Chapter 21

   The next day I got to try out my new car. Well, it wasn't exactly new. But it was still a car. A truck is a more accurate name for the vehicle. And while I knew it wasn't mom's truck, it looked a lot like it. The truck brought back memories. Mostly happy, but a few sad memories.
   I climbed into the driver's seat and jammed the key into the ignition. We had a late start that day, an extra two hours after the last tardy bell usually rang. I usually got to school two hours before that bell. I had to be there early for extra practices with Leo when we had our duet, and I got into the habit of being there early.
   That day though, I chose to go earlier than that even. I wanted to see Autumn again. I wanted to ride again. It made me feel three things: Free, happy, and comforted. I was free on my horse because of her speed and grace. I was happy on her because I finally had my own horse. I was comforted on her because she was once mom's horse, which meant that, even though she'd died, a part of her still lived in my rides with Autumn.
   It was while riding on this beautiful morning, however, that I realized no one knew exactly how my mother had died, save myself of course.
   I rode for some time, a good hour perhaps when I heard a honk from the path up here. It was John's truck, the sound all too familiar.
   I watched from the back of Autumn as John mounted his own horse and rode up to meet me.
   "Good morning, beautiful" he said to me, smiling.
   I grinned and gripped the reigns a little tighter. "Morning. What are you doing up here so early? I thought you would be down by the school already with Jake and Jenna, meeting up with Susan and Alex" I questioned him.
   "Well they're all couples now. You know how it is, don''t you? Jake and Jenna started it really, then it was you and I, then we set Susan up with Alex and suddenly everyone was too happy to keep track of. I swear Jenna is always with Jake and Alex is always with Susan" John chuckled.
   I looked down at Autumn's hooves. "I know I haven't been the best girlfriend you've ever had but-"
   "What? You think I don't like this the way it is? I mean, I do. I love this how it is, I'm always on my toes wondering what you'll do next. I'm always open to change of course but if our relationship is always me chasing after you, so be it. I'll be happy" John told me. He reached across the small space between our two horses and grabbed my hand.
   "Sam!?" I heard a voice yell out.
   "What the-" I started but didn't bother to finish. I watched as Leo mounted his own horse and rode up to us.
   "What is he doing here?" John asked me. I shook my head and shrugged.
   "I'm so glad I found you! Sam, I need your help" Leo said, obviously in a panic.
   "What is it?" I asked, starting to worry. John's grip on my hand tightened. He was nervous too.
   "At the school! Something's happened to Jenna and Susan. Hurry!" He said, bringing his horse back around and racing back toward the stables.
   John and I exchanged looks of concern and raced back to the stables after him.
   We each leaped into our separate vehicles and sped back towards town.