/.Chapter Eight.\\

I guess you could understand why I was in a foul mood the rest of the day, I had finished the conversation with Christina as quickly as I could, hanging up the phone roughly, then I had gotten my boots on and had walked back outside.

Amy was standing in the arena with Tex, looking at me,"Who was it?"

"Christina,"I answered glumly, but I didn't want to talk about Christina, or my dad, I didn't want to think about my family at all. What I wanted was to be alone, and have something to do to keep me busy.

"I don't think I'm ready to do join-up, Amy,"I said, avoiding her gaze,"I'm going to go and check on Novello."

"Oh, the mare, okay,"Amy said,"Are you alright?"

"More or less,"I shrugged, but before she could question me any more I walked into the barn and to Novello's stall.

Novello was still facing the back corner of her stall, but when I walked up she turned her head and looked at me, her nares flaring softly. I stood outside her stall for a few moments, simply looking at her pinto markings and her bright blue eyes. Slowly, I took a steady breath and slipped into her stall, sitting on the floor.

She turned her head and took a few side-steps to get a good look at me, and she pinned her ears back, snorting loudly. But she didn't snake her head towards me or try to kick at me, she just stood quietly, watching me.

She's not dangerous, she's just scared, I thought. I took a couple of sugar cubes out of my jacket pocket and placed them on my palm, then offered them to her.

Novella only perked her ears at first, then stood silently, but I could see her eyeing the sugar cubes with interest. But would she risk going near a human to get a treat?

After what seemed like forever, Novella took a cautious step closer to me and reached her neck as far as it would go, then she snatched the sugar cubes from my palm and shot back, munching contently on the treats.

"I told you I wasn't going to hurt you,"I muttered, smiling slightly. I took out another sugar cube and held my palm out.

Novella took less time to take the treat, and this time stood still long enough for me to stroke her muzzle before she stepped back again.

I couldn't help but smile at this small step forward, then I stood up and left her stall to get started on the evening feeds.

I made an effort to get up earlier the next morning, this way I could spend some extra time with Novello, but this morning I put a jacket on instead of just a sweatshirt; I swear it was dropping five degrees every day. I was still down about the news that Christina had given me, I hadn't told anyone, I wanted to avoid it for as long as possible. But when I saw Novello my thoughts about my dad immediately dissipated.

She turned her head to look at me, and whickered softly in greeting.

I beamed,"Good girl," I murmured, then I went to the tack room to get a grooming kit and a carrot, and walked back to Novello's stall. I had just enough time to give Novello a quick groom before I had to feed the horses, I slipped quietly into her stall.

Novello didn't step towards me, but her gaze was on the carrot. I broke off a piece and gave it to her, then I offered her the brush to sniff.

Her nares flared softly and then she lipped at the bristles, I pulled the brush away from her.

"No, you can't eat that, sorry,"I smiled, then I began to move the brush gently over her back.

Novello turned her head and looked at me, snorting softly, then she turned her head away.

"Good girl,"I grinned, then I continued to groom her. Novello had definitely been handled before, she had probably been a riding horse at some point, and this made me angry with whomever had left her out on Clairedale Ridge.

Her ears flicked every so often, listening as I spoke quietly to her, and soon I felt her muscles relax, beginning to enjoy the attention. I did my best to get the burs out of her mane and tail, and I had succesfully removed most of them when I saw a shadow fall across the stall floor.

Byron was watching us, well, me,"What are you doing?"

I quirked an eyebrow at his tone,"Grooming Novello."

He gave me this puzzled look as I said 'Novello', but then he realized I was refering to the mare, and a small frown creased his features.

"Ty said that he doesn't want us in her stall,"Byron said.

I picked up the grooming kit, and got out of Novello's stall, beginning to feel defensive,"That's fine, I'm done anyways. She isn't dangerous."

Byron still frowned at me,"Don't get too attached to her, Amy reported a found horse yesterday."

I shrugged my shoulders, then began to walk past him, I didn't need any more bad news,"No one's going to take her, her 'owners' would have reported a missing horse. Someone left her there to rot."

Byron turned and looked after me,"How do you know?"

I stopped and turned to look at him, I was really starting to get annoyed, 'how do you know?' what kind of question was that!

"I just do,"I shrugged,"A decent person wouldn't leave thier horse out somewhere, they would be looking for it, or at least report it missing."

Byron was quick to retalliate, though,"I think you should focus a little bit more on Heartland, and a little less on Novello."

What nerve! I couldn't understand why Byron was acting like this, had I done something wrong? Maybe he was just in a bad mood about his mom. I just looked at him and shook my head slightly, then kept walking, it would be the rough beginning of a rough day.

I didn't talk to Byron at all during the morning chores, and to avoid being questioned I finished my chores as quickly as possible. It felt like the world was falling out from under me, but I bucked up and did what I always do, I tried my best to forget about the situation and go on with the rest of the day.

