The Forgotten Forest

Chapter Four- Horse Riding

"Okay, what have you done here so far?" Lucina asked as they walked through the town. She seemed excited to be showing Kira everything.

"Well, yesterday I came and looked around, but we didn't do much, and I only went to the coffee store and the bookstore this morning."

"Okay, you need to know some stuff. Coffee Beans, the place you went to, is the best place to get coffee. Never go to any restaurants to get coffee, and especially don't go to the diner to get coffee. It's disgusting." Lucina made a face, making Kira laugh.

"That's noted, Lucy." Kira decided to start calling Lucina by her nickname, and she seemed over excited by that.

"Oh, yay! I finally get a nickname!" Lucy tugged Kira along, passing by all of the shops. "The bookstore is a great place to get books. I go there often. Some restaurants don't have good food. The only good ones are the ones further down town." Lucy explained everything that Kira would need to know, until they landed in front of the petting zoo.

"Everyone needs to visit Farmer Grey's petting zoo. the animals are so cuddly! C'mon!" She laughed, her hair bouncing around her shoulders as she sped through the entrance. "Farmer Grey! Farmer Grey, come here!"

An older man with a straw hat walked over to Kira and Lucy. "Luce, this is your third time here since school was let out!"

Lucy giggled. "I know, but I'm here with a new friend. Kira, this is Farmer Grey. Farmer Grey, this is Kira!" Farmer Grey held out his hand for Kira to shake. "Good day, Kira. Any friend of Luce's is a friend of mine." Kira nodded to him. Farmer grey was an older gentleman with a kind voice.

"It's nice to meet you," Kira was full of surprises. She talked to more people today than she ever did in a school year, but at least she was making friends. Farmer Grey walked over to the ticket booth and handed them each a ticket. Kira pulled out her wallet out of her bag.

"How much is a ticket?" she asked. She didn't bring a lot of money with her since she didn't think she would be buying much besides books and a coffee.

" First timers pay $1.50. But you, Luce, need to pay $2.50". He smiled warmly as they gave him the money. "Have a good time!" He called out, walking away.

"Okay, first stop, the goats!" Kira followed Lucy as she skipped over to the goats. Lucy opened up the pen and started stroking a black and white goat.

"C'mon Kira, they don't bite!" Kira walked over to a light brown goat and patted its head. The goat swung his head around, nibbling Kira's finger. She laughed, and stroked it's back. After they petted each goat, Luce exclaimed, "Time to go to the horses! We even get to ride them!" Luce ran off, leaving Kira to follow nervously. Last time she rode a horse, it reared up, flipping Kira onto the ground and breaking her leg. Maybe that's part of the reason that her parents were so protective. She was only five when it happened, and Kira has never rode a horse since. "Are you coming?" Lucy shouted from the horse stables. Kira nodded and followed hopelessly. She walked up to Lucy, who was mounting on the back of a dark brown horse.

"Luce, I'm not sure I can do this."

"Sure you can! It's not that hard. Pick which horse you want to ride and I'll help you."

Kira sighed. "No, I meant I don't think I can make myself do this. Last time I rode a horse, I broke my leg."

Lucy wouldn't give up though. "I've ridden these horses enough times to know that they would never hurt you. The large white horse over there is very gentle. If you want a good, safe ride, I would recommend him." Lucy got off her own horse and helped Kira with her horse. Next thing Kira knew, she was on top of it. The nerves started eating at her, and she tried to get off, but it was too late.

"Howdy! My name's Joanne, and I'm gonna ride with you to make sure you're safe." Kira felt a bit better that someone was going to be with them, but not too much better. Joanne, also wearing a straw hat like Farmer Grey, got on the black horse. She instructed Kira and Lucy to stay behind her at all times, never wander from the path, and if the horse starts getting out of control, call out for help and try to steer it back to the barn. Joanne continued by saying that they never had an accident in all the years that they've been open, which helped Kira calm down some more. Joanne kept giving instructions, making sure that Kira and Lucy knew what was going on. Kira listened intently, and soon enough, they were off.

Kira never felt more fear. The horse trotted, making her sway from side to side, but as it picked up speed, Kira felt like she was flying. All fear she had melted away, replaced by excitement. She hasn't felt like this in a long time; happy, carefree, and excited. Her and Lucy raced in the wind, following Joanne, and Kira trusted the horse more and more with every passing second. Kira felt wonderful for half an hour, when all too soon, it came to an end.

"That was amazing! I felt like I was flying! We need to do this again!" Kira declared, surprising herself one more time. She has never done anything like this with anyone ever before, but she loved every minute.

Lucy, on the other hand, wasn't surprised. "I knew you would love it! It's one of my favorite things to do around here!"

Kira smiled. "Lets go see the other animals!" Lucy checked her watch and shook her head. "Sorry, Kira, but I have to get home. It's almost two." She looked truly sorry, but Kira didn't want to say goodbye yet.

"Wait! Why don't you come to my house for dinner?" Kira knew it was a stupid idea. Her parents didn't know she was inviting someone, and they wouldn't be too pleased to see she made plans by herself. Lucy seemed to have the same idea.

"Shouldn't you check with your parents first?"

Kira nodded, but realized she had a phone now. "Wait! Let me call my parents." She pulled out her phone, and dialed her mom's number. She picked up on the second ring.

"Kira! Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Mom, calm down, I'm fine. I was just wondering if I could have Lucy over for dinner."

"Who is Lucy? I'm not comfortable with strangers in our house."

"Mom, Lucy is really nice. She's a... friend." It felt strange saying she had a friend, but she liked it, and apparently so did her mom.

"A NEW FRIEND!" Kira's mom screamed it so loud, Kira had to take it off her ear. "Oh, Kira, that's wonderful! Of course she can come eat with us! I'll pick you guys up at five, if that's okay with her." Kira looked at Lucy, who was also on the phone with her mom. Kira mouthed the word five, and Lucy gave a thumbs up. Kira felt the excitement rising.

"Thats fine mom! See you then!" Kira hung up and smiled at Lucy.

"Looks like it's official then," Kira said, and walked off together to go explore more. She was excited to have a friend. Tennessee was one of the best places she has lived in yet.

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I'm sorry it's not too exciting right now, just hang in there with me! Thank you so so so much for over 200 reads! It's unbelievable for me! I appreciate it so much! Please leave your thoughts in the comments, please vote, an if you see a mistake, please comment as well. I will most likely not update again before New Years, so happy New Years! 

---20jkelly :-)