Unloved

Chapter Two

~Edited chapter.~

I awaken to the sound of boots crunching across the dirt path that leads up to the stable. I hadn't noticed I fell asleep. No matter, I nicker in excitement, knowing the girls and Bailey would come cantering into the barn any second with their backpacks still flung over there shoulders, an excitedly groom and tack us up for a lesson.

As I expected, Sara, Alma and Molly came running in, laughing and smiling. Sara was in her crisp red apple riding outfit, complete with a tie.  Alma rocked her neon green vest, and Molly in her pink sweater. They rush into the tack room to retrieve brushes and tack, and quickly get out their horses.  Zoey, Chloe and Bailey come striding in minutes later, Chloe flirting with Bailey, and Zoey agreeing with everything her sister says.

"Your so cute." Chloe says.

"Mhm." Zoey says, nodding her head enthusiastically. Bailey brushes.

"I-uh..." he stutters for words, and rubs the back of his neck. "Well um, we're here now, so it's time to go and get your horses." He runs away quickly, going to fetch Aztec.  Chloe scowls, and Zoey sighs loudly. They continue their way into the stable, hunched over, and their faces red in embarrassment. Zoey walks past my stall, into the tack room. I here a loud crash, and screaming.

"Watch where your going!" I hear Zoey yell.

"I-I'm sorry Zoey." Alma says quietly.

"YOU WILL BE!" Zoey yells. Alma comes sprinting out of he tack room, tears dripping onto the hay covered ground. She sniffs as she crawls up to the hay loft, book in pocket. Zoey walks out of the tack room moments later, an evil look upon her small, delicate face.

She unlocks my stall door and steps in. She shoves a carrot in my face, and when I don't take it right away, she shoves it into her back pocket. She pulls out a brush, and brushes my body hard and fast.

"Zoey! Stop! That hurts!" I neigh,  but she softly taps my nose.

"Pepper! Quiet!" she snaps. She throws my saddle over my back, and it lands on me with a 'thump'. I wince as tightens my girth.

"Zoey! Looser! It hurts!" I yell. She ignores me and shoves the bit in my mouth, I struggle and try to get the bridle and saddle off of me, but she is surprisingly strong for her small size and she soon has the bridle completely on.

She straps on her black helmet and leads me out to the ring. All of the other kids are already out there, impatiently waiting for Will. Zoey grabs my mane, steps into the left stirrup, and hoists herself up onto the light blue, English saddle. Instead of lowering herself lightly onto my back, she slams on my back hard, making me rear in pain. She jerks at the reins, and when I land she slaps me on the neck.

"Pepper!" She whisper shouts. "What has gotten into you?" Will and Jimber walk out of the stable, just then.

"Everything okay?" Will asks Zoey.

"Just perfect." Zoey responds, sarcastically. I can feel her eyes glaring at me. Jimber just stares at me.

"Lets get started!" Will says. The other kids crowd around him. Zoey urges me forward, and I mosey over to the herd.

I don't feel loved. At all. Even with my owner near me. I just feel hated, and like I've done something wrong, when I haven't. I hate this feeling.