November's Blaze

Chapter one.

When you survive a life threatening accident;

Physically, you can take months to heal.

Mentally, may take the rest of your life.

I think most would start off when the incident happened, but it was the night before when the problem arose.

No...

That's not where my story began. It all started on my 14th birthday, I recall it like it was just yesterday. It was the first day of November, the chilly mid-day air made my cheeks prickle as I walked up to a large oak tree. It's hundreds of fallen brown leaves crunched underneath my boots as I strided across them. I paused as I was under its winding branches and rubbed my hands together, blowing my hot breath into them.

May have still been fall but it was a cold winter feeling day.

Next to the tree was an arena, roughly 200 feet by 300 feet, where four mounted horses circled a center instructor who stood with her black work boots brushing her knees. I paced closer to the weathered wooden fence and watched as the woman instructed the class. This woman's straight black hair was tied up into a messy bun revealing her shapely face, her gloved hands were placed in a sassy way on her hips. Though, she was no stranger to me-- not in the least bit.

She was my mother.

"Danny! How many times must I tell you, do not pull the reins that wide!" her oh-so melodic voice rang over the area, "Keep those elbows close! Rachel, sit up straight! Lily, great improvement from last week! Serena, stop goofing off and keep your horse in line!"

"Y-yes Mrs. Blu!"

"Doing so!"

"Thanks Mrs. Blu!"

"But Mrs. Bluuuu... It's fun..."

My ears perked as I watched my mother's beginners class for 10 to 13 year olds. The reins is an easy fix if you know the right tricks, you know. I started to lean farther onto the fence when my mother spotted me, "Ah! Just the person for this task! November, could you please come in!"

Yep, my name is November, November Blu. Yes, my birthday is November 1st... Aren't my parents the most creative people to exist? I also have a younger sister named July, born July 31st. Lets not get into that just yet though...

Casually, I slipped under the fence and walked calmly into the center of the arena. I heard a few gasps and whispering as I entered but brushed it off, "Hello, I'm November Blu! Mrs. Mary Blu's daughter! And I guess I will be helping this lesson today!" I said cheerfully.

"I know who you are!" One of the girls beamed, her blonde curls bobbed in excitement, "November Blu! You are a horse back riding prodigy who has been entering barrel racing shows and trail class shows on her parents horses since she was 10 years old! Youngest metal winning rider in competitions with adults at age 13 currently!"

I smiled softly, "14 today. You know a lot...." My voice trailed off until my eyes landed on her name tag required for new riders on my family's ranch, "Lilith!"

My mother cleared her throat, somewhat irritated with a break in her lesson, "Yes, yes... Actually November, after I finish this lesson you are going straight to our private barn. I just want to see if you have any tips for these new riders before I dismiss them for today."

I nodded and walked to the slouched over girl with short dusty bangs grazing over her right eye and I pressed in on her stomach forcing her to sit up, "Harden your stomach a bit more and put more weight in your butt closer to the cantle of the saddle. You can still relax, but not too much or else any direction you give your horse may confuse it... Or if you get into a trot you could fall out of the saddle, I've seen it happen."