The Year of the Horse (Book two of the Almair Series) (Completed)

Chapter 16 (Edited)

Nothing much happened that week after the encounter with Mia, that was worth telling. I was healing. I went to school with my injuries, and I just went home afterwards. However, there was this new teacher that AP Math II, which I was taking. Her name was Elizabeth Pine and, she was the new basketball coach. She also made me think that Coach was back from the dead, even though she didn't teach Honors Biology, like Coach had done.

Also, unlike Coach, she had blonde hair that was kept into a bun. She had brown eyes that seemed to glare at me, even though I didn't do anything wrong. She was slender built and had the body of a fighter. Her voice was hard and cold, but that might just be towards me, even though I had the highest grade in her class.

Mia did keep her promise and came to our house that Monday. However, she didn't get anything out of my parents to see if I was lying or not. She just got that I was telling the truth about me and Nick roughhousing.

Helen used her makeup skills and made it look like that Nick was really hurt, since I "did" win the battle between us. She had wrapped bandages around his arms and such, making it look like that I broke some bones. It was awesome, and I did take a picture of him after Mia had left.

"Stand still, Martha," Helen said while I squirmed around. "You are almost done." She filled with the dress, trying to get it to fit.

"Why do I need a new dress?" I asked with a groan.

It was Friday afternoon, and we were at Belle's Beauty Ball Gowns. It was a tongue twister, and I got slapped when I told that to Helen. She didn't like it when I made fun of her "favorite" shop.

"Because, we are eating at Mr. Walker's house, and Mom wants us to look nice."

"Then, why can't I wear a white collared shirt and black pants the the guys?" I still squirmed around, trying to look at the dress. However, Helen kept lifting my head back up, so I didn't look at it.

"Because, you are a girl, Martha. Now, stop moving."

I yelped as the fabric moved on my injured shoulder, making it sting. "Watch it!"

"Stand still, and it won't hurt."

"I don't know what I dislike worse, not knowing who you are talking about or wearing a retarded dress to something that might not be important," I mumbled, standing still. I closed my eyes and let her move the dress around me, making me wince.

"You'll find out who that is later." She stood back and placed a finger to her chin, giving me her thinking face. "Turn around." She moved a finger around in a circle, indicating me going in a circle.

I mocked sighed and did a circle before I turned to look at the mirror, and I couldn't help but make a disgusted face.

The dress that Helen had placed me in was this very bright pink, and it made me look like a slut. It had a low v neck collar, that showed a lot more than I was comfortable with. It had a short skirt, showing off the scars that I had on my legs. It had short sleeves, showing my bandaged arm. The worst part was, it was tight. I could hardly breathe.

"I don't like it, Helen. It makes me feel too exposed to the world." I tried to cover myself better than the dress did, making the fabric rub against my arm in the process. Great,I look like one of those Barbie Doll's from school that normally dress like this, I thought, grimacing.

"Hmmm maybe you're right. Let's try a different dress."

I groaned in pain while she started to take the cursed dress off of me. "Not too hard," I said, while she moved my shoulder, again.

"Well, I'm so-rry, but you should've not fought Nick."

"Hey, it's not my fault that he asked for it."

She shook her head and sighed. "What color dress do you think you would like?"

"I know that I would like to wear a shirt and pants."

"Martha!"

"Can't I just put on my clothes and see if I can't pick out one, please? It might save us the hassle of having to go through multiple dresses."

"If you don't choose to walk out."

"I won't walk out."

"Fine, then I am waiting outdoors." She turned towards the door and walked out, leaving me in my bra and panties. She made sure that no one could see me which I was grateful for.

I sighed with relief and started to change back into my normal clothes, wincing every time I moved my shoulder. "I don't want to go," I mumbled with a sigh.

"I heard that."

"I don't care if you heard or not. I just don't want to go to where I have to wear a dress." I quickly placed my boots on, before I walked out to see my sister glaring at me. "What'd I do?" I asked raising an eyebrow. I mean, I didn't do anything wrong.

"You didn't tell me that she shops here."

"Who?"

She scowled and took my hand, as if I was a child and lead me out of the changing rooms. "Her."

I looked to where she was pointing and saw that Ava was looking at some dresses. I couldn't help but grin as I started to walk over to my friend, because we haven't talked to each other in what felt like ages. "Ava."

She looked up and saw me. She forced a small smile on her face, making me cautious. "Hi, Martha, I didn't know that you came here. Nor, did I thought you would wear any dresses from here."

Something in her voice made me pause mid-step. My whole body tensed automatically, because it sounded as if she didn't really care about me or something like that. "I don't come here often, nor do I wear a dress. However, my family has something to do, and I'm being forced to wear a dress." I shrugged my shoulder, coming so that I was in front of her but not too close. A frown came on my face when she stiffed and moved back a little. "The other dresses that I did have, I kinda sorta tore them apart, to where I can't even sew 'em back together."

"And, Mom wants me to buy her a new dress and make sure that she doesn't rip this one up," Helen said, coming over toward us. There was a frown on her face, while she folded her arms across her crest.

"I don't know if you remember my sister Helen but... ya."

"It's good to see you, again."

"It's been a long time."

They looked at each other warily, as if they didn't like the other's company.

I frowned, glancing at my sister before I looked at Ava. "So, how is life treating you, Ava? I mean we haven't talked in a while now."

"I-I'm sorry, Martha, but I can't be seen with you anymore," Ava said, not answering my question. She looked down, turned away from me, and scurried away. Her whole body was tense

"It was nice talking to you too," I said, watching her retreat from me. I was really stunned that she just up and left me like that. I mean, I had counted oner as a friend. I didn't know why she would put me in that position. What did I do to her? I was sure I didn't do anything wrong.

"Come on, Martha. Let's just get your dress and leave this place," Helen said, softly. She placed her hand on my uninjured shoulder and lead me to a rack of dresses. Pity filled her voice, because she probably knew why Ava had done a thing like that.

I didn't pay attention to what she was doing to me. I just stared at where Ava had left, my face pale. Hurt filled my system, because I didn't know what I did. I was sure that it was something what I did. However, now that she was gone and probably Mal, I didn't have any friends from back when I was with Master Yin.

What was I going to do?