1 Chapter One: The Letter

As I lay in bed, my head leaned back against the pillows, a familiar yell carried up the stairs, waking me up. " Coming Mom!" I called back, hopping off my bed to see what she wanted. She had just interrupted the most amazing dream ever. I dreamed that I went to a horseback riding academy, and that I was the best rider there and had a ton of friends who never judged me, no matter what the circumstances. I wish I had that life. But no, I was stuck living in the stupid city, with only judgey, non-horsey people to keep me company.

"Good morning sweetheart. This just came in the mail for you," she said, holding out a very official looking envelope.

"What is it?"

"Not sure honey"

"Uh-huh," I say sarcastically, scanning my mothers face for any sign that she might be lying. There was nothing. Her facial expression was completely blank. I tore my gaze away from her and looked back at the envelope, trying to find a return address or any sign of where it came from. When I finally found one, my mouth dropped. " Parker Riding Academy!" I exclaimed, looking at my mother.

" Well are you going to open it or not?" she asked, raising her eyebrows. I smiled and ripped the envelope open. I pulled the piece of paper out and read out loud,

" Dear Ms. Skyler Dawson,

We are happy to inform you that you have been accepted to Parker Riding Academy, with a full ride scholarship. Term starts on September 1st, and you are expected to arrive on campus at 12:00 that day. A list enclosed tells you what you need to bring, and when you arrive, the main office will tell you where you are staying, give you a schedule, and answer any questions you may have. See you on the first,

Parker Riding Academy Staff" I finished reading the letter and squealed. My moms mouth was hanging open, and she stared at me.

" Did you really get accepted at Parker Horse Academy?"

" Yep"

" With a full ride scholarship?"

" Yep"

" Do you realize how big this is?"

" Nope"

" Skyler, they only give out full ride scholarships to like 10 kids, and a couple hundred apply for them "

" But I didn't apply for one"

" I did it for you"

" Really?!"

" Yes. I know you've wanted to go to a horse riding academy since you were 5, and I knew I couldn't afford to pay for you to go, so every year I've applied for a full ride scholarship, and this year we finally got one."

"Thank you mom!"

" Your Welcome. Now what's on that supply list?"

"Um...I need riding pants, and nice riding shirts, and boots, and school clothes, and a helmet, and toiletries, sneakers, jacket, sweatshirt, gloves, other personal items, and if your bringing your own horse, saddle blanket, saddle, bridle, leg wraps, grooming kit, stall sheet, blanket, any special feed and equipment."

" That's a lot"

" Yeah."

" Do you want to bring Abby with you?"

" I don't think so. She's old and slow and doesn't do Western"

" Ok. You'll have to use one of their horses then"

" I know. I just hope they can barrel race"

That night I didn't get any sleep. I was too busy thinking about 3 weeks from now weeks, when I got to go to horse academy. It had been my dream since I was 10. I was 13 now, and my dream was finally coming true. This time next week I would be at horse academy, having fun with my new friends. Right? Or would I be sitting alone, wishing I was at home with my misunderstanding friends? I had no Idea.