Wild and Free

Chapter 5

A week had gone by until it was the day before the campfire party Drake invited me to. Every night I stayed outside and just watched the mare, sometimes with Drake. Every day I fed her her 'Daily Apple' and each day she got closer to me until I just had to drop the apple, not toss it. And yesterday when I fed her her apple she took it out of my hand.

I walked outside just as the sun started to shine through the hills. The clearing was already buzzing with people working. I had the day off so I tossed the apple I held from hand to hand and walked over to the mare. Every day I pushed her boundaries just a little, so today I slowly climbed into the pen and sat down. She looked at me as I pulled the apple from behind me. The mare slowly walked over until she stood about 2 feet away. I tossed the apple and slowly got up and climbed out. I sat outside the pen now and just watched her. I stared at the way her coat was blotted and darker in areas, it reminded me of a cloud.

"Cloud," I said to myself "huh, I think I'll call you Cloud." The mare bobbed her head and I smiled. " That's your name, Cloud" I got up and walked to barn A. When I got inside I tacked up Destiny and road out of the clearing. So far I had not seen Drake. I eased Destiny into a slow trot as we climbed a small hill. When we reached the top I hopped off Destiny and tied her to a tree. I walked over to the edge of the hill and stared at the clearing in the distance as I sat down. I could see Cloud in her small arena trotting around. After 20 minutes of watching I hopped onto Destiny and we cantered down the hill. I saw a low log in a field and decided to jump it with Destiny. We cantered up to the log and she soared over it. I slowed her down and turned around.

"Odd that I'd find you here." Drake said as he trotted up to me on Cricket.

"I like the feeling, it's like flying!" I smiled leaning on Destiny's neck.

"Just to make sure, you are going to the campfire with me right?"

"Wouldn't miss it!" I smiled as we walked back. We untacked and met next to Cloud's pen.

"What are you up to today?" I asked him as Cloud eyed us curiously.

"Helping with a new grain order that's coming in at around 11."

"Great, I'll help!" I smiled as Cloud got closer.

"Um, are you sure?" He asked me, eyeing my wrist. I nodded and Drake scratched the back of his neck.

"Hi, Cloud." I smiled as she stopped about 10 feet from us.

"You, named her?" Drake exclaimed.

"Yes, why not? And this morning I got in the pen with her. She ate an apple from my hand yesterday." I said staring at Cloud.

"Rebecca you gotta be careful, that mare is crazy. She could kill you!" Drake exclaimed.

"She could but she won't. She knows me. And if she hurts me, it's my fault for pushing her." I snapped.

"Yes, but she's wild, she could turn on you at any moment!" Drake exclaimed.

"Ok, fine I'll take it slow. But I'm still working with Cloud." I grunted staring at the dirt around my boot.

"The grain order's here!" Someone yelled across the clearing. I looked up, Drake and I started walking towards the big truck.

"HERE WE GO!" The men from the top of the truck called. Drake and I grabbed hands and prepared for the first bag. A brown bag flew down to Drake and I's arms. I flinched and Drake lifted the bag off my arms.

"Are you ok?" He asked staring at my wrist.

"Yea, I'm fine." I grunted through gritted teeth, while rubbing my wrist.

"Are you sure? You look like Cricket when she's hungry." Drake smiled.

"Ok, ok. Fair enough, maybe it hurts a little. But I'm okay, lets keep going!" I smiled and walked to the truck. We crossed arms and waited.

"Grain bag!" Someone yelled. We braced our arms as the bag fell. It didn't hurt for the rest of the time, mainly because I made myself forget the pain. The day went on, we finished the grain and then cleaned stalls. It was about 6 now so Drake and I rode for an hour, until he had to go.

"I'll pick you up at 8." He called as he climbed into his car. I nodded and went into my home.

"Where have you been?" Dad asked from the kitchen as I took my boots off.

"Helping." I grumbled. "I'm going to a campfire tonight."

"With who?" Dad growled, alert.

"With Drake. He invited me to a campfire." I growled back, "I'm going to get ready." I walked upstairs without his response.

At 7:50 I walked outside to the porch to wait. I had a light blue button up shirt on with small light pink flowers scattered all over it. I had faded blue jeans on and a white jacket. Drake walked up onto the porch and smiled.

"You look...... Smashing." Drake blushed. Dad walked out and looked at both of us.

" Have her back by 11:30." Dad said then walked inside. Drake held out his his hand and I gladly took it. We got into his car and drove to the campfire.

When we arrived people were already there and the fire was going. Drake opened my door and I hopped out and walked to the fire. A few girls looked at me suspiciously but I just ignored them. Drake stopped next to the fire and stood on a rock next to the fire.

"Hey everybody! This is my friend, Rebecca." Drake's smile widened as some people cheered.

"Welcome to the group, I'm Selena, Drake's ex." Selena smirked. She was a tall blonde with blue eyes. Selena wore a crop-top and dark blue jeans. I smiled as she looked me over and walked away.

"Oh, don't listen to her she can be rude to new people." Drake whispered as he hopped off the rock.

"Hi! I'm Bethany!" A bubbly brunette ran up to me and smiled.

"I'm Rebecca." I gave a shy smile as she ran off to a group of girls.

"Come here." Drake tugged me to a nearby tree.

"What?" I asked pulling some hair behind my ear.

"This." Drake pulled out a branch to show a hidden path. "After you." He held the branch.

We walked down the path until we got into a small clearing with branches intertwined to create a canopy. Drake let go of me and rolled onto the grass to stare through a hole in the canopy. I laid down next to him to stare through the hole. A single star shined down on us.

"Beautiful." I breathed. Drake looked at me and smiled. We stared at the stars for the rest of the time until I started to drift off.

"We should get going." Drake whispered into my ear. I opened my eyes and nodded. We walked back to the fire and a few people lingered one of them being Selena. We walked past her and she stared at me like I was a ghost. We drove back at around 11:20.

"Goodnight." Drake smiled as I climbed out of the car. I waved and ran inside my house. I went to my room and fell on my bed. I closed my eyes and drifted asleep.