The morning just seemed to drag on, I kept finding myself thinking about Novello and my dad, and Byron. Today just wasn't my day, I realized, when I went to lunch.

"Jess,"Rachel said, waving her hand in front of my face,"Hello?Anybody home?"

"Huh?"I mumbled, looking up at her from the history book that was in front of me, I was trying to catch up with my homework,"Oh, sorry."

"I asked how the mare was,"Rachel said, sipping her water.

"Oh,"I said, glancing at Byron, he glanced at me, but then looked away, he had been quiet the whole time,"Novello's fine, I groomed her this morning. Scott should be coming over this afternoon to check on her, and Lou's helping Amy with wedding plans."

"Novello,"Rachel murmured to herself, then she smiled,"That's a pretty name, it suits her."

I looked over at Adam, biting my lower lip slightly.

He met my gaze and read my thoughts," No, no one has replied to the 'found horse' report you put in."

I gave a slight sigh of relief, I was really attached to Novello. I highly doubted anyone was going to reply to the report, but there was still that chance...

"Since it's Thanksgiving vacation, I was thinking maybe we all could go on a trail ride,"Rachel suggested.

Byron suddenly cut in smoothly,"I'm not sure, they said on the weather there's supposed to be a snow storm tonight."

"Already!"Adam exclaimed, then sat back in his chair, shaking his head slightly,"Jeez."

I shared Adam's feelings towards the snow, it would mean a lot more work around the barn, and on top of that, I really, really hated the cold.

Suddenly, someone pulled out the chair next to mine and Tom sat down, glancing over my history book, then he looked at me and grinned,

"Hey."

I immediately felt my defense pick up, I began to hate the snarky grin on his face, and when a few of his friends walked over, I knew he meant trouble. I glanced over the table, Adam was sitting calmly, but his blue eyes were alert, watching Tom, Byron watched us curiously, but he could sense trouble. I briefly met Rachel's gaze and flipped some of my hair over my shoulder defiantly, not replying to Tom. I looked down at my history book, then began to jot down the answer to one of the questions on a piece of paper. Tom didn't take the cold shoulder easily though.

"How are the horses?"He prompted.

I just wanted him to go away, Tom Wass was the last person that I wanted to deal with,"Fine."I said coolly.

He wasn't finished,"Yeah, it's probably better that you turned to an easier hobby. Motocross can put a lot of pressure on a girl,"He said cassualy.

Man, what was with this guy? A couple of sessions with Christina wouldn't kill his ego. I could feel Byron, Rachel and Adam watching me, a few neighboring tables were watching as well. I decided to use this to my advantage.

I turned my gaze and looked at Tom, but I didn't give him a death glare, actually I did quite the opposite, I quirked an eyebrow and gave him an amused smile.

"You would know about that 'pressure, wouldn't you? Because every time you entered in a race with a 'specific' girl, she kicked your ass,"I said calmly, my voice a little loud, this way the other tables could hear.

Rachel gave a quiet laugh, Tom's grin suddenly dissapeared.

Hey, I didn't want to pop his bubble, but he had asked for it. I was already in a foul mood from this morning, so I wasn't taking other people's feelings into consideration. I gave Tom a cheerful smile in reply to his enraged glare, and then I looked back at my history book. Tom wouldn't let up though, he wouldn't let me insult him if he could help it. This meant war.

"Your dad must be pretty dissapointed, I heard he refuses to talk to you,"Tom said coolly.

I looked back at Tom, frowning a little,"Watch it,"I said, my voice just as cold. I meant it too, Tom was walking on thin ice now.

He knew that he had touched a nerve now though,and he kept on going.

"So, how does it feel to kill your own brother? How can you live with yourself?"

"Hey, back off!"Byron suddenly said, he was beginning to stand up now, his brown eyes cold.

Tom didn't take the warning though, his green eyes watching me, glaring into my blue-gray eyes.

"Is your mom out of the drunk house yet? Do you feel good knowing that your mom's in there because of-"

I didn't let him finish though. The rage from this morning, from the argument with Byron, from the news of my dad's engagement, from seeing Novello in so much pain; the rage that had been building up years ago, from losing Cody, from my mom's drinking problem, the hatred and rage towards myself, suddenly snapped. This fury took the form of my fist, and with unrelenting momentum, I pulled back and pummeled it into Tom Wass's snarky face.

His enraged glare suddenly became a look of surprise and pain as I heard cracking sounds from udner my fist; I had broken his nose. Blood suddenly spurted from his nostrils and his hands flew up to his nose, and he scrambled back in shock, almost falling out of his chair.

Surprised gasps suddenly came from neighboring tables as Tom stood, blood streaming down his shirt. Rachel, Byron and Adam were staring in shock, but I didn't care, I only glared up at Tom.

That's when I felt a firm hand on my shoulder and I knew I was in huge trouble. Christina would have been so proud of my progress, too.

