Midnight

Chapter 8: School Comes Before Horses

          The next day it was time to go back to school. To be honest I wasn't that worried this time. I knew I had people who cared about me and what Sharla said to me I am not going to let get to me. I was in Math class doing my math homework when Mrs. Kendall called me up. "Sara, come here a minute please." I was nervous because of what happened last time. "Yes Mrs. Kendall?" I said as I walked up. "Why weren't you here yesterday? Every student was supposed to be here. We went over a really tough lesson so if you fail this class you will be held back." Mrs. Kendall explained in a firm voice. I was speechless I still was shocked on how rude a teacher could be. "I was sick yesterday, I threw up and had a fever. I had to rest yesterday." I explained to her. Mrs.  Kendall shook her head in disappointment. "Did the fever ever go away?" Mrs.  Kendall asked. "Well, yes but my mom wanted me to rest." I explained to her and started shaking. Mrs. Kendall slammed the papers she was grading onto the desk "You should have been here Sara! Your mom doesn't control whether you come to school or not! I do not know who taught you to just miss school but that doesn't work here." She snapped. I heard Sharla laughing at her desk with her friends. I started tearing up "I didn't miss school for no reason. I was sick." I said softly. "I am sure you were! Did you stay at home and rest like you were supposed to?!" She shouted again. "I stayed at home for a long time but I also have a horse I have to take care of and yesterday he went up to my riding school. I also had a lesson yesterday." I explained to her without thinking. Mrs. Kendall literally gave me the death stare "You went to have fun with your horses but didn't come to school?! School should come before your little hobbies. Also this is the silliest little hobby I have heard of. A lot of student miss school because of certain hobbies but this one is just silly!" Mrs. Kendall yelled. I ran out of the class room and into the restroom to calm myself down. Mrs. Kendall called the principle and she had a student come find me. That student was Sharla. Sharla was her favorite student. Sharla was perfect according to Mrs. Kendall. Sharla walked into the bathroom where I was while I was crying my eyes out. "Awe. Poor little Sara. Got yelled at by her teacher about her horsey. So sad." Sharla said in a sarcastic, baby voice. "Go away Sharla." I said softly. "No! Mrs. Kendall wants you back to class now and to stop giving her an attitude!" Sharla snapped. I was in the corner with my knees covering my face and I just ignored her. Sharla came over and pulled my arm that got me to stand up. It hurt so bad. "She wants you to class now!  Even the principle is waiting for you! And he is not happy, he will probably say to get rid of your horse!" Sharla snapped and laughed. When she said that I pushed her out of my way and ran to the classroom. When I got back to class I saw the principle and Mrs. Kendall standing by the door. Mr. Peter which was the principle had his arms crossed and looked very upset. "Sara, come with me." Mr. Peter said with a soft, firm voice. School had about 20 more minutes left so I couldn't understand why they were doing all of this when school is almost over. I followed Mr. Peter down to his office and I sat in a chair across from him. "Sara, I can tell you are a sweet kid and a good student but what made you think you could just run out of class like that?" Mr. Peter said softly. He could see I nervous. That is when I knew it was time to tell about everything that has happened. "I had every right to run out of that classroom Mr. Peter. Mrs. Kendall was awful to me that last few weeks. I have been getting bullied by Sharla and I tried to explain to her what happened but she pretty much thought I was making it all up. Then if you do not remember yesterday I wasn't here because I was sick well later in the day I felt better. I have a horse I have to take care of and I had horse lessons that day. Since I was feeling better my mom let me go and Mrs. Kendall told me that it is a stupid hobby. This isn't a hobby, it is my life. It has been helping me.  Especially my horse Midnight. Sharla has been the worst though. She told me Midnight doesn't belong with me, she also said that you were...going to take him away from me." I explained with tears. Mr. Peter was speechless he felt so bad. "Sara, you should have said something. No student should be treated like that by a teacher and I will get this bullying under control I promise." Mr. Peter smiled. School was finally over and Mr. Peter let me go. "Sara, next time is anything like that happens come down here okay. Also I would never take away your horse. I can tell you have been getting better in school and that must have been how.  Keep doing that stuff with your horses. As long as you remember school comes before horses." Mr. Peter said with a smile. "I know Mr. Peter." I smiled back. As I was walking home EJ caught up to me. "Mrs. Kendall was awful to you today. What did Mr. Peter say?" EJ asked with concern. "I told Mr. Peter about everything including with Sharla. He was very understanding and is going to get everything under control." I explained to EJ. "Well that is good. Hey do you know when I can see your horse? I would love to meet him." EJ asked. "I will ask my mom and then I will text you." I replied to him. We both agreed then we both went home. "Mom, do you know a time EJ can come see the horses?"I asked my mom as I came through the door. "He can come tomorrow and watch you take care of Midnight. Also we need to head over to the barn now so you can take care of Midnight." My mom explained. "Okay mom!" I said with excitement. On the way to the barn I told my mom everything that happened at school and she was proud I finally spoke out. We got to the barn and I went straight to Midnight's stall. When I got to his stall he wasn't in there. "Jill! Midnight's gone!" I said loudly as Jill came my way. "Relax sweetheart, he is right over there." She pointed to the field outside of the barn. There Midnight was running, bolting and bucking with the other horses. He was having a blast with all of the other horses. I even saw Boomer running with Midnight. I walked over to the fence to watch them and when Midnight saw me he stopped what he was doing and came right up to me. I smiled and petted him. "He loves you Sara, he went crazy when you left yesterday. It took everything I had to get him out here because all he did was rear up. It is like he only trusts you." Jill explained to me. "You really think he loves me?" I asked Jill. "Sara, this horse loves you more than himself. He would sacrifice himself for you. He sees potential in you just like you see potential in him. He sees something in you that you don't. Horses have big hearts and Midnight definitely has the biggest heart especially for you. Horses are just like people but they listen instead of talk back. In some ways they do speak to you, you just have to listen." Jill explained to me. I smiled again because it was amazing to know that such a huge creature loves someone small like me. Jill was right though I did see something in Midnight that other people didn't. Midnight sees something in me too but I do not know what. The rest of the day I just had fun with my horse and when I got home I told EJ after school he can come over and see Midnight.