Midnight

Chapter 9: Dreams and Falls

                 The next day when I went into my last bell it wasn't Mrs. Kendall teaching the class this time. It was Mr. Peter in her desk and taking her place. "Hi Sara, I am taking her spot till we get another teacher to fill in." Mr. Peter said to me softly. "Alright, but what about Sharla?" I asked him. "I think I got that under control." Mr. Peter said pointing behind me. Behind me was Sharla "Sara, I just want to say I am sorry. I don't know what got to me or made me say that stuff but I am sorry. Also I am sorry for what I said about your horse. I think you are really nice and I would really like if you gave me a second chance." Sharla explained to me softly. I didn't know what to say I was kinda speechless. "It's okay Sharla." I said to her. "I think you girls need to go to the hall and talk about this." Mr. Peter said to us. Me and Sharla both went to the hall and talked. "So, Sara I am for real sorry. Honestly I was jealous of you." Sharla said to me. "Jealous of me? Why?" I asked. "Because, you do have people who care about you. You have friends you can count on and that accept you for who you are. In the cafeteria my so called friends told me to come up to you but I also said it because I was jealous." Sharla explained to me. "So, just because your friends told you to come up to me and be mean to me makes it all okay?" I asked her. "No. It doesn't. I got so fed up with being popular and being the best student in this school to the point I didn't realize I was hurting you emotionally." Sharla said to me softly. "But you have a good life Sharla. You have tons of friends, teachers absolutely love you and I am sure your parents love you." I said to her. Sharla sat on a chair that was in the hall and started crying. I went over to her and sat next to her. "My parents don't care about me. I come home and they don't even acknowledge me. Most of the time they are at work and when they aren't it is like I am not even there." I gave Sharla a hug. I never knew she was going through all of this. "I forgive you Sharla." I said to her. Sharla smiled at me then gave me a hug. Finally school was over and me and EJ ran all the way home. "Mom, we are home!" I shouted. My mom came in to the living room where me and EJ were with the biggest smiles. "Nice to meet you EJ. You excited to see the horses?" My mom asked EJ. "Yes, I can't wait! Sara told me all about Midnight and Boomer and I can't wait to meet them!" EJ said with excitement. Then we were on our way off to the barn. We arrived and Jill was standing outside with Boomer outside all tacked up. I didn't understand why because I didn't have a lesson today but it was a good chance for EJ to meet my lesson pony. Me and EJ walked over together. "Hi Jill, this is my friend EJ. He wanted to see the horses." I said to Jill. Jill smiled "It's nice to meet you EJ. This is Boomer, this is the horse Sara rides for lessons." Jill explained. "He is a cute horse." EJ said quietly. "Why is he all tacked up Jill?" I asked her. "He has another lesson today at the little cross country course." Jill pointed to it. I looked over and saw someone on this big chestnut mare flying through the course and I knew that is what I wanted to do. Jill took Boomer to his lesson kid and someone else took over the lesson. Jill took me by the hand and took me to the barn and little did I know there was a surprise waiting for me. We walked inside and in the cross ties was Midnight all tacked up. "Why is he all tacked up?" I asked in shock. EJ stood next to me petting Midnight's neck. "I think you are ready to ride your horse." Jill said to me softly with a smile. I cried tears of joy, my dream was finally coming true. EJ gave me a hug and smiled as I cried with joy. I lead Midnight to the indoor ring and mounted on. "Okay Sara, go ahead and walk him around to warm up." Jill said to me. There I was riding my horse and I was smiling the whole time. EJ was smiling while watching me ride my horse. After a few minutes of walking "Okay Sara, go ahead and trot if you are ready." Jill said to me. I asked for the trot and as Midnight started trotting someone outside dropped a wheel barrel. The sound was loud and as soon as Midnight heard it he bolted. I didn't scream I was kinda in shock but I was scared. All of the sudden Midnight bucked and I flew off and landed on my side then rolled on my back. The air was knocked out of me. Jill, my mom and EJ all ran to me. "Sara honey, are you okay?" Jill asked worried. I slowly opened my eyes and saw everyone around me in fear. I cried because all the fear came to me at once. Jill checked to make sure nothing was broken and then Midnight came over. Midnight put his head down and sniffed my tears. He nickered and nudged his head against my shoulder to get me up. I sat up and petted him to tell him I was okay. I stood up and dust myself off trying to not cry again because I was in pain when I stood up. My mom came to me and gave me a hug and that is when it all came out. "Sara, you want to get back on?"Jill asked me softly. I  nodded because I didn't want to give up on Midnight. It wasn't his fault either it was just a freak accident. As I calmed myself down I looked over and Midnight laid down like he was making it easier for me to get back on. I smiled and climbed back on his back then Midnight slowly got up and we continued riding. I trotted again and Midnight was very relaxed and his trot was so smooth. "You want to try and canter?" Jill asked me. I was nervous but I said yes. "Okay come around to the wall again and kick with the leg closest to the wall and cluck or kiss." Jill explained to me. I did exactly that and there I was cantering. Midnight had a smooth canter and I smiled the whole time. It really felt like I was flying. It was finally time to get off Midnight. I unsaddled him and then me and EJ gave him a bath. We were having a great time with Midnight and each other. "EJ, is there a meaning behind your name? It is very unique so I thought I would ask." I asked EJ. EJ stopped putting the soap on Midnight for a minute and was thinking whether to tell me or not. He smiled "My real name is Ethan Jake and I always thought it was so weird so I like it better when people call me EJ." Then he continued scrubbing Midnight with the soap. "That is a cool name EJ." I said to him. Then we finished up with Midnight and put him back in his stall. Me and EJ both gave him an apple and we went home. "Goodbye EJ, see you tomorrow." I said to him as he was getting out of the car to go in his house. "Bye Sara. Thank you for letting me come." He said to me then went inside. Today was a crazy day but it was definitely one of the best.