Behind Her Eyes

5

As I was shopping for food my mind wandered towards school.

I groaned mentally, knowing that I have to go to school on Monday. Luckily, I only have one more month until senior year ends.

I could have waited until senior year ended in Texas, but as soon as he told me that my time was running out, I knew I had to get out of there. It wasn't death that I was worried about.

Austin never liked Nickel. Every time he would approach Nickel, he would pin his ears back and try to bite him. I guess the feeling was mutual. He told me once before that if I ever left the horse would no longer be there if I returned. Once he said that, I made sure to be around Nickel every time Austin was in the barn; making sure to protect each other from our own demons.

I shook my head to get rid of the thoughts. We are safe now.

***

Saturday passed and so did Sunday, both days consisted of me going furniture shopping, trying to find someone who sold good alfalfa hay, and getting supplements.

Now I'm getting ready for school that starts at eight. I made sure I had everything before going out to the truck to throw my stuff in the passenger seat and to put the key in the ignition, making sure to turn it over while I hurried to go feed Nickel.

"I'll be back after a couple of hours, boy." I said, scratching behind his ear after I made sure that his trough was filled with water and he had all of his feed.

I walked out of the coral and latched the gate closed before going to the now warmed up diesel.

Heading to school wasn't that bad. Throughout the weekend I drove around town and found out where most places were.

As I was driving to school, I saw a lot of people on horseback. Some were old enough to be in elementary school all the way to high school.

I furrowed my eyebrows.

Were they not going to school? I thought. Panic immediately sets in. Did they not have school today?

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. If nobody is in the parking lot, then I'll just drive by. I assured myself.

Once the school came into view, the panic died and I felt a new surge of confidence as I pulled into the school parking lot.

The parking lot was small, it could only fit about ten vehicles. The lot was surprisingly empty, only a couple of cars in their spots.

I parked the truck in the back, making sure to back in so I could easily pull out. I turned the truck off but stayed in the driver's seat. As I looked around I noticed stables by the school. There were teenagers walking around the school, probably gossiping, and some teenagers walking their horses in the stables.

No wonder they have a small parking lot. I thought. I took a deep breath and opened the door. It's now or never.