one night and roasted marshmallows. It was really great.

But now it's time to go.

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"Wakey wakey sleepy head," Mrs. Stone urges bright and early Monday morning.

I mumble something incoherent before rolling out of bed.

"Where's Carter?" I ask.

"He had to go into town to get dog food. Do you have a friend who can drive you to school this morning," she asks.

"Yeah I'm sure Joy won't mind," I inform her, clutching my cell phone. I quickly type out:

Hey, can u drive me 2 school this morning?

Almost instantly, she types back.

Ugh I can't this morning! I have to drop my little brother @ school and drop the cat at the vet. Txt Jake, I'm sure he won't mind =]

Reluctantly, I press a similar message into the phone and send it to Jake. I set my phone on the dresser, and pull out a pair of dark jeans and a long sleeved, baby blue and white plaid shirt. The weather has been sort of chilly lately, so I put on a pair of cowboy boots. Finally, I slightly curl my hair and apply a light layer of makeup

My text tone goes off, and I look down to see that Jake has replied:

No prob Taylor. Be there in 15

I run down the stairs with my backpack slung over my shoulder, and grab a pop tart, shoving it into my back pack.

"I'm going into the barn," I call to no one in particular, before heading out through the front door.

Ezhno greets me happily, bobbing his head up and down.

"When I get home, we'll go on a ride," I coo, placing a kiss on his forelock. Well, I do have 15 minutes- I could take him into the ring really quickly.

I lead him into the ring, and hoist myself up onto his back. After a lap going at a walk, I pull him into a jog- and then a lope. He sees the jumps set up in the ring, and turns towards them. I clutch his mane, and brace myself for the jump.

He goes over a few more, before slowing to a walk.

"Have you ever though of showing him?" Jake calls from the fence.

"Oh, I'm sorry- how long have you been waiting?"

"It's no problem. Now answer the question."

"Not really," I truthfully state, dismounting.

I lead Ezhno to his stall, and then pick up my bag.

"Let's go."

I climb into his black jeep wrangler, and close the door.

"So, what did I miss," I ask, turning to face him.

"Well Ethan and Andrea had this huge fight and almost broke up."

"Oh my gosh, why?"

"Well apparently Ethan's ex girlfriend called and said she was still in love with him and he made the mistake of telling Andrea, who already has jealousy issues," he informs me.

"Yikes. Anything else?"

"Well- they announces the date of homecoming. It's this Saturday," he replies.

"Oh- hey, you know who you should ask?"

"Who," he asks, amused.

"Joy," I reply, smiling. For some reason, his face falls. "What?"

"Nothing, I just like someone else."

"Well ask her!"

"She already has a boyfriend," he glumly states.

"Oh... well who is she? Is it Andrea?"

"No," he chuckles. "And I don't really want to talk about it."

"Okay, okay." I don't want to pry since I don't know him too well.

"We're here," he announces, removing the keys from the ignition.


A/N

SOOOO SORRY FOR THE WAIT!!!! HAPPY NEW YEARS IN ADVANCE!!