Call of the Horses

Chapter 24

How?

How could he lie to me?

How could he  hide the truth from me?

I had tricked him in his own plan. But what hurt, wasn't that he lied to me this morning, it was that he must of lied to me when he said he loved me. Yes, I was basically asleep but I still felt him secretly kiss me and tell me he loved me. But NO!  he's just like all the other guys who have used my friends.

They tell my friends that they love them. Plead with them that they are the  only ones, their soul mate. Soul mate my backside. Those things only happen in movies. My friends were heart broken when they were thrown away. I'm not going to join them in their little group of disappointment.

I hang my legs and arms off either side of the branch I'm lying on. Scoot is rolling in some dust hole a little further off. He stands up and shakes his big bulk of a body, which releases clouds of dust from his hair.

I chuckle as he trots over to the tree. He lifts his head up, just enough for me to pat his velvety muzzle. He blows hot breath onto my hand which sends tingles up my arm.

"Ok, time to get into the lessons" I say while swinging down from my branch. Scoot stands still while I hop onto his back. He sets off at a steady trot which is surprisingly smooth.

We stay to the path, I don't want to get lost today, too many things have gone wrong so far. I try to get my mind off things by humming to a random song. Surprisingly, this helps a lot. All my troubles seem to vanish with the song lyrics.

We finally made it to the paddock fence.  I don't feel in the mood for jumping so I slide off onto the ground and open the fence. Scoot, without being told, walks through and waits for me to remount. I see all the other horses grazing in the furthest corner of the paddock.

"Go on" I urge. He blankly stares at me, confused on what to do. "Go on" I repeat. This time he slowly walks over to Star and Harry, I can see him eyeing me making sure I'm still ok. A small smile plays at the corners of my lips, I let it spread across my face, I must look like an idiot right now.

I quickly walk across the grass which is still damp with the morning dew. My feet squelch in the muddy patches and soon the bottoms of my pajama pants are disgustingly dirty. Damn it, I'm still in my pjs and people will be here soon milling around the barn and riding horses.

I climb over the fence and jog into the house. I smell pancakes and I make my way to the kitchen and see Elecia at the stove while Daniel is looking at something on his phone. He notices I'm here and quickly pockets the device, smiling a half-hearted smile which makes me sick.

I give him a weak smile in return and notice that Elecia is giving a sad stare. She smiles and quickly turns back to the pancakes. Everyone is so awkward around me.

"Pancakes are ready!" Elecia announces.  She places the plate on the breakfast counter. I grab one and start to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Daniel asks, concerne etched in his voice, fake concerne. I don't even bother to turn to face him when I reply "Going to get changed" venom dripping off every word.

I storm up the stairs and slam the door. How can he be so heartless? I grab fresh under clothes as well as a pair of denim jeans and a red checkered shirt and a white singlet underneath.

I quickly get changed, I don't bother to put make up on, I don't need it, I look pretty good I must say. I braid my hair down over my shoulder and place bobby pins to tame the loose strands of hair.

I decide to leave the comfort of my room and make my way down to the living room. I walk over to the shoe rack, and yes, without asking, take a pair of boots that fit rather well. Without waiting for the others, I walk out of the house and make my way over to the barn, for a second time this morning.