Overcome

Chapter Five

(2 months later)

"Aren't you going to school?" Justin teased as he bit into his apple.

"Hey." I smiled. "What about you? The bus will be here soon, you better get going if you don't want to miss it."

He smiled and took another bit of his apple.

I went back to school in January when mom thought I was ready. However, I had absolutely no idea what the teachers were talking about. Plus the looks that the students and even the teachers gave me started getting really annoying. The first day I walked in I realized that news really does travel fast. Most of the students there are equestrians therefore everyone knew about me. I gave my phone to mom because all the texts were so annoying.

So mom agreed that she will let me get homeschooled. I start next year because mom thinks I'm going to go to the barn and "get back on track". I'll be a year behind but I really don't mind. Justin's lucky, he dropped out of school last year. I wonder if his parents are okay with that.

Justin finished his apple and said "Gotta go to work. Wanna come?"

I sigh and get some cereal.

"Guess not." He says as he puts his coat on. "Wow, I thought we could make it through January without snow since we made it through December without any. But now it's coming down in buckets"

I stare at him.

"What?"

"Isn't that supposed be be said when it's raining?"

"What?"

"It's coming down in buckets" I repeat what he said.

"Oh, I really have no idea, I just felt like saying something." he laughs.

***********************************

Justin and mom came home at the same time as always.

Mom ordered dinner as I read a book in my room.

Mom called me downstairs 10 minutes later so I thought that dinner was here. I ran downstairs and skipped a step, sending me flying right to the ground. I bounce right back up and walked into the kitchen.

"Nice fall"

I whipped around to see Mr. Ford the manager of barn.

Yay.

I put on a fake smile. " You know me, nothing stops me from food!" I joke. But then I think about it.

"Gina, come sit down. I want to talk to you and Mr. Ford."

I sit down a little curious and a little mad that there isn't any food.

"I want you to think about this carefully and listen to everything we have to say" she continues.

"Okay?" I say slightly confused.

" You don't go to the barn anymore and I'm not paying to keep him when nobody rides him. I would lease him out but he's nasty to everyone." She says firmly.

"So, what does this have to do with me?"

"Just listen Gina. You have time to think about this but if you don't at least go to the barn to see that horse, Mr. Ford here agreed with me to look for people that would put up with the meanness and fix it. And if they like him he will get sold to the first person that puts up the money."

"Sell him now, what's the point in keeping him?" I say sharply looking at Mr. Ford. I get up, dramatically flipping the chair and stomp up the stairs. I always wanted to make an entrance and exit. Next time will be the entrance. But I was really mad. Justin fallowed me up the stairs. I hear mom and Mr. Ford walk out the door when Justin yelled "That horse needs you!"

"No!" I yell back, about to slam my bedroom door.

"Don't deny it! You know it's true!"

"Shut up Ju-"

"NO! STOP TALKING AND ACTUALLY LISTEN FOR A CHANGE!" he basically screams. I spin around, he was mad! I've never seen him mad or upset. He's always been his happy, sarcastic self. This took me by surprise.

"I'm sick of you not letting me tell you this! Harry loves you! Your tearing him apart!" he continues slightly less loud. "When you were on the ground 3 men had to hold him back from trying to protect you! The only reason he hesitated on that jump was because you were not yourself!" he took a breath and started again more calmly. "You never get competitive. You never second guess the distance. Harry's used to you riding him confident. He just did what he thought was the best."

I stood there, listening to every word he said, stund. He turned and walked into the guest room without another word. He was still mad though because he slammed the door.

I ran and jumped onto my bed, sinking my head into the pillow. I cried.

It's wasn't Harry's fault.

I look over at the clock, 1:00am. I'm just calming down. I know what I have to do, but can I do it? I got up, opened my door, opened the guest room. I must have opened the door loud because he jumped out of bed so fast. "Gina, what's wrong?" he asked, that worry back in his eye.

"Take me to the barn, now!"