Chapter 1; The Auction
The sun crept through the shabby window and forced open my pale blue eyes. I lept up in a frantic way and quickly grabbed my wooden corset and quickly tied up the back of it. I pulled my dress over my head and puffed at the weight of it. I groaned as I tried to brush through my tangled hair for I had forgotten to wash up this morning. I gave up on the matted hair and put it in an extremely messy braid. I slipped on my shoes and flung open my closet door. I pulled up a floor board and took out my jar of saved up money. $50 I had saved up for two years for this very day. I rushed down the hallway and flung open my front door.
I rushed down the road and soon started running. I made it to the edge of town and pushed past many people. Men and women both gave me disgusted snorts and glares but I hardly noticed them out of my excitement. I finally made it to the auction ring and wiped away sweat from my forehead. I quickly caught my breath and stood up straight, attempting to look better than I did. A few women snickered beside me and my ears turned red. I knew it would be worth it in the end.
Horse after horse was brought into the ring and none caught my eye. "I hope I won't have to put away my money again this year." I muttered to myself. Finally, a beautiful dappled grey horse stepped into view. I gasped at the horse's remarkable beauty. She was most likely 2 years old and many people looked eager to grab her, but I knew this horse was mine.
The bidding began and soon the price was up to $10. "Eleven!" shouted a new voice from across the ring. i met eyes with the young man and was astonished at his features. He stood tall and his hair was neatly combed in a popular fashion. His blue eyes popped and he smirked at me. His eye brow raised as he checked my outfit. I blushed feeling embarresed at my appearance. "Twelve!" shouted a hoarse voice that I recognized almost immediatley. Quentin Watson. I took a daring chance and mustled up a shout. "Thirteen." I said firmly and my voice clearly wrang out. No one ever bidded at 13. It was normally skipped over for superstiteous reasons. The bidder was clearly caught by surprise. he stumbled. "Th-thirteen! Going once." The quiet scared me as I waited for another voice to call out a number. "Going twice." Nothing. The hammer slammed. "Sold to the young lady in the unGodly attire." I reddened at his words and went to claim my prize.
I stopped in the back to pay my $13 and grabbed my horse's rope. I smiled and was surprised as Quentin's face appeared in front of mine. "Thirteen was a daring number." His words cooed like a pigeon. "Yes." I said firmly. He put his hands on my waist. "I like daring women." He whispered in my ear. "Let go." I snarled. I tried to push his hands off my waist but they wouldn't budge. "Let go." I said louder. "No need to shout, darlin'." He said and squeezed my waist again, harder. I winced and gasped in pain again. "Excuse me." A strong voice spoke out and I recognized the man who had shouted out eleven at the ring. "Please let her go." His voice was calm and soft but strong at the same time. He looked about 17 years of age, maybe 18. Quentin laughed. "Step away, buddy." The young man shook his head and leaned in. "Let her go now or you will regret this." His voice was harsh this time but still queit. It scared me. Quentin let go of my waist. He stepped away with a huff and stormed off.
"Thank you." I said quietly. He smiled and asked sweetly, "Can I walk you home. Just in case he comes back?" I blushed and then shook away. "I think I'm fine." I said strongly. "I can handle myself." I gripped my horse's rope tighter and tugged. The horse started to walk slowly. I walked beside her and stroked her soft mane. He walked beside me. "Just in case." His soft breath chilled me and I finally gave up. "Fine." I said. He grinned and laughed. "I'm James Nicholls. And you are?" A handsome name, I thought. "Cristal Allread." He stepped a bit closer to me. "That's a nice name." He said for it was a polite thing to say.
We spent most of the way making small talk. James was very intelligent and very funny. Even my new horse thought so. When he made a joke, she would bob her head and whinny. When we stood before my house he looked at me and then the horse. "Do you know how to ride?" He put his hand on the horse's neck. I hesitated. "A little." He smiled a little and then looked at me. "I could teach you." I almost giggled and then stopped myself. "Okay." This time, I didn't try to argue because I knew it would be no use. "I live just down the way." He pointed to the left and I peered at a house in the distance. I nodded. "We can start tomorrow?" He suggested. I nodded again. "I'd like that, James Nicholls." He turned red and I gleamed a bit. I started to walk away. I stopped. "Thank you." I said before turning away toward the stables. "Any time, Cristal Allread." I blushed and opened the barn door.
