It had been a few weeks since Avery had moved to Horseland and she was warming up to everyone who was there. Sarah was a close friend now along with most of the others. Avery didn't like Chloe and Zoey that much but didn't voice her opinion.
"Hey, Avery, we are going on a trail ride. Want to come?" Bailey asked while saddling up Aztec.
Avery looked at Misery and shook her head. "Sorry, Bailey, I promised Will I would help him with some paperwork. Maybe next time," she spoke quietly while rubbing Misery's neck.
"Okay, your loss." Bailey and the rest rode off to the mountain trail while Avery walked back to the house looking for Will. She looked in the office and dining room before heading up to his room. She didn't knock before she entered his room and soon regretted it.
"I'm sorry. I was just going to tell you I am ready to help you with that paperwork." Avery backed out of the room and closed the door. She repeated in her mind what she just saw and blushed. Will was changing his clothes and was only in his boxers. She blushed at the thought again and walked to the office.
Avery sat in a chair and waited for Will to come but got bored after a few minutes. She stood up but froze when Will walked into the room and looked at her. "Sorry 'bout that Avery, I forgot to lock my door. I got up late so I'm sorry." Will moved over to the desk and grabbed a folder opening it up. Avery walked over and sat down near him grabbing a pen and waited to be handed paperwork.
"What is the paperwork for?"
"It is for the next competition. I usually fill it out for the guys," he handed her a folder. "This is Sarah's, can you fill it out?"
Avery nodded and opened the folder. She started filling out the paperwork diligently before she came to a stop. Sarah had photos from a competition and the people in the photo scared her. In the background her friend who died was smiling at the camera as she held onto her horse.
She closed the folder and claimed she wasn't feeling well before all but running out the door. Will sat confused before opening the folder to the page she was on and saw Misery in the background. "Why is Misery with that other girl?" he murmured to himself.
Avery was in her room when the others returned and wasn't planning on coming out anytime soon. "Hey Sarah can you answer a question for me?" Will asked bringing her folder out.
"Sure Will, what is it?"
"Who is this person in the background right there?" he asked pointing at the girl.
"Oh that's Melissa. She was an amazing rider but she died a while back. Her horse Misery," she trailed off and looked out the window. "Misery is her horse isn't he? And Avery was her best friend. Melissa died and gave her horse to her best friend."
Will looked at her and waited to see if she knew more. "How did she die Sarah?"
"I heard rumors about a car accident but I'm not quite sure," she paused. "Will, did Avery see this?" he nodded, "You should go and comfort her. Melissa was the nicest person I've ever known. It was rough on me when she died too."
Will walked up the stairs and walked into Avery's room. Much like earlier the same situation happened. Will muttered and apology before backing out of the room. He had a major blush on his face from seeing her in her undergarments but shook it off before knocking on the door.
"You can come in Will."
He walked in and smiled sheepishly. "You would think after earlier we would learn," he chuckled. Avery smiled but it looked broken.
"Avery," he paused grabbing her hand and taking her to the bed making her sit down. He sat next to her and looked at her. "Tell me how Melissa died."
Her eyes showed tears but she wouldn't let them fall. "She was in a car accident."
Will looked at her and closed his eyes. "What happened?"
"Nothing, just a normal car accident."
"Avery? I am trying to help please tell me."
Avery took a deep breath before looking into his eyes, "Melissa and I were on our way to a competition when we were hit by the car. She saw it coming from behind me and grabbed my shoulders protecting me from most of the force. She had always told me and a few others including her parents that if she were to die Misery would only let me be his owner.
"A month after the wreck I was able to visit Misery. He brought back so many memories it hurt and I wouldn't ride him. After a few months I finally saddled him and took him on a ride. I realized then that he was mourning his owner as well and we mourned together."
"But you still haven't cried, have you?" Will asked quietly.
"No," she whispered before grabbing his shoulder and screamed into his shirt. Will held her as she wept and cried his own invisible tears for her.
After a few minutes Avery calmed down and fell asleep on his shoulder. He put her down on the pillow and laid next to her holding her. "You will be okay soon Avery," he whispered before joining her in sleep.