"Apparently you got into a fight at your last school,"The principal, Mr.Kenney, looked over at me from my student record. He was in his early thirites, and had short, light brown hair and cold gray eyes along with a rigid jaw.

I didn't reply, I was sitting in an uncomfortable chair across from his desk. This wasn't the first time I had been to the principal's office, unfortunately. Mr.Kenney's office was relatively big, the walls were painted an off-white, and behind him were three large windows that looked out over the football field. I'd decided to stay quiet unless he asked me any questions. Principals liked to give lectures, and the less I said, the quicker he would finish.

"Here at Little River High, we give new students second chances, despite the records at thier last school.."Mr. Kenney trailed off, watching me calmly as he folded his hands,"But, you are abusing that chance, Jessica."

I hated it when people called me by my full name, it sounded too long.

"Why did you punch him?"

I sighed slightly, then replied,"Tom was saying things about my family, Mr. Kenney, I warned him to stop, and he wouldn't."

"So you let petty words get to you?"Mr.Kenney asked coolly.

I refrained myself from rolling my eyes, what was this, a cross examination?

"He provoked me, it isn't the first time he's bothered me,"I said, repeating,"I warned him to stop."

"Why didn't you tell a teacher?"Mr.Kenney questioned me.

This was really beginning to irritate me, why couldn't he just give me my punishment and send me on my merry little way?

"I guess my anger got the better of me, Mr.Kenney,"I replied.

"Well,"Mr.Kenney said, looking back at my student report,"Since you let your anger take advantage of you, you have earned yourself a week's worth of suspension, and I will be contacting your gaurdians."

I stopped myself from groaning, Amy was going to kill me.

"You may go now,"Mr.Kenney said.

He didn't need to tell me twice, I swiftly got up and left his office without a backwards glance. So much for starting off on a clean slate.

When I got home I went straight to the barn to start grooming AJ and Blackie, I was going to try my best to avoid Amy for as long as possible, this way she could cool down a little before she talked to me. The horses helped calm my nerves as well, and I felt a little better as I groomed AJ. The day had been sunny and warm, but as late afternoon came around, quick breezes began to pick up with a chilling cold, and dark clouds began to roll in from the north. Byron and I brought in the horses from the pastures, preparing for the storm that was headed our way.

Afterwards I walked down the barn aisle and stopped in front of Novello's stall. She turned her head to look at me and nickered softly. I went into her stall and walked towards her, offering her a sugar cube. The mare stepped towards me without hesitation and gobbled up the tasty treat, swishing her tail as crunched contently. I smiled a little and stroked her neck, feeling her fuzzy Winter coat under my fingers. My gaze went over her visible ribs and she nudged my shoulder slightly, her nares flaring.

I turned my gaze away and looked at her electric blue eyes. The soft glint of life ahd returned to them, and in those deep eyes I could see the mysterious wilderness and untamed beauty within. I felt my hope for Novello's progress grow.

"Don't worry girl,"I murmured softly, stroking her muzzle,"I won't let anyone hurt you again. Pretty soon you'll be out in the pasture, free to gallop as you please, I promise."

Novello's ears flicked forward, and she gently pushed her muzzle under my palm.

"Hey," A voice said quietly from the stall door.

I turned to see Byron standing calmly,"Oh, hey,"I mumbled, avoiding his gaze. We hadn't said a word to each other all day, though he had stuck up for me when Tom showed up.

He rubbed the back of his neck slightly, turning his eyes away from mine,"I just wanted to apalogize, for this morning. I was being a jerk. I guess life's been kinda rough, with the show, and my mom.."He trailed off, and his gaze seemed distant.

"Don't worry about it, I understand,"I told him, trying to smile,"Everyone has the right to be a jerk sometimes."

Byron looked at me and smiled,"Still, I should have been aware of your feelings, I'm not the only person in the world that has problems," He paused, then changed the subject,"Listen, about Tom, don't listen to what he says, he's a real jerk."

I walked up to the stall door,shrugging,"After today, I think he'll think twice before saying anything to me, I just wish it could have been less painful for him to figure that out..well, for his sake, at least."

Byron's smile grew a little,"I'm sure Amy will understand if you just explain what happened."

I shrugged again,"Hope so."

A silence fell between us after that, I was happy that things were patched up with Byron, I really liked him as a friend, and I hoped things would get better for him and his mom.

Footsteps broke up our amicable meeting though, Scott was walking up the barn aisle, towards us. Emily was tagging along behind him, wearing a bright purple Winter coat, she was carrying a toy horse with her, she gently tugged on Scott's shirt saying,

"But I want to go on a ride, daddy!"

Scott stopped enar us and looked at his daughter, saying patiently,"Maybe next time, Em',"He looked at me and tried to smile,"Amy wants to see you."

I sighed slightly and left Novello's stall, bracing myself for Amy's lecture.