Much More Than A Horse Story

Chapter 1: Jamba Juice, A Good End To The School Day

I happily skipped up the concrete steps of Richmond High School. The nicest public school in Kentucky. It was Friday, and everyone was excited to get the day over with and back home.

It was quite hot out for April. I was wearing black riding pants, a pink polo, and brown leather riding boots. I jerked open the door and ran right into Kelsey, my best friend, fellow horse fanatic and owner.

"Kelsey! How was your show? What'd you place?"

"I got 3rd in my show jumping test. It was so much fun Em! Master was flying over the jumps, like.... Like a master!"

I laughed. Kelsey could never come up with the right words quick enough to make her sentences sound natural. But that's what made her unique.

Before we get to far into this book, I should probably introduce myself. I'm Emma Evans. Pro horseback rider. I own some horses of my own. If you happen to be in Richmond, Kentucky you will probably see me riding a horse. Here's a way to tell that it's me and not one of my other horse crazy friends. I have curly brown hair, which is usually down or in a ponytail. I'm 14 years old, going on 15 in July. I'm 5 foot 6 inches, green eyes, and freckles under my eyes like a football player's paint. And if that description doesn't clear anything up, I will ether be wearing riding clothes, or clothes with horses, or horse sayings on them. End of story.

Kelsey went on and on and on describing her show. I didn't really listen that much. I did throw in some yea and uh huh's, to make her think I was listening. I had much more things to think about. Mainly, my horse shows.

I was to compete tomorrow with my horses, but mainly Charcoal. Charcoal is a dapple grey Throughbred gelding. He's 7 years old, and about 16 hands. Charcoal is an advanced horse. I show him in cross country, dressage, and show jumping, but we focus on show jumping.

The bell rang, awakening me from my fantasy. "Bye Emma!" Kelsey yelled from down the hall. She ducked into a classroom.

"Darn!" I whispered to myself. I didn't have any of my things.

I ran to my locker and put in my combination. 7-15-12. It didn't work, so I tried again, and still no luck. I kicked the door.

"Stuck again?" A boy asked.

My brother, Jake, smirked. Jake was a year older than me, but our lockers were right next to each others. He tried my combination and it popped right open.

"Thanks Jake. Your a life saver!"

"No problem. I guess your locker likes me better."

His locker popped open. He grabbed his books and ran to class. I searched my messy locker before plucking out my purple binder. I unzipped the front pocket of my backpack and grabbed a pencil. I rushed to my class. Just my luck, the door is shut. I knocked 3 times on the door and looked into the window. Everyone stared at me. The teacher opened the door, hobbled into the hall, then shut it.

"Do you have a pass?" Mr. Jergen, my fat health and gym teacher asked me. I shook my head no.

"Then go to the office, and get a pass. Now!" He ordered.

I shot a glare at him before jogging to the office. I opened the door, then walked in. I wrote my name and date down on the piece of paper on the clipboard. The secretary peered at me over her glasses before writing my name, date, time, hour, and reason for lateness on a white slip and handing it to me.

"Get to class now!" The bony secretary squawked. She shook a bony finger at me.

I nodded and dashed out of the freezer the staff call an office. When I arrived at the health room, I reluctantly walked in, handed the pass to my teacher, before sitting down at my desk. My friend Lexi glanced at the teacher, then me, and handed me a pink gum ball. I mouthed thanks to her.