When the sun broke the dark away from the Earth, I was already up and mucking out Renegade's stall. The following hours after my late night ride were quiet and sleepless, but peaceful none the less. The concentration level I had made me so focused on the job at hand that I didn't notice Connor standing behind me in the stall doorway.
"I never meant to hurt you, I hope you know that." He whispered, startling me.
"Then why do you continue to do so? I don't get it. You say you don't want to hurt me, but you keep right on doing it."
"Look, my mom pissed me off and I made a mistake by taking it out on you. I don't know why I do this to everyone, but I do and I'm sorry. I wish I could go back and change what I did. I was hoping maybe you'd give me another chance to prove it?"
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Well get used to disappointment." I spit, shoveling out the last of Renegade's stall.
He sighed in defeat, walking away. I put down a fresh layer of shavings in the stall for renegade and walked the wheelbarrow to the muck pile. The heat of the summer was finally getting to me as sweat rolled down my back and face.
"I need a break." I muttered to myself, wandering to Melody and I's room.
When I got there, Melody was sitting on the floor playing with Sephira and Missy. Her small smile lit up her face as she watched Sephira play with Missy.
"Hey, little bear. Fancy a swim?"
"Sure, I just have to find my swim suit." She smiled at me, her eyes bright.
I opened our suitcases, revealing her purple bathing suit and my mossy oak camo bikini, handing Melody her swim suit before walking to the bathroom to change. My wrist caught my gaze and I saw the scars left from when I wanted to feel something, anything aside from numb. I quickly shifted my gaze to the mirror and I was shocked at what I saw. The girl looking back at me had light brown eyes, golden tanned skin that had been kissed by the sun, medium length brown hair that perfectly framed her face which held a light dusting of freckles and a small dimple on the right side when she smiled. The person looking back at me looked healthy, but her eyes, although bright, were haunted. She looked strong. A knock at the bathroom door startled me back to reality as I tied the back of my swim suit top and opened the door. Melody gave me a bright smile when she saw me, and then poked my belly, making me notice for the first time that I actually had abs. I guess the farm work toned me.
Taking Melody's hand, I walked down to the pool, my neon blue towel over my shoulder. When we got there, Hayley was lying out in the sun, shades on and earbuds plugged in. She nodded along to the music subtly and I let go of Melody's hand, taking her neon purple towel from her as she power-walked to the pool, jumping into the deep end. I sat down in the lawn chair by Hayley, laying out towels over the arm of the chair. Hayley pulled out an earbud, sitting up.
"What's up?" She chirped.
"Not much. Connor talked to me again today." I sighed, rolling my eyes and running a hand through my light brown hair.
"Really? Does he not get the hint?" She asked, clearly just as annoyed by it as I was.
"Apparently not. What you been up to?"
"Not much, Melody has been acting like a complete idiot in the pasture again so now she's down for the count. Tripped in a squirrel hole. They think she hurt her Hock so they are gonna have her hocks injected which means she's out for a good two weeks at most. I got stuck with Champagne." She grumbled, rolling her eyes.
"Ouch, I feel that. I was stuck with her for a while. She hates me." I laughed.
"Yeah. Wanna go for a swim?"
"Sure. We can go on a trail after if you want. You can use Red." I offered.
"Haven't you heard?" She asked, confusion on her face.
"Heard what..?" I trailed, nervous to hear the answer.
"They found a buyer for Redemption. Some girl named.... Cassidy? Anyway, she's supposed to come get Red tomorrow morning so she's not ours anymore."
"Wh-What? That's impossible! I was assigned to Red and Jackie promised to tell me when they found a buyer so I could find a new horse to bond with!" I squeaked out, my voice cracking.
"I'm so sorry, I really thought you knew..." Hayley looked down at her lap, more than likely feeling really bad about it.
"It's fine. I knew it was gonna happen eventually, I just need to go say my goodbyes first."
"I'll go with you. Is Melody allowed to swim on her own or..."
"Yeah, she's fine. I'll let her know we will be back soon. I think I'm gonna take one last trail on Red after a swim though." I replied, calling Melody over.
"Yeah?" She asked, her hair in soft waves from being wet.
"I'm gonna go to the barn really quick, they found a buyer for Redemption and I need to say goodbye, okay?"
"Alright, see you in a few minutes."
I wandered to the barn, not caring that Hayley and I were in the wrong clothes. I found Red in her stall, looking over her door at me. I reached out, hugging her neck as best I could and petting her shoulder. When I let go I pet her face, stroking her muzzle and memorizing everything about her. Her silver fly sheet shimmered slightly in the dim light.
"I'll be back later, girl. We have one last ride to take together." I whispered, giving her a final pat on her neck before walking back to the pool.
Word Count: 1013
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Faith and Freedom
Teen Fiction"You can't honestly think that this smelly creature is the answer to my problems. Your insain. I am NOT going to Tennessee and you can't force me to! I'm FINE!" ******************************** Their parents were killed. Their lives were about to c...
